[Updated] Top 11 Largest Cities in the World By Population 2025

As of 2025, Japan’s capital, Tokyo, is the most populous city in the world, with over 37 million inhabitants. India’s New Delhi and China’s Shanghai occupy the 2nd and 3rd spots. 

Aug 18, 2025, 17:17 IST
Largest Cities in the World by Population
Largest Cities in the World by Population

The world’s population has reached 806.19 crores, which is around 8.2 billion according to Worldometer data, and it is growing continuously. This rapid increase is especially visible in cities around the world, where more people are moving in almost every day to live, work, and build their futures. Two big reasons behind this trend are globalisation and urbanisation. These forces are making cities more crowded than ever, giving rise to megacities, which are huge urban areas with millions of people.

As of now, Tokyo is one of the most populous cities in the world, according to World Population Review. The current population of the city, according to 2025 data, is more than 37 crores

Here, is a list of the 10 most populous cities in 2025. It’s an overview of how urban growth is changing the world and introducing new ways of life. 


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11 Largest Cities by Population 

As expected, the three largest cities by population belong to three of the most populous countries in the world. Japan, India, and China. Here they are:

 

Rank City Name Country Population (2025) Population (2024) % Change
1 Tokyo Japan 37,036,200 37,115,000 -0.21%
2 Delhi India 34,665,600 33,807,400 2.54%
3 Shanghai China 30,482,100 29,867,900 2.06%
4 Dhaka Bangladesh 24,652,900 23,935,700 3%
5 Cairo Egypt 23,074,200 22,623,900 1.99%
6 Sao Paulo Brazil 22,990,000 22,806,700 0.80%
7 Mexico City Mexico 22,752,400 22,505,300 1.10%
8 Beijing China 22,596,500 22,189,100 1.84%
9 Mumbai India 22,089,000 21,673,100 1.92%
10 Osaka Japan 18,921,600 18,967,500 -0.24%
11 Chongqing China 18,171,200 17,773,900 2.23%

Source: World Population Review 

With a population of 1,419,316,933, as per the U.S. Census Bureau, India has the highest population in the world, surpassing China which has a population of 1,407,181,209. Although Japan is not in the top 10 list of most populated countries, however, its capital city Tokyo has the highest population. 

In conclusion, the strain on infrastructure, resources, and services in these megacities is becoming more pronounced, posing challenges for city planners and policymakers. As the trend towards urban living continues, finding sustainable solutions to accommodate this growth will be crucial for the future of these cities.

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Nikhil Batra
Nikhil Batra

Content Writer

Nikhil comes from a commerce background, but his love for writing led him on a different path. With more than two years of experience as a content writer, he aspires to breathe life into words. He completed his B.Com. from DU and finds joy in traveling and exploring new and hidden places. Do drop your feedback for him at nikhil.batra@jagrannewmedia.com and let him know if you love his work

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