South Korea's economy has been struggling in terms of investment and employment,... but data show that last year private consumption grew at its fastest rate in 7 years.<br /> According to the Bank of Korea, the nation's private consumption grew 2-point-8 percent last year,... up from the previous year's figure of 2-point-6 percent. <br />Last year's numbers mean that private consumption grew faster than the overall economic growth rate of 2-point-7 percent.<br />The rise was due in large part to more purchases of durable goods such as home appliances.<br />For instance, the record heatwave in the summer prompted people to buy air conditioners... and the fine dust pollution in the winter encouraged many to buy air purifiers. <br />
