The world’s most populated cities are massive urban centers teeming with millions of residents. In this list, we count down the top 8 cities with the highest population by city proper (within official city boundaries) using the most recent official figures available. These are the cities with the most people living under a single municipal government – different from metropolitan area rankings which would include suburban populations. Notably, the list is dominated by Asian megacities, reflecting rapid urban growth in that region. Each city is a bustling metropolis facing the opportunities and challenges that come with being among the most populated cities in the world. Below, we detail each city’s population and what makes it unique.

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1. Chongqing, China – ~32 Million People

Chongqing is the most populated city in the world when measured by city proper population. This sprawling municipality in southwest China had about 32.05 million residents recorded in the 2020 Chinese census. Chongqing’s administrative boundaries cover an enormous area (approximately the size of Austria), which helps explain its huge population. The city’s urban core has grown rapidly. Between 2010 and 2020, Chongqing added more than 3.2 million people, fueled by China’s “Go West” development policy and ongoing urbanization. While not all of its population is urban, Chongqing is quickly modernizing and drawing businesses westward in China as it is also skyscraper central. As one of the largest cities by population in 2025, it showcases how municipal expansion can redefine urban scale.

• City proper population (2025): ~32.05 million
• Largest administrative city in China by land area

2. Shanghai, China – ~24.8 Million People

Shanghai, on China’s central coast, is often known as the country’s most populous city. The 2020 census counted 24,870,895 people in Shanghai’s city proper population. This makes Shanghai one of the most populated cities in the world, and a global metropolis by any measure. Unlike Chongqing, Shanghai’s population is largely urban and densely packed into a smaller area. It is China’s leading financial center and one of the world’s busiest ports, driving continuous migration into the city. Shanghai’s population today includes a huge number of domestic migrants – many residents are not native to the city but have moved from other parts of China.

• City proper population (2025): ~24.87 million
• Among the fastest-growing global financial hubs

3. Beijing, China – ~21.9 Million People

Beijing, the capital of China, has a city proper population of about 21.89 million (2020 census). It ranks among the cities with the most population globally and is the political and cultural heart of China. Beijing’s population has swelled tremendously over the past century – from around 725,000 in 1912 to over 2 million by mid-20th century, and then exploding to over 20 million in the 2000s. Beijing is renowned for its rich history (it was the seat of imperial dynasties and has landmarks like the Forbidden City and Great Wall nearby) as well as its modern role as a global city. 

• City proper population (2025): ~21.89 million
• Major center for politics, education, and innovation

4. Karachi, Pakistan – ~20.3 Million People

Karachi is Pakistan’s largest city and the most populous city proper in the Muslim world. According to Pakistan’s 2023 digital census, Karachi’s population stands at about 20.3 million people. This is a huge jump from previous counts, reflecting an increase of over 4 million residents in just five years. Situated on the Arabian Sea, Karachi is Pakistan’s premier port and financial center, drawing migrants from all over the country. Karachi’s massive population faces challenges such as strained infrastructure and traffic, but it also underpins the city’s role as the economic engine of Pakistan. With its rapid growth, Karachi solidifies its place on any list of the most populated cities in the world.

• City proper population (2025 est.): ~20.3 million
• Key economic engine and seaport for Pakistan

5. Guangzhou, China – ~18.7 Million People

Guangzhou, also known historically as Canton, has a city proper population of 18,676,605 as of the 2020 census. As one of the most populated cities, Guangzhou represents China’s economic dynamism and global trade connectivity. It is the capital of Guangdong province in southern China and a core city of the densely populated Pearl River Delta region. Guangzhou has long been one of China’s key trading ports – it was the first Chinese port regularly visited by European traders, which gave it a cosmopolitan legacy. Today it remains perfectly positioned for commerce and manufacturing, anchoring one of the country’s largest urban agglomerations.

