The biggest city in the world is Tokyo, with over 37 million people living in its metropolitan area, which is almost the same number as the whole of Canada (39 million) or Malaysia (34 million). The global population growth rate has dropped below 1% for the first time in the past 70 years, accompanied by increased population imbalance and aging. This will lead to a continued increase in the number of megacities, especially in Asia and Africa. If you’re interested in what these megacities are and what it is like to live there, come with us to explore the most populated cities in the world.
Largest Cities in the World: Overview
Tokyo is still the largest city in the world according to the newest Largest Cities by Population 2025 from World Population Review. Although it decreased by 0.21% compared to 2024, Tokyo still has a population of 37 million. Following closely behind are New Delhi and Shanghai, both of which have a population of over 30 million.
At present, Asia is the most populous continent, with approximately 60% of the world’s population. However, Africa is the region with the fastest population growth. By 2050, more than half of the world’s new population growth will be concentrated in sub-Saharan Africa.
Currently, more than half (approximately 57%) of the global population lives in urban areas, and this figure is expected to reach 70% by 2050. Megacities, especially in Asia and Africa, will grow significantly, becoming the core of economic activities and innovation, and also come with challenges such as housing shortages, traffic congestion, pollution, and inadequate infrastructure.
What are the world cities with highest population at present? Check our list to get a holistic review.
| Rank | City | Country | Total Population 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tokyo | Japan | 37,036,200 |
| 2 | Delhi | India | 34,665,600 |
| 3 | Shanghai | China | 30,482,100 |
| 4 | Dhaka | Bangladesh | 24,652,900 |
| 5 | Cairo | Egypt | 23,074,200 |
| 6 | Sao Paulo | Brazil | 22,990,000 |
| 7 | Mexico City | Mexico | 22,752,400 |
| 8 | Beijing | China | 22,596,500 |
| 9 | Mumbai | India | 22,089,000 |
| 10 | Osaka | Japan | 18,921,600 |
| 11 | Chongqing | China | 18,171,200 |
| 12 | Karachi | Pakistan | 18,076,800 |
| 13 | Kinshasa | DR Congo | 17,778,500 |
| 14 | Lagos | Nigeria | 17,156,400 |
| 15 | Istanbul | Turkey | 16,236,700 |
Top 20 Biggest Cities in the World
What is the biggest city in the world? How would it like to live in these large cities? We have come up with a detailed introduction to help you know more.
1. Tokyo, Japan: 37,036,200
The biggest city in the world is Tokyo, based on the total number of people living in its metropolitan area, with a metropolitan population of about 37 million in 2025. The population of the Tokyo-Yokohama area is almost on par with the total population of Canada (39 million), more than 4 times that of the whole of New York State (about 8.3 million), and 2/3 of the entire England (56 million).
Tokyo has a land area of 8,547 square kilometers, almost 10 times that of New York City, and more than 5 times larger than the London metropolitan area. The population density is approximately 4,400 people per square kilometer, but can reach 15,000 people per square kilometer in its 23 special wards.
High population density brings cramped personal space, high housing prices, extreme crowds and commuting pressure, and a fast-paced life. But people living in Tokyo will also enjoy an excellent public transport network, well-developed business and services, and unbeatable safety and cleanliness.
2. Delhi, India: 34,665,600
Delhi, with a current population of 34 million, is ranked as the second-largest city in the world. This position stems from its National Capital Territory (NCT) and urban expansion into neighboring states, including the states of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, which is called the National Capital Region (NCR) as a combined entity (similar to Greater Tokyo).
Unlike most East Asian and Western cities, Delhi still has a relatively high fertility rate, contributing to high natural increase. On the other hand, as the nation’s political and economic hub, many people from other poorer rural states continuously move to Delhi. According to UN and World Bank projections, the population of Delhi will potentially reach 40 million by 2050.
As the political and administrative capital of India, Delhi is home to a massive number of public sector jobs, a major hub for IT, banking and finance, media, and has a thriving services and retail sector. Delhi Metro and the Indira Gandhi International Airport act as the most comprehensive and primary public transport system in India. Also, compared to most other cities in India, the profound history, vibrant arts scene, world-class restaurants, and premier educational institutions attracts more and more people.
