Story perspectives

Tokyo Loses Title: Dhaka and Jakarta Rise as Megacity Leaders

11/27/2025

Summary

Story summary

The United Nations report shows Tokyo no longer holds the title of the largest city, ranking third behind Jakarta and Dhaka.
Dhaka has about 37 million people and is projected to surpass Tokyo's 33 million by 2050.
Megacities grew from eight in 1975 to 33 in 2025, with most in Asia.
Kuala Lumpur, Addis Ababa, and Hajipur are projected to become megacities by 2050.

History

Historical Context

Since 1975, when only eight megacities existed, urbanization has surged, with projections indicating 33 megacities by 2025. Notably, Asian cities like Dhaka and Jakarta are leading this growth, with Dhaka expected to house around 37 million residents. This rapid urbanization poses significant challenges in infrastructure and resource management, particularly in densely populated regions like Pakistan, which has two megacities: Karachi and Lahore.

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Story summary

The United Nations report shows Tokyo no longer holds the title of the largest city, ranking third behind Jakarta and Dhaka.
Dhaka has about 37 million people and is projected to surpass Tokyo's 33 million by 2050.
Megacities grew from eight in 1975 to 33 in 2025, with most in Asia.
Kuala Lumpur, Addis Ababa, and Hajipur are projected to become megacities by 2050.

1 / 2