nala_rinaldo / RooM via Getty Images
TIMDAVIDCOLLECTION / Shutterstock.com
Liyao Xie / iStock via Getty Images
Arturo Rosenow / iStock via Getty Images
Subodh Agnihotri / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
Christian Vinces / iStock via Getty Images
HelloRF Zcool / Shutterstock.com
ZoltanGabor / iStock via Getty Images
AdemarRangel / iStock via Getty Images
xijian / E+ via Getty Images
saiko3p / iStock via Getty Images
Pugalenthi / Getty Images
WEIMING_CHEN / Getty Images
marchello74 / iStock via Getty Images
Wirestock / iStock via Getty Images
BornaMir / iStock via Getty Images
mtcurado / Getty Images
HomoCosmicos / iStock via Getty Images
Jaxons / iStock via Getty Images
Nikada / Getty Images
Khoa Nguyen / iStock via Getty Images
Jack_Yue / iStock via Getty Images
Noppasin / Getty Images
choness / Getty Images
AdonisVillanueva / iStock via Getty Images
gjp311 / iStock via Getty Images
Mordolff / E+ via Getty Images
SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
tawanlubfah / iStock via Getty Images
Meinzahn / iStock via Getty Images
Umar Kashif Thanvi / iStock via Getty Images
GCShutter / E+ via Getty Images
Ranimiro Lotufo Neto / iStock via Getty Images
Radiokukka / Getty Images
jose carlos macouzet espinosa / iStock via Getty Images
Givaga / iStock via Getty Images
SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
zhaojiankang / iStock via Getty Images
fazon1 / iStock via Getty Images
Sanjog Mhatre / iStock via Getty Images
yupiyan / E+ via Getty Images
Naresh Sharma / iStock via Getty Images
nala_rinaldo / RooM via Getty Images
tawatchaiprakobkit / iStock via Getty Images
20 Megacities That Tower Over the World’s Largest Urban Areas
A megacity is typically defined as an urban area with a population of more than 10 million people. In the early 1970s, only four cities met that threshold: Tokyo, New York, Mexico City, and São Paulo. Today, that number has grown dramatically, with dozens of urban areas around the world now home to populations of 10 million or more. Most megacities are located in Asia, particularly in China and India. In the United States, only two metropolitan areas have surpassed the 10-million mark: New York City and Los Angeles.
To identify the world's largest megacities, we reviewed the most recent global urban population estimates and ranked cities based on their total population. In addition to population figures, economic data was used to provide context for the scale and influence of some of these massive metropolitan areas.
While China and India currently have the highest number of megacities, other regions are growing quickly as well. Several African cities are expanding rapidly due to young populations and higher birth rates, meaning the number of megacities worldwide is likely to continue rising in the years ahead.
Why We Are Mentioning This
In 1950, the world was home to just under three billion people. By 1990, it had surpassed five billion. Today, the total population on earth exceeds 8.2 billion, and India recently passed China to become the most populous nation on earth. As populations grow, economics, infrastructure, food systems, and more are pushed to their limits and must adapt to support growing needs. Electricity consumption scales as people move to cities, and the growth in artificial intelligence puts even more strain on these systems.
