The most populous cities in the world. The most populous cities in the world The most populous city

There are many places in the world where there is literally nowhere for an apple to fall. But often, when going on a trip to another city or country, we cannot even imagine how crowded this place will be.

The UN report "The World's Cities in 2016" provides information on the world's most populous cities and also forecasts how urban populations will grow by 2030.

Below are the 20 most populous cities in the world.

20. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio de Janeiro is known for a very high level of crime, including drug trafficking, which is mainly concentrated in areas of densely populated favelas, practically uncontrolled by government authorities and the police (power in them actually belongs to the most influential drug cartels).

19. Guangzhou, China

The city is the largest tourism, industrial, financial and transport center in China.

In Guangzhou there are about 100 wholesale markets, various types of goods and hundreds of thousands of industrial enterprises, factories, factories (shipbuilding, engineering, production of equipment for the textile and food industries, newsprint, refined sugar, small household appliances, tires, bicycles, sports equipment , porcelain, cement and chemicals, electronic components).

18. Manila, Philippines

It is one of the most densely populated cities in the world with a population density of 43,079 people/km². With a convenient harbor, Manila is the country's main port and one of the busiest ports in the world.

Industries include chemicals, textiles and clothing, electronics, food and beverages, tobacco, plywood, copra, coconut oil, etc. The city attracts more than 1 million tourists a year.

17. Lagos, Nigeria

Lagos was originally a small settlement of the Yoruba tribe, but during European colonization and independence it became the most important commercial center in Nigeria.

Now the city occupies almost the entire territory of Lagos State and consists of a large number of areas connected and separated by highways.

16. Chongqing, China

Chongqing is one of the largest commercial centers in China. Industry plays a leading role in the city's economy.

The main industries are chemical, engineering and metallurgy.

Chongqing has more than 1 thousand research institutes, more than 400 thousand scientific and technical workers, 25 universities.

15. Istanbul,

Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey, the main commercial, industrial and cultural center, and the main port of the country.

It is located on the banks of the Bosphorus Strait, dividing it into European (main) and Asian parts, connected by bridges and a metro tunnel.

The first city in Europe by population

14. Kolkata, India

Kolkata is the largest economic and financial center in all of Northeast India. Compared to other big cities in India, the crime rate in Kolkata is low.

13. Buenos Aires, Argentina

The population of the capital and its suburbs is growing rapidly, including due to the immigration of guest workers from Bolivia, Paraguay, Peru and other neighboring countries.

The city is very multi-ethnic, but the main division of communities is along class rather than racial lines.

12. Karachi, Pakistan

The city's population is estimated to be growing at about 5% per year (mainly due to internal migration), with approximately 45,000 migrant workers entering the city every month from various parts of Pakistan.

11. Dhaka, Bangladesh

The annual population growth of about 4.2% (one of the highest rates among Asian cities) is due to the huge influx of migrants from rural areas of the country.

10. New York, USA

Immigration is a key factor in the city's rapid population growth.

New York is the most important economic center of the United States and the whole world. New York, along with London and Tokyo, is called one of the three main centers

9. Cairo, Egypt

Cairo's population has grown rapidly over recent decades.

Some of the reasons for this are the high birth rate and the influx of population from rural regions.

Due to the rapid growth of the city's population, several satellite cities were formed near it.

8. Osaka, Japan

Osaka is the third largest city in Japan. Business and pleasure are closely linked here, and have been for hundreds of years.

Business reputation is a reflection of the city's history as a trading capital and major commercial center.

7. Mexico City, Mexico

More than 360 thousand Mexican Indians of almost all ethnic groups in the country live in the Federal Capital District.

The largest ethnic group that lives in Mexico City is the Nahua people.

Other representatives of indigenous peoples living in the federal district are not native to the region, but come from other territories.

6. Beijing, China

Beijing is home to a significant number of foreigners, mainly businessmen, representatives of foreign companies and students.

Most foreigners settle in the densely populated northern, northeastern and eastern areas of the city.

Recent years have seen a large influx of South Korean citizens, who already constitute the largest foreign diaspora in China. Most Koreans live in the Wangjing and Wudaokou areas.

5. Sao Paulo, Brazil

São Paulo has the greatest ethnic diversity of residents of any city in Brazil.

