--- title: 20 Most Populated Cities in the World description: The United Nations data booklet, "The World's Cities in 2016," details the world's most populated cities as well as population growth projections for 2030. canonical: https://time.com/5004132/most-crowded-cities/ author: Business Insider article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2017-10-31T20:57:15.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-05-11T04:42:11.876Z og:title: The 20 Most Crowded Cities in the World og:description: The most populous city is almost at 39 million people og:url: https://time.com/5004132/most-crowded-cities/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt6c65eb7a3c06c046/6988e405cf40a8e879c4a04e/tokyo-crowded-cities1.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 1200 og:image:height: 675 og:image:alt: Shibuya Crossing at Night og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: The 20 Most Crowded Cities in the World twitter:description: The most populous city is almost at 39 million people twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt6c65eb7a3c06c046/6988e405cf40a8e879c4a04e/tokyo-crowded-cities1.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # The 20 Most Crowded Cities in the World by [Madeline Diamond / Business Insider](https://time.com/author/business-insider/) ## Madeline Diamond / Business Insider Oct 31, 2017 8:57 PM UTC  Getty Images by [Madeline Diamond / Business Insider](https://time.com/author/business-insider/) ## Madeline Diamond / Business Insider Oct 31, 2017 8:57 PM UTC Cities like [New York](http://www.thisisinsider.com/apartments-in-new-york-2017-9), [Beijing](http://www.thisisinsider.com/worlds-largest-airport-terminal-beijing-daxing-airport-in-2019-2017-7), and Tokyo are known for being exceptionally [crowded](http://www.thisisinsider.com/the-most-crowded-places-on-earth-2017-10). Photos of massive crowds of people depict these cities’ residents doing everything from walking down the street to marching in parades and even sitting in traffic. We all know these cities have giant populations, but do you know just _how_ crowded they are? [The United Nations](http://www.un.org/en/index.html)[ data booklet, “The World’s Cities in 2016](http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/pdf/urbanization/the%5Fworlds%5Fcities%5Fin%5F2016%5Fdata%5Fbooklet.pdf),” details the world’s most populated cities as well as population growth projections for 2030. Tokyo, Japan, for example, is the most populated city in the world as of 2016 with nearly 39 million residents. Keep reading for the rest of the top 20 most populated cities all over the globe. ## 20\. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil  view of Guanabara Bay with christ the Redeemer in the foreground at left Getty Images **Population in 2016:** 12,981,000 Rio de Janeiro’s climate remains pleasant year-round, although the city is particularly crowded in the warmer months, and during the holiday season through [Carnival](http://www.rio-carnival.net/) in February. [Copacabana beach](http://www.rio.com/practical-rio/copacabana-beach) is one of the city’s most crowded locations, filled with locals and tourists alike. ## 19\. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China  Photo Taken In Guangzhou, China Getty Images **Population in 2016:** 13,070,000 Located on the Pearl River just northwest of Hong Kong, Guangzhou is the third-largest city in China. The bustling port city is one of China’s biggest commercial and manufacturing hubs, bringing in millions of workers from around the country. **_Read more:_** [**_50 abandoned places around the world and the history behind them_**](http://www.thisisinsider.com/abandoned-buildings-from-around-the-world-2017-9) ## 18\. Manila, Philippines  Getty Images **Population in 2016:** 13,131,000 The capital city of the Philippines is known for its booming [banking and commerce industries](http://www.manilatimes.net/moodys-ph-banks-stable-economy-remains-robust/336789/). The Port of Manila is the largest seaport in the country, serving the Philippines’ shipping industry. ## 17\. Lagos, Nigeria  A view of a busy district of Lagos from a flyover bridge. Getty Images **Population in 2016:** 13,661,000 Lagos is Nigeria’s commercial capital, and it’s also one of the fastest growing cities in Africa. [The UN projects](http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/pdf/urbanization/the%5Fworlds%5Fcities%5Fin%5F2016%5Fdata%5Fbooklet.pdf) that Lagos’ population will rise to 24,239,000 by 2030. ## 16\. Chongqing, China  China, Chongqin City, Jiefangbei district, Central Plaza , Times square, Liberatiom Monument Getty Images **Population in 2016:** 13,744,000 Given its close proximity to the Yangtze River, Chongqing is a prominent port city and industrial hub in southwest-central China. The city is home to iron, steel, and other manufacturing plants, in addition to natural resources like coal, natural gas, and a variety of minerals. These resources and industries draw workers from all over the country. ## 15\. Istanbul, Turkey  Getty Images **Population in 2016:** 14,365,000 Aside from being a tourist hub that draws in visitors from all over the world, Istanbul is the center of Turkey’s economy. Plus, [The Istanbul New Airport](https://www.cnbc.com/2017/01/13/turkey-on-schedule-to-land-worlds-busiest-airport.html) is currently under construction, and expects to be able to handle 150 million passengers a year when it opens in 2018. ## 14\. Kolkata (Calcutta), India  Calcutta, India - January 20, 2013: Pedestrians cross the road in front of motorcycles, cars and buses at the crossroads on January 20, 2013 in India. Kolkata has a density of 814.80 vehicles per km road length Getty Images **Population in 2016:** 14,980,000 Kolkata is located in eastern India, near the border of Bangladesh. It’s also the capital of the West Bengal state. There are a total of 14 universities in the city that are operated by the state government and serve the local population. **Population in 2016:** 15,334,000 As the capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires is an important city for many of the country’s main industries, including tourism, finance, and manufacturing. Due to an aging population and [low birth rates,](https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ar.html) however, the city’s population is only expected to rise to 16,956,000 by 2030. ## 13\. Buenos Aires, Argentina  Argentina, Buenos Aires, La Boca, Caminito, multicolored houses Getty Images **Population in 2016:** 15,334,000 As the capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires is an important city for many of the country’s main industries, including tourism, finance, and manufacturing. Due to an aging population and [low birth rates,](https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ar.html) however, the city’s population is only expected to rise to 16,956,000 by 2030. ## 12\. Karachi, Pakistan  It is commonly seen the public transport packed loaded in with the passengers than the capacity they are allowed to carry which causes accidents and ultimately the passengers fell prey to such negligence. Getty Images **Population in 2016:** 17,121,000 As the economic and industrial capital of Pakistan, Karachi is a city on the rise. Both the Port of Karachi and Port Bin Qasim are located in the city, serving Karachi’s transportation and trade industries. Karachi is expecting a steady population rise by 2030 with an estimated 24,838,000 residents. **_Read more:_**[_The top 10 cities to travel to in 2018, according to Lonely Planet_](http://www.thisisinsider.com/lonely-planet-best-cities-to-travel-to-in-2018-2017-10) ## 11\. Dhaka, Bangladesh  River based life-style in Bangladesh Getty Images **Population in 2016:** 18,237,000 Dhaka is a growing metropolis in Bangladesh with an incredibly dense population. With [44,500 people per square kilometer](https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2017/may/11/where-world-most-densely-populated-city), the city was the most densely populated city in the world as of 2015. ## 10\. New York-Newark, USA  Crowded Times Square at Twilight in New York City, USA. Getty Images **Population in 2016:** 18,604,000 Between New York City, New York, and nearby Newark, New Jersey, this metropolitan area is the most crowded of its kind in the US. [Over two-fifths of the entire population of New York State](https://www1.nyc.gov/site/planning/data-maps/nyc-population/population-facts.page), for example, lives in New York City alone. ## 9\. Al-Qahirah (Cairo), Egypt  Getty Images **Population in 2016:** 19,128,000 Cairo is often thought of as a city closely related to ancient Egyptian history, especially due to the location of the Giza pyramids, but it is also a highly populated cosmopolitan city. In addition to its tourism industry, Cairo is also home to many modern hospitals and universities. ## 8\. Kinki M.M.A. (Osaka), Japan  Dotonbori, Osaka, Kansai region, Honshu island, Japan, Asia Getty Images **Population in 2016:** 20,337,000 Osaka, Japan, has a massive population today, although it is expected to decrease slightly to 19,976,000 by 2030\. [The city’s population has been declining for the last several