These will be the world's biggest cities in 2030

Advertisement
These will be the world's biggest cities in 2030

tokyo japan

Shutterstock

A street in Tokyo, Japan.

With over 37 million residents, Greater Tokyo is the most populous metro area in the world today.

Advertisement

Urban growth is not unique to Japan. By 2030, the United Nations predicts that the world will have 43 megacities, defined as metro areas with more than 10 million people. Most of them will be in developing regions in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.

The UN recently released its annual World Urbanization Prospects, which estimates which metro areas will have the highest populations by 2030.

Complimentary Tech Event
Transform talent with learning that works
Capability development is critical for businesses who want to push the envelope of innovation.Discover how business leaders are strategizing around building talent capabilities and empowering employee transformation.Know More

Leading up to World Population Day on Tuesday, let's take a look at the top 13:

{{}}

13. Greater New York, New York — 20 million

13. Greater New York, New York — 20 million

Population in 2018: 18.8 million

Note: The NY metro area includes New York City, Long Island, and the Mid and Lower Hudson Valley in New York state; Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Elizabeth, and Edison in New Jersey; and Bridgeport, New Haven, Stamford, Waterbury, Norwalk, and Danbury in Connecticut.

12. Karachi, Pakistan — 20.4 million

12. Karachi, Pakistan — 20.4 million

Population in 2018: 15.4 million

Advertisement

11. Lagos State, Nigeria — 20.6 million

11. Lagos State, Nigeria — 20.6 million

Population in 2015: 13.5 million

Note: Lagos State includes eight local municipalities.

10. Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo — 21.9 million

10. Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo — 21.9 million

Population in 2015: 13.2 million

Note: Kinshasa includes four districts, which are further divide into 24 communes.

Advertisement

9. Greater Sao Paulo, Brazil — 23.8 million

9. Greater Sao Paulo, Brazil — 23.8 million

Population in 2015: 21.7 million

Note: Greater Sao Paulo includes 39 smaller municipalities.

8. Greater Mexico City, Mexico — 24.1 million

8. Greater Mexico City, Mexico — 24.1 million

Population in 2015: 21.6 million

Note: Mexico City's metro area includes 76 municipalities.

Advertisement

7. Greater Beijing, China — 24.3 million

7. Greater Beijing, China — 24.3 million

Population in 2015: 19.6 million

Note: Greater Beijing includes the Beijing and Tianjin municipalities and Hebei Province.

6. Greater Mumbai, India — 24.6 million

6. Greater Mumbai, India — 24.6 million

Population in 2015: 20 million

Note: Greater Mumbai consists of nine local governing bodies and 15 smaller municipal councils.

Advertisement

5. Greater Cairo, Egypt — 25.6 million

5. Greater Cairo, Egypt — 25.6 million

Population in 2015: 20.1 million

Note: Greater Cairo includes the city of Cairo, as well as the surrounding districts of Giza and Qalyubia.

4. Greater Dhaka, Bangladesh — 28.1 million

4. Greater Dhaka, Bangladesh — 28.1 million

Population in 2015: 19.6 million

Note: Greater Dhaka includes four districts and 11 smaller sub-units of districts.

Advertisement

3. Shanghai, China — 32.9 million

3. Shanghai, China — 32.9 million

Population in 2015: 25.6 million

2. Greater Tokyo, Japan — 36.6 million

2. Greater Tokyo, Japan — 36.6 million

Population in 2015: 37.5 million

Note: Greater Tokyo includes 23 smaller districts. The metro area is the only one in the top 13 that the UN predicts will see a decrease in population by 2030.

Advertisement

1. Greater Delhi, India — 39 million

1. Greater Delhi, India — 39 million

Population in 2015: 28.5 million

Note: Greater Delhi includes satellite cities including Faridabad, Gurgaon, Bahadurgarh, Noida, and Ghaziabad.

Next StoryThe keto diet could make certain cancer treatments more effective in mice, a study found - and a human trial is moving forward