• City proper population (2025): ~18.67 million
• Core city in China’s Pearl River Delta megaregion

6. Delhi (NCT), India – ~16.8+ Million People

Delhi, officially the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi, has an official population of about 16.8 million within its city proper (per the 2011 census). This figure is older, and current estimates put Delhi’s city population well over 20 million in the mid-2020s as the city has continued to grow rapidly. Within the city, Delhi is known for its rich history and heritage sites from various eras, alongside modern infrastructure and booming suburbs. Post-independence, Delhi saw massive influxes of population (for example, Hindu and Sikh refugees from Pakistan in the late 1940s) and has since become a center of commerce, finance, and government. Delhi’s rich heritage and rapid modernization make it one of the largest cities by population 2025 and a crucial hub for South Asia.

• City proper population (2025 est.): ~16.8 million
• Largest urban center in India by administrative count

7. Istanbul, Turkey – ~15.5 Million People

Istanbul is Europe’s largest city and Turkey’s economic and cultural powerhouse, with a population around 15.84 million in the city proper (2021 official estimate). This transcontinental city (spanning Europe and Asia across the Bosporus Strait) has a storied history as Constantinople – the capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires. Today’s Istanbul has rapidly expanded as people from across Turkey move in; its population has swelled by several million in the past two decades. The city’s latest count showed a slight dip around 2020 (attributable to economic factors and COVID-19), but by 2023 Istanbul’s population had modestly risen again to about 15.7 milliondata.tuik.gov.tr. Istanbul’s populace is diverse: traditionally Turkish, with a large Kurdish community now constituting the largest ethnic minority in the citycitymonitor.ai. The city proper encompasses all of Istanbul Province, which means its population includes the dense historic city center and extensive suburbs that have been incorporated as districts. Istanbul remains the historic heart of Turkey and its primary business center. With its 15+ million residents, it consistently ranks among the world’s most populated cities, and it tops Europe by a wide margin in terms of city populationoicstatcom.org.

• City proper population (2025): ~15.84 million
• Most populous city in Europe by official boundaries

8. Tokyo, Japan – ~14 Million People

Tokyo, the capital of Japan, has approximately 14 million people within its 23 wards (city proper). While this makes Tokyo the smallest city on this top-8 list, it’s notable that the Tokyo metropolitan area is by far the largest in the world, with around 37 million people in the greater urban agglomeration. The city proper’s population had been growing steadily for decades until 2021, when it saw a slight decline (losing about 48,000 people) for the first time in 26 years. Factors such as an aging population, very high cost of living, and recent shifts to remote work have slowed Tokyo’s growth. Nonetheless, Tokyo remains an ultra-dense and famously efficient city, known for its advanced infrastructure, economic might, and rich culture. It’s Japan’s undisputed center of government, finance, and commerce. 

• City proper population (2025): ~14 million
• World’s largest metropolitan area (~37 million)

People Magnet Cities

From Chongqing’s massive boundaries to Tokyo’s hyper-efficient urban life, these cities are redefining what it means to be large. By using official city proper numbers, we see a new perspective on the most populated cities in the world and which governments are managing the cities with the most population in 2025. As urban migration and development continue, these cities with the most people will serve as models, challenges, and inspirations for future megacities around the globe.

FAQ – Most Populated Cities in the World

Which city has the most people in the world in 2025?

Chongqing, China is the most populated city in the world in 2025 by city proper, with over 32 million people.

What defines the most populated cities — city proper or metro?

The most populated cities in this list are ranked by city proper population, not metro area, which means only people living within official city boundaries are counted.

Are the largest cities by population in 2025 mostly in Asia?

Yes. The largest cities by population in 2025 are mostly in Asia, including megacities like Chongqing, Shanghai, and Karachi.

Why aren’t cities like New York or London on the most populated cities list?

New York and London have high metro populations, but their city proper populations are much lower, so they don’t rank among the top cities with the most population.

Which cities have the most people living under one government?

Cities like Chongqing, Shanghai, and Beijing are examples of cities with most people under one city government — making them highly influential administratively.