As the world’s urban populations continue to grow, new cities are constantly vying for the title of most crowded city. However, some cities will slow down in growth owing to declining birth rates and an aging population.
Tokyo, Japan’s capital is an example. While it is known as a fast-paced and modern metropolis, Tokyo is also steeped in spiritual tradition.
1. Dhaka
Dhaka has a population density of 44,500 people per square kilometer. It’s a bustling urban center where newcomers are usually struck by the vibrant culture and variety of Bangladeshi cuisines that envelop them.
Coal-fired brick kilns, dust from roads and construction sites, smog from neighboring nations, and diesel and gasoline fumes all mix in the air to create a toxic stew that’s a major contributing factor to the city’s health problems. Almost 20 million people now live in Dhaka, and up to 400,000 people move here each year seeking economic opportunity.
This cosmopolitan Indian city has the largest concentration of Bollywood actors and musicians in the world. It’s also a financial hub and one of the busiest ports in the world. In the next few decades, it’s projected to grow even more. This will likely push it into the top five most crowded cities in the world by 2030.
2. New York City
As the world becomes more urbanized, the number of "megacities" is increasing. Those are defined as cities with populations of 10 million or more, according to the United Nations.
The Big Apple has been a destination for immigrants since its founding, when droves of Irish and German families crowded into tenement slums on the Lower East Side. Later, Jewish people came from Eastern Europe and the United States. In the 1980s, legendary mobsters made headlines in New York, but crime rates have dropped and the city has rebounded as a global economic powerhouse and tourist destination.
Visitors flock to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Whitney, and take in panoramic views of Manhattan's skyline from the Brooklyn Bridge and Brooklyn Heights Promenade or 30 Rockefeller Plaza's new Top of the Rock observatory. The area also has an eclectic music scene, from classic jazz to punk and hip-hop.
3. Cairo
The capital of Egypt, Cairo is a crowded city that combines old-world charm with modern conveniences and newer developments. It is also home to one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
The modern section of the city, known as wust al-bal
The latter offers a variety of entertainment options including a huge mall complete with cinemas, shisha cafes and restaurants. It’s also within walking distance to Downtown Cairo but is a little further from many of the other attractions such as the pyramids and Egyptian Museum. However, it’s easily reachable by cab or bus. Many people choose to stay in this area for the convenience of having everything they need close by.
4. Shanghai
Shanghai is one of the most crowded cities in the world and a center for international trade. The city is renowned for its dedication to modern design and cutting-edge technology.
The city has a distinct Western feel in its downtown Pudong district, with deliberately westernized streets. The neighborhood is a magnet for Western companies, which make up the majority of Shanghai’s businesses.
Throughout the city skyscrapers pop up like mushrooms. The downtown Lujiazui Financial District features so many skyscrapers that it has become a Hollywood favorite as a backdrop for films.
Urban growth will continue mainly in Asia and Africa, while some European cities are actually shrinking due to aging populations and low birth rates. But even as some cities grow, others will disappear into the void of desertification and urban sprawl. This will give rise to a new generation of global megacities.
5. Dehli
India’s sprawling capital, known as the National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT), straddles two sides of the Yamuna River. The rocky hills of the Aravalli Range form the backdrop, while Delhi’s most famous sites include the Mughal-era Red Fort and the Jama Masjid mosque.
In the city center, shoppers browse for affordable clothing, jewelry and cosmetics at Chandni Chowk and swanky malls in Sarojini Nagar and Karol Bagh. Street food is also a draw, with stalls serving everything from aloo chaat to chole bhature and daulat ki chaat.
In the NCT, Delhi’s residents are a diverse mix of urban and rural people, and the population is expected to grow by 10 million by 2030. This growth puts Delhi on track to become the world’s most crowded city by 2028. By then, it will overtake Tokyo, the current leader.
6. Tokyo
The only city on this list from Asia, Tokyo is home to 38 million residents. The Japanese capital is a fascinating mix of ancient traditions and modern technology. You can experience this blend of cultures in its many quaint alleyways, such as Omoide Yokocho (memory lane), where you’ll find yakitori—lip-smacking chicken on a skewer.
With so many people, it’s not surprising that overtourism is a major issue. This is especially true around the popular Shibuya intersection, which becomes so crowded that it’s almost impossible to move. This year, local officials have asked tourists to avoid the area during Halloween. They’re worried that drinking in the streets will cause trouble and lead to property damage. The city’s population is expected to grow through 2035. However, this may be offset by falling birth rates. It may also be affected by migration.
7. Sao Paulo
Sao Paulo is the capital of the Brazilian state of S
A cultural hub, Sao Paulo has a diverse mix of museums, opera houses and libraries as well as an acclaimed architecture tradition that includes the curvy Edif
It has the largest population of Japanese people outside Japan and its infamous “Japan town” includes the half-moon-shaped Hotel Unique. Despite the crowded streets, Sao Paulo is also home to a number of parks including Ibirapuera.
8. Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro, the first non-Asian city on this list, has a booming population of more than 21 million people. It is a hot spot for tourism and a bustling business center.
The city has a reputation as a dangerous place to visit due to the recent spate of violent crime that has rocked the city. However, most visitors have a great time and enjoy their vacation without incident.
The city has a large variety of museums and many of them have free exhibitions. Rio is also famous for the samba and choro music genres and there are many venues where you can see these bands perform. Many of these venues are in the Lapa district. The local newspapers (especially O Globo and Segunda Caderno) have listings for concerts and shows. Most restaurants have "comida a kilo" buffets, which are good places to sample Brazilian food.
9. Mexico City
With over 21 million inhabitants, Mexico City is the first non-Asian city to appear on this list. It is also the biggest urban center in the Western Hemisphere.
Affectionately called CDMX by locals, Mexico City is a bustling mashup of avenues and neighborhood-based economies with a culture that prizes extended family ties, reciprocity and respect. To its detractors it is a monster out of control; to admirers, it is a place of contrasts and a monument to the industrious and proud people who live there.
Its highlights include the 13th-century Aztec Templo Mayor and the baroque Catedral Metropolitana of the Spanish conquistadors, as well as the Palacio Nacional, which houses historic murals by Diego Rivera. Mexico City has a wide range of world-class museums, and a great selection of restaurants. In addition, there are lots of shopping options, from food and vegetable stalls to sophisticated boutiques.
10. Singapore
The city state of Singapore is a dazzling blend of cultures and styles. Little India and Kampong Glam are bursting with color and charm, while the sleek malls of Orchard Road and Marina Bay are a testament to its thriving economy.
Its low birth rates and aging population are due to women's expanding educations, a focus on careers, and the cost of raising children. This has led to a rise in single-person households, and many couples choose not to have kids at all.
The nineteenth-century godowns of Clarke Quay are painted gaudily in glitzy colors and house flashy eateries and bars; Boat Quay, near the old mouth of the river, has more down-to-earth options. Both are a great place to enjoy a drink and the city's nightlife scene.
