Did Low Birthrate Policies Work?... Seoul Sees 12 Consecutive Months of Increases in Marriage and Childbirth

Marriage and Births in Seoul Rise for 12 Consecutive Months
March Sees Highest Number of Newborns in Three Years

Marriage and childbirth in Seoul have shown an upward trend for 12 consecutive months. In particular, the number of births in March this year was the highest in three years.

According to Statistics Korea and the Seoul Metropolitan Government on June 8, the number of newborns in Seoul in March was 3,786, an increase of 8.7% compared to the same period last year. This is the highest March figure since March 2022, when there were 4,027 births. Since April last year, when the number of births in Seoul increased by 9.7% year-on-year, the city has seen 12 consecutive months of growth in the number of newborns through March this year.

Newborns are lying on beds in a hospital neonatal unit. Photo by Jinhyung Kang

The number of marriages is also on the rise. In March, there were 3,814 marriages in Seoul, a 20.0% increase from a year earlier. Like the birth rate, the number of marriages has increased for 12 consecutive months since April last year, when it rose by 27.8% year-on-year. With the rise in marriages, Seoul's total fertility rate for the first quarter was 0.65, up 8.3% from the first quarter of last year.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government explained that the increase in the number of newborns is the result of a clear rise in marriages following the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the combined effects of various low birth rate policies. Since 2023, Seoul has been subsidizing fertility treatment costs for all infertile couples, regardless of income. In addition, all pregnant women living in Seoul receive a transportation allowance of 700,000 won, enabling them to use taxis, buses, and subways without financial burden. To further reduce the burden of childcare, the city recently opened a discount mall offering childcare products at half price.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government is also strengthening housing policies for newlyweds. Last month, the city launched the 'Housing Cost Support Program for Childbirth in Households Without a Home,' the first of its kind in the country, which provides up to 7.2 million won in housing support over two years to households without a home that have given birth to a child. This program supports up to 300,000 won per month?the typical difference in housing costs between the Seoul metropolitan area and Seoul proper?for two years, so that households without a home can continue to reside in Seoul after their child is born. Eligible recipients are households without a home that gave birth this year, have an income at or below 180% of the median, and have a jeonse deposit of 300 million won or less or a monthly rent of 1.3 million won or less.

A Seoul city official said, "The number of marriages has increased following the end of the pandemic, and the number of newborns is also rising as a result," adding, "We will continue to pursue policies for marriage, childbirth, and childcare in the future."