South Korea Lifts 2026 Growth Forecast to 3% as AI Chip Exports Drive 12.3% Nominal Expansion
Updated
Updated · 매일경제 · Jul 14
South Korea Lifts 2026 Growth Forecast to 3% as AI Chip Exports Drive 12.3% Nominal Expansion
3 articles · Updated · 매일경제 · Jul 14
Summary
South Korea raised its 2026 real GDP growth forecast to 3% from 2%, marking a level the country has not reached in five years if realized.
AI-driven semiconductor demand, strong exports and a supplementary budget underpinned the upgrade, while officials said rapid policy responses helped cushion fallout from the Middle East war.
The government’s call is notably above the 2.6% forecasts recently cited by the IMF, OECD, ADB and the Bank of Korea, putting Seoul at the top end of current expectations.
Officials also projected 12.3% nominal growth—the fastest in 30 years—said per-capita income would approach $40,000, and forecast the debt ratio would fall into the 40% range.
Seoul tied the outlook to a second-half strategy centered on market stabilization, supply-chain resilience and accelerated investment in semiconductors, AI data centers, physical AI and other strategic industries.