Most populated city in the world 2024

Here is a list of the 10 largest cities in the world, the challenges each faces and possible solutions.

Most populated cities in the world:

📝 What are the largest cities in the world? Here is the world's most populous city in 2023

1. Tokio, Japón. La ciudad más poblada del mundo ✅

Population Tokyo 2023: 37.339.804

Tokyo is home to 30% of Japan's population.and yes, Tokyo is the world's most populous city.

The area that began as a small village continued to expand over the centuries to become Asia's first megalopolis and the world's largest city.

The only crisis that caused Tokyo to suffer a major population decline was World War II, from which the city recovered quickly and regained its pre-war population in less than a decade.

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Although Tokyo has few natural resources, especially land, it achieved great success in the economic sphere and became one of the world's leading financial centres.

2. Delhi, India

Population Delhi 2023: 31.181.376

Delhi or the National Capital Territory (NCT) of India faces a relatively high population growth rate due to migration from rural areas and high birth rates, which threatens the city's resources and sustainability.

Delhi has been the centre of India and has been home to important empires and kingdoms throughout its history.

The city is expected to overtake Tokyo to become the world's largest city by 2028, posing challenges to the city's urban planning strategies.

However, investors and stakeholders will benefit from the countless opportunities for real estate development and market creation to combat overcrowding and unemployment.

Shanghai, China

Population Shanghai 2023: 27.795.702

© Xinhua

The Pearl of the Orient and the Paris of the Orient: Shanghai is certainly not your typical city in the developing country that is China; it is a major financial centre and a global city.

Shanghai offers a relatively high growth rate; however, the city's population has been controlled for years, mainly through China's one-child policy.

While this strategy helped to limit overpopulation and save resources, it posed other demographic challenges for the city to address, such as the increasing age of society, a very low fertility rate and an imbalance in the sex ratio.

One of the ways in which China has tried to mitigate these challenges is by offering incentives for the necessary demographics to move to the city.

💡 Shanghái, además de la ciudad más grande de China, es un destino turístico de primer nivel. Obtén tu visado para China y descubre su impresionante capital.

4. Sao Paulo, Brazil

Population Sao Paulo 2023: 22.237.472

Sao Paulo's overpopulation is caused by the large and growing number of immigrants, especially Europeans, making it the most ethnically diverse city in Brazil.

While this diversity and the multicultural backgrounds of the residents make Sao Paulo a major influence in the arts and entertainment field, overcrowding has led to an inadequate quality of life and has confronted the country with several challenges: inadequate housing, collapsing infrastructure, an increasing level of pollution and roads in poor condition for such heavy traffic.

Brazil has made several attempts to solve these problems, such as giving needy residents small concrete shacks that they can improve, as well as providing them with empty spaces, and improving the transport system by building an underground metro system.

5. Mexico City, Mexico

Population Mexico City 2023: 21.918.936

Image via Getty Images

Mexico City is another city that is overpopulated with immigrants and expatriates from all over the world.

Although the city has a low population growth rate, it is vulnerable to population growth due to inadequate infrastructure and housing settlements.

This crisis has led to the creation of the largest shantytowns in Mexico City, and one of the largest shantytowns in the world.

Mexico City faces another crisis due to its geographical location between two large mountain ranges; this traps pollution and increases the urban heat island effect.

However, several innovations are mitigating these crises, such as the provision of zero-emission transit options and the use of clean energy sources such as solar panels.

A few years ago Mexico City was considered the most populous city in the world.

6. Dhaka, Bangladesh

Population Dhaka 2023: 21.741.090

© Nasim Borno

The City of Mosques: Bangladesh is the industrial and financial centre of Bangladesh because of the goods it imports, especially textiles.

Bangladesh's vibrant business environment, which encouraged internal migration, and high birth rates led to overcrowding in the city.

This overcrowding led to the expected consequences in a city with such poor infrastructure, such as increased pollution, congestion and lack of drinking water.

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It is believed that Bangladesh needs an innovative urban planning scheme to mitigate these consequences, as it is considered one of the most populous cities in the world.

7. Cairo, Egypt

Population Cairo 2023: 21.322.750

The city of Cairo, Egypt

Cairo, or often called the Cradle of Civilisation, connects historic and modern Egypt in its urban fabric. It is the largest city in Africa and the Middle East and the third largest urban area in the Islamic world.

Cairo attracts immigrants from rural areas and is subject, like other major cities in Egypt, to rapid growth caused by the huge gap between birth and death rates.

Cairo's overpopulation has led to a number of health problems and severe air pollution. However, the country is taking initiatives and educating citizens to make more sense of family planning.

8. Beijing, China

Population Beijing 2023: 20.896.820

A view of Beijing Image via VCG

Beijing is the capital of China and its second largest city after Shanghai. It is considered one of the most populous cities in the world with more than 20 million inhabitants.

The city's population grew by 44% in just one decade (2000-2010); however, the country's five-year plan to keep Beijing's population below 23 million until 2020 proved successful.

This means that the city's systems and resources are relatively under control, especially thanks to the city's growing economy, which is expected to continue in the coming years.

An improving economy and rising wealth make healthcare the best in China.

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9. Mumbai, India

Population Mumbai 2023: 20.667.656

The city of Mumbai, India

Mumbai is India's second largest city after Delhi and is considered one of the most populous cities in the world.

The city experienced an explosion in growth rates over the last twenty years, mainly due to internal migrants seeking job opportunities.

This rapid expansion caused serious health problems and led to large numbers of residents living in slums, estimated to be more than 40% of Mumbai's population.

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These slums are often located far from the city's central functions, which increases and lengthens residents' commutes to work or school.

Mumbai must have access to quality health and education services to combat the above-mentioned crises.

10. Osaka, Japan

Population Osaka 2023: 19,110,616

Osaka, Image via polybugger

Osaka is located in an important place in the cultural heart of Japan.

A century ago, Osaka was Japan's largest city in terms of area and population: the port and trade movement brought cultures and immigrants to the city and flourished its economy, and made it a centre of art and culture.

However, Osaka's population has declined in recent decades, due to in-migration from the city to suburban areas, and mortality rates outstripping birth rates.

Information on population growth in large cities 

The world's population is growing rapidly, and the familiar centralised model of urban planning is steadily driving these populations to live in megacities.

60% of the world's population is projected to live in cities by 2030.

These most populous cities in the world have their charm made by the many intersections of cultures and identities; however, overcrowding can cause challenges and crises that must be mitigated to maintain an adequate quality of life.

The Earth is constantly evolving, changing day by day. As its population continues to grow, cities are becoming more crowded and resources are becoming scarcer.

Total world population

If we go back to ancient times, researchers estimate that the population of the world in 1000 AD was between 275,000,000 and 300,000,000,000.

Today, it is believed that the world's population is in 7,787,190,943 inhabitantsFive years ago, it was thought to be around 7.2 billion.

Of all the countries in the world, China has the largest population, with over 1.4 billion. India is close behind with 1.355 billion, and the United States comes in third place with some 328 million.

It makes sense that some of the world's largest cities are in Asia, as these and other countries are heavily populated.

FAQ Clasificación de las ciudades más grandes del mundo