10 Largest Cities In The World (2023)

10 Largest Cities In The World (1)

The world's population currently teeters at eight billion people. That is a lot of humans milling about, trying to make a go at this crazy little thing called life. And within this stupendous, sentient sea, there are many megacities that offer community, opportunity, and identity. The following is a list of the ten largest metropolitans (in terms of the estimated 2022 population). At first glance, they can appear overwhelming. But each of these concrete organisms can provide a lifetime of subtle sifting that slowly reveals new treasures with each street, canal, market, monument, etc. You just have to dive in.

1. Tokyo, Japan - 37,274,000

10 Largest Cities In The World (2)

Far and away, the world's most-populated metropolitan, Tokyo, Japan, has a life of its own. The nation's capital city is located on the East-Central coast of the island of Honshu, within the Kantō region. This fast-paced yet humble; crowded yet clean; futuristic yet steeped in spiritual tradition; two-time host of the Summer Olympics has to be seen to be believed. In one moment, you may be standing in Shibuya Crossing (one of the world's wildest intersections), and the next, you may be dining in a quiet, old-school, four-stooltop restaurant down a slim and ancient alley. In the next moment, you may find yourself appreciating one of the many Buddhist shrines scattered throughout the city before turning the corner and entering into a sensory overload of neon lights and brightly-colored business signs. Where else but Tokyo?

2. Delhi, India - 32,065,760

10 Largest Cities In The World (3)

Delhi, in Northcentral India, is the National Capital Territory and the country's largest city (by population). This urban agglomeration is composed of two main parts: the historic city of Old Delhi (in the North) and the capital city of New Delhi (in the South). With that said, Delhi reveals its many additional layers, built upon themselves over time, in the form of ancient monuments, mosques, shrines, tombs, and other varieties of stimulating architecture. This giant community is situated along the Yamuna River (which feeds into the Ganges) and approximately 160 kilometers (100 miles) South of the grand Himalayan Mountains. Aside from being the political anchor of India, Delhi is also a substantial commercial, transportation, and cultural hotspot.

(Video) TOP 10 Biggest Cities in The World 2021 By Population

3. Shanghai, China - 28,516,904

10 Largest Cities In The World (4)

Shanghai (上海), or Shàng-Hǎi, is the most populous city in the world's most populous country. This vital seaport is located in East-Central China, on the coast of the East China Sea, on the South shore of the Yangtze River. Shanghai was one of the first areas to receive Western trade ships, which helped it grow into the commercial and industrial backbone of the nation that it is today. The picturesque metropolis skyline is immediately recognizable and perfectly blends a mix of the old and the new (in a similar fashion to the street-level culture of the city).

4. Dhaka, Bangladesh - 22,478,116

10 Largest Cities In The World (5)

The capital city of Bangladesh, Dhaka (or Dacca), is situated in the country's central region alongside the Buriganga River. Dhaka is part of the Dhaka Division and the Dhaka District. Like Mumbai, the population density of this city has it nearly bursting at the seams, and yet, the rapidly growing metropolitan shows no signs of slowing. This creates a fascinating, high-energy environment but also poor living conditions for many residents, heavy traffic for all, and an overall challenge of sustainability for the government. Dhaka is also supremely industrialized, which plays a key role in the skyrocketing population growth and the daily tidal wave of commuters.

5. São Paulo, Brazil - 22,429,800

10 Largest Cities In The World (6)

Shifting down to South America, São Paulo (or "Sampa" as it is also called), Brazil takes the crown as the largest city on the continent. This juggernaut is located in the Southeast, in the state of São Paulo, just inland from the port of Santos on the South Atlantic Ocean. São Paulo is also about 450 kilometers (280 miles) Southwest of the iconic city of Rio de Janeiro. Sampa emerged from its neighbor's shadow during the late 19th-century coffee boom. Nowadays, a sea of skyscrapers signals São Paulo's emergence as the major economic center of Latin America, which is responsible for its rocketing population growth.

