Ranked: The world’s largest cities by population, 2025

Tokyo, Japan, is the most populous city in the world, boasting a staggering population of over 37 million inhabitants. This is remarkable, considering it is more than four times the population of New York City, one of the largest cities in the United States. Following Tokyo, the cities of New Delhi in India and Shanghai in China come in second and third place, respectively, in terms of population size.

Forecasts indicate that by the year 2030, New Delhi is expected to gain an additional 10 million residents, a growth that could potentially enable it to surpass Tokyo and claim the title of the largest city in the world. This anticipated surge is attributed to various factors, including a high birth rate and migration from rural areas to urban centers in search of better opportunities.

The global population has reached an astounding 8 billion and is continuing to increase at a significant rate. This overall growth is mirrored in urban environments worldwide, where many cities are experiencing rapid population expansion. The driving forces behind this trend are globalization and urbanization, which have led to increased economic opportunities, improved infrastructure, and a higher standard of living in urban areas.

Consequently, numerous cities are becoming increasingly congested, resulting in the emergence of megacities—defined as metropolitan areas with populations exceeding 10 million. This phenomenon raises important issues regarding urban planning, resource management, and the provision of essential services, as cities must adapt to accommodate their growing populations while ensuring a high quality of life for their inhabitants.

The world's largest cities by population, 2025

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