44. Tianjin, TJ, China
- Estimated population, 2023: 10,047,000
- Built up urban area, 2023: 1,086 square miles (or 2,813 square km) — 33. largest of 986 urban areas
- Population density: 9,251 people per square mile — 655. densest of 986 urban areas
- Est. GDP, 2023: $235.66 billion — 51. largest metro economy
- World Bank geographical region: East Asia and Pacific
- Country class (World Bank): Upper middle income
43. Bogota, Colombia
- Estimated population, 2023: 10,252,000
- Built up urban area, 2023: 217 square miles (or 562 square km) — 241. largest of 986 urban areas
- Population density: 47,244 people per square mile — 36. densest of 986 urban areas
- Est. GDP, 2023: $159.00 billion — 92. largest metro economy
- World Bank geographical region: Latin America and Caribbean
- Country class (World Bank): Upper middle income
42. Wuhan, HUB, China
- Estimated population, 2023: 10,353,000
- Built up urban area, 2023: 703 square miles (or 1,821 square km) — 60. largest of 986 urban areas
- Population density: 14,727 people per square mile — 388. densest of 986 urban areas
- Est. GDP, 2023: $274.68 billion — 38. largest metro economy
- World Bank geographical region: East Asia and Pacific
- Country class (World Bank): Upper middle income
41. Lima, Peru
- Estimated population, 2023: 10,556,000
- Built up urban area, 2023: 344 square miles (or 891 square km) — 152. largest of 986 urban areas
- Population density: 30,686 people per square mile — 114. densest of 986 urban areas
- Est. GDP, 2023: N/A
- World Bank geographical region: Latin America and Caribbean
- Country class (World Bank): Upper middle income
40. Dongguan, GD, China
- Estimated population, 2023: 10,753,000
- Built up urban area, 2023: 679 square miles (or 1,759 square km) — 63. largest of 986 urban areas
- Population density: 15,837 people per square mile — 346. densest of 986 urban areas
- Est. GDP, 2023: $112.30 billion — 114. largest metro economy
- World Bank geographical region: East Asia and Pacific
- Country class (World Bank): Upper middle income
39. London, United Kingdom
- Estimated population, 2023: 10,803,000
- Built up urban area, 2023: 671 square miles (or 1,738 square km) — 68. largest of 986 urban areas
- Population density: 16,100 people per square mile — 333. densest of 986 urban areas
- Est. GDP, 2023: $978.40 billion — 4. largest metro economy
- World Bank geographical region: Europe and Central Asia
- Country class (World Bank): High income
38. Luanda, Angola
- Estimated population, 2023: 10,914,000
- Built up urban area, 2023: 388 square miles (or 1,005 square km) — 126. largest of 986 urban areas
- Population density: 28,129 people per square mile — 133. densest of 986 urban areas
- Est. GDP, 2023: N/A
- World Bank geographical region: Sub-Saharan Africa
- Country class (World Bank): Lower middle income
37. Zhengzhou, HEN, China
- Estimated population, 2023: 11,068,000
- Built up urban area, 2023: 689 square miles (or 1,785 square km) — 62. largest of 986 urban areas
- Population density: 16,064 people per square mile — 336. densest of 986 urban areas
- Est. GDP, 2023: $144.00 billion — 99. largest metro economy
- World Bank geographical region: East Asia and Pacific
- Country class (World Bank): Upper middle income
36. Paris, France
- Estimated population, 2023: 11,108,000
- Built up urban area, 2023: 1,102 square miles (or 2,854 square km) — 32. largest of 986 urban areas
- Population density: 10,084 people per square mile — 599. densest of 986 urban areas
- Est. GDP, 2023: $904.52 billion — 6. largest metro economy
- World Bank geographical region: Europe and Central Asia
- Country class (World Bank): High income
35. Chennai, TN, India
- Estimated population, 2023: 11,570,000
- Built up urban area, 2023: 473 square miles (or 1,225 square km) — 103. largest of 986 urban areas
- Population density: 24,461 people per square mile — 178. densest of 986 urban areas
- Est. GDP, 2023: $66.00 billion — 198. largest metro economy
- World Bank geographical region: South Asia
- Country class (World Bank): Lower middle income
34. Xi'an, SAA, China
- Estimated population, 2023: 12,211,000
- Built up urban area, 2023: 705 square miles (or 1,826 square km) — 59. largest of 986 urban areas
- Population density: 17,321 people per square mile — 304. densest of 986 urban areas
- Est. GDP, 2023: $154.19 billion — 96. largest metro economy
- World Bank geographical region: East Asia and Pacific
- Country class (World Bank): Upper middle income
33. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Estimated population, 2023: 12,306,000
- Built up urban area, 2023: 780 square miles (or 2,020 square km) — 51. largest of 986 urban areas
- Population density: 15,777 people per square mile — 349. densest of 986 urban areas
- Est. GDP, 2023: $209.36 billion — 61. largest metro economy
- World Bank geographical region: Latin America and Caribbean
- Country class (World Bank): Upper middle income
32. Chongqing, CQ, China
- Estimated population, 2023: 12,653,000
- Built up urban area, 2023: 610 square miles (or 1,580 square km) — 76. largest of 986 urban areas
- Population density: 20,743 people per square mile — 241. densest of 986 urban areas
- Est. GDP, 2023: $407.56 billion — 26. largest metro economy
- World Bank geographical region: East Asia and Pacific
- Country class (World Bank): Upper middle income
31. Tehran, Iran
- Estimated population, 2023: 13,382,000
- Built up urban area, 2023: 658 square miles (or 1,704 square km) — 70. largest of 986 urban areas
- Population density: 20,337 people per square mile — 248. densest of 986 urban areas
