---
source: Bank of Korea
url: https://www.bok.or.kr/eng/bbs/E0000634/view.do?nttId=10097144&menuNo=400423&relate=Y&depth=400423&programType=newsDataEng
document_type: pdf
date_retrieved: 2026-03-26
period: March 2026
parent_publication: Business Survey and Economic Sentiment Index (ESI)
indicators_covered: [Business Confidence, Business Condition, Economic Sentiment Index (ESI), Composite Business Sentiment Index (CBSI)]
---

# Business Survey and Economic Sentiment Index (ESI) for March 2026

## Summary

The Composite Business Sentiment Index (CBSI) for all industries for March 2026 was **94.1**, down 0.1 points from the previous month. The outlook for the following month (April) fell by 4.5 points to **93.1**.

In the **manufacturing sector**, the CBSI for March 2026 remained unchanged from the previous month at **97.1**, while the outlook for the following month fell by 3.0 points to **95.9**.

The **Economic Sentiment Index (ESI)**, which combines the Business Sentiment Index (BSI) and the Consumer Survey Index (CSI), for March 2026 was **94.0**, a decrease of 4.8 points from February.

## Manufacturing Sector Indicators

| Indicator | Feb 2026 | Mar 2026 | Month-on-month Change | Outlook (Apr) |
| :--- | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: |
| **CBSI** | 97.1 | 97.1 | 0.0 | 95.9 |
| **Business Condition (BSI)** | 72 | 71 | -1 | 71 |
| Production | 85 | 88 | +3 | 87 |
| New Orders | 81 | 84 | +3 | 84 |
| Inventories | 100 | 101 | +1 | 99 |
| Financial Situation | 80 | 79 | -1 | 77 |

## Non-manufacturing Sector Indicators

| Indicator | Feb 2026 | Mar 2026 | Month-on-month Change | Outlook (Apr) |
| :--- | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: |
| **CBSI** | 92.2 | 92.0 | -0.2 | 91.2 |
| **Business Condition (BSI)** | 71 | 70 | -1 | 70 |
| Sales | 79 | 78 | -1 | 80 |
| Profitability | 77 | 79 | +2 | 78 |
| Financial Situation | 80 | 79 | -1 | 79 |

## Sentiment Indices

| Index | Feb 2026 | Mar 2026 | Month-on-month Change |
| :--- | :---: | :---: | :---: |
| **ESI** | 98.8 | 94.0 | -4.8 |
| Cyclical Component of ESI | 96.2 | 96.6 | +0.4 |

## Survey Details

- **Survey Period:** March 11 to 18, 2026
- **Sample Size:** 3,524 companies (3,223 responded)
- **Methodology:** The BSI measures the net difference between positive and negative responses. A BSI above 100 indicates an improving outlook/condition, while below 100 indicates a deteriorating one.

[Source: Bank of Korea - Business Survey and Economic Sentiment Index (ESI) for March 2026]