(LEAD) GNI per capita 'almost certain' to reach US$40,000 in 2026: finance ministry

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(ATTN: ADDS details in last 4 paras finance minister's social media post, photo) By Kang Yoon-seung

SEOUL, Oct. 27 (Yonhap) -- South Korea is "almost certain" to reach a gross national income (GNI) per capita of US$40,000 this year, the finance ministry said Tuesday, as Asia's No. 4 economy grew 1 percent in the third quarter from the previous three-month period, driven by strong exports and investment.

The Ministry of Finance and Economy made the assessment following the release of advance third-quarter data from the Bank of Korea (BOK), which would mark a new milestone after the country's per capita GNI, a gauge of the population's purchasing power, first surpassed the $30,000 mark in 2014.

"South Korea maintained solid growth despite a high base effect from the first half, raising the possibility of growth in the mid-3 percent range this year," the finance ministry said.

Finance Minister Lee Hyoung-il speaks during a meeting held in Seoul on Oct. 23, 2026, in this photo released by the Ministry of Finance and Economy. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Finance Minister Lee Hyoung-il said this month South Korea's economic growth for 2026 could range from 3.4 percent to 3.6 percent.

"The GNI per capita is almost certain to hit $40,000 for the first time ever," it added.

The International Monetary Fund also recently projected South Korea's per capita GNI would reach the $40,000 level in 2026 and $50,000 in 2028.

The finance ministry, however, noted South Korea faces structural challenges despite the strong growth, including mounting livelihood-related challenges and disparities across various areas.

"The government intends to tackle the livelihood issues and ease disparities so the benefits of economic growth can be felt in people's daily lives," the finance ministry added.

In a separate social media post on the day, the finance minister said the $40,000 milestone is also "just around the corner."

"(The economic growth) has been led by robust exports and an increase in facility investment driven by semiconductor equipment," Lee said.

"Now, we will make efforts to ensure these achievements translate into improvements in people's lives," the finance minister said.

"We will pursue growth for all, under which growth leads to more jobs and higher incomes, and supports consumption to spur further growth, establishing a virtuous cycle," he added.

This undated file photo shows the sign of the Ministry of Finance and Economy at its headquarters in the central city of Sejong. (Yonhap)

colin@yna.co.kr (END)

(LEAD) GNI per capita 'almost certain' to reach US$40,000 in 2026: finance ministry

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（注：最后四段补充了财政部长社交媒体帖子的详细信息及照片）康允胜

首尔，10月27日（韩联社）——韩国财政部周二表示，受强劲的出口和投资推动，韩国第三季度经济环比增长1%，因此，韩国今年人均国民总收入（GNI）“几乎肯定”将达到4万美元。

韩国财政经济部在韩国央行公布第三季度初步数据后做出评估，这将标志着该国人均国民总收入（衡量人口购买力的指标）在 2014 年首次突破 3 万美元大关后，迎来一个新的里程碑。

“尽管上半年基数较高，韩国经济仍保持稳健增长，今年经济增长率有望达到3%左右，”财政部表示。

这张由韩国财政经济部发布的照片​​显示，韩国财政部长李亨日于2026年10月23日在首尔举行的一次会议上发表讲话。（照片非卖品）（韩联社）

韩国财政部长李亨日本月表示，韩国2026年的经济增长率可能在3.4%至3.6%之间。

报告还指出，“人均国民总收入几乎肯定会首次达到 4 万美元”。

国际货币基金组织最近也预测，韩国的人均国民总收入将在 2026 年达到 4 万美元，在 2028 年达到 5 万美元。

然而，财政部指出，尽管韩国经济增长强劲，但仍面临结构性挑战，包括日益严峻的民生相关挑战和各领域之间的不平衡。

财政部补充说：“政府打算解决民生问题，缩小差距，使经济增长的好处能够惠及人民的日常生活。”

当天，财政部长在另一篇社交媒体帖子中表示，40,000 美元的里程碑也“指日可待”。

李说：“（经济增长）主要得益于强劲的出口和半导体设备带动的设施投资增加。”

“现在，我们将努力确保这些成就转化为人民生活的改善，”财政部长说。

“我们将追求全民增长，在这种增长模式下，增长将带来更多就业机会和更高收入，并支持消费以刺激进一步增长，从而建立一个良性循环，”他补充道。

这张未注明日期的资料照片显示了位于韩国中部城市世宗市的财政经济部总部大楼的标志。（韩联社）

colin@yna.co.kr (完)

（导语）财政部：人均国民总收入“几乎肯定”会在2026年达到4万美元