By 2040, the world’s megacities—urban areas with populations exceeding 10 million—will have grown both in number and scale, particularly in Asia and Africa. Cities like Tokyo, already a historic leader in urban population, will see slower growth or even slight decline due to aging demographics, while cities such as Lagos, Kinshasa, and Dhaka are projected to surge past 30 million residents, fueled by high birth rates and rural-to-urban migration. Meanwhile, Shanghai, Mumbai, and Jakarta will continue their rapid expansion, reflecting their roles as economic powerhouses with deep colonial and pre-colonial histories. In contrast, traditional Western megacities like New York and Los Angeles will experience more modest growth, constrained by infrastructure and housing challenges. This shifting landscape marks a significant transformation from the 20th century, when megacities were concentrated in wealthier nations; by 2040, the majority will be in the Global South, reshaping global economic, cultural, and environmental dynamics.
| Rank | Megacity | Country | Population |
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Data from UN World Urbanization Prospects