Largest Cities in the World by Population

Large populations have moved to cities across the world to take advantage of better economic opportunities, modern infrastructure, and other advantages. Asian cities, in particular, have undergone unprecedented growth, with the continent home to the majority of the world’s largest cities, including Shanghai, Beijing, Dhaka, Tokyo, Delhi, Mumbai, Karachi, and Guangzhou. The data provided here comes from the UN World Cities Report.

10. Osaka – 19.3

9. Dhaka – 19.6 million

Dhaka has been a recognized commercial center since the 17th century, serving as the capital of many empires and kingdoms before becoming the capital of newly independent Bangladesh in 1971. With a population of 19.6 million inhabitants, it is Bangladesh’s largest city and one of the most important cities in South Asia. The city’s population has exploded in recent decades, and it will be a megacity by the twenty-first century. It is the main financial, political, and cultural center of the area.

8. Bejing – 19.6 million

Beijing is China’s capital, and it is located in the country’s north-central region on the North China plain. The city, commonly known as Peking, has a colorful history that includes being one of China’s Four Great Ancient Capitals, foreign occupation, and civil war in the twentieth century. Following the 1949 Communist Revolution, Beijing grew as an industrial city. Among other things, the city’s industrial sector manufactures autos, textiles, petrochemicals, aerospace equipment, and semiconductors. Beijing is home to nearly 20 million people. Beijing is a cultural mecca, home to seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

7. Mumbai – 20 million

Mumbai, on the western coast of the Indian Subcontinent, has a population of around 20 million people. Mumbai developed grown around a British fort erected in the 17th century. Mumbai’s natural harbor encouraged its growth, and by the 18th century, it had a thriving manufacturing economy. Mumbai has the most billionaires and millionaires per capita of any Indian metropolis. Mumbai is home to both the Bombay Stock Exchange and the Reserve Bank of India. As an art center, Mumbai is home to both the Bollywood and Marathi film industries.

6. Cairo – 20.1

Cairo is Egypt’s capital and greatest city, as well as Africa’s and the Arab World’s most populous urban area. The city is situated on the famed Nile River in a scorching desert setting. Cairo is also close to the Great Pyramids of Giza, one of the world’s most famous ancient wonders. Cairo has considerable tourism potential that has yet to be realized due to traffic and other urban challenges.

5. Mexico City – 21.6

Mexico City is the largest metropolis in North America and the fifth largest city in the world, according to the United Nations. Humans, most notably the Aztecs, have resided in what is now Mexico City for thousands of years. The city is known for its vibrant and distinctive architecture, beautiful churches and squares, a thriving cultural scene, and, unfortunately, high pollution levels. Mountains surround the city, trapping air inside. This is the 5th most Largest Cities in the World by Population.

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4. Sao Paolo – 21.7 million

Brazil’s largest city is Sao Paulo. It is a large, sprawling city consisting of skyscrapers that is home to more than 21 million people. Its citizens, known as paulistanos, have access to thousands of restaurants and a thriving creative scene. Sao Paulo, often known as Sampa, is the biggest city in the Southern Hemisphere.

3. Shanghai – 25.6 million

Shanghai has a population of 25.6 million people, making it China’s biggest city and Asia’s and the world’s third largest. Shanghai is strategically placed in the Yangtze River Delta, and its port is the busiest in the world, with 37 million TEUs handled in 2016. Qinglong Town was constructed before Shanghai in 746 and prospered as an Imperial China trading port. Shanghai’s economic potential became a source of contention in the nineteenth century, as the British and French fought for control of the city. Shanghai was also taken by the Japanese during WWII. With the exception of the global recessions of 2008 and 2009, Shanghai has been a modern-day commercial and trading powerhouse in China, with double-digit growth since 1992. The main three service sectors in Shanghai are real estate, financial services, and retail, with manufacturing accounting for over 40% of total production. Shanghai is home to a plethora of industrial zones, including the Shanghai Hongqiao Economic and Technological Development Zone. Shanghai draws both local immigration and international inhabitants from Japan, the United States, and Korea. This is the 3rd most Largest Cities in the World by Population.

2. Delhi – 28.5 million

Delhi is India’s most populated metropolis, with a population of 28.5 million people. It is a vibrant, active city that is always in action. Surprisingly, New Delhi, India’s capital city, is included in the city of Delhi. According to the United Nations, Delhi is the world’s second largest metropolitan region. Delhi is a city of contrasts: it is both one of the most polluted and wealthiest cities in India. This is the 2nd most Largest Cities in the World by Population.

1. Tokyo – 37.5 million

Tokyo is located on the eastern coast of Honshu, Japan’s largest island. The city serves as the capital of Japan and is one of the country’s 47 prefectures. The city was originally named Edo, but when the Japanese imperial family relocated from Kyoto in 1868, the name was changed to Tokyo. The population of Tokyo is expected to reach 13,617,445 people. Tokyo has 51 Fortune Global 500 firms and ranks fourth on the Global Cities Index. Tokyo is almost entirely Japanese, with only a few Chinese and Koreans. The headquarters of major corporations and financial institutions are in Tokyo, whereas the manufacturing sector is concentrated in Yokohama, Chiba, and Kawasaki.