3. Shanghai, China: 30,482,100
Shanghai, thanks to its location by the southern estuary of the Yangtze River, has become the third most populated city in the world from a small fishing village. Currently, Shanghai has a total population of more than 30 million in a land area of 6,341 square kilometers, leading to an average population density of 3,900 people per square kilometer, and 7,700 in the core area.
Such high population density supports the city’s vibrant street life, well-developed transport network, and convenient business services, but also leads to extreme congestion of the subway during peak hours, traffic congestion in the central urban area, and the high cost of living. To address this population pressure, the construction of “Five New Towns” is planned to be finished in 2025, with a population bearing capacity of 3.6 million.
4. Dhaka, Bangladesh: 24,652,900
Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh, is also one of the biggest cities in the world, usually followed closely by Delhi. Dhaka is one of the world’s fastest-growing metropolises in terms of population, contributed by internal migration for both economic and climatic factors, and a high natural birth rate. The UN estimated population for Dhaka in 2018 was about 19 million, but now the number has exceeded 24.6 million.
As the political, economic, and cultural center of Bangladesh, Dhaka contributes to 35% GDP of the country. The magnificent population has brought abundant labor resources and consumer markets, but also challenges of providing basic public services and ensuring inclusive growth. Severe traffic congestion and air pollution are common problems. Also, about 1/3 of residents live in slums, facing challenges such as a lack of clean water and sanitation facilities.
5. Cairo, Egypt: 23,074,200
Cairo, with a population of more than 23 million, stands as one of the most populated cities of the world. The Greater Cairo urban agglomeration extends far and incorporates the cities of Giza and Shubra El-Kheima. Driven by a high birth rate and ongoing rural-to-urban migration, Cairo’s population is expected to reach 29-30 million by 2035, according to the UN. A large portion of its population is under 30, presenting both a potential “demographic dividend” and a significant challenge in providing education and employment.
Cairo is more famous for being a living museum, with world-renowned historical sites, including Islamic Cairo, the Egyptian Museum, and the nearby Giza Pyramids. A strong economy creates unparalleled job opportunities, and its affordability and vibrant street life are also attractive. In contrast, Cairo is notorious for severe traffic congestion, densely populated informal neighborhoods, and environmental issues.
6. São Paulo, Brazil: 22,990,000
São Paulo is consistently ranked as one of the cities with the biggest population in the world. According to the United Nations’ “World Urbanization Prospects”, the São Paulo Metropolitan Region has a population of approximately 22-23 million people, placing it among the top 10 largest cities in the world. São Paulo city now has an average density of around 7,400 people per square kilometer, with central districts reaching much higher figures. Unlike Cairo or Dhaka, population growth in São Paulo has slowed below 1%, with the end of massive rural-to-urban migration and rapidly falling fertility rates.
São Paulo is the financial and corporate heart of Latin America, home to the São Paulo Stock Exchange (B3), headquarters for the vast majority of multinational corporations, and a diverse industrial and services sector. The city also attracts many Italian, Japanese, Arab, and Portuguese immigrants with its welcoming and diverse culture, leading to a vibrant melting pot. However, this comes with the daily challenges of navigating profound social inequality, severe traffic congestion, and a high cost of living.
7. Mexico City, Mexico: 22,752,400
Another top 10 largest cities in the world in South America is Mexico City, with a population of approximately 22-23 million people. This population is calculated based on the Valley of Mexico metropolitan area, which encompasses Mexico City proper and over 60 adjacent municipalities in the State of Mexico and Hidalgo. Like São Paulo, the Mexico metropolitan area’s growth rate is now relatively low, with the end of explosive rural migration and a declining fertility rate.
Apart from its high population density, Mexico City is also renowned for its profound history, from the Aztec Templo Mayor ruins in the city center to the vast colonial and modern architectural heritage. It also boasts a world-class arts scene, such as the Museo Nacional de Antropología and the Frida Kahlo Museum.
8. Beijing, China: 22,596,500
Beijing, the capital of China, is without doubt one of the most populated cities in the world. The municipality of Beijing currently has a population of more than 22 million over a vast area of over 16,000 km². This is contributed to by the explosive growth of past decades, both from natural increase and internal migration to the capital city. At present, the urban core within the 6th Ring Road is extremely dense, while the outer districts include mountainous and rural areas.
