January 20, 2026

The top ten most populated metropolitan areas globally include Tokyo, Delhi, and Shanghai, according to recent data. Other cities that consistently appear in the top rankings are Dhaka, Cairo, São Paulo, Mexico City, Beijing, Mumbai, and Osaka. Population figures vary slightly depending on the source and definition of "metropolitan area," but these are the most frequently cited cities for the top spots.
Top 10 Most Populated Cities in the World according to World Population Review

Emerson dos Santos and teacher Guil collaborate on this content.