By 2050, the world’s megacities—urban areas with populations exceeding 10 million—are projected to be concentrated primarily in Asia and Africa, reflecting dramatic demographic and economic shifts. Cities like Tokyo, currently the world’s largest, may see stable or even declining populations due to aging demographics, while cities such as Lagos, Kinshasa, and Dhaka are expected to surge past 30 million residents, driven by high birth rates and rural-to-urban migration. Historically, megacities like New York, London, and Paris were the epicenters of the industrial revolution and global finance, but by 2050, newer megacities such as Jakarta, Karachi, and Cairo will dominate due to rapid urbanization and economic development. These emerging giants face challenges of infrastructure, housing, and sustainability, contrasting with the older megacities’ focus on modernization and managing population decline. The shifting landscape of megacities underscores the ongoing transformation of global urbanization, with the world’s urban future increasingly shaped by the histories and trajectories of cities in the Global South.
| Rank | Megacity | Country | Population |
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Data from UN World Urbanization Prospects