Tokyo has lost its long-held title as the world’s most populous megacity and now ranks third, according to a new report.
Jakarta, in Indonesia, has taken the top spot and is predicted to keep it until 2050, when the rise of Dhaka is expected to see the Bangladeshi capital top the tables.
A new report from the United Nations shows the number of megacities – cities with a population of 10 million or more – quadrupled from eight in 1975 to 33 in 2025, and they’re predominantly located in Asia.
The report, which uses UN estimates and is an update of the organisation’s 2018 data, highlights the dramatic increase in city living, a relatively new phenomenon.
As recently as 1950, living in a city was highly unusual – with only 20% of the world’s population living in one.
Tokyo, which has held the title of the world’s most populous city for decades, has seen its population increase gradually over the last 25 years.
While 33.4 million people call the Japanese capital their home, it has been passed by Jakarta and Dhaka.
Jakarta now boasts a population of 41.9 million. Pic: Reuters
The two cities have seen their populations grow at more than five and seven times the rate of Tokyo’s since 2000, respectively.
Today, Jakarta’s population stands at nearly 42 million, followed by Dhaka with almost 37 million.
By 2050, Dhaka’s population is predicted to reach 52.1 million, beating Jakarta to the top spot by just 300,000.
Tokyo will continue to fall down the rankings to seventh position by 2050, being overtaken by cities such as Shanghai and New Delhi.
London to remain one of Europe’s only megacities
While the number of megacities is expected to increase from 33 to 37 by 2050, none of the new ones will be in Europe.
London, Istanbul and Moscow will remain the continent’s only megacities.
According to the UN data, London will see its population grow by almost a million and a half by 2050 – meaning it will retain its title as the world’s 33rd largest city.
The Motijheel neighbourhood in Dhaka. Pic: iStock
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The English capital will remain the smallest of Europe’s megacities, with Istanbul retaining its leading position and Moscow coming in a close second.
London will retain its ranking at the world’s 33rd largest city by population. Pic: Reuters
What about the UK’s other cities?
While London receives the most attention in the report, it is an outlier, with most other UK cities – such as Cardiff and Inverness – being the norm.
The report emphasises how, despite the number of cities worldwide more than doubling between 1975 and 2025, 96% of cities have fewer than 1 million inhabitants.
Most cities are smaller still, with 81% having a population of 250,000 or fewer.
Globally, 45% of us now live in cities, with 36% of people living in towns and the remaining 19% living in rural communities.