As with all of Brazil, São Paulo's population is a mixture of different ethnic groups, resulting in a very diverse, multi-ethnic society.

Today, more than 100 ethnic groups call the city home

4. Mumbai, India

The larger number of men is explained by the influx of the male population from rural areas to the city to earn money.

The literacy rate is 77%, which is higher than the national average.

Among men, literacy is 82%, among women - 71.6%.

3. Shanghai, China

Shanghai is the financial and commercial center of China. More than 5 million people live and work in Shanghai informally, of which about 4 million are seasonal workers, mainly from Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces.

2. Delhi, India

Delhi is a cosmopolitan city where different cultures are mixed. The different peoples of India play different roles in the city's economy.

Due to its importance as the political and economic center of North India, the city attracts industrial workers and office workers from across India, maintaining the cultural diversity of the city.

Due to the capital's functions and the activities of numerous foreign companies, Delhi also has a significant number of citizens of other countries living in it.

1. Tokyo, Japan

During the daytime, the population increases by more than 2.5 million workers and students coming from neighboring areas.

This effect is even more pronounced in the three central regions.

Tokyo's population density is the highest in Japan.

Cities like New York, Beijing and Tokyo are known for being crowded with people. Photos of huge crowds show that there are indeed many, many people in these cities. Let's take a look at the twenty most crowded cities in the world, where people literally step on each other's feet while going out to buy bread.

To begin with, the huge population growth is due to the fact that tourism, business or industry are well developed in megacities. For example, Tokyo (Japan) is home to more than 38 million people, which is the largest number in the world. But New York (USA) has more than 19 million inhabitants.

We know that the world's capitals and other megacities have huge populations, but do you know how crowded they really are? The UN booklet "Cities of the World 2016" presents the most overcrowded areas and also shows population growth forecasts for 2030.

20th place. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Pay attention to the photo, it shows the famous Copacabana beach. And such a number of people has not surprised anyone in this city for a long time, because in Brazil the climate is warm and pleasant all year round. Rio de Janeiro is especially crowded during the hot months and during the famous Carnival. Copacabana Beach is visited by thousands of people both from the city itself and from all over the world.

19th place. Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China

The city is located on the Pearl River, northwest of Hong Kong. Guangzhou is recognized as the third largest city in China. It is a bustling port city and is the largest commercial and manufacturing center in the country. As a result, millions of workers from all over China flock to Guangzhou to work. If you look at the photo, you'll see city residents waiting to enter a train station after trains were delayed due to bad weather in southern China.

18th place. Manila, Philippines

The capital of the Philippines is known for its booming banking and commercial industries. The Port of Manila is the largest seaport in the country serving the shipping industry. The photo shows people trying to cross a flooded road with a truck after heavy rain.

17th place. Lagos, Nigeria

Lagos is the commercial center of Nigeria, which is also one of the fastest growing cities in Africa. According to UN projects, by 2030 the population of Lagos will increase to 24,239,000 people.

16th place. Chongqing, China

Given its proximity to the Yangtze River, Chongqing is a major port city and industrial center in southwestern and central China. The city is a haven for workers in industries such as metallurgy and coal mining. Chongqing produces natural gas, minerals and coal in huge quantities. It is not surprising that workers from all over the country come to work in this city.

15th place. Istanbul, Türkiye

Apart from being a tourist destination that attracts travelers from all over the world, Istanbul is also the main economic zone in Turkey. In addition, new terminals are currently being built at Istanbul Airport, which will be able to accommodate more than 150 million passengers per year. This part of the airport will open in 2018.

14th place. Kolkata, India

Kolkata is located in the eastern part of India, close to the border with Bangladesh. It is also the capital of West Bengal (a state in the country). The city has a total of 14 universities, which are run by the state government and serve the local population.

13th place. Buenos Aires, Argentina

As the capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires is an important city for many of the country's major industries, including tourism, finance and manufacturing. However, due to an aging population and low birth rates, the population is expected to fall to 16,956,000 in 2030.

12th place. Karachi, Pakistan

Being the economic and industrial center of Pakistan, Karachi is a city that is constantly growing. Both Karachi Port and Binh Qasim Port, located in the city, handle hundreds of ships daily. The city is expected to experience steady population growth, with the UN estimating that the population will reach 24 million by 2030.