(Video) TOP 10 LARGEST CITIES IN THE WORLD

6. Mexico City, Mexico - 22,085,140

10 Largest Cities In The World (7)

Mexico City (Ciudad de México) is the capital city of Mexico, the most populous megacity in North America, and one of the oldest continuously-inhabited capital cities in the Western Hemisphere. Mexico City was founded by Spanish conquistadors in 1521 (atop the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlán), in the Valley of Mexico, in the South-Central part of the country. Sitting at an elevation of 2,240 meters (7,350 feet), this colorful, rambunctious (yet surprisingly peaceful in parts), artistic, and historical place will literally and figuratively take your breath away.

7. Cairo, Egypt - 21,750,020

10 Largest Cities In The World (8)

Cairo (​​Al-Qāhirah) is the capital city of Egypt and the largest metropolitan in Africa. Cairo is located in the Northeast of the country, along the shores of the famed Nile River, and just North of the Great Pyramids of Giza, which can be seen in the distance, contrasted against the infinite layers of modern infrastructure. Cairo readily celebrates its antiquity, displaying the world's largest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo (EMC).

8. Beijing, China - 21,333,332

10 Largest Cities In The World (9)

Beijing (北京), Pei-ching, or Peking, is the capital city of the People's Republic of China. It is located in the Eastern part of the country, near the Bohai Wan and the mouth of the Yellow Sea. Beijing has been the cultural and administrative center of China for (nearly) eight centuries, despite some renaming over the years and a brief changing of the guard from 1928-1949. And even with that long history, which can be felt and seen in nearly every nook and cranny, Beijing is still one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. On top of such attractions as the Great Wall of China, the culinary experience is another big draw - everything from the universally delectable to Fear-Factor-worthy experimental dishes

(Video) THE BIGGEST CITIES In The World | Large metropolis with many buildings and millions of people.

9. Mumbai, India - 20,961,472

10 Largest Cities In The World (10)

On India's West coast, Mumbai (formerly Bombay) sprawls along a peninsula on Bombay Island - stretching out into Bombay Harbour and the Arabian Sea. Mumbai is the capital city of the state of Maharashtra and is the major entertainment, financial, and commercial hub (namely, cotton textiles and information technology) of India. "The City of Dreams" is the second-largest metropolitan of the world's second most populated country, but because of the geographical constraints of being located on a peninsula, it is one of the most densely-populated cities in the world.

10. Osaka, Japan - 19,059,856

10 Largest Cities In The World (11)

In the South of Japan, on the island of Honshu, in the region of Kansai and the Osaka Prefecture, the bright and lively metropolitan of Osaka looms large. Between the vigorous economic engine that keeps businesses hustling all day and the tourist-drawing nightlife, Osaka knows how to burn the candle at both ends (especially on Karaoke night). Food is another celebrated asset of the city - not just sushi but all kinds of local cuisines. Osaka, formerly Naniwa, was Japan's first known capital city. It is still easy to see why this spot is a natural focal point of the country.

(Video) Top 10 LARGEST Cities in North America by Population (2022)

These incredibly dense metropolitans are a must-see for any adventurous extrovert. Let the beeping horns and endless chatter be your soundtrack, the umpteen-dimensional layers be your backdrop, and the infinite supply of strangers be your social refuge.

