The world’s population is increasing rapidly, and now the total population of the world has exceeded 8 billion. Here is a list of the top 10 most populous cities in the world in 2024.
Along with this, the population of cities is also increasing rapidly. While Tokyo’s population has reached 37 million, Delhi’s has grown to 28 million. This figure varies every year. Want to know what is the most populous city in the world 2024? Delhi or Tokyo? Let’s see!
10. Osaka
Population: 19.28 million
Osaka is a designated city in the Kansai region of Honshu in Japan. It is the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and the largest component of the Cayenshin Metropolitan Area in Japan’s second largest metropolitan area.
Moreover, Osaka is a major financial center of Japan. It is home to the Osaka Securities Exchange as well as multinational electronics corporations Panasonic and Sharp.
Osaka is the 10th most populated city in the world in 2024, and it is the 10th largest urban area in the world with 19.28 million inhabitants.
- Country: Japan
09. Dhaka
Population: 19.57 million
Dhaka is the capital and largest city of Bangladesh. It is the ninth most populated city in the world in 2024. With a population of 8.9 million inhabitants in the city limits and more than 19 million residents in the Greater Dhaka region.
Dhaka is the economic, political and cultural center of Bangladesh, and it is one of the major cities in South Asia. Also, it is the largest city in East South Asia and between the Bay of Bengal countries and one of the largest cities among the OIC countries.
As part of the Bengal plain, the city is bounded by the Buriganga River, Turag River, Dhaleshwari River and Shitalakshya River.
- Country: Bangladesh
See Also: Most Populated Countries In The World
08. Beijing
Population: 19.61 million
Beijing is the capital of the People’s Republic of China. It is the world’s most populous national capital city, with an administrative area of 21,410.5 km2 with more than 19 million inhabitants.
It is located in northern China, and is governed as a municipality under the direct administration of the State Council, with 16 urban, suburban and rural districts.
Beijing is mostly surrounded by Hebei Province. This is to the south-east with the exception of Tianjin’s neighbor.
Together, the three divisions form the Jingjinji Megalopolis and the National Capital Territory of China. Beijing ranks 8th among the top 10 most populous cities in the world in 2024.
- Country: China
07. Mumbai
Population: 19.98 million
Mumbai is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. According to the United Nations, as of 2018, Mumbai is the second most populous city in the country after Delhi.
Mumbai ranks 7th among the top 10 most populous cities in the world in 2024 with a population of about 19.98 million.
In addition, according to the 2011 Government of India census, Mumbai was the most populous city in India with an estimated population of 12.5 million, which was under the municipal corporation Greater Mumbai.
- Country: India
06. Cairo
Population: 20.07 million
Cairo is the capital and largest city of Egypt. The Cairo metropolitan area, with a population of 20.07 million. It is the 6th most populated city in the world in 2024.
In addition, Cairo is associated with ancient Egypt, as the famous Giza pyramid complex and the ancient city of Memphis lie within its geographical area.
Located near the Nile Delta, Cairo was founded in 969 AD by the Fatim dynasty, but the land that composes the current city was the site of ancient national capitals whose remains appear in parts of Old Cairo.
Moreover, Cairo has long been the center of the region’s political and cultural life, and is titled “City of a Thousand Minarets” for the spread of Islamic architecture. Cairo is considered a world city with a “beta +” classification according to GaWC.
- Country: Egypt
See Also: Most Expensive Cities In The World
05. Mexico City
Population: 21.58 million
Mexico City is the capital and largest city of Mexico, and it is the most populous city in North America. It is one of the most important cultural and financial centers in the world.
It is located in the Valley of Mexico (Valle de Mexico), a large valley in the high plateaus in the center of Mexico, at an altitude of 2,240 meters.
In addition, the city has 16 subdivisions known as the Borough or the demarcations territorials. Mexico city is the 5th among top 10 most populous cities in the world in 2024.
- Country: Mexico
04. Sao Paulo
Population: 21.65 million
Sao Paulo is a municipality in the southeast region of Brazil. The metropolis is an alpha global city and the most populous city in Brazil, the Americas, the Western Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere. Also, Sao Paulo is one of the top 10 most populous cities in the world in 2024.
Additionally, Sao Paulo is the largest Portuguese-speaking city in the world. São Paulo is one of the world’s most populated cities. The municipality is also the fourth largest city in the world by population.
The city is the capital of the state surrounding Sao Paulo, the most populous and richest state in Brazil. It exerts strong international influence in commerce, finance, arts and entertainment.
- Country: Brazil
03. Shanghai
Population: 25.58 million
Shanghai is one of the four direct-administered municipalities of the People’s Republic of China. The city is located at the southern mouth of the Yangtze, into which the Huangpu River flows.
In addition with a population of 24.28 million as of 2019, it is the most populous urban area in China and it is the third among the top 10 most populous cities in the world in 2024.
In addition, Shanghai is a global center for finance, research, technology, manufacturing and transportation and Shanghai Port is the world’s busiest container port.
- Country: China
See Also: Largest Countries In The World by Area
02. Delhi
Population: 28.51 million
Delhi is a city and a union territory of India, with New Delhi being the capital of India. It is settled on three sides by the state of Haryana and on the east by Uttar Pradesh. The NCT has an area of 1,484 square kilometers.
Delhi is the second most populous city in the world in 2024 with a population of 28.51 million. Also, it is the most populous city in India. Delhi is one of the oldest cities in the world and has been inhabited continuously since the 6th century BCE.
- Country: India
01. Tokyo
Population: 37.46 million
Tokyo is the capital and most populous region of Japan. Located in the main part of Tokyo Bay, part of the Kanto region on the central Pacific coast of Honshu, the main island of predecessor Japan.
Tokyo is the political and economic center of the country, as well as the seat of the Emperor of Japan and the national government. Greater Tokyo is the most populous city in the world in 2024. It has more than 37.46 million inhabitants.
- Country: Japan