11th place. Dhaka, Bangladesh

Dhaka is a growing metropolis in Bangladesh with an incredibly high population density. There are more than 44,000 people per square kilometer. These indicators were identified in 2015, but today the situation is noticeably worsening.

10th place. New York, USA

The photo shows Times Square. This city and its surrounding areas are believed to be inhabited by an abnormal number of people in the United States. Moreover, more than two-fifths of the state's total population lives in this city.

9th place. Al Qahira (Cairo), Egypt

Cairo is often considered a city closely associated with ancient Egyptian history, especially due to the famous Pyramids of Giza. But it is also a very densely populated cosmopolitan city. In addition to its tourism industry, Cairo is home to the most modern hospitals and universities in the world.

8th place. Osaka, Japan

Today, Osaka is home to a huge number of people, although by 2030 the number of its residents is expected to decrease to 19,976,000 people. The city's population has been declining over the past several years, partly due to low birth rates. However, a large number of foreign residents immigrate to Osaka.

7th place. Mexico City, Mexico

Mexico City and its suburbs are a unique combination of ancient culture and modern industry. The city is not only home to Tenochtitlan (an ancient Aztec capital), but is also a significant Latin American financial center.

6th place. Beijing, China

A photograph from Tiananmen Square in Beijing proves that there is indeed a huge population there. This eastern country is famous for having four of the most populous cities in the world, with Beijing being the second most populous in the country. UN forecasts show that this already gigantic city will grow, and by 2030 its population will reach 28 million.

5th place. Sao Paulo, Brazil

Sao Paulo is the most populous city in the Southern Hemisphere. It is a multicultural city with various industries.

4th place. Mumbai (Bombay), India

It's easy to imagine how crowded Mumbai is by looking at photographs of the city's public transport (main photo). It is also the richest city in India, with an annual income of US$280 billion.

3rd place. Shanghai, China

As China's most populous city, Shanghai has a reputation for being overcrowded. In addition to being a popular tourist destination, the city is also a major financial zone and the largest container port in the world.

2nd place. Delhi, India

Delhi is a city and territory in northern India. It is the second most populous metropolis in the world, and the number of residents is expected to only grow in the coming years. The UN project found that the number of inhabitants would increase by 10 million.

1 place. Tokyo, Japan

As of 2016, Tokyo is the most populous city on Earth, also known for its modern design and advanced technology. The UN says that in 15 years, Tokyo will still be number one, but its population will shrink.

It is estimated that by 2030 the total population on the planet will increase by one billion people. We remind you that more than 7 billion people currently live on it. At the same time, demographic growth is not stopped even by low birth rates in many countries of the world.

Megacities... Capitals... Giants... Many enjoy their lot to live in such cities. The advantages are obvious to them: civilization, financial opportunities, easy success in life. Others get tired of the bustle, gloom, indifference and stifling atmosphere of huge capitals, and prefer the calm and good-natured atmosphere of small towns. To each his own!

Well, we’ll talk about who and where “live fun and well.” So, the most populated cities in the world - TOP 2012

First place. Divided by two cities!
As you may have guessed, the most populated city, by definition, must be in China. This is Shanghai. But, surprisingly, thanks to its huge area, the kilometer of which is about 6400 sq. km. – the population density in it is not as high as in other cities – our leaders. So the dear Chinese still have plenty of room to multiply. Shanghai has a population of 23 million. Let them not be sad; in some regions, it turns out, things are even worse. For example, in Jokarta (Indonesia), a population of more than 26 million lives in an area of ​​660 sq. km.

On second place our TOP - Mumbai, India. There, about 22 million people live in a fairly small municipal corporation area (600 sq. km). This is almost the most densely populated city in the world, the population density is more than 23 thousand people per sq. km. I wonder what they breathe there?

On third place everything is not so tragic - Turkish Istanbul, a beautiful city with amazing architecture, unique nature, ancient cultural and historical heritage. This once majestic capital of Byzantium and the Ostman Empire still arouses great interest. About 17 million people live in the city, but the population density leaves no cause for concern.

On fourth place Delhi, successfully competing with Istanbul, already occupies a leading position. More than 22 million people live in a fairly small area of ​​432 sq. km. The alarming population density reaches almost 30 thousand people per sq. km. Today it is the most populous city in the world. Although it is slightly smaller than Mumbai, Delhi is the capital. India leads in the density and population of its cities. This has its advantages, as well as its disadvantages. Seoul (Republic of Korea) has a population of about 23 million inhabitants, which allows it to share this 4th place of honor with Delhi.