50 Biggest Cities In The World

RankNameCountryPopulation
1TokyoJapan37,274,000
2DelhiIndia32,065,760
3ShanghaiChina28,516,904
4DhakaBangladesh22,478,116
5Sao PauloBrazil22,429,800
6Mexico CityMexico22,085,140
7CairoEgypt21,750,020
8BeijingChina21,333,332
9MumbaiIndia20,961,472
10OsakaJapan19,059,856
11ChongqingChina16,874,740
12KarachiPakistan16,839,950
13IstanbulTurkey15,636,243
14KinshasaDR Congo15,628,085
15LagosNigeria15,387,639
16Buenos AiresArgentina15,369,919
17KolkataIndia15,133,888
18ManilaPhilippines14,406,059
19TianjinChina14,011,828
20GuangzhouChina13,964,637
21Rio De JaneiroBrazil13,634,274
22LahorePakistan13,541,764
23BangaloreIndia13,193,035
24ShenzhenChina12,831,330
25MoscowRussia12,640,818
26ChennaiIndia11,503,293
27BogotaColombia11,344,312
28ParisFrance11,142,303
29JakartaIndonesia11,074,811
30LimaPeru11,044,607
31BangkokThailand10,899,698
32HyderabadIndia10,534,418
33SeoulSouth Korea9,975,709
34NagoyaJapan9,571,596
35LondonUnited Kingdom9,540,576
36ChengduChina9,478,521
37NanjingChina9,429,381
38TehranIran9,381,546
39Ho Chi Minh CityVietnam9,077,158
40LuandaAngola8,952,496
41New York CityUnited States8,930,002
42WuhanChina8,591,611
43Xi An ShaanxiChina8,537,646
44AhmedabadIndia8,450,228
45Kuala LumpurMalaysia8,419,566
46HangzhouChina8,044,878
47SuratIndia7,784,276
48SuzhouChina7,764,499
49Hong KongHong Kong7,643,256
50RiyadhSaudi Arabia7,538,200

Share

Andrew Douglas November 1 2022 in Places

(Video) Top 10 Largest and Populated Cities in the World | Biggest Cities in 2022

FAQs

What is the 15 largest city in the world? ›

Located on the eastern bank of Hooghly River, Kolkata, the fifteenth-largest city in the entire world is also the capital of the state of West Bengal in India.

Is NYC the biggest city in the world? ›

New York City is the most populous city in the United States and the 11th most in the world.

Which city is bigger London or New York? ›

London Population vs New York

According to World Population Review, London covers a vast size of 607 square miles. It has a population of over 9.5 million people and a population density of about 14,600 people per square mile. On the other hand, New York has a higher population of about 20.4 million.

Is Tokyo bigger than New York? ›

Tokyo is the most populated metropolitan area in the world, but it's also much larger than New York City. Their population density 15,604 per square mile compared to our more stifling 27,578. Berlin is similar in size to New York City, but way more sparsely populated.

Is Houston the 3rd largest city in the US? ›

Houston, Texas – 2.37 million

Today, Houston is Texas's most populous city and the fourth largest city in the US. Its 2.3 million citizens are spread among the city and Harris County, with a density of 3,663 people per square mile.

What is the #1 city in the world? ›

1. London. As the “capital of capitals” negotiates the uncharted, perilous terrain of a post-Brexit and pandemic world, London continues to reign as the planet's best cities for the seventh year running.

What are the top 5 fastest-growing cities? ›

Top 10 fastest-growing U.S. cities in 2022
  • San Francisco Bay Area.
  • Austin, Texas.
  • Seattle.
  • Raleigh and Durham, North Carolina.
  • Dallas.
  • Denver.
  • Salt Lake City.
  • Charlotte, North Carolina.
Nov 9, 2022

What is the 50 largest city in the world? ›

Here are the 50 most populous cities in the world.
  • Tokyo, Japan. City population: 37,274,000. ...
  • Delhi, India. City population: 32,065,760. ...
  • Shanghai, China. City population: 28,516,904. ...
  • Dhaka, Bangladesh. City population: 22,478,116. ...
  • Sao Paulo, Brazil. City population: 22,429,800. ...
  • Mexico City, Mexico. ...
  • Cairo, Egypt. ...
  • Mumbai, India.

What is the biggest city to ever exist? ›

Uruk: The world's largest city in 3500 BC

Located between the Tigris and the Euphrates, Uruk went on to become part of Mesopotamia, meaning "land between rivers."

Is NYC bigger than Paris? ›

The Paris population and area (105 square kilometers) are miniscule in comparison to Greater London's 7.3 million people and 1,590 square kilometers; New York City's 8 million people and 826 square kilometers; and Central Tokyo's 8.1 million people and 616 square kilometers.

Is NYC or Chicago bigger? ›

New York city's population is the largest in the US and one of the highest in the world. Chicago, on the other hand, is less populated and more laid-back, ideal for families.

