2060 Megacities

By 2060, the world’s megacities—urban areas with populations exceeding 10 million—have become even more dominant centers of economic, cultural, and technological activity. Cities like Tokyo, Delhi, Shanghai, and Lagos have seen their populations swell, with Lagos and Kinshasa emerging as the largest cities in Africa due to sustained high birth rates and rapid urban migration. Meanwhile, cities in East Asia, such as Tokyo and Shanghai, have experienced slower growth or even slight declines as a result of aging populations and lower fertility rates, reflecting broader demographic trends in the region. In contrast, South Asian cities like Delhi and Dhaka have continued to expand rapidly, fueled by both natural increase and rural-to-urban migration. Historically, many of these megacities began as colonial or trade hubs—Shanghai as a treaty port, Lagos as a colonial administrative center, and Delhi as a historic seat of empires—before transforming into sprawling metropolises. By 2060, the challenges of managing infrastructure, housing, and environmental sustainability have intensified, but these cities remain vibrant engines of innovation and cultural exchange, each shaped by its unique historical trajectory and demographic evolution.

Data from UN World Urbanization Prospects