- Est. GDP, 2023: N/A
- World Bank geographical region: Middle East and North Africa
- Country class (World Bank): Lower middle income
30. Kinshasa, Congo (Dem. Rep.)
- Estimated population, 2023: 13,493,000
- Built up urban area, 2023: 200 square miles (or 518 square km) — 263. largest of 986 urban areas
- Population density: 67,465 people per square mile — 6. densest of 986 urban areas
- Est. GDP, 2023: N/A
- World Bank geographical region: Sub-Saharan Africa
- Country class (World Bank): Low income
29. Lahore, Pakistan
- Estimated population, 2023: 13,504,000
- Built up urban area, 2023: 365 square miles (or 945 square km) — 138. largest of 986 urban areas
- Population density: 36,997 people per square mile — 73. densest of 986 urban areas
- Est. GDP, 2023: $93.40 billion — 221. largest metro economy
- World Bank geographical region: South Asia
- Country class (World Bank): Lower middle income
28. Istanbul, Turkey
- Estimated population, 2023: 14,441,000
- Built up urban area, 2023: 568 square miles (or 1,471 square km) — 83. largest of 986 urban areas
- Population density: 25,424 people per square mile — 166. densest of 986 urban areas
- Est. GDP, 2023: $247.31 billion — 50. largest metro economy
- World Bank geographical region: Europe and Central Asia
- Country class (World Bank): Upper middle income
27. Lagos, Nigeria
- Estimated population, 2023: 14,540,000
- Built up urban area, 2023: 998 square miles (or 2,585 square km) — 38. largest of 986 urban areas
- Population density: 14,569 people per square mile — 394. densest of 986 urban areas
- Est. GDP, 2023: $74.67 billion — 178. largest metro economy
- World Bank geographical region: Sub-Saharan Africa
- Country class (World Bank): Lower middle income
26. Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto, Japan
- Estimated population, 2023: 14,916,000
- Built up urban area, 2023: 1,166 square miles (or 3,020 square km) — 29. largest of 986 urban areas
- Population density: 12,792 people per square mile — 461. densest of 986 urban areas
- Est. GDP, 2023: $699.47 billion — 8. largest metro economy
- World Bank geographical region: East Asia and Pacific
- Country class (World Bank): High income
25. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Estimated population, 2023: 14,953,000
- Built up urban area, 2023: 836 square miles (or 2,165 square km) — 49. largest of 986 urban areas
- Population density: 17,886 people per square mile — 291. densest of 986 urban areas
- Est. GDP, 2023: $96.39 billion — 141. largest metro economy
- World Bank geographical region: East Asia and Pacific
- Country class (World Bank): Lower middle income
24. Chengdu, SC, China
- Estimated population, 2023: 15,016,000
- Built up urban area, 2023: 747 square miles (or 1,935 square km) — 55. largest of 986 urban areas
- Population density: 20,102 people per square mile — 251. densest of 986 urban areas
- Est. GDP, 2023: $260.39 billion — 42. largest metro economy
- World Bank geographical region: East Asia and Pacific
- Country class (World Bank): Upper middle income
23. Bangalore, KA, India
- Estimated population, 2023: 15,257,000
- Built up urban area, 2023: 673 square miles (or 1,743 square km) — 67. largest of 986 urban areas
- Population density: 22,670 people per square mile — 204. densest of 986 urban areas
- Est. GDP, 2023: N/A
- World Bank geographical region: South Asia
- Country class (World Bank): Lower middle income
22. Johannesburg-Pretoria, South Africa
- Estimated population, 2023: 15,551,000
- Built up urban area, 2023: 1,560 square miles (or 4,040 square km) — 16. largest of 986 urban areas
- Population density: 9,969 people per square mile — 605. densest of 986 urban areas
- Est. GDP, 2023: $76.00 billion — 176. largest metro economy
- World Bank geographical region: Sub-Saharan Africa
- Country class (World Bank): Upper middle income
21. Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Estimated population, 2023: 15,587,000
- Built up urban area, 2023: 2,671 square miles (or 6,918 square km) — 5. largest of 986 urban areas
- Population density: 5,835 people per square mile — 852. densest of 986 urban areas
- Est. GDP, 2023: $1,124.68 billion — 3. largest metro economy
- World Bank geographical region: North America
