Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, has become the world’s most populous city, surpassing Tokyo and Dhaka, according to a new United Nations report. With an estimated population of nearly 42 million, Jakarta has climbed from 33rd place in the 2018 rankings. This shift highlights the rapid urbanization occurring in Asia, where nine out of the ten most populated cities are located.
Following Jakarta, Dhaka holds the second spot with 36 million residents and is projected to become the world’s largest city by mid-century. Tokyo, which previously held the top position, has seen its population decrease due to Japan’s aging and population crisis.
The report, titled “World Urbanization Prospects 2025,” notes that nearly half of the world’s 8.2 billion people now reside in cities, doubling the number of urban dwellers over the past 75 years. Other cities in the top ten include New Delhi, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Manila, Kolkata, Seoul, and Cairo, the only non-Asian city on the list.
The report emphasizes the need for integrated national policies to balance urban and rural development. By 2050, it is projected that Dhaka will have 52.1 million residents, while Tokyo’s population will decline by 2.7 million.
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