Recent data shows that owners of bars and other local pubs in South Korea are experiencing their worst business conditions in years due to the sluggish economy.

According to Statistics Korea Monday, the service production index of bars and restaurants specializing in alcoholic drinks fell to 73 points, the lowest level since related data began to be compiled in July 2000.

The previous record low was 76-point-six points in February of 2015.

It is the 19th consecutive month that the figure for bars decreased since the index last surpassed 100 in July 2014.

The service production index gauges the real growth of a certain service industry with the production level in 2010 set as the base level. Changes in prices are taken into consideration to measure real growth of production.

A reading above 100 means production has increased since 2010, while a reading below 100 indicates the opposite.