The industrial output rose 4.8 percent from the previous year, according to Statistics Korea.
It marked the fastest increase in 11 years since 2010, driven by the global demand recovery that propped up export.
Output among manufacturers advanced 7.1 percent last year on solid demand for semiconductors, cars and general machinery.
Production in the services industry gained 4.3 percent in 2021, logging the highest growth in 14 years since 2007.
The higher vaccination rate bolstered domestic demand for the lodging and eatery, the arts, sports and leisure, and the wholesale and retail services.
Retail sale, which reflects private consumption, expanded 5.5 percent in 2021 from a year earlier, posting the fastest rise in 11 years since 2010.
The sale of semi-durable goods, such as clothing and footwear, jumped 12.4 percent, with the sale of durable and non-durable goods growing 5.1 percent and 3.1 percent, respectively.
Facility investment went up 9.0 percent last year, but completed construction declined 4.9 percent.
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