Money investment by households and non-profit organizations totaled 333.3 trillion won (273.7 billion U.S. dollars) in 2021, down 30.5 trillion won (25 billion U.S. dollars) from the previous year, according to the Bank of Korea (BOK).
Investment in equity securities and investment funds soared to 92.5 trillion won (76 billion U.S. dollars) in 2021 from 55.6 trillion won (45.7 billion U.S. dollars) in the prior year.
It was the highest since relevant data began to be compiled in 2009.
The stock investment frenzy came as households rushed to buy both local and foreign stocks with borrowed money.
The BOK raised its benchmark interest rate from a record low of 0.50 percent to 0.75 percent in August and to 1.00 percent in November each last year, but it remained at a low level.
Households' deposit in financial institutions shrank by 17.6 trillion won (14.5 billion U.S. dollars) over the year to 156.8 trillion won (128.7 billion U.S. dollars) in 2021 amid the near-record-low policy rate.
Fund raising by households and non-profit organizations came in at 192.1 trillion won (157.7 billion U.S. dollars) in 2021, up from 173.9 trillion won (142.8 billion U.S. dollars) in the previous year.
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