Dhaka ranks second among world's most populous cities

Dhaka has become the world's second most populous city, with an estimated 36.6 million residents in 2025, according to the United Nations' latest data.

Indonesia's capital Jakarta tops the list with 41.9 million people, while Tokyo, which had long held the top position, has dropped to third place with 33.4 million.

The rankings, based on 2025 population estimates, were published in the UN's World Urbanization Prospects 2025 report. The report also provides population projections for cities up to 2050, with Asian cities dominating the list of the world's most populous urban centres.

The world's five most populous cities in 2025

Jakarta, Indonesia: 41.9 million; projected to reach 51.8 million by 2050.

Dhaka, Bangladesh: 36.6 million; projected to reach 52.1 million by 2050.

Tokyo, Japan: 33.4 million; projected to have 30.7 million by 2050.

New Delhi, India: 30.2 million; projected to reach 33.9 million by 2050.

Shanghai, China: 29.6 million; projected to reach 34.9 million by 2050.

How the UN calculates urban populations

The UN has adopted a new methodology that counts not only populations within administrative city boundaries but also adjoining, densely populated and connected urban areas.

The assessment uses satellite imagery and census data. Under the new criteria, a continuous area with at least 1,500 people per square kilometre and a total population of at least 50,000 is classified as a city.

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Under this methodology, Jakarta's population within its administrative boundaries is around 12 million, but the figure rises to 41.9 million when its connected urban areas are included. The population of Greater Dhaka has also been considered in the ranking.

According to the UN projections, Dhaka's population could rise to 52.1 million by 2050, overtaking Jakarta to become the world's most populous city. Jakarta is projected to have 51.8 million residents by then.

The report also says that 45% of the world's 8.2 billion people live in cities. The number of megacities—urban areas with populations exceeding 10 million—reached 33 in 2025, compared with just eight in 1975.