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NYTThe Powerful Yet Fragile Force Propping Up Stocks and the Economy·NYTTariffs Are Making Instruments So Expensive, School Music Programs Are at Risk·Al Jazeera‘They are crying’: Refugees in Malaysia in fear amid Myanmar deportation·France 24France unveils cost-cutting budget amid protests·Bank of JapanJapanese Government Bonds Held by the Bank of Japan·BBCLorry training firm 'riding out' record diesel price·Al JazeeraIran urges Iraq to lift flight ban amid US sanctions·SCMPPhilippines’ jeepney drivers ‘stuck between a rock and a hard place’ despite fare increase·NYTThe Powerful Yet Fragile Force Propping Up Stocks and the Economy·NYTTariffs Are Making Instruments So Expensive, School Music Programs Are at Risk·Al Jazeera‘They are crying’: Refugees in Malaysia in fear amid Myanmar deportation·France 24France unveils cost-cutting budget amid protests·Bank of JapanJapanese Government Bonds Held by the Bank of Japan·BBCLorry training firm 'riding out' record diesel price·Al JazeeraIran urges Iraq to lift flight ban amid US sanctions·SCMPPhilippines’ jeepney drivers ‘stuck between a rock and a hard place’ despite fare increase·
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South Korean Won

KRW · South Korea

30
Moderate
Risk
Historical Scores
222833Jul 2021Jul 2025Oct 2026
What does this mean for you?

The South Korean Won is in decent shape overall, scoring 30 out of 100. There are some areas to watch, but no immediate danger. Your money is holding its value reasonably well compared to most currencies.

You only need about 3.6%/yr to stay ahead. A basic savings account is enough. Calculator ↓

Inflation
2.1%
Debt / GDP
47.8%
GDP Growth
1.0%
FX Volatility
55.5
Governance
1.1
Reserves
6.5 mo
Analysis
What's working well
Prices are stable — your money holds its value well
Government debt is low — less pressure to print money
Strong institutions and rule of law
What to watch out for
The currency has been swinging wildly — hard to plan ahead
Full South Korea analysis →

Savings Impact Calculator

₩
Holding cash in KRW2.1% inflation
₩900−₩100 (10% purchasing power lost)
Your ₩1,000 buys 10% less in 5 years
What if you invested ₩1,000 instead? (5yr, in KRW terms)
Hold USD Cash
₩859
−₩141
-3.0%/yr net in KRW
S&P 500
₩1611
+₩611
range: ₩734–₩3176
10% USD return + 0.0% FX · ±16% vol
Gold
₩1469
+₩469
range: ₩418–₩4007
8% USD return + 0.0% FX · ±24% vol
Bitcoin
₩3052
+₩2052
range: ₩180–₩18.4k
25% USD return + 0.0% FX · ±54% vol

All values in KRW. USD-denominated assets (S&P 500, Gold, Bitcoin) include an estimated FX gain of ~0.0%/yr based on the inflation differential between South Korea (2.1%) and the US (~3%). This uses purchasing power parity as a long-run approximation — actual FX movements can differ significantly in the short term. S&P 500 based on 1957-2024, Gold on 2000-2024, Bitcoin on 2015-2024. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Not financial advice.

Holding other assets too? Calculate your full portfolio risk →
This score is based on our 12-factor risk model. Think inflation or debt should matter more? Build your own model with custom weights and see how KRW ranks differently.
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