Jakarta Surpasses Tokyo to Become the World's Largest City with 41.9 Million Residents

Jakarta has now become the world's largest city, boasting a population of 41.9 million, as per a recent United Nations report. This Indonesian metropolis has surpassed Tokyo, which held the title since 2000. Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, is not far behind with 36.6 million residents. The UN's World Urbanization Prospects 2025 report reveals that nine out of the top ten megacities are situated in Asia.

Asia dominates the list of the world's largest cities, with New Delhi, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Manila, Kolkata, and Seoul among the top contenders. Cairo stands out as the only non-Asian city in this group, with a population of 32 million. In contrast, Sao Paulo in Brazil is the largest city in the Americas with 18.9 million people, while Lagos is the biggest city in sub-Saharan Africa.

Dhaka's rapid population increase is attributed to migration from rural areas as people seek better opportunities or escape climate-related challenges like flooding. Jakarta faces similar issues, with rising sea levels threatening parts of the city by 2050. To address this, Indonesia is building a new capital, Nusantara, on Borneo island; however, Jakarta's population may still grow by another 10 million by 2050.

The UN's revised criteria for defining cities aim to address inconsistencies in urban definitions across countries. A city is now considered a "contiguous agglomeration" with grid cells of one square kilometre housing at least 1,500 inhabitants per square kilometre and a total population of at least 50,000. This change seeks to create a more uniform understanding of urbanization worldwide.

Tehran, Iran's capital with nine million residents, is facing severe water shortages. The UN report highlights that Tehran is nearing a critical point where it might run out of water entirely, leading to water rationing measures being implemented. This situation underscores the pressing need for sustainable urban planning and resource management.

The number of megacities—urban areas with over 10 million people—has increased significantly to 33 from just eight in 1975. This growth reflects ongoing urban expansion trends driven by economic opportunities and environmental pressures.

Protests and Inequality

Jakarta's expanding population grapples with issues like inequality and affordability. Earlier this year, protests erupted over harsh conditions faced by low-income workers, including app-based motorcycle ride-share and delivery riders. These events highlight the challenges rapidly growing cities encounter as they strive to support their inhabitants effectively.

The UN report suggests that Dhaka could become the world's largest city by 2050 if current trends continue. This projection emphasizes Asia's ongoing urban growth driven by both economic opportunities and environmental pressures.