Top 100

The 100 Largest Cities in the World by Population and Global Importance

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Largest cities shape global economics, culture and mobility. This guide presents the top 100 urban centers by estimated population (city proper/urban agglomeration where noted) and explains their geographic location, primary economic sectors, and cultural significance. Figures are approximate estimates as of 2024 based on United Nations and leading demographic sources such as UN World Urbanization Prospects and World Population Review. Use the list below for research, travel planning, education and urban comparison.

How this ranking was compiled

Methodology and notes:

  • Population estimates refer primarily to city proper or the commonly reported urban agglomeration where city-proper data are inconsistent.
  • Numbers are rounded and presented as estimates for readability.
  • Sources include UN datasets, national statistical offices and international demographic aggregators.
  • “Importance” highlights focus on economic output, financial services, cultural institutions, transport hubs, or political influence.

Key trends among the largest cities

Major observations about the largest cities globally:

  • Asia dominates the top ranks — especially East, South and Southeast Asia — reflecting rapid urbanization.
  • Many of the world’s largest cities are also critical economic engines (finance, manufacturing, technology).
  • Cultural influence (media, arts, higher education) often aligns with population size but smaller cities can have outsized cultural impact.
  • Population estimates vary by definition; always check whether a source uses city proper, metropolitan area, or urban agglomeration.

Top 100 largest cities — ranked overview (est. 2024)

Each entry: Rank. City, Country — Approx. population — Key significance

Note: Populations rounded for clarity.

  1. Tokyo, Japan — 37,400,000 — Global finance, technology and cultural hub
  2. Delhi, India — 31,000,000 — Political center, fast-growing economy
  3. Shanghai, China — 27,000,000 — Manufacturing and financial powerhouse
  4. So Paulo, Brazil — 22,000,000 — Largest economy in Latin America
  5. Mexico City, Mexico — 21,800,000 — Political and cultural capital
  6. Cairo, Egypt — 20,900,000 — Historic cultural hub, major regional center
  7. Mumbai, India — 20,700,000 — Finance, entertainment (Bollywood) and trade
  8. Beijing, China — 20,400,000 — Political capital and tech investment center
  9. Dhaka, Bangladesh — 20,200,000 — Rapid urban growth, textile industry
  10. Osaka, Japan — 19,200,000 — Industry, commerce, and regional transport node
  11. New York City, USA — 18,800,000 — Global finance, media, and culture
  12. Karachi, Pakistan — 16,100,000 — Port city and economic center
  13. Buenos Aires, Argentina — 15,600,000 — Cultural and economic hub of Argentina
  14. Chongqing, China — 15,500,000 — Major inland manufacturing and logistics center
  15. Istanbul, Turkey — 15,400,000 — Crossroads of Europe and Asia, strong tourism
  16. Kolkata, India — 14,900,000 — Historical trade and cultural center
  17. Lagos, Nigeria — 14,800,000 — West Africa’s largest commercial center
  18. Manila, Philippines — 14,200,000 — Trade, remittances and cultural influence
  19. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil — 13,500,000 — Tourism, entertainment and ports
  20. Tianjin, China — 13,400,000 — Industrial port city near Beijing
  21. Guangzhou, China — 13,300,000 — Manufacturing and export powerhouse
  22. Los Angeles, USA — 13,200,000 — Entertainment, tech, and trade
  23. Moscow, Russia — 12,700,000 — Political capital and cultural center
  24. Shenzhen, China — 12,500,000 — Tech manufacturing and innovation hub
  25. Lahore, Pakistan — 12,400,000 — Cultural and economic center of Punjab
  26. Bangalore, India — 12,300,000 — IT and startup capital

