Global Leading Indicators

For Release 10:30 AM ET, November10, 2025

Using the Composite Indexes: The Leading Economic Index (LEI) provides an early indication of significant turning points in the business cycle and where the economy is heading in the near term. The Coincident Economic Index (CEI) provides an indication of the current state of the economy. Additional details are below.

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index^®(LEI) for South Korea decreased by 0.1% to 112.8 (2016=100) in September 2025, after increasing by 0.4% in August. The LEI expanded by 3.6% over the six-month period between March and September 2025, after decreasing by 0.2% over the previous six-month period between September 2024 and March 2025.

The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index^® (CEI) for South Korea rose by 1.5% to 110.3 (2016=100) in September 2025, after decreasing by 0.5% in August. As a result, the CEI increased by 1.8% over the six-month period between March and September 2025, a much faster rate than the 0.6% increase over the previous six-month period.

“The South Korea LEI ticked down in September” said Malala Lin, Economic Research Associate, at The Conference Board. “Performance across the LEI components was mixed. The slight decrease was mostly driven by an estimated increase in the inventories-to-shipments ratio and a decline in private construction orders. While the annual growth rate of the LEI slightly slumped, it remained elevated, still suggesting solid growth ahead. Additionally, with the recent announcement of US tariff reductions, easing trade tensions could reduce headwinds. Overall, The Conference Board expects real GDP growth at 1.1% this year, accelerating to 2.4% in 2026.”

The next release is scheduled for Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 10:30 A.M. ET.