Top 10 Largest Cities in the World by Population in 2025

By 2025, the global population is projected to reach 8.2 billion, with rapid urbanisation leading to the growth of megacities across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. India, which overtook China in 2023, is now the world’s most populous country with 1.42 billion people. Urban hubs are absorbing more residents than ever, and cities like Tokyo, Delhi, and Shanghai dominate the global rankings.

Global Population Trends

• Asia leads the list with India, China, Bangladesh, and Japan contributing multiple megacities.
• Latin America continues to grow steadily with São Paulo and Mexico City in the top 10.
• Africa’s Cairo is one of the fastest-growing cities, reflecting strong demographic expansion.
• In contrast, Europe’s cities are shrinking — Istanbul, Moscow, and Paris remain important but fall outside the top 10.

Top 10 Largest Cities in the World by Population – 2025

Key Observations

1. Tokyo remains the largest city in the world with over 37 million residents, though it is witnessing a slight population decline.
2. Delhi (34.6 million) is the fastest-growing megacity, reflecting India’s urban boom.
3. Shanghai (30.4 million) continues to be China’s largest city.
4. Dhaka (24.6 million) shows the highest growth rate among the top 10 (+3.0%).
5. Cairo (23 million) highlights Africa’s rapid urban expansion.
6. Mumbai joins Delhi in the top 10, with over 22 million residents.
7. Osaka is the only city shrinking in this list, but it remains a key Japanese urban hub.