What Is the Largest City in the World? Top 27 Populated Cities Worldwide

With so many people living in urban areas, it’s natural to wonder what is the largest city in the world. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the top 27 largest cities in the world, exploring their unique histories, cultures, and attractions. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or simply curious about urban life, you won’t want to miss this comprehensive guide to the world’s biggest cities.

What is the Largest City in the World?

According to the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the world population will reach 8.6 billion by 2030 and jump to 11.2 billion by 2100. This report published by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs shows that China and India will remain the two most populous countries in the world, comprising 18-19% of the world population. It is no doubt, then, that these two countries are home to a number of the largest cities in the world, such as Shanghai and Delhi. 
All this growth in the world population is manifested in large cities that are home to almost half the people of the world, where they pursue their studies, careers, and whole lives. Today, Tokyo is the world’s most populous city, with almost 38 million residents. In this article, you will see that the most populated cities in the world are in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. So, without further ado, let’s find out the answer to which city is the largest in the world. 

1. Tokyo, Japan: 37,194,000

Area: 2,194 km²
Density: 6,363/km²

Since most of the population growth takes place in Asia and Africa, it is no wonder that Tokyo, the largest city in the world, is in Asia. Tokyo is currently the world’s most populous city, projected to remain so until 2030.  According to the Global Cities Institute at the University of Toronto, however, Tokyo will be replaced by Mumbai, India, where the population is to reach 42.4m people by 2050.

2. Delhi, India: 32,941,000

Area: 1,483 km²
Density: 11,312/km²

Delhi is the capital city of India, and it also happens to be not only the largest city in India but also the second-largest city in the world. Although it is projected that Tokyo will remain the largest city in the world by 2030, there’s also some debate that Delhi, India, is to exchange places with Tokyo to become the largest city in the world instead. It is projected that in 2030 Delhi will gain around 10m people making its population jump to almost 39 million.

3. Shanghai, China: 29,210,808

Area: 6,340  km²
Density: 4,200/km²

Shanghai isn’t only home to the world’s most comprehensive subway system, but it’s also the largest Chinese city and the third-largest city in the world. By 2030 Shanghai will most likely remain the third-largest city in the world, with an estimated population of 32.9 million people.

4. Dhaka, Bangladesh: 23,210,000

Area: 306.4 km²
Density: 34,000/km²

Bangladesh is one of the world’s most populated countries, and Dhaka is the capital city of Bangladesh. Dakha is the sixth largest city in the world, expected to leap to No. 4 by 2030.

5. São Paulo, Brazil: 22,620,000

Area: 1,521 km²
Density: 8,005.25/km²

It is believed that São Paulo has an outrageous number of cars which affects the lives of commuters daily. This makes São Paulo among the top ten worst transit on the planet. On average, a São Paulo resident would spend around 90-105 minutes commuting daily.
Although São Paulo is the largest city in Latin America, it is expected not to remain the fourth-largest city in the world for long. Population growth is taking place in Asia and Africa, and soon enough, São Paulo will move down the list and be replaced by other cities such as Mumbai, Dakha, and Kinshasa.

6. Ciudad de Mexico (Mexico City), Mexico: 22,281,000

Area: 1,485 km²
Density: 6,000/km²

Mexico City will be on the world’s top ten largest cities list by 2030. However, it is projected to drop to No. 8 or 9. The Global Cities Institute projects that by the year 2050, Mexico City will drop to No. 10 with an estimated population of 24.3m.

7. Cairo, Egypt: 22,183,200

Area: 3,085 km²
Density: 19,376/km²

Currently, Cairo, the capital of Egypt, occupies position no. 6 among the largest cities in the world list. Cairo has always been a significant city, and on this list, it marks the first African city to make it to the top ten largest cities. It is anticipated that in the future, more African cities will appear among the largest cities in the world, but Cairo will not be among them, and it will drop further down the list and leave room for Lagos and Kinshasa.

8. Beijing, China: 21,766,214

Area: 16,411 km²
Density: 1,334/km²

Whereas the theoretical population density of Beijing, China, is relatively low, it is one of China’s most densely populated cities. Since 2015, the Chinese administration has put conscious effort into limiting population growth in Beijing to less than 23 million. Due to these efforts, it is unlikely that Beijing will make it to the largest cities in the world list by 2050.

9. Mumbai, India: 21,296,516

Area: 603.4 km²
Density: 21,000/km²

Mumbai (formerly known as Bombay) marks the second appearance of an Indian city on this list. Mumbai is the wealthiest Indian city and resembles India’s commercial capital. According to National Geographic, a curious fact about Mumbai is that its railway system has the world’s highest passenger per kilometer density, providing its passengers with over 2000 train trips along over 300 kilometers of land.
According to the Global Cities Institute at the University of Toronto, Mumbai’s population is expected to double over the next three decades to reach 42.4 m. It is projected that by 2050 Mumbai will overtake Tokyo’s position as the largest city in the world.

10. Osaka, Japan: 19,013,434

Area: 223 km²
Density: 12,214/km²

The metropolitan area of Kinki (Osaka and Kyoto) was once the Japanese capital; now, it is the second-largest Japanese city and the tenth-largest city in the world.  Whereas Osaka is the 10th largest city in the world,  OntarioTech University projects that the city of Osaka will drop to number 48 by the year 2050 with a population count of only 10.18m people.

11. New York, United States: 18,937,000

Area: 783.8  km²
Density: 10,194/km²

New York is already the largest city in the United States, with a population that’s over twice the population of Chicago (the 3rd largest city in the United States). Future projections say that New York will make it to the top ten largest cities in the world by 2050, with an estimated population count of 24,768,743.

