A recent United Nations report, named World Urbanization Prospects 2025, has revealed a picture that not only reflects the present but also highlights the challenges of the future. As per the insights shared by this report, Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, has now become the world’s most populous city. The city reflects a population of close to 42 million. This title was previously held by Japan’s capital, Tokyo, for decades, but now Tokyo has slipped to third place. Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka, now sits in second place, while India’s capital, Delhi, has dropped out of the top three.
The shift is not just a matter of numbers; it is evidence of a wave of global urbanization that is putting Asia at the center. The report projects that by the year 2025, 80% of the world’s 8.2 billion people will be living in cities. The number of megacities has increased from just eight in 1975 to 33, 19 of which are in Asia.
- Jakarta, Indonesia — 41.9 million (approximately 4 crore 19 lakh)
- Dhaka, Bangladesh — 36.6 million
- Tokyo, Japan — 33.4 million
- New Delhi, India — 30.2 million (3 crore 2 lakh)
- Shanghai, China — 29.6 million (2 crore 96 lakh)
- Guangzhou, China — 27.6 million (2 crore 76 lakh)
- Manila, Philippines — 24.7 million
- Kolkata, India — 22.5 million
- Seoul, South Korea — 22.5 million
- Cairo, Egypt — 23 million
Top 10 List for 2025: Asia Dominates
World Urbanization Prospects 2025 adopted a new methodology to calculate the degree of urbanization. This adds another layer of certainty to the data, as it includes factors such as the Global Human Settlement Layer. The new manner of calculation measures dense settlements—more than 1,500 people per square kilometer—rather than national boundaries, making the figures more comparable. Previous reports had Tokyo at the top, but the new methodology showed Jakarta instead.
The UN data further revealed that Cairo in Egypt is the only city outside Asia in the top 10, with a population of 23 million people. São Paulo in Brazil, with 18.9 million people, is the most populous city in South America, while Lagos in Nigeria has also grown rapidly, making it the largest city in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Dhaka: Now the Fastest-Growing South Asian City
Dhaka’s past echoes its development through different stages. After the 1971 war of independence, it became a hub of the textile industry and migration. Reports suggest that Dhaka might become the world’s most populous city by 2050, with a population of over 50 million. Although the city continues to gain residents, poverty, pollution, and flooding make it vulnerable.
Jakarta: A New Global Hub
Located on the west coast of Java Island, the capital was once a Dutch colony (Batavia). After independence in 1945, rapid economic growth, rural-urban migration, and a high birth rate led to its transformation into a megacity. With a population of 41.9 million in 2025, it faces challenges such as climate change (including sea level rise) and flooding. Nevertheless, the construction of Indonesia’s new capital, Nusantara, may provide relief to Jakarta. Cambodia has also displayed dense population patterns.
How Tokyo Exited the Top Spot
Tokyo consistently topped the list since 1950 but now ranks third with 33.4 million people. Japan’s low birth rate (1.3 per woman), aging population, and limited immigration have impacted its numbers. Its population could decline to 30 million by 2050. However, Tokyo’s story remains inspiring, as it became an economic marvel after World War II.
The insights shared by the report further suggest that by 2050, cities will add 986 million new inhabitants, half of whom will come from countries like India, Nigeria, and Pakistan. Dhaka and Jakarta will surpass 50 million. With population growth rising rapidly, climate change, inequality, and infrastructure remain the major issues that will plague these countries