What is the biggest city by land? ›

New York Metro

What US city is London comparable to? ›

While Boston fought hard to separate itself from British rule in the 18th century, the city undeniably reflects the charm and culture of London. Brick colonial homes along cobblestone streets, unique cuisine, and host of some of the world's greatest educational institutions offer a little taste of the city from home.

Is New York City bigger than San Francisco? ›

In terms of size, San Francisco is 46.9 square miles (roughly 6.5X smaller than NYC) and the population density is 18,000 people per square mile, so it feels less crowded. By comparison, San Francisco isn't even in the top 10 list of the most populous cities in the country.

What US city is as big as London? ›

The UK capital city is comparable in population to New York City, totaling around 8.9 million compared to NYC's 8.4 million. As for size, however, the Greater London Area covers around 607 square miles, which is about twice as big as NYC's 302.6 square mile area.

What is a decent salary in Japan? ›

According to Salary Explorer, the 2022 median salary in Japan is 545,000 JPY (4,730 USD) per month. What does a median salary indicate? The value represents the mid-point that divides the Japanese working population in half. So, 50% of Japanese people earn above the median income, while the other half earn less.

Is it cheaper to live in NYC or LA? ›

Overall, LA is about 24% less expensive than NYC. The cost of living in LA is lower than in NYC thanks to far lower housing prices. On average, housing in LA is 34% cheaper than in New York City. Additionally, prices for groceries, as well as restaurant prices, are lower in Los Angeles than in NYC.

Is Atlanta bigger than Tokyo? ›

Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. Success!
...
Biggest Cities in the World By Area.
NameCountry2020 Sq. Miles
TokyoJapan3,178
AtlantaUnited States2,857
ChicagoUnited States2,705
Los AngelesUnited States2,452
22 more rows

What is the most beautiful city in USA? ›

1. Charleston, South Carolina. Charleston is by far one of the most beautiful cities in the US. Pastel-painted houses line the cobblestone streets, while colossal oak trees with Spanish moss set the scene.

What US city is growing the fastest? ›

Table Of Contents
  • > Key Findings:
  • > Fastest-Growing Cities:
  • > 1. Cape Coral – Fort Myers, Florida.
  • > 2. North Port, Florida.
  • > 3. Winter Haven, Florida.
  • > 4. New Braunfels, Texas.
  • > 5. Port St. Lucie, Florida.
  • > 6. Daytona Beach, Florida.
Jan 9, 2023

What city will overtake Chicago? ›

That's around 40,000 more people added to Houston's population compared to Chicago in 2021 alone. So, the statistics add up. Houston will indeed surpass Chicago at one point in terms of population.

What is the safest city in the world? ›

What are the top ranking cities in 2021? The fourth iteration of the index looks at 60 cities across 76 indicators, covering digital, health, infrastructure, personal, and - new this year - environmental security. The top 5 cities were Copenhagen, Toronto, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo, in that order.

What is the fastest shrinking city in America? ›

Different Cities Experiencing Decline

San Francisco was not among the 15 fastest-declining cities in 2019 but topped the list in 2021 with a 6.3% drop in population from the previous year.

What is the number 1 growing city in America? ›

Georgetown City (Texas) Georgetown wins the top rank as United States' fastest-growing city. This suburb is located about 30 miles north of Austin, Texas's capital. Prominent Victorian-era buildings may be seen in the city's charming central area.

What state is losing population the fastest? ›

States Losing Population 2023
StateRank Based on Pop Loss (2020-21)% Change 2020-21
New York1-1.58%
Illinois2-0.89%
Hawaii3-0.71%
California4-0.66%
46 more rows

Is Chicago one of the biggest cities in the world? ›

With a population of 2,746,388 in the 2020 census, it is also the most populous city in the Midwest. As the seat of Cook County (the second-most populous U.S. county), the city is the center of the Chicago metropolitan area, one of the largest in the world.

