South Korea Lending Rate
Average bank lending rate to the private sector.
Lending Rate in South Korea decreased to 4.19 percent in 2025 from 4.73 percent in 2024.
South Korea Lending Rate — History
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South Korea Lending Rate — analysis in simple words
Latest reading
Lending Rate in South Korea decreased to 4.19 percent in 2025 from 4.73 percent in 2024.
Over the last three years it rose once and fell twice.
Recent trend
A year earlier (2024) it was 4.73%, so the latest figure is 0.53 percentage points lower.
Over the past five years the average was 4.26%, with a range from 2.88% to 5.19%. The latest value is below that five-year average.
Historical context
This data series starts in 1996 and has 30 annual observations. The latest reading is higher than 23% of all of them.
The highest value on record is 15.28% (1998) and the lowest is 2.80% (2020). The long-run average is 6.03%.
Compared with other countries
Among 119 economies with recent data, South Korea ranks 114th from the top. The median across all these economies is 8.67%, so South Korea is below the typical country.
Among 12 major economies tracked on this site it ranks 10th.
Within East Asia & Pacific (23 economies with data) it ranks 22nd; the regional median is 5.50%.
Statistics
- Latest
- 4.19%2025
- Previous
- 4.73%
- 5-year average
- 4.26%
- Long-run average
- 6.03%since 1996
- All-time high
- 15.28%1998
- All-time low
- 2.80%2020
- Observations
- 30Annual
Recent Data
| Period | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4.19% | ▼ −0.53 pp |
| 2024 | 4.73% | ▼ −0.46 pp |
| 2023 | 5.19% | ▲ +0.90 pp |
| 2022 | 4.29% | ▲ +1.41 pp |
| 2021 | 2.88% | ▲ +0.08 pp |
| 2020 | 2.80% | ▼ −0.64 pp |
| 2019 | 3.45% | ▼ −0.22 pp |
| 2018 | 3.66% | ▲ +0.19 pp |
| 2017 | 3.48% | ▲ +0.11 pp |
| 2016 | 3.37% | ▼ −0.17 pp |
| 2015 | 3.53% | ▼ −0.73 pp |
| 2014 | 4.26% | ▼ −0.38 pp |
| 2013 | 4.64% | ▼ −0.75 pp |
| 2012 | 5.40% | ▼ −0.36 pp |
| 2011 | 5.76% | ▲ +0.25 pp |
| 2010 | 5.51% | ▼ −0.14 pp |
| 2009 | 5.65% | ▼ −1.52 pp |
| 2008 | 7.17% | ▲ +0.62 pp |
| 2007 | 6.55% | ▲ +0.56 pp |
| 2006 | 5.99% | ▲ +0.39 pp |
| 2005 | 5.59% | ▼ −0.31 pp |
| 2004 | 5.90% | ▼ −0.33 pp |
| 2003 | 6.24% | ▼ −0.53 pp |
| 2002 | 6.77% | ▼ −0.94 pp |
| 2001 | 7.71% | ▼ −0.84 pp |
| 2000 | 8.55% | ▼ −0.85 pp |
| 1999 | 9.40% | ▼ −5.88 pp |
| 1998 | 15.28% | ▲ +3.40 pp |
| 1997 | 11.88% | ▲ +0.81 pp |
| 1996 | 11.07% |
Lending Rate — South Korea vs Peers
Latest available reading for each economy (periods may differ). South Korea highlighted.
More South Korea indicators
Understanding Lending Rate — a simple guide
What it measures
The average rate banks charge on loans to the private sector.
How it is calculated
Average rate charged by banks on new loans to businesses and households.
A 9% lending rate means a ₹1 lakh loan costs about ₹9,000 a year in interest.
Higher rates make borrowing more expensive.
Lower rates make credit cheaper.
Why it matters for the economy and markets
Lending rates determine the cost of credit for businesses and households.
How to read it
The gap between lending and deposit rates (the spread) reflects banking-sector costs and risk.
Data source
World Bank — World Development Indicators (series FR.INR.LEND), annual data from 1996 to 2025. Values are shown exactly as published by the source and may be revised later.
How to use the chart
Use the 5Y / 10Y / 25Y / Max buttons to change the time range, or drag the slider under the chart. Hover (or tap) on the line to see the exact value for any period. Dashed lines and hatched bars are IMF projections, not actual data. The “Download CSV” button gives you the full data series.
Frequently asked questions
What is the current lending rate of South Korea?
What is the highest and lowest lending rate of South Korea?
What does lending rate measure?
Data are sourced from official international organisations (IMF, World Bank, BIS) and national authorities, and are shown for educational and informational purposes only. They are not investment advice and no recommendation is made. Figures may be revised by the source; IMF figures for the current and future years are projections. This page was last updated on Saturday, October 17, 2026.