Top 10 Most Populous Cities in the World

Our world is becoming increasingly urban. For the first time in history, more than half of the human population lives in cities, and at the heart of this global shift are megacities—urban areas with more than 10 million inhabitants. These sprawling metropolises are the epicenters of culture, finance, and innovation, but they also face immense challenges in infrastructure and sustainability. Understanding urban growth patterns helps us appreciate the broader geographic diversity of our planet.

Defining a city's population can be complex. Do you count just the people within the official administrative boundary ("city proper"), or do you include the entire continuous urban sprawl ("metropolitan area" or "urban agglomeration")? For this list, we are using the metropolitan area definition, which gives a truer sense of a city's scale and influence. Here are the top 10 most populous cities on Earth as of 2025.

Methodology

This ranking is based on metropolitan area population data, which includes the main city and all surrounding urban areas that form a continuous economic and social unit. This approach provides a more accurate representation of a city's true scale and influence than using city proper boundaries alone.

Data Sources and Criteria:

• Population Definition: Metropolitan area or urban agglomeration population
• Data Year: 2025 estimates from multiple international sources
• Inclusion Criteria: Cities with continuous urban development and integrated economic systems
• Exclusion Criteria: Separate cities that are geographically close but not economically integrated

Primary Data Sources:

• United Nations World Urbanization Prospects 2024
• Demographia World Urban Areas 2025
• National statistical offices and census data
• World Bank urban development indicators
• Academic research from leading demographic institutions

Why Metropolitan Areas Matter: Metropolitan areas better reflect the reality of modern urban life, where people live in suburbs but work in the city center, and where transportation networks connect what were once separate municipalities. This definition captures the true scope of urban influence and provides a more meaningful comparison between cities worldwide.

Data Verification Process: All population figures have been cross-referenced across multiple authoritative sources to ensure accuracy. Where discrepancies exist between sources, we have used the most recent and comprehensive data available as of September 2025.

List of Most Populous Cities in the World

10. Mexico City, Mexico

Estimated Population: 21.9 million

The largest city in the Western Hemisphere, Mexico City is a vibrant cultural and financial center. Built on the ruins of the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan, it boasts a rich history, world-class museums, and a renowned culinary scene. The city's high altitude and surrounding mountains give it a unique character, but it also faces challenges with traffic and pollution.

9. Cairo, Egypt

Estimated Population: 22.7 million

The largest urban agglomeration in Africa and the Middle East, Cairo is a rapidly growing metropolitan area with over 22 million residents. This densely populated economic hub serves as the region's commercial center, situated on the banks of the Nile River. The metropolitan region has experienced significant urban expansion throughout its millennia-long history. The city is a treasure trove of ancient history, with the famous Pyramids of Giza located on its outskirts, while its bustling core is a labyrinth of mosques, markets, and modern high-rises serving this massive population center.

8. Seoul-Incheon, South Korea

Estimated Population: 23.2 million

The Seoul-Incheon metropolitan area represents South Korea's economic powerhouse and cultural heart, home to over 23 million inhabitants. Seoul, the capital, is a high-density urban center where ancient palaces coexist with cutting-edge technology districts. This metropolitan region has experienced remarkable economic growth and urban development over recent decades. Incheon, with its massive international airport, serves as the gateway to Korea. Together, they form one of Asia's most populous and prosperous urban agglomerations, showcasing impressive residential density and technological advancement.

7. Shanghai, China

Estimated Population: 24.0 million

China's largest city, Shanghai, is a global financial hub and a showcase of futuristic ambition. Its iconic skyline, dominated by the Oriental Pearl Tower and Shanghai Tower, is a testament to its rapid economic development. The city's historic Bund waterfront contrasts sharply with the modern skyscrapers of Pudong, symbolizing the blend of old and new that defines Shanghai.

