Category: Geography | Current Affairs | World Rankings
Published by: IndianCurrentAffairs.com
Date: July 2025
🌍 Introduction: The Rise of Megacities
As of 2025, the world is experiencing rapid urbanisation, with more people living in cities than ever before. Megacities, defined as urban areas with over 10 million residents, have become the focal point of global economic, political, and cultural activity.
Among them, one stands out as the most populated in the world—Tokyo, Japan. However, several cities in India, China, and Africa are fast catching up.
🏙️ Largest City in the World by Population (2025)
🔝 Tokyo, Japan, remains the largest city in the world by population in 2025, with an estimated population of 37.1 million in its metropolitan area.
📋 List of Top 25 Most Populated Cities in the World (2025)
| Rank | City | Country | Population (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tokyo | Japan | 37.1 million |
| 2 | Delhi | India | 33.8 million |
| 3 | Shanghai | China | 29.6 million |
| 4 | São Paulo | Brazil | 23.5 million |
| 5 | Mexico City | Mexico | 22.6 million |
| 6 | Cairo | Egypt | 22.1 million |
| 7 | Dhaka | Bangladesh | 21.7 million |
| 8 | Beijing | China | 21.0 million |
| 9 | Mumbai | India | 20.6 million |
| 10 | Osaka | Japan | 19.3 million |
| 11 | New York City | USA | 19.1 million |
| 12 | Karachi | Pakistan | 18.6 million |
| 13 | Chongqing | China | 18.3 million |
| 14 | Istanbul | Turkey | 17.8 million |
| 15 | Manila | Philippines | 17.2 million |
| 16 | Lagos | Nigeria | 16.9 million |
| 17 | Guangzhou | China | 16.7 million |
| 18 | Kolkata | India | 16.2 million |
| 19 | Kinshasa | DR Congo | 15.7 million |
| 20 | Bangkok | Thailand | 15.3 million |
| 21 | Los Angeles | USA | 14.9 million |
| 22 | Buenos Aires | Argentina | 14.7 million |
| 23 | Paris | France | 14.2 million |
| 24 | Tehran | Iran | 13.9 million |
| 25 | London | United Kingdom | 13.5 million |
🧠 Why These Cities Are Growing So Fast?
The rapid growth of these urban areas can be attributed to:
- Rural-to-urban migration for jobs and education
- Economic concentration in metropolitan regions
- Improved healthcare and infrastructure in cities
- Higher birth rates in developing countries
📌 Key Insights
- Asia dominates the list, accounting for more than half of the top 25 cities.
- India and China each have multiple cities in the top rankings.
- African cities such as Lagos and Kinshasa are experiencing rapid growth.
- Tokyo remains the largest, but cities like Delhi and Dhaka are closing the gap.
🔮 Future Trends to Watch
- Urban sprawl and infrastructure strain are becoming major challenges.
- Environmental concerns such as air pollution and waste management are growing.
- Smart city initiatives and AI-led urban planning are being explored to manage growth.
- Cities in Africa and Southeast Asia may see the fastest population surges by 2030.
✅ Conclusion
As of 2025, Tokyo continues to hold the crown as the largest city in the world by population, but other global megacities are not far behind. The dynamics of urban growth are shifting rapidly, especially in Asia and Africa, setting the stage for significant changes in the coming decade.
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