- Country class (World Bank): High income
20. Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Estimated population, 2023: 15,748,000
- Built up urban area, 2023: 1,327 square miles (or 3,437 square km) — 23. largest of 986 urban areas
- Population density: 11,867 people per square mile — 501. densest of 986 urban areas
- Est. GDP, 2023: $84.70 billion — 157. largest metro economy
- World Bank geographical region: Latin America and Caribbean
- Country class (World Bank): Upper middle income
19. Shenzhen, GD, China
- Estimated population, 2023: 17,778,000
- Built up urban area, 2023: 698 square miles (or 1,808 square km) — 61. largest of 986 urban areas
- Population density: 25,470 people per square mile — 165. densest of 986 urban areas
- Est. GDP, 2023: $455.69 billion — 21. largest metro economy
- World Bank geographical region: East Asia and Pacific
- Country class (World Bank): Upper middle income
18. Moscow, Russia
- Estimated population, 2023: 17,878,000
- Built up urban area, 2023: 2,565 square miles (or 6,643 square km) — 6. largest of 986 urban areas
- Population density: 6,970 people per square mile — 791. densest of 986 urban areas
- Est. GDP, 2023: $504.80 billion — 17. largest metro economy
- World Bank geographical region: Europe and Central Asia
- Country class (World Bank): Upper middle income
17. Beijing, BJ-HEB, China
- Estimated population, 2023: 18,883,000
- Built up urban area, 2023: 1,654 square miles (or 4,284 square km) — 14. largest of 986 urban areas
- Population density: 11,417 people per square mile — 526. densest of 986 urban areas
- Est. GDP, 2023: $618.64 billion — 11. largest metro economy
- World Bank geographical region: East Asia and Pacific
- Country class (World Bank): Upper middle income
16. Bangkok, Thailand
- Estimated population, 2023: 18,884,000
- Built up urban area, 2023: 1,235 square miles (or 3,199 square km) — 26. largest of 986 urban areas
- Population density: 15,291 people per square mile — 368. densest of 986 urban areas
- Est. GDP, 2023: $252.12 billion — 46. largest metro economy
- World Bank geographical region: East Asia and Pacific
- Country class (World Bank): Upper middle income
15. Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Estimated population, 2023: 19,134,000
- Built up urban area, 2023: 239 square miles (or 619 square km) — 220. largest of 986 urban areas
- Population density: 80,059 people per square mile — 3. densest of 986 urban areas
- Est. GDP, 2023: $160.00 billion — 91. largest metro economy
- World Bank geographical region: South Asia
- Country class (World Bank): Lower middle income
14. Karachi, Pakistan
- Estimated population, 2023: 20,249,000
- Built up urban area, 2023: 434 square miles (or 1,124 square km) — 112. largest of 986 urban areas
- Population density: 46,657 people per square mile — 38. densest of 986 urban areas
- Est. GDP, 2023: $200.00 billion — 64. largest metro economy
- World Bank geographical region: South Asia
- Country class (World Bank): Lower middle income
13. New York, NY-NJ-CT, United States
- Estimated population, 2023: 21,396,000
- Built up urban area, 2023: 4,380 square miles (or 11,344 square km) — 1. largest of 986 urban areas
- Population density: 4,884 people per square mile — 895. densest of 986 urban areas
- Est. GDP, 2023: $1,992.77 billion — 2. largest metro economy
- World Bank geographical region: North America
- Country class (World Bank): High income
12. Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Estimated population, 2023: 21,486,000
- Built up urban area, 2023: 1,409 square miles (or 3,649 square km) — 18. largest of 986 urban areas
- Population density: 15,249 people per square mile — 369. densest of 986 urban areas
- Est. GDP, 2023: $261.64 billion — 41. largest metro economy
- World Bank geographical region: Latin America and Caribbean
- Country class (World Bank): Upper middle income
11. Kolkata, WB, India
- Estimated population, 2023: 21,747,000
- Built up urban area, 2023: 522 square miles (or 1,352 square km) — 90. largest of 986 urban areas
- Population density: 41,661 people per square mile — 52. densest of 986 urban areas
- Est. GDP, 2023: $60.44 billion — 215. largest metro economy
