The 10 Most Populous Cities in the World

The World Population Review counts down the 10 most populated cities in the world. See if you can guess their findings.

April 09, 2021

By: Felicia Feaster

Shop This Look

Photo By: Intrepid Travel

Photo By: Shutterstock/Sk Hasan Ali

Photo By: Intrepid Travel

Photo By: Shutterstock/Jess Kraft

Photo By: Shutterstock/Thiago Leite

Photo By: Shutterstock/dibrova

Photo By: Getty Images/Hindustan Times

Photo By: Getty Images/Kazuhiro Nogi

Numbers Game

Every year the World Population Review counts down the 100+ most crowded cities in the world. Havana, Cuba, (pictured here) is number 82 on the list. Not surprisingly, China and India are in the lead as the countries with the highest populated cities. In Europe, Istanbul followed by Moscow and then Paris are the most populated. Read on to see the countdown of the top 10 most populous cities in the world.

10: Osaka, Japan

This Japanese port city and commercial center has a population of 19.2 million as is known for its thriving food scene.

9: Beijing, China

Rich with history and culture, Beijing is the most populous city in China with a population of 20 million and its capital city.

8: Mumbai, India

The population of Mumbai, India, is over 20.1 million. Formerly known as Bombay, it is located on India's west coast and is famous as the center of the Bollywood film industry.

7: Dhaka, Bangladesh

The 17th century city of Dhaka is also Bangladesh's capital city and has a population of 20.2 million.

6: Cairo, Egypt

Cairo, which means "The Vanquisher or "The Triumphant," is an ancient city that has grown into a busy, urban capital of the Middle East with a population of 20.4 million.

5: Mexico City, Mexico

Full of life, great restaurants and warm people, Mexico City is a cosmopolitan city with a European feel and a population of 21.6 million.

4: Sao Paulo, Brazil

Brazil's Sao Paulo is known for its striking skyline defined by incredible architecture. Also the world's fourth most populous city, Sao Paulo has a population of 21.8 million.

3: Shanghai, China

China's biggest city and a global financial hub, Shanghai has a population of 26.3 million.

2: Delhi, India

The Indian city of Delhi has a population of 29.3 million. New Delhi serves as the seat of government for India, while Old Delhi features a number of historical landmarks.

1: Tokyo, Japan

And the winner is: the most populous city in the world is Tokyo, which has a staggering population of 37.4 million. The vibrant city serves as Japan's economic center and capital.