World's Largest Cities by Population: Top 10 Metropolitan Areas

Urban Giants (Metro Population Estimates, ~2024)

1. Tokyo, Japan: 37.3 million (world's largest metro).
2. Delhi, India: 33.8 million.
3. Shanghai, China: 29.9 million.
4. Dhaka, Bangladesh: 23.9 million.
5. São Paulo, Brazil: 22.8 million.
6. Mexico City, Mexico: 22.5 million.
7. Cairo, Egypt: 22.2 million.
8. Beijing, China: 21.8 million.
9. Mumbai, India: 21.3 million.
10. Osaka, Japan: 19.0 million.

Notes

• Definitions vary (city proper vs. metro vs. agglomeration); metro used here.
• African cities (Lagos, Kinshasa) growing rapidly; may enter top 10 soon.
• Chinese "municipalities" (Chongqing 32M) include vast rural areas — not comparable.
• New York metro: ~19.8M (11th); London: ~14.9M; Paris: ~13.0M.