Dhaka is now the world’s second-largest city with 36.6 million people, according to the United Nations’ latest World Urbanization Prospects 2025 report.
The report shows that Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, has become the biggest city in the world with a population of 41.9 million. Japan’s Tokyo, once the world’s largest, has dropped to third place with 33.4 million people.
The UN report says Asia continues to dominate global urban growth, with nine of the world’s top 10 megacities located in the region.
Other major cities in the top 10 include New Delhi (30.2 million), Shanghai (29.6 million), Guangzhou (27.6 million), Manila (24.7 million), Kolkata (22.5 million) and Seoul (22.5 million). Egypt’s capital Cairo, home to 32 million people, is the only non-Asian city on the list.
Dhaka’s rapid growth is mainly driven by people moving from rural areas affected by floods, river erosion and other climate-related problems.
Many also come to the capital seeking better jobs and living conditions. Jakarta is facing similar challenges, especially rising sea levels that may submerge up to a quarter of the city by 2050, Al Jazeera reports.
The report adds that the number of megacities cities with more than 10 million people, has jumped to 33, compared to just eight in 1975.
Even though Indonesia is building a new capital, Nusantara, the UN predicts Jakarta’s population will still grow by another 10 million by mid-century.
The study also points out that Tehran, with a population of nine million, is dealing with severe water shortages, forcing authorities to introduce rationing.
For this report, the UN used a new global definition of cities to ensure consistency. It now defines a city as a connected area with at least 1,500 people per square kilometre and a minimum of 50,000 total residents.
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