On fifth place Karachi, Pakistan. More than 18 million live in the city, with a population density even lower than in Moscow. Luxurious city.

On sixth place Cairo (Egypt) and Beijing (PRC) - the population of these cities is just over 17 million inhabitants.

On seventh place Sao Paulo, sunny Brazil. Everything is absolutely wonderful there - 13.6 million in a huge city! Rejoicing and having fun. Wonderful!

On eighth place– Tokyo with its 13 million living citizens. The growth prospects are very high!

On ninth place- Moscow. The largest city in Europe by population, however! Moscow will continue to strengthen its leading position. And of course, the population of Russia’s largest city, its capital, already exceeds 11.9 million and is constantly growing.

And finally, on tenth place– Lagos, Nigeria, whose population exceeds 13 million, but its density is quite high - about 8 thousand people per sq. km.

Unfortunately, many cities are not yet included in our TOP of the largest and most populous cities in the world. But in general, the picture is more rosy for some, sadder for others. Let us hope for the best!

Over the course of many centuries, people moved to cities. Megacities are the brainchild of modern human civilization. Cities are rapidly developing, growing, absorbing suburbs, turning into huge multimillion-dollar settlements. Life in such cities is convenient, practical and profitable from a material point of view, they attract more and more people. A metropolis is a state within a state. The majority of modern agglomerates are located in Asia – 56%. Next come North America (14%) and Europe (11%).

But there are cities with huge populations of many millions and a relatively small area. Life in such densely populated cities is rife with problems. This includes air pollution from emissions from industrial enterprises and motor transport, noise that does not stop at any time of the day, and the problem of traffic jams on the roads.

As a result of the large overcrowding of the population, a serious problem arises of the accumulation and disposal of human waste and household waste. All megacities are centers of industrial production, which results in a huge amount of man-made waste.

Health issues affect every major city on the planet, but nowhere is the problem as acute as in cities with high population densities. Residents of the metropolis are the most vulnerable to epidemics of various diseases.
For the normal functioning of a metropolis, a complex infrastructure system is required, the concentration of which creates the risk of man-made disasters.

But despite these difficulties, global population migration is only intensifying. Today, more than half of the world's inhabitants are city dwellers.

Which megacities top the list of the most populous cities today?

Capital of the Philippines. Manila is one of the busiest ports in the world and the main port of the Philippines.
The population of the city is 1.66 million people, the area of ​​the city is 38.55 km². It is the most populous city in the world. The number of inhabitants per square kilometer is 43,079 people, and in some areas of the metropolis it reaches 68,266 people.

Capital of Taiwan. The largest industrial center, the birthplace of the Taiwanese economic miracle.
The area of ​​the city together with its suburbs is 271.8 km², the population is 10.8 million people. Population density - 39,919 people per one square kilometer.

The capital of the state of Maharashtra is located in western India on the shores of the Arabian Sea. Mumbai is the largest port in India.
It ranks first in India in terms of population. The area of ​​the city together with satellite cities is 603 km², the population is 21.3 million people. Population density - 35,323 people per one square kilometer.

The main city of Seed Province in southern Pakistan. The largest port city in the state. Pakistan's main center of industry, economics and finance. The largest educational center in the Islamic world.
The population of the city is 18.14 million people, the area of ​​the city is 593 km². Number of inhabitants is 30,590 people per one square kilometer.

The administrative center of the state of West Bengal is located in eastern India. Former capital of British India. The city is located on the banks of the Hooghly River in the Ganges Delta. The country's largest scientific, cultural and financial center.
In terms of area (532 km²), it ranks fourth in India. The urban agglomeration is inhabited by 14.11 million people. The population density is 26,522 people per one square kilometer.

A city in India, the administrative center of the state of Tamil Nadu, is located in the southeast of the state. A large industrial center with developed industry and economy.
The city has a population of 24.4 million people on an area of ​​181 km². The number of inhabitants per square kilometer is 24,418 people.

The former capital and largest city of Nigeria. Lagos is the country's most important commercial center. The city is located on the islands and coast of the southwestern part of the country.
In terms of population (20 million people), Lagos ranks second in Africa after Cairo. With a city area of ​​999 km², the population density per square kilometer is 20,020 people.

