The 10 Biggest Cities in the World

You’d be surprised to know which the 10 biggest cities in the world are today. Three countries have 2 cities on the top 10 list and most people can’t name these cities and countries.

But if you follow the list until the first spot, you’ll know which the biggest cities in the world are and what makes them famous.

Table of Contents

The Biggest Cities in the World

NumberCityCountryPopulation
1TokyoJapan37,400,068
2DelhiIndia28,514,000
3ShanghaiChina25,582,000
4São PauloBrazil21,650,000
5Mexico CityMexico21,581,000
6CairoEgypt20,076,000
7MumbaiIndia19,980,000
8BeijingChina19,618,000
9DhakaBangladesh19,578,000
10OsakaJapan19,281,000

1. Tokyo, Japan: 37,400,068

Tokyo has an impressive population of over 37 million people. Originally a small fishing village, Tokyo has risen to the status of the world’s most populous city. It’s also one of the most important economic hubs for the electronics industry, finances, banking, and transportation.

The city has seen rapid growth and following WWII, it has built a large airport outside city limits since planes aren’t allowed over its streets. But you can reach the airport easily by train, which is the main public transportation method in Tokyo. The city has the world’s most complex train system.

Cultural attractions include the Tokyo Museum for Japanese art and traditions exhibits. The National Museum of Engineering is another interesting location where visitors can see the city’s impact on the modern world. Sports are also popular here. Visitors head to the Ryogoku Kokugikan Tsuriyane to watch live sumo championships. The venue also hosts multiple international basketball games, a sport with growing popularity in Japan.

2. Delhi, India: 28,514,000

Delhi has a population of over 27 million, Delhi is the most populous city in India. Its economic growth lies in sectors such as telecommunications, IT, banking, media, and tourism. Its education system is also growing with multiple private schools that only teach classes in English.

The city also enjoys millions of tourists each year who come here to taste delicious food such as the local butter chicken or to see impressive Indo-Islamic architecture such as the Red Fort. If you want to visit the city, you’ll probably need to land at Indira Gandhi International Airport. This airport is one of the largest in the world. It’s estimated it gets over 48 million travelers each year.

3. Shanghai, China: 25,582,000

Shanghai has a population of over 25 million. It plays a crucial role in China’s economy and even in the world’s economy. Its container port is the largest in the world and with much of the production facilities located throughout China, it’s the gateway to many consumer goods departing to all continents.

Shanghai’s economic growth can also be seen in its modern public transport system. For example, the train which connects the city to the airport only takes 7 minutes to complete a 19-mile journey as it has a top speed of 276mph.

4. São Paulo, Brazil: 21,650,000

The Brazilian city of São Paulo has a population of over 21 million people. It’s famous for its street parties, beaches, and sports activities. Football is popular here as the country won the title of World Champions a few times in history.

Today, the city also gets millions of tourists each year and it struggles to keep up with the infrastructure for its residents and visitors. However, it still has over 217 hospitals, making it one of the best places in the country for high-quality healthcare.

5. Mexico City, Mexico: 21,581,000

Mexico City is Mexico’s capital and it has a growing population of over 21 million. The city has a large economic influence in the region and it has been ranked as the 30th world economy compared to other cities.

A range of UNESCO World Heritage sites also makes the city a tourist attraction. The local food scene and the restaurants here are also often highly-praised by the media.

6. Cairo, Egypt: 20,076,000

Egypt’s largest city has a population of over 20 million people. It’s one of the oldest cities in the world with historical significance for both Christianity and Islam. It’s the gateway to the ancient world and the pyramids for millions of tourists each year.

The city is also home to automobile manufacturing facilities. Its role in the country’s medical care is also important. All of these elements led to rapid growth and even to pollution problems which the country needs to deal with due to its economic growth.

7. Mumbai, India: 19,980,000

Located on the Konkan Coast, Mumbai has over 19 million cities. The Indian city has a rich Portuguese and British rule history with cultural aspects being seen on its streets even today. Up to the ‘70s, Mumbai was largely focusing its economic growth in the textile industry.

But the financial sector is growing today alongside rare industries such as diamond polishing. It’s also home to Mumbai University, one of the largest in the world.

8. Beijing, China: 19,618,000

With a population of over 19 million, Beijing is one of the world’s busiest capital cities. It grows together with China as one of the world’s economic powers. In 2008, Beijing hosted the Summer Olympics gaining the attention of the sporting world while showcasing its local culture.

The city is home to the biggest state-owned companies in the world. But its cultural attractions are also worth mentioning. Tourists head to the Forbidden City to see the Palace Museum and imperial art exhibitions like nowhere else.

9. Dhaka, Bangladesh: 19,578,000

Dhaka is the capital city of Bangladesh. The city is the country’s economic engine as it’s the home of the Dhaka Stock Exchange. Cultural life is rich here. There are numerous festivals celebrated each year that also attracts visitors from outside the country.

Independence Day and the Bengali New Year celebrated on April 14th are the main attractions. But the 16th-century buildings in the city make it an attractive destination throughout the year.

10. Osaka, Japan: 19,281,000

With a population of 19 million people, Osaka is the second-largest city in Japan and one of the largest cities in the world. It has been considered one of the main economic centers of Asia and even today, Osaka is still the home of Panasonic and Sharp Electronics.

The city is also home to the Osaka Securities Exchange but its retail sector is also strong. There are more than 22,000 shops in the city.