The world will become increasingly urbanized over the next three decades, as highlighted in UN Habitat's recent World Cities Report 2022. Urban growth, which reached 56% in 2021, is expected to rise to around 68% by 2050, resulting in an additional population of 2.2 billion urban dwellers, mostly concentrated in Africa and Asia, the world's two most populous regions .
According to the United Nations, all regions of the world are destined to become more urbanized, reflecting the trend that cities are here to stay and the future of humanity is undoubtedly urban. By mid2023, around 57% of the world's population, i.e. more than 4.6 billion people, already lived in urban centers.
Currently, some of the world's largest cities by population continue to top the list by metropolitan area, although with some variation. The 2022 UN Habitat report and data from the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs identify 34 “megacities” with more than 10 million inhabitants, most of them in Asia, Latin America and Africa.
Tokyo: The most populous metropolis in the world
According to the UN, Tokyo in the Greater Tokyo metropolitan region will remain the most populous city in the world in 2024 with more than 37 million inhabitants. Although some forecasts suggest that New Delhi, India, could take this position by 2030, the Japanese capital retains its top spot.
The city is known for combining tradition and modernity, preserving traditional temples and markets among skyscrapers and making technological advances. Covering an area of more than 2,000 km², Tokyo is home to tourist attractions such as the Imperial Palace, the Meiji Shinto Shrine and the famous Tsukiji Fish Market.
Other populous cities in the world
In addition to Tokyo, the most populous cities in the world include:
- New Delhi, India (2nd): With more than 32 million inhabitants, New Delhi is the capital of India and an attractive center for business and business.
- Shanghai, China (3rd): With more than 29 million inhabitants, Shanghai is a global financial center that combines tradition and modernity.
- Dhaka, Bangladesh (4th): With more than 23 million residents spread over approximately 300 km², it is the center of government, commerce and culture in Bangladesh.
- São Paulo, Brazil (5th): The metropolitan area is home to more than 22.5 million people, making it the largest financial center in America.
- Mexico City, Mexico (6th): With 22 million residents, it is a vibrant region with a rich history dating back to 1521.
The UN report predicts changes in the rankings by 2030, but these megacities will continue to top the list, highlighting the ongoing process of global urbanization. The top 10 also includes Cairo, Egypt (7th), Beijing, China (8th), Mumbai, India (9th) and Osaka, Japan (10th).
With information from National Geographic Brasil.