Korea’s per-capita GNI to reach all-time high in 2012: data

South Korea's per-capita gross national income (GNI) will likely reach an all-time high this year despite gloomy global economic conditions, data showed Sunday.

The country's nominal GNI are forecast to reach about US$23,159 this year, up 3 percent from $22,489 reported a year earlier, according to the data provided by the Finance Ministry.

The figures are based on the ministry's 3.3 percent economic growth outlook for this year and average currency exchange rate of 1,130 won per dollar. The growth projection was revised down from 3.7 percent in June due in part to cloudy export market conditions.

The latest GNI forecast would mark the all-time high for Asia's fourth-largest economy, beating the previous record of $22,489 reported last year.

South Korea's GNI dropped to $19,161 and $17,041 in 2008 and 2009 in the face of the global financial crisis. The figure bounced back to $20,562 in 2010 and $22,489 in 2011, respectively.

The actual GNI numbers, however, could be lower than expected for this year if the country's growth is affected by protracted eurozone debt problems and possible global economic slowdowns.

Finance Minister Bahk Jae-wan earlier said that the growth rate could fall to the 2-percent range this year, citing persistent eurozone problems.