The overall sentiment of South Korean consumers hit an eight-month high this month on expectations of economic recovery, central bank data showed Friday.

The composite consumer sentiment index for August came to 102, compared with 101 the previous month, according to the data from the Bank of Korea. The figure marks the highest since December.

A reading above 100 means optimists outnumber pessimists.

A separate index gauging the people's sentiments toward the current economic conditions came to 74 in August, up from 71 the previous month.

An index measuring the people's sentiments toward future economic conditions stood at 85, up from 80 during the same period, according to the BOK.

People's sentiments toward employment improved, with an index measuring their sentiments toward job opportunities coming to 83 in August, up from 76 in the previous month, according to the BOK.

The monthly index is based on a survey of 2,056 households throughout the country from Aug. 12 to 19. (Yonhap)