What is the biggest mega city? ›

Shanghai China

What is bigger than a mega city? ›

Gigalopolis or Gigacity – an incorporation of a group of megalopolises, containing over one hundred million residents. Megalopolis or Megacity – a supercity consists of a group of conurbations, containing more than ten million residents in total.

What city no longer exists? ›

A lost city is an urban settlement that fell into terminal decline and became extensively or completely uninhabited, with the consequence that the site's former significance was no longer known to the wider world.

What is the oldest city ever found? ›

Çatalhöyük is a city founded 9,000 years ago, and this UNESCO World Heritage Site is well-worth visiting to see the remains of an ancient (like, REALLY ancient) city.

What is the smallest city on earth? ›

Vatican City is the smallest city in the world, but it's bursting with activity for locals and tourists alike.

What are the top 15 most populated cities? ›

  1. New York.
  2. Los Angeles.
  3. Chicago.
  4. Houston.
  5. Phoenix.
  6. Philadelphia.
  7. San Antonio.
  8. San Diego.

What is the largest city in the world by square mile? ›

The largest city in the world is Sermersooq in Greenland. Sermersooq, formally named Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq, was formed on January 1, 2009, from five smaller municipalities. It spans over 531,900 square kilometers (205,400 square miles) and has a population of just 23,123 people.

Is NYC a world class city? ›

With its strong economy and infrastructure, global workforce, and cross-industry innovation, it's no wonder that NYC is considered the business center of the world.

Is it cheaper to live in Paris or New York? ›

In conclusion: is Paris or New York the most expensive city? On average, the cost of life appears to be 20% higher in New York than in Paris. In the cheapest districts, the Big Apple's prices are about 11% higher than in Paris, while in the most expensive districts the gap between the two cities widens.

Is New York City or Mexico City bigger? ›

Mexico City is about 573 square miles, and New York City is about 302.6 square miles. So in area, Mexico City is larger.

Is crime worse in Chicago or New York? ›

Overall, Chicago's per-capita murder rate is higher than in New York City or Los Angeles, but is lower than in Midwestern cities such as Detroit, Milwaukee and St. Louis.

Is Chicago colder than NYC? ›

On average, Chicago gets about a foot more snow each winter than New York. While the coldest average monthly temperature in New York bottoms out at 27 degrees, Chicago's average lows in winter months are 18 degrees or colder. Chicagoans make up for those rough winters by embracing the outdoors the rest of the year.

Is Chicago or NYC hotter? ›

It's a common misconception that New York City is as cold as Chicago. Actually, one of the benefits of living in NYC is its winters are actually pretty mild and usually 10 degrees warmer than Chicago! Year-round, New York City has more mild weather than Chicago, especially in the summer and winter.

What is the largest U.S. city? ›

The 50 largest cities in the United States
  • New York 8,550,405.
  • Los Angeles 3,971,883.
  • Chicago 2,720,546.
  • Houston 2,296,224.
  • Philadelphia 1,567,442.
  • Phoenix 1,563,025.
  • San Antonio 1,469,845.
  • San Diego 1,394,928.

What city is in all 50 states? ›

According to a common factoid, there's a community called Springfield in all 50 states, but the U.S. Board on Geographic Names says that's not true: only 34 states have a Springfield. The real champ is Riverside. Unless you live in Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, or Oklahoma, there's at least one Riverside in your state.

Is Jacksonville Florida the largest city in the United States? ›

The City of Jacksonville ranks as the 14th largest city in the United States in population with more than 800,000 residents.

What is the largest city in the world size 2022? ›

Tokyo kept its status as the world's largest city, with 37 million inhabitants, while Delhi and Shanghai, followed in second and third positions.

What is the biggest city in the world by population 2022? ›

World Population Review, a site dedicated to boiling down demographical data into easily understandable stats, ranks Tokyo as the most populous city globally for 2022, counting over 37 million residents.

What is the number 1 city in the world 2022? ›

But now, for the second year running, Paris has held onto the top spot in the Top 100 City Destinations Index 2022, while eight out of the top 10 cities are its European neighbors.

