An obstetrician holds the hand of a newborn at the Kyungpook National University Chilgok Hospital in Daegu, April 24, 2024. Korea Times photo by Jung Da-bin

Seoul plans to give 1 million won ($685) to newlywed couples who register their marriage in the capital this year to further boost the city's rebounding birthrate.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Sunday that it is reviewing the policy of paying 1 million won in the name of "marriage living expenses."

After consultation with the Ministry of Health and Welfare on the payment method and the target of support, it will distribute the subsidy as early as October. The city government is also considering giving out the subsidy in cash or points that can be used as cash in the community.

Couples who have registered their marriage in Seoul this year with a median income of less than 150 percent in 2025 — 5.89 million won for two people in 2025 — are eligible for the benefit. By the city government's calculation, about 20,000 couples could benefit from the policy. The city is also considering expanding the target to less than 180 percent of the median income (7.07 million won for two people).

As the number of births started rebounding last year, the policy aims to continue this trend by strengthening support for marriage, childbirth and parenting.

According to Statistics Korea's population trend, Seoul saw a total of 38,568 births from January to November last year, up 5.1 percent from the same period in 2023 at 36,703. The number of babies born in Seoul increased every month in 2024 compared to 2023, except for January and March, which each saw a 9 percent and 4 percent decrease.

The city believes that the main reason behind the rebound is that couples who had postponed their marriage due to COVID-19 got married after pandemic restrictions were lifted. Also, policies such as a long-term lease deposit for newlyweds, infertility support and multi-child household support also had an impact, the city said.

"The city government is closely reviewing related measures to continue this trend of increasing births," an official said.