6. Manila, Philippines

Estimated Population: 24.2 million

Manila is one of the world's most densely inhabited metropolitan areas and the economic center of the Philippines, with over 24 million residents. This sprawling urban agglomeration consists of 16 cities and one municipality, creating a complex metropolitan landscape experiencing rapid population growth. The metropolitan region showcases extreme residential density and continues its urban expansion. Despite challenges with traffic and infrastructure, Manila remains a vital hub for commerce, culture, and government in Southeast Asia, serving as a major population center in the region.

5. Mumbai, India

Estimated Population: 25.2 million

Mumbai is India's economic powerhouse and metropolitan hub, serving as the financial, commercial, and entertainment capital. This high-density urban center, located on the country's west coast, accommodates over 25 million inhabitants in its sprawling metropolitan area. The urban agglomeration continues its rapid expansion, creating a city of contrasts where gleaming skyscrapers stand alongside sprawling slums. It's home to the Bollywood film industry and is a vibrant, energetic population center that never sleeps, showcasing both the challenges and opportunities of urban growth in modern India.

4. Guangzhou-Foshan, China

Estimated Population: 27.1 million

The Guangzhou-Foshan metropolitan area is one of China's most important economic regions. Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province, is a major manufacturing and trade hub, while Foshan is known for its traditional ceramics and martial arts heritage. Together, they form the Pearl River Delta's economic powerhouse.

3. Delhi, India

Estimated Population: 31.2 million

The National Capital Territory of Delhi in India is a vast metropolitan area that includes the capital, New Delhi, accommodating over 31 million residents. This rapidly expanding metropolitan region serves as a major economic center and is a city of immense historical significance, having served as the capital of various empires. Today, it's a bustling urban agglomeration where urban development proceeds at an unprecedented pace, and ancient monuments stand beside modern metro lines. The population density continues to increase as this sprawling metropolis experiences remarkable urban growth and economic expansion.

2. Jakarta, Indonesia

Estimated Population: 35.4 million

Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, is one of the world's fastest-growing megacities. This sprawling metropolis faces significant challenges with flooding, traffic congestion, and air pollution, but remains the economic and political heart of Southeast Asia's largest economy. The city is currently planning to relocate its capital to Nusantara in Borneo to address these urban challenges.

1. Tokyo-Yokohama, Japan

Estimated Population: 37.8 million

For decades, the Tokyo-Yokohama metropolitan area has held the title of the world's most populous urban agglomeration. Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is a dazzling, high-tech metropolis renowned for its safety, cleanliness, and efficiency. Yokohama, Japan's second-largest city, complements Tokyo as a major port and industrial center. Together, they form the world's most extensive urban area and a global leader in commerce, technology, and culture.

Summary of the Top 10 Most Populous Cities

Conclusion

The world's most populous cities in 2025 represent the incredible scale of human urbanization in the 21st century. These megacities are not just population centers—they are the engines of global economic growth, innovation, and cultural exchange. From Tokyo-Yokohama's technological prowess to Jakarta's rapid expansion, each city tells a unique story of human ambition and adaptation.

What's particularly striking is the geographic distribution of these urban giants. Asia dominates the list with eight cities, reflecting the continent's rapid economic development and population growth. The presence of cities from diverse regions—from Mexico City in North America to Cairo in Africa—highlights how urbanization is a truly global phenomenon.

The rise of Jakarta to second place and the inclusion of Manila and Seoul-Incheon in the top 10 reflects the continued growth of Southeast and East Asian economies. Meanwhile, established megacities like Tokyo-Yokohama maintain their positions through sustained economic strength and urban planning excellence.

As these cities continue to grow, they face unprecedented challenges in sustainability, infrastructure, and quality of life. Jakarta's planned capital relocation to Nusantara exemplifies how some cities are taking bold steps to address urban challenges. Yet these megacities also represent humanity's greatest achievements in urban planning, technology, and social organization.

The future of human civilization will largely be determined by how well these and other growing cities can balance expansion with sustainability, innovation with tradition, and growth with livability. These top 10 most populous cities are not just statistics—they are the living laboratories where the future of urban life is being written.