24°C / 75°F
Sunny
|
Current time: 13:48
|
05:58
19:07
Seoul is the capital and largest city of South Korea, serving as its political, economic, and cultural center. The city has a population estimated at 9,461,330 inhabitants (2026 estimate). With a history spanning over 2,000 years, Seoul became the capital during the Joseon Dynasty in the late 14th century and has since remained the country’s primary urban center. It has transformed from a historic royal city into a global metropolis known for its advanced technology and dynamic culture.
Notable landmarks include the Gyeongbokgung, the N Seoul Tower, and the Bukchon Hanok Village. Seoul has also been the birthplace of several prominent figures, including actress Jun Ji-hyun, actor Kim Soo-hyun, and footballer Park Ji-sung.
Seoul in South Korea
127.0° E
Seoul Population Evolution
The population of Seoul in 2026 is estimated to 9,461,330 inhabitants. This estimate is taken from our extrapolation of available data and not an official estimate.
Population Summary
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1949 | 1,437,670 | |
| 1970 | 5,433,198 | +277.9% |
| 1990 | 10,612,577 | +95.3% |
| 2000 | 9,895,217 | -6.8% |
| 2020 | 9,586,195 | -3.1% |
Interactive Map of Seoul
What to see in Seoul
Changdeokgung
Jongmyo
Gyeongbokgung
Blue House
Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty
Namdaemun
National Museum of Korea
Cheonggyecheon
N Seoul Tower
television towerBukchon Hanok Village
neighborhoodFamous People Born in Seoul
Park Ji-Sung
association football playerJun Ji-hyun
actorSouth Korean actress
Lee Min-ho
actorKim Soo-hyun
actorSouth Korean actor
Park Chan-yeol
actorSister Cities of Seoul
Sister cities, also known as twin cities, are formal partnerships between cities in different countries to promote cultural and commercial ties.
This list is based on publicly available structured data and may differ slightly from official municipal publications.
| City | Country | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Beijing | 🇨🇳 People's Republic of China | 21,893,095 |
| Tokyo | 🇯🇵 Japan | 14,264,798 |
| Moscow | 🇷🇺 Russia | 13,274,285 |
| São Paulo | 🇧🇷 Brazil | 11,451,999 |
| Jakarta | 🇮🇩 Indonesia | 11,135,191 |
| Cairo | 🇪🇬 Egypt | 9,801,536 |
| Mexico City | 🇲🇽 Mexico | 9,209,944 |
| New York City | 🇺🇸 United States | 8,804,190 |
| Hanoi | 🇻🇳 Vietnam | 8,717,600 |
| Bogotá | 🇨🇴 Colombia | 8,034,649 |
| Ankara | 🇹🇷 Turkey | 5,803,482 |
| Bangkok | Rattanakosin Kingdom | 5,676,648 |
| Tashkent | 🇺🇿 Uzbekistan | 2,956,384 |
| Rome | 🇮🇹 Italy | 2,748,109 |
| Taipei | 🇹🇼 Taiwan | 2,442,991 |
| Paris | 🇫🇷 France | 2,103,778 |
| Warsaw | 🇵🇱 Poland | 1,862,402 |
| Ulaanbaatar | 🇲🇳 Mongolia | 1,396,288 |
| Astana | 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan | 1,078,362 |
| San Francisco | 🇺🇸 United States | 873,965 |
| Washington, D.C. | 🇺🇸 United States | 689,545 |
| Athens | 🇬🇷 Greece | 643,452 |
| Honolulu | 🇺🇸 United States | 350,964 |
| Wellington | 🇳🇿 New Zealand | 216,200 |