There are now an estimated8 billion peopleinhabiting this openhanded Blue Marble and that ’s with our world population grow at itsslowest ratesince 1950 . The majority of the world ’s population — 56.2 percent — dwell in an urban field , and by 2030 that issue is gestate to increase to70 percentof the world ’s universe .
But what is the singlelargest city in the worldby universe ?
To respond this , we need to look at the world universe and its family relationship with " megacities . " consort to the United Nations , amegacityhas a population of 10 million or more . presently , there are fewer than 37 megacities in the macrocosm , with that number expected to rise to 41 by the twelvemonth 2030 .
1. The Most Populous City: Tokyo, Japan
crown the list of world urban center populations is Tokyo . With a population of37.2 million , it has become the city with the high population density in the world . Although home to an astonishing number of citizens , Tokyo ’s populationgrowth has slowedduring recent years with recorded declines pasture from a 0.09 percent drop from 2018 to 2019 to a 0.18 pct drop from 2021 to 2022 .
Experts signal to an aging universe geminate with abject birth pace as two of the grounds behind the slowed growth ; another reasonableness may be that the Japanese government activity implemented tax motivator for Nipponese company tomove from Tokyoto less - populate prefectures and offer subsidies for citizen - employees to relocate along with them .
2. New Delhi, India
Delhi , India , has a population of32.9 million . This 2d - position ranking among the globe ’s biggest cities , however , may be abruptly - lived . Some population increment estimates forecast that Delhi ’s universe will reach a potential56.4 million peopleby the class 2028 .
Delhi is home plate to several attracter that have each been assign as a World Heritage Site , includingRed Fort Complex , describe for its red - tinct limestone wall .
3. Shanghai, China
Shanghai , China , has a population of29.2 millionand is a major city forecast to recruit a period of significant population outgrowth over the next few years . Since 2018 , Shanghai has recordedyear - over - year population growthranging from 2.59 percent to 2.87 percentage .
This means Shanghai is on track not only to insure its time to come ranking among the world ’s top three most - populated cities , but to finally vie for one of the top two spots .
Located in east primal China , Shanghai is a commercial ball of fire that is home to one of theworld ’s largest seaports , as well as the Nanjing Road shopping territorial dominion which is a hub for electronics , article of clothing and nutrient market in the urban center .
4. Dhaka, Bangladesh
With23.2 millionpeople living in Dhaka , Bangladesh , it is skyrocketing through the rankings of the world ’s most populous city . It ’s also one of the most dumbly populate cities in the human race . As recently as 2018 , Dhaka was at No . 7 , but after several years of speedy population growth ( more than 3 percentage ) , Dhaka has reached the No . 4 spot on this lean .
Dhakais located at the shopping mall of Bangladesh , which frame the Bay of Bengal in the Indian Ocean . The urban center serve as the country ’s administrative and economic human dynamo . Bangladesh has been the web site of intense increment since it became an self-governing nation in1971 , and the universe is expected to go on tosoar .
5. São Paulo, Brazil
São Paulo , Brazil , has a population of22.6 millionpeople . São Paulo come in at No . 5 on this inclination of the world ’s most thickly settled cities , and takes the top spot among Brazil ’s 110 urban areas .
The metropolis is located insoutheastern Brazilwhere it is surrounded by valleys and foothill . It is known for being the largest metropolis in the Southern Hemisphere and has gained a global reputation as a commercial and industrial center .
In 2007 , São Paulo officialsbanned out-of-door billboardsand banner in a move signify to keep the urban center ’s scenic views . Although the ban was initially met with ohmic resistance , just a few years later the ban was praised for its effects — chief among them the highlighting of previously overlooked computer architecture , include such buildings as theMunicipal Theater of São Paulo .
6. Mexico City, Mexico
The population of Mexico City has grow more than540 percent since 1950 , and is now an estimated22.3 millionpeople . Mexico City may be the sixth - most populous city in the world , but for tens of meg , it has another claim to renown that is far less welcome : Mexico City is sinking .
During the 1900s , the capital urban center go under an estimated 29 to 36 feet ( 9 to 11 meter ) because it sits atop an underground aquifer that is being continually run through . Even after a 1958 ban on drilling new wells into the aquifer , the clay soil under Mexico City compress at steady rates . Today , some sections of the city are sink up to 19 inches ( 50 cm ) a twelvemonth .
7. Cairo, Egypt
Cairo , Egypt , has reach a new peak population with22.2 millionpeople . While Cairo may be the populace ’s former chapiter metropolis and 7th ranked urban center for population , the city — and all of Egypt — is bode to achieverapid economic growththrough 2030 , according to Harvard University researchers .
Cairo is a hub for business concern and commerce in the North African and Middle Eastern regions despite its harsh desert mood .
It is also home to thePyramids of Gizaand is part of a region rife with historical archeological finds , include the recent discovery of mummies withgold - plated tongues . The mama with prosperous tongues are estimated to be from 300 B.C.E. to 640 C.E. and were find at the Quweisna burial site in the Nile delta about 40 miles ( 64 kilometre ) north of Cairo .
8. Beijing, China
Beijing is the capitol city of the second most thickly settled country in the humankind , and one of the most thickly settled cities itself . Since 1975 , the population in Beijing , China , has been rising — and is wait to continue to grow through at least 2035 , according to a United Nationsreport .
There are21.8 millionpeople now living in Beijing , which is home to one of the largest and most well - preserved architectural composite of antiquity , known asThe Forbidden City .
The former royal palace was first occupy in 1420 and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site that serves as a ethnic museum . The Forbidden City is a 178 - Accho ( 72 - hectare ) complex that , among other historically significant architecture and characteristics , exhibits the traditional Taiwanese practice session offeng shui .
9. Mumbai, India
At last count , Mumbai , India , was place to21.3 millionpeople — a number forecast to grow well into the future . Mumbai is sometimes known by its old name , Bombay , or by its relatively new byname , the City of Dreams .
Mumbai earned the City of Dreams moniker for becoming the center field ofBollywood , the name devote to the Indian photographic film industry . Bollywood produces more than 1,000 motion-picture show per year . Mumbai also has a thriving publication industry and is the economical hub for India’sjewelryproduction .
10. Osaka, Japan
With a universe of19 millionpeople ( admit the surrounding suburbs ) , Osaka , Japan , comes in at No . 10 on our list of the world ’s most populated urban center . Osaka ’s universe growth , however , is project to decrease year - over - year through 2035 .
The decline is largely to be assign to residents moving from the city to outlying rural expanse . Osaka is known as a foodie heaven , in large part because of its high concentration ofMichelin wiz - rate restaurants . Osaka is also an crucial urban agglomeration for Japanese culture and is home toOsaka Castle , one of the old turning point in the country .
