What is the world's largest city? It just changed, UN says. [View all]

Jakarta is now the world's largest city by population.

The capital of Indonesia, Jakarta, is home to nearly 42 million, according to a new report from the United Nations, making it the most densely populated urban area on the globe. It is followed by Dhaka, Bangladesh, with almost 37 million and Tokyo, Japan, with 33 million.

The last time the U.N. released its "World Urbanization Prospects" report in 2018, Tokyo was the world's most populous city and Jakarta was ranked 33rd.

The authors of the Nov. 2025 report noted that over the past quarter century, the population of Tokyo has grown more slowly than the populations of Jakarta and Dhaka, leading to its drop in rank, which is expected to continue over the coming decades.

While Jakarta holds the top spot now, experts project Dhaka will become the largest city by 2050.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2025/11/25/worlds-largest-city-2025-un-report/87464831007/