Largest Cities by Population in the World 2026

The world’s largest cities by population represent the true centers of modern human activity. These urban giants are home to millions of people and play a major role in shaping global economics, culture, technology, and politics. As urbanization continues to accelerate, especially in Asia and Africa, city populations are growing faster than ever. Understanding which cities are the most populated helps policymakers, businesses, and researchers track migration trends, infrastructure pressure, and future development needs. This article presents a clear, data-driven ranking of the largest cities by population in the world, offering a global snapshot of where people live in the greatest numbers today.

City population rankings are usually based on metropolitan or urban agglomeration populations rather than just administrative city limits. This approach gives a more realistic picture of how many people actually live and work in a continuous urban area. Rapid population growth is influenced by factors such as job opportunities, industrial expansion, transportation networks, and access to education and healthcare. Developing regions often see faster city growth due to rural-to-urban migration, while established global cities grow more steadily. Geography, government planning, and economic stability also play a key role in shaping how large cities become over time.

Top 10 Largest Cities by Population

1. Tokyo: 37.4 million
2. Delhi: 33.8 million
3. Shanghai: 29.9 million
4. Dhaka: 23.9 million
5. São Paulo: 22.8 million
6. Mexico City: 22.5 million
7. Cairo: 22.1 million
8. Beijing: 21.9 million
9. Mumbai: 21.3 million
10. Osaka: 19.1 million

Tokyo remains the world’s largest city by population, supported by strong infrastructure, efficient public transport, and long-term urban planning. Delhi and Shanghai follow closely, reflecting the massive populations of India and China and continued urban migration. Dhaka’s high ranking highlights extreme population density rather than land size, while São Paulo and Mexico City dominate Latin America as major economic hubs. Cairo leads Africa, showing how historic cities can continue expanding in the modern era. Chinese and Indian cities together occupy half of the top ten, underlining Asia’s dominance in global urban population rankings.

Full Data Table

Key Points

• Asian cities dominate the rankings, accounting for a clear majority of the largest urban populations worldwide.
• Population size does not always correlate with land area, as seen in very dense cities like Dhaka.
• Emerging economies tend to have faster-growing megacities compared to developed nations.
• China and India together contribute the highest number of cities in the top 50 list.
• Several cities outside Asia, such as São Paulo and Mexico City, remain global population leaders.
• African cities like Cairo and Lagos are rapidly climbing global rankings due to high growth rates.
• Many highly populated cities face major challenges related to housing, transport, and sustainability.

The ranking of the largest cities by population in the world highlights how urban life continues to shape humanity’s future. As millions of people move toward cities in search of opportunity, these urban centers grow into powerful engines of economic and social change. While large populations bring innovation and cultural richness, they also demand careful planning to manage congestion, housing, and environmental impact. Looking ahead, cities in developing regions are expected to rise further in global rankings, making sustainable urban development more important than ever. Understanding these population patterns is essential for building resilient cities for the decades ahead.

Related Articles

• Largest Cities by Area
• Largest Metropolitan Areas in the World
• Largest Capital Cities
• Fastest Expanding Megacities

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Sources

• Population Division Data – United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs
• Global Metropolitan Population Estimates – World Population Review
• Largest Cities in the World – Wikipedia