SEOUL, June 08 (AJP) - Births and marriages in Seoul have been on the rise for a full year, with new data showing a steady rebound in both areas. March saw the highest number of births for that month in three years, marking a notable shift in the city’s demographic trend.
According to Statistics Korea and the Seoul Metropolitan Government, 3,786 babies were born in Seoul in March, up 8.7 percent from the same time last year. It was the largest figure for March since 2022, when 4,027 babies were born.
That marks 12 consecutive months of year-on-year growth in the city’s birth numbers—an encouraging sign in a country long grappling with declining fertility.
Marriages have followed a similar trajectory. In March, 3,814 couples tied the knot, a 20.0 percent increase compared to the year before. Like births, marriage numbers have risen each month since April 2023, when they jumped by 27.8 percent.
Seoul’s total fertility rate for the first quarter of 2025 rose to 0.65, up 8.3 percent from the previous year.
Officials credit a combination of post-pandemic social recovery and expanded city support programs for the uptick. Since 2023, Seoul has offered fertility treatment subsidies to all couples, regardless of income. Pregnant residents are also eligible for a 700,000-won ($514) transportation stipend, which can be used for taxis and public transport.
To ease the cost of child-raising, the city recently launched a discount mall for childcare products, offering essential items at half price.
More significantly, a new housing initiative rolled out in May targets non-homeowning households that give birth while living in Seoul. The program offers up to 7.2 million won in rent subsidies over two years, helping families afford to stay in the city despite high housing costs. Eligible families can receive up to 300,000 won per month.
“Marriage numbers have increased since the end of the pandemic, and births are following that trend,” a city official said. “We plan to continue supporting policies around marriage, childbirth, and child-rearing.”
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.
View more comments