After years of setting grim global records for the world’s lowest fertility rates, Korea’s sprawling capital is orchestrating an unexpected demographic turnaround. Driven by aggressive municipal welfare programs and shifting cultural attitudes, Seoul is witnessing a sustained surge in both births and marriages, offering a rare beacon of hope in East Asia’s ongoing demographic crisis. According to annual data released by Statistics Korea, Seoul recorded 45,516 births in 2025, representing a 9.4 percent increase from the previous year. This marked the fastest growth rate among all 17 regions in Korea and secured a second consecutive year of population expansion for the metropolis. The capital's total fertility rate — the average number of children expected per woman — climbed to 0.63, steadily rebounding from its historic low of 0.55 in 2023 and consistently outpacing official forecasts. The momentum is accelerating in 2026. During the first six months of the year, Seoul registered 26,924 births, an 18.7 percent increase compared to the same period in 2025. Marriages — a critic