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A Bank of Korea chart illustrates September movements in consumer sentiment indicators in Seoul on September 24. / Source: Bank of Korea

South Korea’s Composite Consumer Sentiment Index (CCSI) fell from a month earlier in September, reflecting concerns over a sluggish construction sector and potential export headwinds from expanding U.S. tariffs, the Bank of Korea said Wednesday.

The CCSI came in at 110.1. Readings above 100 indicate consumers are more optimistic than the long-term average, while figures below 100 signal pessimism.

By component, the Current Living Conditions Index held at 96, but the Living Conditions Outlook slipped by 1 point. The Household Income Outlook was unchanged at 102, while the Consumer Spending Outlook fell 1 point to 110.

Perceptions of the broader economy weakened. The Current Economic Assessment dropped 2 points to 91 and the Future Economic Outlook fell 3 points to 93. The Employment Outlook edged down 1 point to 91, and the Interest Rate Outlook declined 2 points to 93.

On household finances, the Household Savings Outlook eased by 0.1 point, while the Current Household Savings, Current Household Debt, and Household Debt Outlook were unchanged from August.

In price-related indicators, the Housing Price Outlook rose 1 point to 112, the Wage Level Outlook slipped 1 point to 122, and the Price Level Outlook was steady at 145.

Consumers’ perceived inflation over the past year stayed at 3.0%. One-year expected inflation eased by 0.1 percentage point to 2.5%, while three-year and five-year expectations were unchanged at 2.5%.