World's Largest Cities by Population (1950-2035)

Biggest city populations from 1950 to 2015, extended to the year 2035 based on UN World Urbanization projections.

World's Largest Cities by Population (1950–2035)

This timeline shows how the population rankings of the largest urban centers globally have evolved, reflecting migration, economic growth, urbanization, and planning trends.

Historical Context (1950–2000)

1950s:

Cities like New York, London, Tokyo, Paris, and Shanghai were among the largest globally, reflecting industrial-era urban hubs.

1960s-70s:

Rapid urbanization in Asia and Latin America caused cities like Mexico City, São Paulo, and Mumbai (Bombay) to grow significantly.

1980s-90s:

Asian megacities such as Tokyo (then the world’s largest) dominated rankings, with Jakarta, Manila, and Seoul growing fast.

Recent Growth and Megacity Emergence (2000–2020)

Cities in Asia and Africa experienced explosive growth due to rural-urban migration and natural increase.

Tokyo remained one of the largest but slowly declined in rank as populations stabilized or shrank in developed countries.

Delhi, Shanghai, Mumbai, Beijing, Dhaka, and Karachi surged upward, becoming megacities with populations exceeding 20 million.

African cities like Lagos and Kinshasa began rapid growth, poised to join the ranks of the largest urban centers.

Projections and Future Trends (2020–2035)

The United Nations forecasts continued growth in urban populations, with Indian and African cities leading.

Delhi is projected to surpass Tokyo as the world's largest city within the next decade.

Other cities expected to rise include Kinshasa, Lagos, Cairo, and Dhaka, reflecting ongoing urbanization in developing regions.

Growth slows or reverses in many Western cities due to demographic shifts and suburbanization.

Population Milestones

Year Top City Population (Millions) Notable Changes

1950 New York ~12 Post-war industrial boom

1980 Tokyo ~27 Rapid economic and population growth

2000 Tokyo ~30 Largest urban area globally

2020 Tokyo ~37 Stabilizing population

2035* Delhi (projected) ~40+ Rapid urban expansion

Key Factors Driving Growth:

Economic opportunity: Cities attract migrants seeking jobs and services.

Fertility rates: Higher birth rates in developing countries fuel urban growth.

Urban sprawl and metropolitan expansion: Cities growing beyond traditional boundaries.

Infrastructure development: Transport and housing developments facilitate larger populations.

Fun Facts & Trivia:

Tokyo has held the title of largest city for decades but is slowly being overtaken by fast-growing South Asian cities.

New York’s population peaked mid-20th century but later declined due to suburbanization.

Lagos, once a small colonial town, is now projected to become one of the top five largest cities by 2035.

Keywords:

largest cities by population, megacity growth, urbanization trends, global city populations, future city population projections, urban demographics 1950-2035.

Source: Data Is Beautiful