Lending interest rate in South Korea in 2025 — 4.19%. Ranked 3 in the world out of 69. Since 1996, the indicator has fallen by 6.87 pp.
1996–2025 · % per annum
| Year | % | Change, pp |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4.19 | −0.53 pp |
| 2024 | 4.73 | −0.46 pp |
| 2023 | 5.19 | +0.9 pp |
| 2022 | 4.29 | +1.41 pp |
| 2021 | 2.88 | +0.08 pp |
| 2020 | 2.8 | −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 | 5.4 | −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 | 5.9 | −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 | 9.4 | −5.88 pp |
| 1998 | 15.28 | +3.4 pp |
| 1997 | 11.88 | +0.81 pp |
| 1996 | 11.07 | — |
The same indicator for neighboring countries — with links to their pages
The average rate at which banks extend short- and medium-term credit to the private sector. The methodology differs across countries — different maturities, types of borrower, collateral — so levels are not strictly comparable; the movement within a country, on the other hand, is telling and tracks the decisions of the central bank closely.
Important: There are no aggregates for country groups: rates can only be averaged by the volume of credit, and we have no such series. The difference between the lending and the deposit rate is the interest spread, an indirect measure of the efficiency of a banking system.
Source: World Economic Outlook (IMF), license IMF open data.
The average rate banks pay on deposits.
Finance Real interest rateThe lending rate less inflation — the true cost of borrowed money.
Economy Consumer price inflationThe annual change in the consumer price index, in percent.
Finance Credit to the private sectorThe volume of bank lending to businesses and households as a percent of GDP.
