The government forecasts national per capita income will recover to 20-thousand dollars next year for the first time in three years.

The Finance Ministry says if the economy grows five percent as expected next year, per capita income will exceed 20-thousand dollars.

The forecast is based on the annual average exchange rate of one dollar trading at 11-hundred-60 won. As the dollar depreciates, the nation's per capita income increases in dollar terms.

If this year's average exchange rate rises to about 12-hundred-80 won, per capita income will fall to around 17-thousand dollars.

Korea's per capita income posted 21-thousand-695 dollars in 2007, the first year it surpassed the 20-thousand mark. Last year, the number fell to 19-thousand dollars due to the global recession.

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