The global population is growing, but do you know which city is biggest? These are the most populated cities in the world.
The 20 Largest Cities in the World
Updated on Jun. 26, 2025
20. Lahore, Pakistan
Current population: 14,825,800
Lahore, the capital city of the Punjab province, is growing rapidly. Last year alone, the population increased by nearly 3%. That trajectory is expected to continue, with the population projected to reach 19.1 million by 2035. In addition to being the center of Pakistan’s arts scene, it is also the country’s film capital. Other interesting facts about Lahore: It is home to more colleges and universities than any other city in Pakistan, as well as several UNESCO World Heritage sites.
19. Guangzhou, China
Current population: 14,878,700
The population of Guangzhou, known historically as Canton or Kwangchow, has exploded, nearly doubling in the last 25 years. It is the largest city in China’s Guangdong province (and its capital) and the 19th most populous city in the world. In fact, it has grown by nearly 2% in the last year alone. The population of Guangzhou is projected to reach 16.7 million people by 2035. The city is located on the Pearl River, roughly 75 miles northwest of Hong Kong.
18. Manila, Philippines
Current population: 15,230,600
The capital of the Philippines has seen steady growth since 1950, when the population was just 1.5 million. Today, Manila is the most densely populated city on the planet and 18th on the list of the most populated cities in the world. In the past year, the city’s population has increased by nearly 2%. By 2035, the population of Manila is projected to be 18.6 million. Located on the island of Luzon, the city is situated in a natural harbor and bisected by the Pasig River.
17. Buenos Aires, Argentina
Current population: 15,752,300
The capital city of Argentina is also the second most populous in South America and one of the continent’s major cultural centers. While Buenos Aires—also known as La Reina del Plata (The Queen of Silver) because it’s located on the banks of the Río de la Plata River—isn’t growing as quickly as some of the other most populated cities on this list, its population did increase by .86% since last year. That trend is expected to continue, with the projected population of the birthplace of tango reaching 17.1 million in 2035.
16. Kolkata, India
Current population: 15,845,200
India (1.44 billion) and China (1.41 billion) are the two most populous countries on earth, so it should come as no surprise that Indian and Chinese cities rank as some of the most populated cities in the world. Kolkata—aka Calcutta—a former East Indian Company trading post, as well as the headquarters of Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity, is the third most populous city in India. It’s growing steadily, with a population increase of 1.76% over last year. By 2035, the population is projected to be 19.6 million.
15. Istanbul, Turkey
Current population: 16,236,700
Istanbul, formerly Constantinople, ranks as the most populated city in all of Europe, although technically, half of the city lies in Asia. Home of bazaars, palaces, mosques and Hagia Sophia, Istanbul is filled with history. The city’s residents doubled their population in the 1980s, when the parameters of its borders greatly expanded. More recently, the city grew by 1.18% over the past year. In 2035, the projected population of Istanbul is 18 million.
14. Lagos, Nigeria
Current population: 17,156,400
This port city—the largest city in Africa—originated on the islands of the protected Lagos Lagoon, but it has since expanded some 50-plus kilometers inland and now encompasses about 452 square kilometers. Lagos is growing quickly: Its population increased by 3.75% last year. That trend is expected to continue, as the cultural and educational center’s projected population in 2035 is 24.4 million.
13. Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
Current population: 17,778,500
Kinshasa did not make the top 20 list in 2019, but it rapidly jumped to 13th place in 2025. The capital city—located about 320 miles (515 km) from the Atlantic Ocean, on the south bank of the Congo River—is growing quickly, with 4.38% growth between 2024 and 2025. The 17.78 million number is even more incredible when you consider that in 1950, the population of this city was a mere 201,905 people. Kinshasa’s population is expected to continue to increase, reaching a projected 26.7 million by 2035.
12. Karachi, Pakistan
Current population: 18,076,800
The capital of Sindh province and the largest and most populous metropolitan city in Pakistan, Karachi is also known as the “City of Lights” and “The Bride of the Cities.” It’s also growing quickly: The city’s population increased by 2.43% last year alone, and it shows no signs of stopping. By 2035, the population is projected to reach 23.1 million. It’s also a country of immigrants: Nearly half the population is Muhajir, meaning they (or their families) migrated from India in 1947.
11. Chongqing, China
Current population: 18,171,200
Like many other cities in Asia, Chongqing has seen a big population spike—a hefty 2.4% over the last year. In fact, Chongqing is one of the fastest-growing cities in the world, and that’s not fixing to change anytime soon. The population of the city is projected to hit 20.5 million by 2035. The river port city and industrial hub is located at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers.
10. Osaka, Japan
Current population: 18,921,600
The number of people living in Japan’s food-centric and second-largest city is actually decreasing—its population has dropped by .24% since 2024. This trend is projected to continue, with the population dipping down to 18.3 million in 2035. Osaka is located in the Kansai region, which has been referred to as the cultural heart of the country.
