The global population surged to 8.2 billion in 2023, with further growth expected in the coming years. Cities worldwide are experiencing rapid expansion, as people continuously relocate to build their lives, careers, and futures.
At present, Tokyo is one of the most populous cities in the world. According to the World Population Review, Tokyo’s 2025 population is estimated at 37,036,200 (37 million). The population estimates and projections are based on the latest revision of the UN World Urbanisation Prospects. They reflect Tokyo’s urban agglomeration, which generally encompasses Tokyo’s population along with surrounding suburban areas. The United Nations applies three distinct definitions to classify a city, as criteria vary across different jurisdictions.
A city may be identified as its proper boundaries, the urban area it encompasses, or its broader metropolitan region.
As of 2018, the United Nations estimated that 81 cities worldwide have populations exceeding 5 million. These figures encompass a combination of city proper, metropolitan areas, and urban regions.
According to the data, 37 cities are ahead of London, two of which are in Africa. London’s 2025 population is now estimated at 9,840,740 (9 million). Lagos in Nigeria and Kinshasa in DR Congo are at the 19th and 22nd spots, respectively, while the popular UK city is at the 38th spot.
According to Canada’s Ontario Tech University, Lagos could surpass Tokyo, Delhi, and Shanghai to become the most densely populated urban area on the planet. At present, it is home to an estimated 20 million residents
