In 1950, the global population was 2.5 billion, with only 20 per cent living in cities. By 2050, two-thirds of population growth is expected to occur in urban areas, while rural populations decline, except in sub-Saharan Africa. Metropolitan regions known as “megacities,” with over 10 million inhabitants, are projected to expand further, reflecting the accelerating pace of urbanization worldwide.
The World Urbanization Prospects 2025: Summary of Results, published by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), highlights urbanization as a defining force of our time, capable of driving climate action, economic growth, and social equity when managed strategically. The report underscores the importance of integrated national policies that coordinate housing, land use, mobility, and public services across both urban and rural areas to achieve balanced territorial development.
Since 1975, the number of megacities has increased fourfold, rising from eight to 33, with 19 located in Asia. Jakarta, Indonesia, now has nearly 42 million residents, making it the world’s largest city, followed by Dhaka in Bangladesh with almost 40 million, and Tokyo, Japan, with 33 million. Cairo is the only city outside Asia among the top ten. By 2050, the number of megacities is expected to reach 37, as cities like Addis Ababa, Dar es Salaam, Hajipur, and Kuala Lumpur are projected to surpass 10 million inhabitants.
Smaller and medium-sized cities are also growing rapidly, particularly across Africa and Asia. Analysis of some 12,000 cities shows that 96 per cent have fewer than one million residents, and 81 per cent fewer than 250,000. The total number of cities has more than doubled since 1975 and could exceed 15,000 by 2050, with most of them remaining relatively small.
The report also reveals diverging urban growth patterns. While many cities continue to expand, some are experiencing population decline, including over a third of shrinking cities in China and 17 per cent in India. Even large cities like Mexico City and Chengdu have seen decreases in population, illustrating complex regional dynamics.
Towns with at least 5,000 residents remain the most common settlement type in over 70 countries, including Germany, India, Uganda, and the United States. Rural areas, although still prevalent in 62 countries, have declined from 116 in 1975 and are expected to decrease further to 44 by 2050. Sub-Saharan Africa is the notable exception, projected to account for nearly all future rural population growth, sustaining the demographic significance of its rural regions.