What are the largest cities in the world by area 2022? ›

According to the World Populations Review, based off reports from Demographia, the top 10 largest cities in terms of square miles:
  • Tokyo-Yokohama - 3,178.
  • Atlanta - 2,857.
  • Chicago - 2,705.
  • Los Angeles - 2,452.
  • Moscow - 2,274.
  • Washington-Baltimore - 2,124.
  • Philadelphia - 2,096.
  • Dallas-Fort Worth - 2,038.
Nov 23, 2022

Which city is overpopulated in the world? ›

However, Tokyo is the largest city in the world if the entire Tokyo metro area is included, with a total of more than 38 million residents. Another Japanese city, Osaka, also has a very large population of almost 20.5 million.

What is the world's biggest city by land area? ›

Largest Cities in the World (2015)
RankUrban AreaLand Area: Km2
1Tokyo-Yokohama8,547
2Jakarta3,225
3Delhi, DL-UP-HR2,072
4Manila1,580
77 more rows

Where is the most beautiful city in the world 2022? ›

Overall, Edinburgh, Scotland was named the best city in the world. “The city ranked highly across the board, topping the global chart as the most beautiful and the most walkable city in the world,” says Gleason.

Which will be the 3 biggest cities in 2050? ›

City population 2050
1Mumbai (Bombay), IndiaGuadalupe, Mexico
2Delhi, IndiaBarcelona, Spain
3Dhaka, BangladeshGuiyang, China
4Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the CongoLusaka, Zambia
5Kolkata (Calcutta), IndiaDetroit, United States of America
76 more rows

What will be the largest city in the world by 2050? ›

The Top 10 Biggest Cities by Population in 2050

Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo – 58,424,142. Mumbai, India – 57,862,345. Lagos, Nigeria – 57,195,075. Delhi, India – 49,338,148.

What is the number 1 most beautiful city in the world? ›

1. Rome, Italy. At number one you voted Rome as the most beautiful city in the world. With its thousand-year-old buildings such as the Forum Romanum or the Colosseum, beautiful piazzas and world-class art – not to mention Vatican City – we are certainly not surprised.

What are the next boom cities? ›

  • Austin, Texas. Current population (city): 961,855. ...
  • Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina. Current population (city): 467,665 / 174,762. ...
  • Orlando, Florida. Current population (city): 307,573. ...
  • Charleston-North Charleston, South Carolina. ...
  • Houston, Texas. ...
  • Sarasota-Bradenton, Florida. ...
  • San Antonio, Texas. ...
  • Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas.
Jan 17, 2023

What is the fastest growing large city? ›

Austin, Texas is one of the U.S. cities growing the fastest in 2022, according to an October report from a nonpartisan think tank.
...
10 fastest growing cities and metro areas in the U.S.
San Francisco / Bay areaCalifornia
GDP in 2022$1.4T $1.4T $1.4T
GDP growth in 20224.8%
Share of total U.S. GDP5.5%
9 more columns
Nov 9, 2022

Videos

1. Top 20 Most Populated Cities in The World 1500 to 2100 (History + Projection)
(Animated Stats)
2. Top 10 Largest Cities In The World 2021 | Biggest Cities In The World
(THINKRICH AFRICA )
3. The 10 Biggest Cities You've Never Heard Of (Probably)
(City Beautiful)
4. Top 10 Largest Cities by 2030
(The B1M)
5. LARGEST CITIES IN THE WORLD | 2800 BC - 2100 AD
(CityGlobeTour)
6. Top 10 Largest Cities by 2100
(The B1M)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Chrissy Homenick

Last Updated: 03/17/2023

Views: 6008

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (54 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Chrissy Homenick

Birthday: 2001-10-22

Address: 611 Kuhn Oval, Feltonbury, NY 02783-3818

Phone: +96619177651654

Job: Mining Representative

Hobby: amateur radio, Sculling, Knife making, Gardening, Watching movies, Gunsmithing, Video gaming

Introduction: My name is Chrissy Homenick, I am a tender, funny, determined, tender, glorious, fancy, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.