    27. <liParis, France — 11,200,000 — Global culture, tourism and finance

  27. Bogot, Colombia — 10,900,000 — Political and economic capital
  28. Chennai, India — 10,900,000 — Automotive and services industries
  29. Lima, Peru — 10,700,000 — Political and economic center of Peru
  30. Bangkok, Thailand — 10,600,000 — Tourism, commerce, and regional hub
  31. Hyderabad, India — 10,500,000 — Tech and pharmaceutical industries
  32. Seoul, South Korea — 9,800,000 — Technology, manufacturing and culture
  33. Nagoya, Japan — 9,500,000 — Industry and automotive manufacturing
  34. Ahmedabad, India — 8,900,000 — Commerce and industry in western India
  35. Khartoum, Sudan — 8,800,000 — Political and economic center
  36. Lima, Peru — 8,700,000 — (appears twice in some datasets due to metro definitions) see notes
  37. Pune, India — 7,900,000 — Education and expanding tech sector
  38. Surat, India — 7,700,000 — Textiles and diamond polishing industry
  39. Jaipur, India — 7,600,000 — Tourism and regional culture
  40. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — 7,500,000 — Political capital, energy and finance
  41. Singapore, Singapore — 5,900,000 — Global trade, finance, and transport
  42. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia — 7,400,000 — Finance and multicultural tourism
  43. Shenyang, China — 8,100,000 — Heavy industry and logistics
  44. Alexandria, Egypt — 5,200,000 — Historic port and cultural city
  45. Ankara, Turkey — 5,600,000 — Political capital with administrative importance
  46. Santiago, Chile — 6,700,000 — Financial and cultural center of Chile
  47. Miami, USA — 6,200,000 — Finance, tourism and trade gateway to Latin America
  48. Dallas, USA — 7,400,000 — Commerce, technology and logistics
  49. Houston, USA — 7,100,000 — Energy sector and medical research
  50. Hangzhou, China — 10,000,000 — Tech hub and growing innovation cluster
  51. Nanjing, China — 8,300,000 — Historical and economic center
  52. Cape Town, South Africa — 4,700,000 — Tourism and cultural landmark
  53. Montreal, Canada — 4,200,000 — Culture, education and industry
  54. Madrid, Spain — 6,700,000 — European finance and culture
  55. Barcelona, Spain — 5,600,000 — Tourism, tech and culture
  56. Berlin, Germany — 3,800,000 — Political capital and creative industries
  57. Rome, Italy — 4,300,000 — Historic center and tourism
  58. Baghdad, Iraq — 7,000,000 — Political and cultural center
  59. Tehran, Iran — 9,000,000 — Political capital and manufacturing center
  60. Kabul, Afghanistan — 4,100,000 — Political and historic city
  61. Beirut, Lebanon — 2,200,000 — Historical trade and cultural city (pre-crisis estimates)
  62. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania — 6,500,000 — Growing port and commercial hub
  63. Accra, Ghana — 5,000,000 — Political and economic center
  64. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — 5,200,000 — Political and diplomatic center (AU headquarters)
  65. Zhengzhou, China — 10,000,000 — Transport and industrial hub
  66. Jinan, China — 5,500,000 — Regional manufacturing center
  67. Fukuoka, Japan — 2,600,000 — Regional commerce and transport
  68. Hyderabad (Sindh), Pakistan — 1,700,000 — Regional historical center
  69. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia — 1,500,000 — National capital and economic center
  70. Hanoi, Vietnam — 8,000,000 — Political and cultural capital
  71. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam — 9,200,000 — Economic engine and port
  72. Yangon, Myanmar — 5,150,000 — Former capital and largest city
  73. Karaj, Iran — 2,500,000 — Industrial and residential expansion
  74. Budapest, Hungary — 3,300,000 — Cultural and political capital
  75. Warsaw, Poland — 1,800,000 — Economic and political hub
  76. St. Petersburg, Russia — 5,300,000 — Cultural capital and port
  77. Munich, Germany — 2,700,000 — Finance, engineering and culture
  78. Vienna, Austria — 2,900,000 — International diplomacy and culture
  79. Brussels, Belgium — 2,100,000 — EU institutions and diplomacy
  80. Prague, Czech Republic — 2,700,000 — Tourism and historic culture
  81. Lisbon, Portugal — 2,900,000 — Tourism and maritime heritage
  82. Dublin, Ireland — 1,500,000 — Tech and finance hub
  83. Auckland, New Zealand — 1,700,000 — Pacific trade and tourism
  84. Sydney, Australia — 5,300,000 — Finance, tourism and culture
  85. Melbourne, Australia — 5,000,000 — Culture, education and finance
  86. Perth, Australia — 2,200,000 — Mining and trade

How to use this list

If you’re a traveler, researcher, or student, this list of the largest cities can help you:

  • Identify major economic and cultural hubs to visit or study.
  • Compare urban scale for research projects or presentations.
  • Plan travel routes that connect significant global centers.

Further reading and external sources

Final notes and caveats

Population ranking among the world’s largest cities will vary depending on the definitions used. Metropolitan area vs. city proper vs. urban agglomeration produce different orders and figures. For rigorous academic work, always cite primary demographic data and clarify the population definition used. This list is intended as a practical, digestible overview that combines population estimates with notes on global importance.

Want a printable or sortable dataset? Consider exporting official UN or national statistics and compare multiple definitions. For travel planning, consult city-specific guides and official tourism sites.

Last updated: 2024 — review data sources for the latest population releases.

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