As the national capital, Beijing used to be the dream home for numerous Chinese people. It is the headquarters for all central government ministries, large state-owned enterprises, and also a hub for tech companies. However, with the rise of labor and living costs, more and more people and enterprises are moving to new cities like Shanghai and Shenzhen. Beijing also stands as a treasure trove of Chinese history and culture, where residents will have access to UNESCO World Heritage sites like the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, and the Summer Palace.
9. Mumbai, India: 22,089,000
Mumbai is another Aisa city that is frequently ranked one of the largest cities in the world. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) has a population of more than 22 million in 2025, which includes the city proper, suburbs, and extended nodes like Thane, Navi Mumbai, and Kalyan. Its annual population growth rate is around 1-2%, much slowed than past decades, and mainly drived not longer by rural-to-urban but by natural increase.
Called the “City of Dreams“, Mumbai is the financial powerhouse of India, home to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), and countless corporate headquarters, as well as “Bollywood”. Compared to many other cities in India, Mumbai offers a relatively more liberal and cosmopolitan social environment, fostering a vibrant blend of diverse communities, traditions, and cuisines. However, it is a city of profound contrasts, where immense wealth and heartbreaking poverty coexist, and where the human spirit is constantly tested against the limits of urban infrastructure.
10. Osaka, Japan: 18,921,600
With a current population of nearly 19 million, Osaka also tops the list of the biggest cities in the world. The position of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto Metropolitan Area (also known as the Keihanshin region) is not defined by explosive growth, but by its historical role as the commercial and industrial heart of Western Japan and its unique polycentric structure.
Historically known as “Japan’s Kitchen,” Osaka is the vibrant commercial, industrial, and logistical hub of Western Japan. Panasonic, Sharp, and Takeda all have their headquarters here. It is also celebrated as Japan’s premier food city with a food culture of “kuidaore” (eat until you drop), various restaurants, street foods, and the famous izakayas. While not cheap, the cost of living, particularly for housing, is significantly lower than in Tokyo.
11. Chongqing, China: 18,171,200
Chongqing, a southwestern city in China, is also a city with the biggest population in the world. Until 2025, the Chongqing Urban Agglomeration will have a population of more than 18 million people, only after Shanghai and Beijing in China. Natural growth rate in Chongqing is close to zero, so urban growth is largely contributed to migration from its own rural counties and neighboring provinces.
Among so many Chinese cities, Chongqing is most famous for its mountain-river topography, which results in a stunning, multi-layered cityscape, and its unique food culture with spicy cuisine like hot pot. On the other hand, the city is also a global leader in laptop manufacturing and a hub for the automotive industry. What’s more, compared to first-tier Chinese cities like Beijing and Shanghai, Chongqing offers a significantly lower cost of living, especially in housing.
12. Karachi, Pakistan: 18,076,800
Karachi is a port city of Pakistan, which plays an important role as the country’s economic and financial hub. The city has a population of 18 million in 2025, usually cited as a biggest city on earth. Karachi has been one of the world’s fastest-growing cities for decades, and stills has a grpwth rate of around 2%, which majorly comes from internal migration for jobs, education, and a better life.
Called as the “economic engine” of the country, Karachi is home to the Pakistan Stock Exchange, the head offices of all major national and international corporations, and the Port of Karachi, which handles over 60% of the nation’s sea trade. Strong economy attracts massive young people coming from vairous parts of the city with diverse backgrounds, leading to a cultural melting pot with varied cuisines, languages, and neighborhoods.
However, this comes with the severe daily costs of navigating a city under immense infrastructural strain, grappling with resource scarcity, and challenged by complex political and security dynamics. But it remains the primary “city of hope” for people from across the country.
13. Kinshasa, DR Congo: 17,778,500
Kinshasa is not only the third-largest city in Africa by population after Lagos and Cairo, but also one of the largest cities by population on earth. Its metropolitan area is home to an estimated more than 17 million people, which has experienced an explosive increase in recent decades due to an exceptionally high fertility rate and massive ongoing rural-to-urban migration.
Kinshasa is the political, cultural, and economic heart of the vast and resource-rich Democratic Republic of the Congo. For many local people, it is the only place to find certain types of employment, education, and access to national and international networks. For culture, the city is the birthplace of Congolese Rumba and Soukous music and a powerhouse of African music, dance, and fashion. The major problem lies in a near-total collapse of public infrastructure and services.
