The 10 Largest Cities in the World

Country: Japan
2020 Population: 19.17 million

The Japanese city of Osaka, once the country’s capital, is the birthplace of Bunraku, Japanese puppet theater. The puppeteers are usually in full view of the audience, but are dressed in all black in order to be “invisible.”

The city is nicknamed “The Nation’s Kitchen” because of the vital role it played in managing Japan’s economy and trade during the 17th century.

Country: India
2020 Population: 20.41 million

The city of Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay, is India's leading financial capital and home to the Bombay Stock Exchange.

To keep up with rapid expansion and evolution of the country, India plans to open its first high-speed passenger railway in Mumbai later this decade. Mumbai offers a "ladies special" train service exclusively for women commuters to help them travel comfortably during the morning and evening peak hours.

Country: China
2020 Population: 20.46 million

Beijing is the capital city of China and is one of the nine Chinese provinces and municipalities that sit along the Great Wall of China.

Although China is the world’s most populous country, in 2022 its population fell for the first time in six decades. The nation has experienced a rapidly falling birth rate over the last several years, with numbers hitting a record low of 6.77 births per 1,000 people. Government officials have attempted to slow the rapid trend, including by getting rid of its one-child policy and offering incentives like cash for babies and tax cuts, but they have not led to a sustained increase in births.

Country: Egypt
2020 Population: 20.9 million

Cairo is the capital of Egypt and, as of 2021, home to about one-fifth of Egypt's total population. The city is known for the nearby Great Pyramid of Giza, the only one of the seven wonders of the ancient world still standing.

Country: Bangladesh
2020 Population: 21.01 million

The city of Dhaka, Bangladesh’s largest, is nearly twice the population density of Manhattan, with more than 18,300 people per square mile, according to National Geographic.

Up to 400,000 low-income migrants arrive in the city every year, many of whom have been displaced due to flooding, disruptions in traditional rain patterns and other natural disasters linked to climate change, which have left many areas either submerged from flooding or experiencing drought.

Country: Mexico
2020 Population: 21.78 million

As a result of water shortages and drought worsened by climate change, some parts of Mexico City – originally built a mile and a half above sea level – are sinking at a rate of about 20 inches per year.

Mexico City, the capital of Mexico, is unique among mega-cities in that it houses more than 5,000 acres of United Nations-protected ancient farm land within its borders.

Country: Brazil
2020 Population: 22.04 million

Brazil’s São Paulo, the country’s financial capital, is home to the world's largest LGBTQ pride parades.

The city also has the largest Japanese diaspora in the world, with an estimated population of nearly 1.5 million as of 2014.

Country: China
2020 Population: 27.06 million

China’s city of Shanghai is home to the world’s longest subway system, which stretches nearly 400 miles, and the world’s fastest train, which can reach speeds up to 286 mph.

Country: India
2020 Population: 30.29 million

After Mumbai, Delhi is the second-richest Indian city and home to New Delhi, an area within the metropolitan area that has served as India’s capital since 1947.

Country: Japan
2020 Population: 37.39 million

Tokyo, which translates to “eastern capital,” was named Edo until 1869, when the Japanese city was renamed by Emperor Meiji. Before the city became a metropolis, Tokyo was a small fishing village.

As the world’s biggest urban area, Tokyo has a population that accounts for more than a quarter of all of Japan.

On the next slide, discover what the world’s biggest cities will be in 2030.