Seoul sees surprising surge in births and marriages

Babies play at a baby products fair in Gangnam, Seoul, May 1. Yonhap

After years of decline, Korea's capital is experiencing a notable demographic shift, with Seoul recording a yearlong rise in marriages and births, marking 12 consecutive months of growth, according to new data from Statistics Korea.

In March, the city welcomed 3,786 newborns, an 8.7 percent increase from the same month last year, representing the highest monthly figure in three years. This upward trend in births has been consistent in the capital since April of last year, when a 9.7 percent year-on-year rise first signaled a potential turnaround in the nation's stubbornly low birthrate.

The number of marriages is also on the rise in the capital.

In March, 3,814 couples tied the knot in Seoul — a 20 percent increase from the same month last year — marking the 12th consecutive month of year-on-year growth. The upward trend began in April 2023, when marriages surged by 27.8 percent.

While the capital’s total fertility rate remained among the lowest in the world at just 0.55 in 2023, the recent rise in marriages has nudged that figure upward. In the first quarter of this year, Seoul’s fertility rate climbed to 0.65 — an 8.3 percent increase from the same period last year.

City officials attribute the modest rebound to a combination of factors, including a post-pandemic surge in marriages and a suite of expanded low birthrate policies.

Since 2023, Seoul has provided fertility treatment subsidies to all couples experiencing infertility, regardless of income. Subsidies range from 300,000 won to 1.1 million won ($220-$812) per procedure, depending on the type of treatment.

In addition, pregnant women living in the city are eligible for a 700,000 won ($516) transportation allowance, which can be used for taxis, buses and subways.