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South Korea Interest Rate

South Korea's interest rate remained at 2.5% in October 2025. This rate is unchanged from August 2025. The Bank of Korea maintained this policy to address financial stability concerns including the housing market and household debt. Exchange rate volatility and trade negotiations with the United States also factored into the decision. Modest economic growth is being monitored alongside these stability issues. South Korea's record low interest rate was 0.5% in May 2020 and record high was 5.25% in October 2000.

Historical Data (1999-2025)

(in %)
Date Interest Rate
Oct 23, 2025 2.5%
Aug 28, 2025 2.5%
Jul 10, 2025 2.5%
May 29, 2025 2.5%
Apr 17, 2025 2.75%
Feb 25, 2025 2.75%
Jan 16, 2025 3%
Nov 28, 2024 3%
Oct 11, 2024 3.25%
Aug 22, 2024 3.5%
Jul 11, 2024 3.5%
May 23, 2024 3.5%
Apr 12, 2024 3.5%
Feb 22, 2024 3.5%
Jan 11, 2024 3.5%
Nov 30, 2023 3.5%
Oct 19, 2023 3.5%
Aug 24, 2023 3.5%
Jul 13, 2023 3.5%
May 25, 2023 3.5%
Apr 13, 2023 3.5%
Feb 23, 2023 3.5%
Jan 13, 2023 3.5%
Nov 24, 2022 3.25%
Oct 14, 2022 3%
Sep 30, 2022 2.5%
Aug 25, 2022 2.5%
Jul 14, 2022 2.25%
May 26, 2022 1.75%
Apr 14, 2022 1.5%
Feb 24, 2022 1.25%
Jan 14, 2022 1.25%
Nov 25, 2021 1%
Oct 12, 2021 0.75%
Aug 26, 2021 0.75%
Jul 15, 2021 0.5%
May 27, 2021 0.5%
Apr 15, 2021 0.5%
Feb 25, 2021 0.5%
Jan 15, 2021 0.5%
Nov 26, 2020 0.5%
Oct 14, 2020 0.5%
Aug 27, 2020 0.5%
Jul 16, 2020 0.5%
May 28, 2020 0.5%
Apr 09, 2020 0.75%
Feb 27, 2020 1.25%
Jan 17, 2020 1.25%
Nov 29, 2019 1.25%
Oct 16, 2019 1.25%
Aug 30, 2019 1.5%
Jul 18, 2019 1.5%
May 31, 2019 1.75%
Apr 18, 2019 1.75%
Feb 28, 2019 1.75%
Jan 24, 2019 1.75%
Nov 30, 2018 1.75%
Oct 18, 2018 1.5%
Aug 31, 2018 1.5%
Jul 12, 2018 1.5%
May 24, 2018 1.5%
Apr 12, 2018 1.5%
Feb 27, 2018 1.5%
Jan 18, 2018 1.5%
Nov 30, 2017 1.5%
Oct 19, 2017 1.25%
Aug 31, 2017 1.25%
Jul 13, 2017 1.25%
May 25, 2017 1.25%
Apr 13, 2017 1.25%
Feb 23, 2017 1.25%
Dec 15, 2016 1.25%
Nov 11, 2016 1.25%
Oct 13, 2016 1.25%
Sep 09, 2016 1.25%
Jul 14, 2016 1.25%
Jun 09, 2016 1.25%
Apr 19, 2016 1.5%
Mar 10, 2016 1.5%
Feb 16, 2016 1.5%
Jan 15, 2016 1.5%
Dec 10, 2015 1.5%
Oct 15, 2015 1.5%
Sep 11, 2015 1.5%
Jun 11, 2015 1.5%
Mar 12, 2015 1.75%
Oct 15, 2014 2%
Aug 14, 2014 2.25%
May 09, 2013 2.5%
Oct 11, 2012 2.75%
Jul 12, 2012 3%
Jun 10, 2011 3.25%
Mar 10, 2011 3%
Jan 13, 2011 2.75%
Nov 16, 2010 2.5%
Jul 09, 2010 2.25%
Feb 12, 2009 2%
Jan 09, 2009 2.5%
Dec 11, 2008 3%
Nov 07, 2008 4%
Oct 09, 2008 5%
Aug 07, 2008 5.25%
Mar 07, 2008 5%
Aug 09, 2007 5%
Jul 12, 2007 4.75%
Aug 10, 2006 4.5%
Jun 08, 2006 4.25%
Feb 09, 2006 4%
Dec 08, 2005 3.75%
Oct 11, 2005 3.5%
Nov 11, 2004 3.25%
Aug 12, 2004 3.5%
Jul 10, 2003 3.75%
May 13, 2003 4%
May 07, 2002 4.25%
Sep 19, 2001 4%
Aug 09, 2001 4.5%
Jul 05, 2001 4.75%
Feb 08, 2001 5%
Oct 05, 2000 5.25%
Feb 10, 2000 5%
May 06, 1999 4.75%

Recent Events

datetime event actual previous consensus
2025-10-22 09:00 PM Interest Rate Decision 2.5% 2.5% 2.5%
2025-08-27 09:00 PM Interest Rate Decision 2.5% 2.5% 2.5%

Next Release Date :

South Korea Interest Rate : Definition
The Interest Rate set by the Bank of Korea is the benchmark cost of borrowing in the economy. It influences lending, spending, investment, inflation, and overall financial stability.
Indicator Last Value Prior Value Period
Current Account to GDP Ratio 5.3% 1.8% Dec'24
Debt to GDP Ratio 46.8% 45.5% Dec'24
Private Credit (% GDP) 176.12% 174.97% 2023