Tokyo is no longer the world's largest citySkip to main contentNewslettersAxios LocalShowAxios ProAxios LiveThe Axios ShowLoginAxiosAll topicsAxios SearchNov 24, 2025 - WorldThis "megacity" has overtaken Tokyo to become the world's largest cityHerb Scribnerfacebook (opens in new window)twitter (opens in new window)linkedin (opens in new window)email (opens in new window)Add Axios on GoogleAdd Axios as your preferred source tosee more of our stories on Google.Add Axios on GoogleFireworks light up the night sky to mark New Year 2025 in Jakarta, Indonesia, on January 1, 2025. Photo: Kevin Herbian/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesJakarta is now the biggest city in the world.The big picture: It's what is known as a megacity, population-dense hubs that are becoming more frequent across the globe. Per a new report from the United Nations, approximately 45% of the world's population lives in a city, and Jakarta is home to nearly 42 million.The U.N.'s "World Urbanization Prospects 2025" report, released on Nov. 18, is the first revision since 2018 — when Tokyo was the world's largest city and Jakarta was ranked 33rd.Tokyo is now ranked third among the most populous cities with its 33 million residents. Dhaka, Bangladesh, is second with 40 million people. Cairo, Egypt, was the only non-Asian city to rank among the top 10.The report, which comes from the U.N.'s Department of Economic and Social Affairs, highlights how city growth and expansion can offer warnings about sustainable development worldwide.Worthy of your time: Dhaka is expected to become the world's largest city by the middle of the century, per the U.N.Tokyo, meanwhile, is expected to fall from third in 2025 to seventh by 2050.Megacities around the worldThe U.N. defines a megacity as a population center with 10 million or more inhabitants.More than half of the megacities (19) are in Asia.There are two megacities in the U.S. — Los Angeles and New York City.Megacities are expanding, according to the U.N., as the number of them has quadrupled from eight in 1975 to 33 in 2025.The U.N. projects there will be 37 megacities by 2050.The next megacitiesThe U.N.'s report highlighted what areas are expected to be the next megacities and surpass the 10 million mark, including:Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania.Hajipur, India.Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.Cities projected to expand faster than megacitiesZoom in: Small and medium-sized cities are still home to more people than megacities overall, and they're growing more quickly, per the U.N. report.By 2050, there could be more than 15,000 cities worldwide — with the majority having populations below 250,000, the U.N. report says.Yes, but: The U.N. report says that some city populations are declining even as their country's population grows.Two major cities — Mexico City and Chengdu, China — saw a decrease in populations despite their immense size.Go deeper: The global megacity boomfacebook (opens in new window)twitter (opens in new window)linkedin (opens in new window)email (opens in new window)Add Axios on GoogleWhat to read nextSmarter, faster on what matters.Explore Axios NewslettersAbout AxiosAdvertise with usCareersContact usNewslettersAxios LiveAxios HQPrivacy policyTerms of useAxios HomepageAxios Media Inc., 2025

The global landscape of urban populations has undergone a significant shift, with Jakarta, Indonesia, now claiming the title of the world’s largest city. This transition marks a notable departure from the established order, where Tokyo had long held the position. The core of this change lies in the burgeoning population of Jakarta, which now exceeds 42 million residents, a substantial figure compared to Tokyo’s 33 million. This shift underscores the increasing prominence of megacities – densely populated urban centers – globally.

A United Nations report, “World Urbanization Prospects 2025,” provides the foundational data for this transformation. Released in November 2025, this report represents the first revision since 2018, reflecting a dynamic and evolving global demographic trend. The report's primary focus is on population distribution and growth patterns, demonstrating a move away from traditional metropolitan centers to rapidly expanding urban hubs.

The rankings among the world's most populous cities have undergone a significant rearrangement. Tokyo has fallen to third place, while Dhaka, Bangladesh, now holds the second position with a population of 40 million. Cairo, Egypt, remains the sole non-Asian city to feature within the top ten most populous urban centers. This reordering reflects the accelerated growth observed in cities within Asia and Africa.

The definition of a ‘megacity’ – a population center with 10 million or more inhabitants – is central to understanding this shift. The U.N. report identifies 19 megacities globally, with a notable concentration in Asia. The United States contains two megacities: Los Angeles and New York City. Significantly, the number of megacities has experienced a dramatic increase, expanding from eight in 1975 to a substantial 33 by 2025, suggesting a period of intense urbanization. Projections forecast an additional six megacities by 2050, bringing the total to 37.

Beyond the established megacities, the report highlights the continued growth of smaller and medium-sized cities. Despite the prominence of megacities, the U.N. notes that these smaller urban centers are, collectively, home to a larger global population. Furthermore, these smaller cities are exhibiting a faster rate of expansion. By 2050, estimates predict more than 15,000 cities worldwide, the majority having populations below 250,000.

However, the report also reveals complexities within this urbanization trend. Population trends are not uniformly positive. While megacities like Jakarta and Dhaka experience substantial growth, other major urban centers, such as Mexico City and Chengdu, China, have witnessed a decrease in population despite their immense size. This indicates that urbanization is not a simple expansion but a complex interplay of economic, social, and infrastructural factors, with some cities struggling to accommodate population growth effectively. The global megacity boom is therefore occurring alongside nuanced shifts in individual urban demographics.