Capital of the Republic of Korea. The largest city in the country, located in the north-west of the republic on the banks of the Hangan River. One of the world's largest financial centers.
The population of the city is 10.5 million people, the area of ​​the city is 605 km². Number of inhabitants is 17,288 people per one square kilometer.

Capital of the state of Bangladesh. The annual population growth is more than 4%. Almost all of Bangladesh's industry is concentrated in the city.
Dhaka's population density is 11,931 people per one square kilometer.

The capital of India is located in the northern part of the state. Delhi is a cosmopolitan city, a concentration of different groups, cultures and nationalities. The city's population is rapidly increasing, both due to natural growth and due to the migration of residents of the country. Delhi is growing and developing rapidly and has the lowest unemployment rates in the country.
Delhi Population Density Rate – 11,297 people per one square kilometer.

Modern megacities play a huge role in the economies of their countries. They are centers of culture and education, science and art. They have a developed social sphere. The unemployment rate in large cities is significantly lower than the average for the country as a whole. All this makes megacities attractive to more and more people who, dreaming of a more prosperous life, go in search of the city of their dreams.

The total number of people living on the planet is huge - in 2018, according to UN statistics, the world's population is 7.6 billion people. The largest number of people live in the Northern and Eastern hemispheres of the planet - 90% and 85%, respectively. More than 57% of the world's inhabitants are Asian, 12.5% ​​of the total number of people live in North America, more than 11% in Africa, almost 10% in Europe, 8% in South America and less than 1% in Oceania. At the same time, the average population density is 55.7 people per km². And this figure is steadily growing - in 1890 this figure was 12 people per km², in 1950 - 18 people per km², and some quarter of a century ago - at the end of 1992 - already 40 people. per km².

5. Chennai 25,845 people/km²

Twenty years ago, the city of Chennai had a different name - Madras, and in some English-language sources this name is still found. The main problem of the sixth largest city in India is overpopulation. The reason for such a high population density over a fairly large area is the absence of modern high-rise buildings. According to statistics, there is practically no construction of residential high-rise buildings in the city, which leads to the growth of slums and difficulties with public transport.

4. Caloocan 27,916 people/km²

A satellite of Manila, or rather, one of the adjacent cities; is part of the Greater Manila agglomeration and is actually considered an independent metropolitan area. Caloocan is the only city in the Philippines with its own train station; The railway network in the region is almost undeveloped. Among the features is a sharp social division: in the center of the city there are modern skyscrapers, supermarkets, on the outskirts there are slums, with dense, chaotic buildings, causing unsanitary conditions. Caloocan is recognized as a settlement suffering an environmental disaster due to undeveloped urban infrastructure.

3. Dhaka 28,410 people/km²

One of the oldest operating cities not only in the region, but also in the world, Dhaka arose in the Ganges River delta back in the 7th century. The population within the administrative boundaries of the city is more than 8.5 million people, within the boundaries of the agglomeration - more than 15 million. International organizations find it difficult to accurately calculate: part of the city is represented by slums, where it is not easy to determine the number of residents. In addition, Dhaka is one of the fastest growing cities - the annual population growth is 4-5%.

2. Mumbai 28,508 people/km²

The country's first city in terms of population, with an area of ​​603 sq. km (including suburbs), is one of the top 10 agglomerations in the world and at the same time one of the top 5 cities with the highest population density. For many centuries it was called Bombay - after the name of the island where the central part of the city is located; at the end of the 20th century it was renamed Mumbai. A city with a predominantly male population: the ratio of men to women is estimated to be 10 to 8, respectively. This inequality is explained by the fact that residents of the state flock to the economically developed city, which is also a major transport hub and port, to work.

This long-term “turnover” makes it difficult to calculate the city’s population.

1. Manila 41,515 people/km²

The capital of the Philippines, with a relatively small area of ​​38.55 square kilometers, is one of the five most populous cities in the world. Manila is a city with a rich history: founded at the end of the 16th century, it has survived several pirate raids and wars, including World War II. Today Manila is a city suffering an environmental disaster: polluted air, huge landfills, biologically dead rivers flowing through the city. The reason for this deplorable situation is the low level of infrastructure development.