Songpa-gu Population Reaches 654,000 in 2023... 16 Consecutive Years as Seoul's No. 1

Proving 'Young, Vibrant, Seoul's Largest City'... Ranked 1st Among All Autonomous Districts Nationwide... Natural Increase of 301, the Highest in Seoul... 1st in Births, Elementary School Entrants, and Working-Age Population, 22nd in Elderly Population Ratio, 2nd in Youth Population, Average Age 1.2 Years Younger Than Seoul Average... In 2024, Songpa-gu Focuses on Urban Internal Growth and Future Competitiveness Enhancement

Songpa-gu (District Mayor Seo Gang-seok) was recorded as having the largest population in Seoul with 654,166 registered residents as of December last year. With this, the district has maintained its position as the largest autonomous district in Seoul for 16 consecutive years since the Ministry of the Interior and Safety began compiling resident registration population statistics through a system in 2008.

According to Songpa-gu’s independent analysis of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety’s 2023 resident registration population statistics, it boasted the largest population among 226 basic local governments nationwide at the autonomous district level. The only autonomous districts with populations exceeding 600,000 were Songpa-gu and Seo-gu in Incheon Metropolitan City (624,358).

The natural population increase continued this year as well, following last year. Compared to 2022, the registered population decreased by 4,635, but the natural increase?where births outnumber deaths?was 301. This was the highest figure among the five Seoul autonomous districts with natural population growth, and 72 more than second-place Seocho-gu (229).

In particular, the characteristics of a young city stood out. The number of births and youth population were high, and the elderly population ratio, which indicates the degree of population aging, was low.

In 2023, Songpa-gu recorded 3,114 births, ranking first in Seoul. The youth population (ages 19?39) was 195,189, ranking second after Gwanak-gu, and the average age was 43.2 years, 1.2 years younger than the Seoul average of 44.4 years.

On the other hand, the elderly population aged 65 and over was 108,643, the highest in Seoul, but the elderly population ratio relative to the total population was 16.6%, ranking 22nd in Seoul. This was 1.9% lower than the Seoul average (18.5%) and a significant 7.2% lower than the highest, Gangbuk-gu (23.8%).

Population indicators that suggest future growth potential also ranked high. The working-age population (ages 15?64) was 473,043, and the core working-age population (ages 25?49) was 261,764, both ranking first in Seoul. These figures accounted for 72.3% and 40.1% of Songpa’s total population, respectively, maintaining levels similar to the previous year.

The population expected to enter elementary school (age 6) was also the highest in Seoul. At 4,749, it exceeded second-place Gangnam-gu (3,747) by 1,002.

Meanwhile, the population aged 18 and over eligible to vote in the 22nd National Assembly election to be held on April 10 this year was 570,000, showing an overwhelming first place with about 70,000 more than second-place Gangseo-gu.

As Songpa-gu reaffirmed its position as the largest autonomous district in Seoul, it plans to focus on internal urban growth and securing competitiveness throughout this year by accelerating related projects. Key initiatives include ▲ the full-scale launch of the Songpa-daero premium street project such as road space reorganization to create one of Seoul’s most walkable streets ▲ rapid promotion of redevelopment and reconstruction ▲ expansion of native English-speaking classes support for daycare centers and kindergartens ▲ strengthening youth art support utilizing young artists ▲ differentiation of local representative festivals such as the Cherry Blossom Festival and the Hanseong Baekje Cultural Festival.

District Mayor Seo Gang-seok stated, “The unextinguishable driving force behind Songpa-gu’s development is its residents, who proudly make it the largest district in Seoul,” and added, “In 2024, we will listen carefully to every voice of our residents and continue ‘Songpa’s creative and innovative district administration that runs again’ to create visible changes in Songpa.”