- World Bank geographical region: South Asia
- Country class (World Bank): Lower middle income
10. Mexico City, Mexico
- Estimated population, 2023: 21,905,000
- Built up urban area, 2023: 977 square miles (or 2,530 square km) — 39. largest of 986 urban areas
- Population density: 22,421 people per square mile — 211. densest of 986 urban areas
- Est. GDP, 2023: $250.45 billion — 47. largest metro economy
- World Bank geographical region: Latin America and Caribbean
- Country class (World Bank): Upper middle income
9. Cairo, Egypt
- Estimated population, 2023: 22,679,000
- Built up urban area, 2023: 1,041 square miles (or 2,696 square km) — 35. largest of 986 urban areas
- Population density: 21,786 people per square mile — 221. densest of 986 urban areas
- Est. GDP, 2023: $102.00 billion — 130. largest metro economy
- World Bank geographical region: Middle East and North Africa
- Country class (World Bank): Lower middle income
8. Seoul-Incheon, South Korea
- Estimated population, 2023: 23,225,000
- Built up urban area, 2023: 1,069 square miles (or 2,769 square km) — 34. largest of 986 urban areas
- Population density: 21,726 people per square mile — 223. densest of 986 urban areas
- Est. GDP, 2023: $926.79 billion — 5. largest metro economy
- World Bank geographical region: East Asia and Pacific
- Country class (World Bank): High income
7. Shanghai, SHG-JS-ZJ, China
- Estimated population, 2023: 24,042,000
- Built up urban area, 2023: 1,673 square miles (or 4,333 square km) — 13. largest of 986 urban areas
- Population density: 14,371 people per square mile — 401. densest of 986 urban areas
- Est. GDP, 2023: $663.87 billion — 10. largest metro economy
- World Bank geographical region: East Asia and Pacific
- Country class (World Bank): Upper middle income
6. Manila, Philippines
- Estimated population, 2023: 24,156,000
- Built up urban area, 2023: 738 square miles (or 1,911 square km) — 56. largest of 986 urban areas
- Population density: 32,732 people per square mile — 97. densest of 986 urban areas
- Est. GDP, 2023: $192.60 billion — 66. largest metro economy
- World Bank geographical region: East Asia and Pacific
- Country class (World Bank): Lower middle income
5. Mumbai, MH, India
- Estimated population, 2023: 25,189,000
- Built up urban area, 2023: 404 square miles (or 1,046 square km) — 120. largest of 986 urban areas
- Population density: 62,349 people per square mile — 11. densest of 986 urban areas
- Est. GDP, 2023: $277.98 billion — 37. largest metro economy
- World Bank geographical region: South Asia
- Country class (World Bank): Lower middle income
4. Guangzhou-Foshan, GD, China
- Estimated population, 2023: 27,119,000
- Built up urban area, 2023: 1,754 square miles (or 4,543 square km) — 12. largest of 986 urban areas
- Population density: 15,461 people per square mile — 360. densest of 986 urban areas
- Est. GDP, 2023: $405.35 billion — 27. largest metro economy
- World Bank geographical region: East Asia and Pacific
- Country class (World Bank): Upper middle income
3. Delhi, DL-UP-HR, India
- Estimated population, 2023: 31,190,000
- Built up urban area, 2023: 905 square miles (or 2,344 square km) — 43. largest of 986 urban areas
- Population density: 34,464 people per square mile — 88. densest of 986 urban areas
- Est. GDP, 2023: N/A
- World Bank geographical region: South Asia
- Country class (World Bank): Lower middle income
2. Jakarta, Indonesia
- Estimated population, 2023: 35,386,000
- Built up urban area, 2023: 1,369 square miles (or 3,546 square km) — 22. largest of 986 urban areas
- Population density: 25,848 people per square mile — 162. densest of 986 urban areas
- Est. GDP, 2023: $308.25 billion — 33. largest metro economy
- World Bank geographical region: East Asia and Pacific
- Country class (World Bank): Upper middle income
1. Tokyo-Yokohama, Japan
- Estimated population, 2023: 37,785,000
- Built up urban area, 2023: 3,388 square miles (or 8,775 square km) — 3. largest of 986 urban areas
- Population density: 11,153 people per square mile — 547. densest of 986 urban areas
- Est. GDP, 2023: $2,055.69 billion — 1. largest metro economy
- World Bank geographical region: East Asia and Pacific
- Country class (World Bank): High income