World's largest cities by population in millions, 1950 - 2026

 

As of early 2026, Jakarta (approx. 42 million) and Dhaka (approx. 37 million) are leading as the world's most populous cities, with Tokyo's population slightly declining but remaining a top contender. The list is dominated by Asian cities, with 21 of the 34 megacities (over 10M) located in Asia. This marks a dramatic shift from 1950, when New York was the only megacity, growing to a landscape where Tokyo dominated for decades, now moving toward faster-growing cities in Africa and Asia.

 

Top 10 Largest Cities (2026 Projections)

·        Jakarta, Indonesia: ~42.46 million (often cited in top spot due to urban sprawl)

·        Dhaka, Bangladesh: ~37.43 million

·        Tokyo, Japan: ~37.1 million (slightly declining)

·        Delhi, India: ~35.5 million

·        Shanghai, China: ~31.0 million

·        Guangzhou, China: ~23.5 million (Note: Some data sources, such as CityPopulation.de, place Guangzhou higher based on different agglomeration metrics)

·        Cairo, Egypt: ~23.5 million

·        Sao Paulo, Brazil: ~23.1 million

·        Mexico City, Mexico: ~23.0 million

·        Beijing, China: ~22.9 million 

Key Historical Shifts (1950 - 2026)

·        1950: New York was the world’s largest city.

·        1955-2025: Tokyo was the most populous, peaking over 37 million.

·        2026/Future: Rapid growth in cities like Kinshasa and Dhaka is expected to change the ranking, with Delhi expected to become the largest by 2050.

·        Regional Dominance: The 1950s saw Western cities dominate, while current data shows 9 out of 10 top cities are in Asia. 

 Important Context on Data

·        Urban Agglomeration vs. City Proper: Population figures vary significantly based on whether metrics define the city by city limits, metro area, or total urban agglomeration.

·        Fastest Growth: Africa and Asia are currently seeing the most rapid increases in urban population.