The Bank of Korea released its March 2026 Business Survey and Economic Sentiment Index, showing the Composite Business Sentiment Index (CBSI) for all industries edging down 0.1 points from the previous month to 94.1, while the outlook for the following month fell 4.5 points to 93.1. The Economic Sentiment Index (ESI), which combines business and consumer sentiment, declined 4.8 points to 94.0. Manufacturing CBSI was unchanged at 97.1, but its one-month-ahead outlook dropped 3.0 points to 95.9. Non-manufacturing CBSI slipped 0.2 points to 92.0 and its outlook fell 5.6 points to 91.2. The cyclical component of the ESI increased 0.4 points to 96.6, based on responses from 3,223 of the 3,524 companies surveyed between 11 and 18 March 2026.
Bank of Korea 2026-03-27
Bank of Korea publishes March 2026 sentiment survey showing business outlook weakening and Economic Sentiment Index down to 94.0
The Bank of Korea’s March 2026 Business Survey and Economic Sentiment Index show a slight weakening in sentiment, with the Composite Business Sentiment Index for all industries down 0.1 points to 94.1 and the outlook falling 4.5 points to 93.1. The Economic Sentiment Index declined 4.8 points to 94.0, although its cyclical component rose 0.4 points to 96.6, with manufacturing sentiment flat and non-manufacturing sentiment edging lower.