14. Lagos, Nigeria: 17,156,400
Lagos is universally recognized as one of the most populous cities in the world, also often the most dynamic one. The Lagos metropolitan area has a population of over 17 million in 2025, with some projections suggesting it may have already surpassed 20 million. Lagos is one of the fastest-growing cities in the world, with an estimated 300,000 to 500,000 new residents each year, driven by a high fertility rate and migration from across Nigeria and West Africa.
Lagos is also a port city, and the Port of Lagos is one of the busiest in Africa, leading to the commercial and financial nerve center of Africa’s largest economy. Like Mumbai, the city is the heart of the Nigerian film industry (“Nollywood“), as well as a global music powerhouse (the birthplace of Afrobeats), and a center for African art and fashion. At the same time, a huge population has brought extreme infrastructural stress, severe housing and energy crisis, and profound social inequality.
15. Istanbul, Turkey: 16,236,700
Among the most populous cities in the world, Istanbul has a unique position as a city straddling two continents. According to World Population Review, the city had more than 16 million people in 2025, putting it among the top 15 largest cities globally. In recent years, the city has experienced a net population loss due to high living costs, traffic congestion, and earthquakes, leading residents to more affordable Anatolian cities. While losing domestic residents, Istanbul continues to attract international migrants, including expatriates for business and a significant number of refugees from Syria.
Istanbul has contributed a massive share of the nation’s GDP, tax revenue, and exports as the economic center of Turkey. More famously, it enjoys unrivalled historical and cultural depth, where you can see history as Byzantium, Constantinople, and now Istanbul at every turn. Its strategic location on the Bosphorus Strait makes it a critical global logistics and transport hub, with one of the world’s busiest international airports.
Final Thoughts
The largest cities in the world, like Tokyo, Delhi, and Shanghai, are more than just densely populated areas. They are powerful engines of national economies, acting as primary hubs for finance, government, and innovation, which, in turn, attract massive inward immigration for better job opportunities and quality of life.
However, such unprecedented scale always comes with universal infrastructure challenges, such as traffic congestion, overwhelmed public transit systems, and chronic housing shortages. Also, severe environmental degradation is a common health hazard. Another stark feature of these megacities is profound social inequality, in which vast wealth and severe poverty coexist. Even so, people usually have great hope for their lives living in such a vibrant and promising metropolis.
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FAQ
What is the biggest city in the world?
The Tokyo-Yokohama metropolitan area is the world’s largest city, with a population exceeding 37 million people. This vast urban agglomeration serves as Japan’s economic and cultural heart, renowned for its efficient public transport, global financial influence, and dynamic blend of cutting-edge technology and rich traditional heritage.
What are the top 10 largest cities in the world?
The top 10 largest cities in the world are typically Tokyo, Delhi, Shanghai, Dhaka, São Paulo, Mexico City, Cairo, Beijing, Mumbai, and Osaka. This list highlights a definitive global shift, with Asian and African megacities dominating the rankings, reflecting their immense economic pull and the significant urban challenges that accompany such rapid, concentrated growth.
What is the world's largest city by land size?
The world’s largest city by land area is Hulunbuir, China. Encompassing approximately 263,953 square kilometers, its administrative area is larger than many countries. However, this vast territory is largely comprised of grasslands and rural landscapes, rather than a single continuous urban core, distinguishing it from typical densely populated megacities.
What are the top 20 biggest cities in the world by area?
The top 10 largest cities in the world by land area include Hulunbuir, Altamira, and Calgary, followed by others such as Jiuquan, Chongqing, Istanbul, Medan, Hangzhou, Berlin, and Atlanta. This ranking is defined by vast administrative boundaries that often encompass significant non-urban landscapes like mountains and forests, rather than continuous dense development.
What is the most crowded city in the world?
The most crowded city is Manila, Philippines, with a staggering population density exceeding 42,000 people per square kilometer. This extreme concentration results in severe traffic congestion, cramped living conditions, and immense pressure on public infrastructure, defining the daily reality of life in this densely packed capital.
What are the largest US cities?
New York City is the largest US city, a global financial and cultural hub with over 8 million residents. Other major metropolitan centers include Los Angeles, renowned for its entertainment industry, Chicago, a key Midwestern transportation hub, and the rapidly growing Sun Belt cities of Houston and Phoenix.