12. Chongqing, China: 17,340,704

Area: 82,403 km²
Density: 350/km²

Although the current population of Chongqing, China, is pushing 18m people, it is speculated that by 2050 the population will drop to 9,086,963 due to fertility rates and aging citizens. This population decrease will place Chongqing at roughly 57th place on the list of the top 100 largest cities in the world list.

13. Karachi, Pakistan: 17,236,230

Area: 3,780 km²
Density: 24,000/km²

Karachi has ranked as the cheapest city in the world several times during the past decade and always finds a place among the top 10 cities in the world. Karachi, Pakistan, is projected to become the 8th largest city in the world by 2050, with an estimated population of 31,696,042. This population increase, along with being one of the most affordable cities, is not exactly promising, as cheap does not always mean liveable, and almost double the current population will share the same place.

14. Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo: 16,315,534

Area: 9,965 km²
Density: 1,462/km²

Kinshasa will go through a massive population increase by 2030 to make its population count an estimated 35m people, thus making it the 4th largest city in the world throughout the following two decades.

15. Lagos, Nigeria: 15,945,912

Area: 1,171 km²
Density: 6,871/km²

Lagos, Nigeria, is among the most prominent African cities in the world. Demographers project that by 2030 Lagos will move up from its current position to be the 5th largest city in the world with a population of 32.6 million.

16. Istanbul, Turkey: 15,847,768

Area: 5,343 km²
Density: 2,523/km²

Istanbul takes place on this list as one of the largest fifteen cities in the world, but it is speculated that its population growth rate is not enough to keep it on this list for long. By 2050, it is projected to be the number 30 largest city worldwide, with an estimated population of 14,175,543.

17. Buenos Aires, Argentina 15,490,415

Area:  203 km²
Density: 13,680/km²

Although it is anticipated that Buenos Aires will keep growing over the upcoming decade to hit an estimated 16.35m people by 2030, it will only remain one of the most populated cities in the world for a short time. This population growth is not enough to keep Buenos Aires as one of the largest 15 cities in the world, and by 2050 it is projected that it will drop to number 24.

18. Kolkata (Calcutta), India: 15,332,793

Area: 206.1 km²
Density: 24,000/km²

The third appearance of an Indian city on this list is made by Kolkata (previously Calcutta), home to almost 15.5 million Indian citizens. Although Kolkata occupies number 18 on this list right now, it is projected that by 2050 Kolkata’s population will double, and it will become the 5th largest city in the world with a population count of 33,042,208.

19. Manila, Philippines: 14,667,089

Area: 42.34 km²
Density: 42,857/km²

Manila is one of the world’s largest cities and one of the largest in Asia. By 2050 its population is projected to almost double and become 23,545,397, moving it up to number 12 on this list.

20. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China: 14,284,353

Area: 7,434  km²
Density: 2,000/km²

Like other Chinese cities on this list, Guangzhou’s population is expected to plateau after it peaks in 2030 to reach 16,024,000.

21. Tianjin, China: 14,238,643

Area: 11,760 km²
Density: 1,300/km²

According to UN demographers, the population of Tianjin is calculated to become 15,745,000 by 2030, which means that it will move further down the 2030 list. Tianjin is projected to face a population decrease over the upcoming three decades, leaving it with a population count of only 10,149,945, placing the city as number 49 on the 2050 list.

22. Lahore, Pakistan: 13,979,390

Area: 1,772 km²
Density: 6,300/km²

Located in Pakistan’s far northwest is the city of Lahore. It’s the cultural epicenter of the Punjab area and all of Pakistan, and it also happens to be the provincial capital.
The population of Lahore increased by 3.23 percent, or 437,626 people, over the past year. Lahore has many prestigious educational institutions, cultural landmarks, and architectural wonders. The numerous historical gardens in and around Lahore have contributed to the city’s reputation as the Paris of the East or the Mughal City of Gardens.

23. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: 13,727,075

Area: 1,200 km²
Density: 5,377/km²

This is the second appearance of a Brazillian city on this list. Rio de Janeiro’s population is expected to reach new heights by 2023. The thriving city has always been a popular tourist destination, and as more people flock to the area to experience its vibrant culture, the population is set to rise. With its stunning beaches, lively nightlife, and rich history, it’s no surprise that Rio de Janeiro is becoming an increasingly popular place to live and visit. As the city continues to grow, it will be exciting to see how it evolves and adapts to the changing needs of its residents.

26. Moscow, Russia: 12,680,389

Area: 2,511 km²
Density: 5,080/km²

The UN projects that Moscow’s population will increase slightly over the coming decade and will rank 28 on the 2030 list. However, over the following two decades, Moscow’s population will dwindle to 10,235,265, ranking it 47 worldwide.

27. Los Angeles, United States: 12,534,000

Area: 1,299 km²
Density: 3,206.29/km²

Los Angeles’s population is not due for a growth spurt anytime soon, as it is expected to reach 13,209,000 in 2030, moving it down to number 27 on the 2030 list.

The top 27 populated cities in the world are home to millions of people and offer a diverse range of cultures, traditions, and lifestyles. From Tokyo to Mexico City and from Mumbai to New York, these cities are bustling with activity and offer endless opportunities for exploration and discovery. Whether you’re interested in exploring historical landmarks, trying exotic cuisines, or immersing yourself in local traditions, there’s something for everyone in these vibrant cities.