Südkorea Bip-Wachstum

South Korea’s economy contracted by 0.2% quarter-on-quarter in the first three months of 2025, defying expectations of a modest 0.1% expansion. The downturn comes amid heightened political uncertainty at home and the economic impact of sweeping U.S. tariffs. On the expenditure front, private consumption dipped by 0.1%, primarily driven by reduced spending on services such as entertainment, cultural activities, and healthcare. Government consumption also declined by 0.1%, reflecting lower expenditures on healthcare benefits. Construction investment plunged 3.2%, largely due to a slowdown in building activity. Meanwhile, facilities investment dropped by 2.1%, with a notable decline in purchases of machinery, including semiconductor manufacturing equipment. Exports fell by 1.1%, weighed down by decreased shipments of chemicals and machinery. Imports also dropped by 2.0%, reflecting lower demand for energy products such as crude oil and natural gas.