The 10 largest cities in the world
The Growth of Urban Areas
More than half of the world's population – 55 percent – lives in cities. By 2050, that figure is predicted to jump to 68 percent, according to the United Nation's Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
As the world continues to urbanize, a handful of countries will account for much of the growth. Between 2018 and 2050, the U.N. estimates 35 percent of urbanization will occur in India, China and Nigeria alone.
Today about 4.2 billion people live in cities, with North America, Latin America and the Caribbean making up the most urbanized regions of the world and Africa remaining the most rural.
These are the world's 10 largest urban areas, or "urban agglomerations," based on 2015 data, the most recent released by the U.N's population division.
The Biggest Cities in the Future
By 2030, the world is likely to have 43 mega-cities with more than 10 million residents, with most located in developing regions, according to the U.N.
The U.N. predicts these will be the largest urban areas in 2035:
1. Delhi, India - 43.35 million
2. Tokyo, Japan - 36.01 million
3. Shanghai, China - 34.34 million
4. Dhaka, Bangladesh - 31.23 million
5. Cairo, Egypt - 28.50 million
6. Mumbai, India - 27.34 million
7. Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo - 26.68 million
8. Mexico City, Mexico - 25.41 million
9. Beijing, China - 25.37 million
10. São Paulo, Brazil - 24.49 million
Copyright 2017 U.S. News & World Report
