
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

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

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.
3. Shanghai, China - 28,516,904

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

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

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

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

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

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
9. Mumbai, India - 20,961,472

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

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.
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
Rank | Name | Country | Population |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Tokyo | Japan | 37,274,000 |
2 | Delhi | India | 32,065,760 |
3 | Shanghai | China | 28,516,904 |
4 | Dhaka | Bangladesh | 22,478,116 |
5 | Sao Paulo | Brazil | 22,429,800 |
6 | Mexico City | Mexico | 22,085,140 |
7 | Cairo | Egypt | 21,750,020 |
8 | Beijing | China | 21,333,332 |
9 | Mumbai | India | 20,961,472 |
10 | Osaka | Japan | 19,059,856 |
11 | Chongqing | China | 16,874,740 |
12 | Karachi | Pakistan | 16,839,950 |
13 | Istanbul | Turkey | 15,636,243 |
14 | Kinshasa | DR Congo | 15,628,085 |
15 | Lagos | Nigeria | 15,387,639 |
16 | Buenos Aires | Argentina | 15,369,919 |
17 | Kolkata | India | 15,133,888 |
18 | Manila | Philippines | 14,406,059 |
19 | Tianjin | China | 14,011,828 |
20 | Guangzhou | China | 13,964,637 |
21 | Rio De Janeiro | Brazil | 13,634,274 |
22 | Lahore | Pakistan | 13,541,764 |
23 | Bangalore | India | 13,193,035 |
24 | Shenzhen | China | 12,831,330 |
25 | Moscow | Russia | 12,640,818 |
26 | Chennai | India | 11,503,293 |
27 | Bogota | Colombia | 11,344,312 |
28 | Paris | France | 11,142,303 |
29 | Jakarta | Indonesia | 11,074,811 |
30 | Lima | Peru | 11,044,607 |
31 | Bangkok | Thailand | 10,899,698 |
32 | Hyderabad | India | 10,534,418 |
33 | Seoul | South Korea | 9,975,709 |
34 | Nagoya | Japan | 9,571,596 |
35 | London | United Kingdom | 9,540,576 |
36 | Chengdu | China | 9,478,521 |
37 | Nanjing | China | 9,429,381 |
38 | Tehran | Iran | 9,381,546 |
39 | Ho Chi Minh City | Vietnam | 9,077,158 |
40 | Luanda | Angola | 8,952,496 |
41 | New York City | United States | 8,930,002 |
42 | Wuhan | China | 8,591,611 |
43 | Xi An Shaanxi | China | 8,537,646 |
44 | Ahmedabad | India | 8,450,228 |
45 | Kuala Lumpur | Malaysia | 8,419,566 |
46 | Hangzhou | China | 8,044,878 |
47 | Surat | India | 7,784,276 |
48 | Suzhou | China | 7,764,499 |
49 | Hong Kong | Hong Kong | 7,643,256 |
50 | Riyadh | Saudi Arabia | 7,538,200 |
Andrew Douglas November 1 2022 in Places
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.
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.
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? ›- San Francisco Bay Area.
- Austin, Texas.
- Seattle.
- Raleigh and Durham, North Carolina.
- Dallas.
- Denver.
- Salt Lake City.
- Charlotte, North Carolina.
- 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.
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."
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? ›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? ›...
Biggest Cities in the World By Area.
Name | Country | 2020 Sq. Miles |
---|---|---|
Tokyo | Japan | 3,178 |
Atlanta | United States | 2,857 |
Chicago | United States | 2,705 |
Los Angeles | United States | 2,452 |
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? ›- > 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.
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.
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? ›State | Rank Based on Pop Loss (2020-21) | % Change 2020-21 |
---|---|---|
New York | 1 | -1.58% |
Illinois | 2 | -0.89% |
Hawaii | 3 | -0.71% |
California | 4 | -0.66% |
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? ›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? ›- New York.
- Los Angeles.
- Chicago.
- Houston.
- Phoenix.
- Philadelphia.
- San Antonio.
- San Diego.
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? ›- 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? ›- 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.
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? ›Rank | Urban Area | Land Area: Km2 |
---|---|---|
1 | Tokyo-Yokohama | 8,547 |
2 | Jakarta | 3,225 |
3 | Delhi, DL-UP-HR | 2,072 |
4 | Manila | 1,580 |
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? ›1 | Mumbai (Bombay), India | Guadalupe, Mexico |
---|---|---|
2 | Delhi, India | Barcelona, Spain |
3 | Dhaka, Bangladesh | Guiyang, China |
4 | Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo | Lusaka, Zambia |
5 | Kolkata (Calcutta), India | Detroit, United States of America |
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.
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.
...
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 2022 | 4.8% |
Share of total U.S. GDP | 5.5% |