Seoul: population and official figures
What is the population of Seoul?
Seoul, the capital of South Korea, had 9,421,415 inhabitants (city proper) on 1 July 2022, according to an official estimate (usual residents) reported to the United Nations.
Source: United Nations Statistics Division · saved copyHow does Seoul rank among cities in South Korea?
Of the 36 cities the UN table lists for South Korea (capitals and places of 100,000 or more), it is the largest.
Source: United Nations Statistics Division · saved copyHow many women and men live in Seoul?
Women and girls made up 51.7% of residents (4,869,223 female, 4,552,192 male).
Source: United Nations Statistics Division · saved copyHow big is Seoul?
It covers 605 km², about 15,573 people per km².
Source: United Nations Statistics Division · saved copyNotes from the UN table: Surface area includes interior waters.
Who runs Seoul?
In South Korea, cities and towns are run by upper-level local governments: Mayor or governor and council directly elected for four years; superintendent of education also directly elected. Regional planning, roads, transport, police support (autonomous police), education (via the education office).
How local power works in South Korea
Cities of a similar size in South Korea
- Busan 3,303,196
- Incheon 2,975,225
- Daegu 2,371,593
- Daejeon 1,472,473
- Gwangju 1,469,502
- Ulsan 1,113,508
- Changwon 1,019,541
- Cheonan 685,846
- Jeonju 666,953
- Gimhae 546,443
- Pohang 498,424
- Jeju 494,228
Up a level: all cities in South Korea · South Korea · government and power
Sources
- United Nations Statistics Division: Demographic Yearbook 2024, Table 8: Population of capital cities and cities of 100 000 or more inhabitants, latest available year, 2005-2024, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 0c6784df022e…)
- United Nations Statistics Division: Demographic Yearbook 2024, technical notes to Table 8, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b0d2d6d8ccd6…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.