According to a new United Nations report, Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, has officially overtaken Tokyo to become the world’s largest city, with an estimated 41.9 million residents. Following Jakarta, Dhaka in Bangladesh now ranks second with 36.6 million people, while Tokyo, once the world’s largest, falls to third place with 33.4 million residents.
The World Urbanization Prospects 2025 report from the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs also predicts that Dhaka will surpass Jakarta to become the world’s largest city by 2050, driven largely by rural-to-urban migration and climate-related displacement.
Asia Dominates Global Urban Growth
The UN report highlights that Asia is home to 19 of the world’s 33 megacities (urban areas with over 10 million residents) and nine out of the top ten. Besides Jakarta, Dhaka, and Tokyo, other Asian megacities in the top ten include:
- New Delhi, India – 30.2 million
- Shanghai, China – 29.6 million
- Guangzhou, China – 27.6 million
- Manila, Philippines – 24.7 million
- Kolkata, India – 22.5 million
- Seoul, South Korea – 22.5 million
Outside Asia, Cairo, Egypt, with 32 million people, is the only city in the top ten not located in the continent. Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Lagos, Nigeria, remain the largest cities in the Americas and sub-Saharan Africa, respectively.
The UN notes that the global number of megacities has increased from just eight in 1975 to 33 today, illustrating the accelerating pace of urbanization worldwide.
Challenges for Jakarta and Dhaka
Jakarta faces significant challenges due to rising sea levels, with estimates suggesting that up to 25% of the city could be submerged by 2050. The Indonesian government has responded by constructing a new capital city, Nusantara, in East Kalimantan on Borneo island. However, Jakarta’s population is projected to grow by an additional 10 million people by 2050, meaning many residents will continue facing issues like urban inequality, unaffordable housing, and infrastructure strain.
Similarly, Dhaka’s rapid growth is fueled by migration from rural areas, as people flee natural disasters such as flooding and other climate-related pressures. The city struggles with overcrowding, traffic congestion, and limited access to essential services, which may intensify as its population continues to surge.
Urbanization Trends and Definitions
The UN report introduces a new methodology to standardize urban population measurements. Cities are now defined as “contiguous agglomerations” using one-kilometre-square grid cells with at least 1,500 inhabitants per km² and a total population of 50,000 or more. This approach allows for more consistent comparisons between countries while accounting for urban sprawl and density.
Iran’s capital, Tehran, currently has 9 million residents and is facing severe water shortages, illustrating that rapid urbanization can exacerbate resource scarcity in cities worldwide.
Social and Economic Implications
The growth of Jakarta and other Asian megacities highlights both opportunities and challenges. While these cities are major economic and cultural hubs, they face mounting pressure to provide adequate housing, transportation, and public services. Earlier in 2025, thousands of motorcycle taxi and delivery workers in Jakarta protested over low pay and unsafe working conditions, reflecting growing concerns about urban inequality and labor rights.
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