Full Breakdown
Jakarta Becomes the World's Most Populous City
11/27/2025, 10:17:24 PM
Jakarta Surpasses Tokyo in Population Rankings
According to the United Nations' "World Urbanization Prospects 2025" report, Jakarta, Indonesia, has officially become the world's most populous city, with an estimated population of approximately 42 million residents. This marks a significant rise from its previous ranking of 33rd place in 2018, when Tokyo held the top position. The report, published on November 18, 2025, indicates that Dhaka, Bangladesh, follows closely in second place with nearly 37 million inhabitants, while Tokyo has dropped to third with about 33 million residents.
The dramatic shift in rankings is attributed to a new methodology adopted by the UN for counting urban populations. This approach provides a more consistent framework across countries, allowing for a more accurate representation of city populations. For Jakarta, this new method accounted for approximately 30 million more people than previous estimates, as it included densely populated communities previously excluded from official statistics.
The Rise of Megacities and Urbanization Trends
The report highlights a broader trend of urbanization, noting that nearly half of the global population of 8.2 billion now resides in urban areas. The number of megacities—defined as urban areas with populations exceeding 10 million—has surged from eight in 1975 to 33 in 2025, with 19 of these located in Asia. Other notable cities in the top 10 include New Delhi (30.2 million), Shanghai (29.6 million), and Guangzhou (27.6 million), with Cairo being the only non-Asian city in the top tier, housing 32 million residents.
Urbanization is seen as a defining force of the current era, with UN officials emphasizing the need for strategic management to harness its potential for economic growth and social equity. Li Junhua, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, stated, “When managed inclusively and strategically, it can unlock transformative pathways for climate action, economic growth, and social equity.”
Future Projections and Challenges
Looking ahead, the report projects that Dhaka is expected to become the world's largest city by 2050, with a population of 52.1 million. In contrast, Tokyo's population is anticipated to decline by 2.7 million due to Japan's ongoing demographic challenges, including an aging population. Jakarta, while currently the largest city, faces significant environmental challenges, including flooding and pollution, exacerbated by rising sea levels. It is estimated that up to one-quarter of Jakarta could be submerged by 2050.
In response to these challenges, the Indonesian government has initiated plans to relocate the capital to Nusantara in Borneo, aiming to create a sustainable urban environment. However, this project has encountered delays and investment issues, raising concerns about Jakarta's future as its population continues to grow.
Criticism and Concerns
The rapid urbanization of Jakarta has led to rising inequality and affordability issues, prompting public protests earlier this year. Urban experts have pointed out that poor coordination among local governments has exacerbated the city's challenges, including extreme traffic congestion and inadequate infrastructure.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Urbanization is a defining force of our time.” — Li Junhua, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs
- “To achieve balanced territorial development, countries must adopt integrated national policies that align housing, land use, mobility, and public services across urban and rural areas,” — Li Junhua
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While the UN report provides a comprehensive overview of urbanization trends, there are discrepancies in population estimates among different sources. For instance, the population figures for Jakarta vary slightly across reports, with estimates ranging from 41.9 million to 42 million. Additionally, the future projections for Dhaka's population growth have not been uniformly agreed upon, indicating a need for further research and data consistency.