years](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/07/05/national/social-issues/japans-population-falls-eighth-straight-year-number-foreign-residents-rises/#.We4wmP%5FythA), in part due to low birth rates. However, Osaka’s population of foreign residents is on the rise. ## 7\. Ciudad de México (Mexico City), Mexico  Metropolitan Cathedral, Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe Getty Images **Population in 2016:** 21,157,000 Mexico City and its surrounding metropolitan area offer a unique mix of ancient culture and modern industry. The city is not only home to Tenochtitlan, the ancient Aztec capital, but it is also a Latin American financial hub. ## 6\. Beijing, China  Getty Images **Population in 2016:** 21,240,000 China is home to four of the most populated cities in the world, and Beijing comes in at number two. Plus, the giant city is only expected to rise with a projected population of 27,706,000 by 2030. ## 5\. São Paulo, Brazil  Cityscape of São Paulo with Pinheiros River (Rio Pinheiros) and Marginal Pinheiros. Getty Images **Population in 2016:** 21,297,000 With a population nearing 22 million, São Paulo, Brazil, is the most populous city in the Southern Hemisphere. From finance to tourism, São Paulo is a multi-cultural city with diverse industries. ## 4\. Mumbai (Bombay), India  Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus train station (previously named Victoria Terminus) and central Mumbai, India Getty Images **Population in 2016:** 21,357,000 It’s easy to see just how crowded Mumbai is by looking at photos of they city’s mass transportation. In addition to being one of the most populated cities in India_—_ and the world _—_[ Mumbai is also the richest city in India](http://indianexpress.com/article/india/mumbai-richest-indian-city-with-total-wealth-of-820-billion-delhi-comes-second-report-4544685/), with its total wealth coming out to $280 billion USD. ## 3\. Shanghai, China  Neon lights and people shopping on Nanjing Road at night Getty Images **Population in 2016:** 24,484,000 As China’s most populated city, Shanghai has a reputation for being crowded. In addition to being a popular tourist destination, Shanghai is also a financial center and is home to [the busiest container port in the world](http://www.worldshipping.org/about-the-industry/global-trade/top-50-world-container-ports). **_Read more:_**[_50 trips everyone should take in Asia_](http://www.thisisinsider.com/best-places-to-go-in-asia-2016-9) ## 2\. Delhi, India  A street full of people near Jama Masjid in Old Delhi, Delhi, India. Electricity wiring in Old Delhi is a mess. Getty Images **Population in 2016:** 26,454,000 Dehli is a city and territory in northern India. The urban area is the second most populated city in the world, and it is only expected to grow in the coming years. In fact, by 2030, the UN projects that Dehli’s population will grow by nearly 10 million people. ## 1\. Tokyo, Japan  Getty Images **Population in 2016:** 38,140,000 As of 2016, Tokyo is the most populated city on Earth. Known for its modern design, dedication to cutting-edge technology, and crowded streets, Tokyo has long had a reputation of being densely populated. While the UN still expects Tokyo to hold the number one spot in terms of population in 2030, the city’s population is expected to decline to 37,190,000 over the next 13 years. _This_ [_article_](http://www.thisisinsider.com/most-crowded-places-on-earth-2017-10) _originally appeared on_ [_ThisIsInsider.com_](http://www.thisisinsider.com) ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/5004132/most-crowded-cities/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/5004132/most-crowded-cities/"},"headline":"The 20 Most Crowded Cities in the World","datePublished":"2017-10-31T20:57:15.000Z","dateModified":"2026-05-11T04:42:11.876Z","description":"The most populous city is almost at 39 million people","url":"https://time.com/5004132/most-crowded-cities/","keywords":["Living","Travel","onetime","onetimetravel","bi"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt6c65eb7a3c06c046/6988e405cf40a8e879c4a04e/tokyo-crowded-cities1.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Madeline Diamond / Business Insider"}],"articleSection":"","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt6c65eb7a3c06c046/6988e405cf40a8e879c4a04e/tokyo-crowded-cities1.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"Shibuya Crossing at Night","caption":"Shibuya Crossing at Night","creditText":"Getty Images","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/tag/time-section-living/","name":"Living"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/5004132/most-crowded-cities/","name":"The 20 Most Crowded Cities in the World"}}]}] ```