Context: As of October 2023, Tokyo, the capital of Japan, holds the title of the world’s most populous city, boasting a population of over 37 million people. Following closely behind, New Delhi in India and Shanghai in China claim the second and third positions, respectively, on the list of the world’s largest cities by population. Here are the top 10 largest cities by population as of October 2023, showcasing the ongoing trend of urban expansion and its impact on global demographics.
The world population has hit the 8 billion mark and continues to grow at a rapid pace. As a result, cities around the globe are also experiencing significant population increases. Globalisation and urbanisation are two of the most significant factors contributing to this growth. Cities are now becoming increasingly crowded, leading to the rise of megacities with populations exceeding tens of millions.
10 Largest Cities by Population
Here are the top 10 largest cities by population in the world for 2023, based on data from worldpopulationreview.com:
- Tokyo – Population: 37,435,191
- Delhi – Population: 32,941,309
- Shanghai – Population: 29,210,808
- Dhaka – Population: 23,209,616
- Sao Paulo – Population: 22,619,736
- Mexico City – Population: 22,281,442
- Cairo – Population: 22,183,201
- Beijing – Population: 21,766,214
- Mumbai – Population: 21,296,517
- Osaka – Population: 19,013,434
It is perhaps unsurprising that the majority of the most populous cities in the world are in the two most populated countries in the world, China and India. Among these are Shanghai and Beijing, with populations of 25 and 22 million respectively, Delhi (27 million), and Mumbai (over 21.5 million).
These cities represent some of the most densely populated urban areas across the globe in 2023.
Here’s the information presented with a table for better clarity:
| Rank | City | Country | 2023 Population | 2022 Population | Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tokyo | Japan | 37,194,105 | 37,274,002 | -0.21% |
| 2 | Delhi | India | 32,941,309 | 32,065,760 | 2.73% |
| 3 | Shanghai | China | 29,210,808 | 28,516,903 | 2.43% |
| 4 | Dhaka | Bangladesh | 23,209,616 | 22,478,117 | 3.25% |
| 5 | Sao Paulo | Brazil | 22,619,736 | 22,429,799 | 0.85% |
| 6 | Mexico City | Mexico | 22,281,442 | 22,085,139 | 0.89% |
| 7 | Cairo | Egypt | 22,183,201 | 21,750,020 | 1.99% |
| 8 | Beijing | China | 21,766,214 | 21,333,331 | 2.03% |
| 9 | Mumbai | India | 21,296,517 | 20,961,473 | 1.6% |
| 10 | Osaka | Japan | 19,013,434 | 19,059,857 | -0.24% |
List of Other 20 Most Populous Countries in the World 2023
| 11 | Chongqing | China | 17,340,704 | 16,874,741 | 2.76% |
| 12 | Karachi | Pakistan | 17,236,230 | 16,839,950 | 2.35% |
| 13 | Kinshasa | DR Congo | 16,315,534 | 15,628,085 | 4.4% |
| 14 | Lagos | Nigeria | 15,945,912 | 15,387,639 | 3.63% |
| 15 | Istanbul | Turkey | 15,847,768 | 15,636,243 | 1.35% |
| 16 | Buenos Aires | Argentina | 15,490,415 | 15,369,919 | 0.78% |
| 17 | Kolkata | India | 15,332,793 | 15,133,888 | 1.31% |
| 18 | Manila | Philippines | 14,667,089 | 14,406,059 | 1.81% |
| 19 | Guangzhou | China | 14,284,353 | 13,964,637 | 2.29% |
| 20 | Tianjin | China | 14,238,643 | 14,011,828 | 1.62% |
| 21 | Lahore | Pakistan | 13,979,390 | 13,541,764 | 3.23% |
| 22 | Rio De Janeiro | Brazil | 13,727,720 | 13,634,274 | 0.69% |
| 23 | Bangalore | India | 13,607,800 | 13,193,035 | 3.14% |
| 24 | Shenzhen | China | 13,072,633 | 12,831,330 | 1.88% |
| 25 | Moscow | Russia | 12,680,389 | 12,640,818 | 0.31% |
| 26 | Chennai | India | 11,776,147 | 11,503,293 | 2.37% |
| 27 | Bogota | Colombia | 11,507,960 | 11,344,312 | 1.44% |
| 28 | Jakarta | Indonesia | 11,248,839 | 11,074,811 | 1.57% |
| 29 | Paris | France | 11,208,440 | 11,142,303 | 0.59% |
| 30 | Lima | Peru | 11,204,382 | 11,044,607 | 1.45% |
These cities continue to play a significant role. Likewise in the global urban landscape, reflecting various population growth rates and dynamics in 2023.
The most populous city in the world is Tokyo, Japan, with approximately 37 million inhabitants. Japan is the 12th most populous country globally. New Delhi, the capital of the most populous country, India, takes the second spot. Shanghai, China, secures the third place. These figures provide valuable insights into the shifting demographics of the global population.
Read Also: The State of World Population Report, 2023
