Jakarta Now World’s Most Populous City, UN Report Finds
A new United Nations report confirms Jakarta, Indonesia, has surpassed Tokyo as the world’s most populous city, a significant shift in global demographics. The findings underscore the accelerating urbanization trends reshaping our planet and highlight the growing concentration of people in Asian megacities.
The UN’s latest data reveals Jakarta is now home to an estimated 41.9 million residents, edging out Dhaka, Bangladesh, with 36.6 million, and Tokyo, Japan, with 33 million. This marks a reversal of fortune for Tokyo, which held the title of the world’s most populous city since 2000.
The report, titled “World Urbanization Prospects 2025: Summary of Results” released by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, paints a broader picture of a rapidly urbanizing world. Currently, 45 percent of the global population of 8.2 billion people reside in urban areas. This represents a dramatic increase from 1950, when only 20 percent of the world’s 2.5 billion inhabitants lived in cities.
The number of large cities has grown fourfold since 1975, increasing from 8 to 33 in 2025. A striking statistic is that over half of these large cities are located in Asia. This trend is projected to continue, with the number of large cities expected to reach 37 by 2050, including rapidly growing urban centers like Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, Hajipur in India, and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.
However, the report also reveals a nuanced picture of urban growth. While megacities dominate headlines, smaller and medium-sized cities, particularly in Africa and Asia, are experiencing even faster growth rates. This suggests a more decentralized pattern of urbanization than previously anticipated.
Interestingly, the UN report also notes that population decline is occurring in some major cities. A significant proportion of these shrinking cities – approximately one-third – are located in China, with 17 percent in India. Mexico City in Mexico and Chengdu in China are cited as examples of very large cities experiencing population decreases.
The changing demographics highlight the complex challenges and opportunities facing urban planners and policymakers worldwide. As cities continue to grow and evolve, understanding these trends will be crucial for ensuring sustainable and equitable development for all.