9. Mumbai, India
Current population: 22,089,000
India’s second-largest city—formerly known as Bombay—is also the capital of the state of Maharashtra and the fifth-most densely populated city on earth. The crowded city grew by nearly 2% last year; that trend will likely accelerate. Its population is projected to reach 27.3 million by 2035. Mumbai is famous for being the center of the Bollywood film industry and home to an impressive range of architecture, from ancient to Art Deco.
8. Beijing, China
Current population: 22,596,500
China’s capital and second-largest city has almost as many residents as the entire country of Australia. Home of the 2008 Summer Olympics and 2022 Winter Olympics, Beijing is no stranger to being on the world stage. The 21st century has also seen a population explosion in the city, which saw the number of people living in the city increase by 44% between the 2000 and 2010 censuses. Beijing’s population has grown by nearly 2% over the past year, and it is projected to reach 25.4 million by 2035, so Beijing should remain one of the most populated cities in the world.
7. Mexico City, Mexico
Current population: 22,752,400
An economic powerhouse and the largest Spanish-speaking city in the world, Mexico City is also one of the most populous and densest on earth, with the population growing by 1.1% in the last year alone. It’s also home to 20% of Mexico’s population. The growth is expected to continue, with Mexico City’s population projected to hit 25.4 million in 2035.
6. São Paulo, Brazil
Current population: 22,990,000
São Paulo narrowly beats out Mexico City as the most populous city in the Americas and the southern hemisphere, with nearly 23 million people living in the urban area. It’s home to the largest gay pride parade in the world, and it’s also a melting pot, with a study by the University of São Paulo showing the diversity—81% of students said they were descendants of immigrants. The most common ancestry groups: Italian (30.5%), Portuguese (23%), Spanish (14%), Japanese (8%), German (5.6%), African (2.8%), Arab (2.4%) and Jewish (1.2%). This city is projected to reach a population of 24.5 million by 2035.
5. Cairo, Egypt
Current population: 23,074,200
The history of Egypt’s capital city goes back to 969 AD, but it hasn’t always been this crowded. In 1950, the population of Cairo was only 2,493,510. But the city has grown steadily since then, including by nearly 2% over the last year. The population of Cairo is projected to reach 28.5 million by 2035. A sprawling city that blends modern and ancient, it’s one of the world’s oldest Islamic cities, and it’s located at the tip of the Delta, between the River Nile and the Moqattam Hill. Cairo is also a major tourism hub. If you’re up on your geography facts, you know why: The Pyramids of Giza are located at the edge of the city.
4. Dhaka, Bangladesh
Current population: 24,652,900
Located along the Buriganga River, Bangladesh’s capital city is one of the most crowded cities on the planet, and it continues to grow. In the past year, the population of Dhaka increased by 3%, and it will likely stay one of the most populated cities in the world: By 2035, the population is projected to reach 31.2 million. Dhaka has an impressive collection of 17th-century architecture, and it is home to many universities.
3. Shanghai, China
Current population: 30,482,100
Shanghai, the world’s third most populous city, also happens to be the largest city proper in the entire world. It has been one of the fastest developing urban centers for 20 years. While it’s still growing, the pace of that growth is slowing. By 2035, the population of Shanghai—also known as the Pearl of the Orient and the Paris of the East—is expected to hit 34.3 million. In addition to being one of the world’s largest seaports, Shanghai is also a center of industry and commerce.
2. Delhi, India
Current population: 34,665,600
Delhi, India’s capital and the center of its government, is the second most populated city in the world as well as being second on the list of the most polluted cities in the world. It’s also the political and cultural center of India. Delhi has grown by 858,200 in the last year—an increase of 2.54%. And it’s growing faster than almost any place else on earth. By 2035, the population is projected to be 43.3 million.
1. Tokyo, Japan
Current population: 37,036,200
Believe it or not, the largest city in the world actually saw a population drop of .21% from 2024. That trend is expected to continue and to increase through 2035—by then, Tokyo will be home to roughly 1 million fewer people than it is today. That decline is in line with the rest of Japan, as a result of a lack of immigration, a rapidly aging population and a very low fertility rate. Though Tokyo is an exceptionally modern city, it’s also home to ancient temples.
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Sources:
- World Population History: “World Population”
- U.S. Census: “U.S. and World Population Clock”
- Phys.org: “‘Significant proportion’ of world’s rural population missing from global estimates, says study”
- World Population Review: “Largest Cities by Population 2025”
- World Population Review: “Population Density by City”
- United Nations: “World Population Prospects 2024”
- IQ Air: “World’s Most Polluted Cities in 2024”
