In 2025, Indonesia's capital, Jakarta, was declared the most populated city in the world. According to the UN's annual report, published by NBC, Jakarta now holds the top position, overtaking Tokyo, which previously held this title. The population of Jakarta is estimated to be around 42 million.
In 2018, the city ranked 33rd in global population.
Now in second place is Dhaka with 36 million residents, which is projected to become the next leader by mid-century.
The report titled "World Urbanization Prospects 2025" indicates that nearly half of the Earth's population, currently at 8.2 billion, resides in cities. Nine out of the ten most populated cities are located in Asia.
Cairo, an Egyptian city with a population of 25 million, ranks seventh, which is more than double the number of people living in New York.
The top ten also includes New Delhi (30.2 million), Shanghai (29.6 million), Guangzhou (27.6 million), Manila (24.7 million), Kolkata (22.5 million), and Seoul (22.5 million).
"Urbanization is a defining force of our time. With comprehensive and strategic management, it can unlock transformative pathways to tackle climate change, foster economic growth, and promote social equity," said Liu Zhenmin, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs.
In 1975, there were only eight megacities with populations of 10 million or more. By 2025, this number has grown to 33, of which 19 are in Asia. Los Angeles and New York are the only two megacities in the United States.