S. Korea Net Lending Rises to KRW 158.2T in 2025

Seoul, South Korea — Total economy net lending reached KRW 158.2 trillion (US$109.6 billion) in 2025, up from KRW 116.6 trillion (US$80.8 billion) the previous year, the Bank of Korea reported Thursday.

According to preliminary estimates from the central bank’s Economic Statistics Department, net lending for households and non-profit institutions serving households rose to KRW 269.7 trillion (US$186.8 billion) from KRW 215.5 trillion (US$149.3 billion).

Net borrowing by non-financial corporations narrowed to KRW 34.2 trillion (US$23.7 billion) from KRW 77.5 trillion (US$53.7 billion) over the same period.

The general government’s net borrowing expanded to KRW 52.6 trillion (US$36.4 billion) from KRW 36.1 trillion (US$25.0 billion) a year earlier.

The domestic non-financial sector’s total financial assets stood at KRW 13,986.1 trillion (US$9.69 trillion) at the end of 2025, an increase of KRW 1,656.1 trillion (US$1.15 trillion) from the prior year.

Total financial liabilities, excluding equity and foreign direct investment, rose by KRW 330.2 trillion (US$228.7 billion) to KRW 8,101.2 trillion (US$5.61 trillion).

The ratio of financial assets to liabilities for the domestic non-financial sector increased to 1.73 from 1.59.

For households and non-profit institutions serving households, the ratio increased to 2.54 from 2.31 at the end of the previous year.