World's 20 Largest Cities by Population in 2026: Complete Global Ranking

World's 20 Largest Cities by Population in 2026: Complete Global Ranking

As the world celebrates World Population Day 2026, attention is turning to the rapid growth of cities and the impact of urbanization on the future of humanity. This year's United Nations theme, "Realizing the Hopes and Aspirations of Young People – Today and for the Future," emphasizes the need to build cities that provide better opportunities in education, employment, healthcare, housing, and sustainable development.

Today, more than half of the world's population lives in urban areas, and that figure is expected to rise to nearly 70% by 2050. As cities continue to expand, governments face increasing pressure to improve transportation, housing, infrastructure, public services, and environmental sustainability.

Based on the latest World Population Review (WPR) estimates, here are the 20 largest cities in the world by population in 2026.

Top 20 Most Populated Cities in the World (2026)

Rank| City| Country| Population| Annual Growth

1| Shanghai| China| 24,722,254| +1.93%

2| Delhi| India| 23,390,383| +2.42%

3| Kinshasa| DR Congo| 21,852,144| +5.13%

4| Mumbai| India| 21,782,818| +1.13%

5| Beijing| China| 21,571,693| +2.06%

6| Karachi| Pakistan| 21,243,390| +4.03%

7| Shenzhen| China| 20,622,629| +2.64%

8| Guangzhou| China| 18,515,410| +2.23%

9| Kano| Nigeria| 17,510,247| +3.16%

10| Chengdu| China| 15,831,571| +2.44%

11| Istanbul| Türkiye| 15,791,519| +0.29%

12| Bengaluru| India| 15,565,994| +4.10%

13| Kolkata| India| 15,440,671| +0.63%

14| Lagos| Nigeria| 14,881,845| +2.38%

15| Lahore| Pakistan| 14,062,745| +2.64%

16| Moscow| Russia| 13,399,945| +0.95%

17| Chennai| India| 13,109,989| +2.81%

18| Jakarta| Indonesia| 12,545,537| +1.68%

9| Tianjin| China| 12,361,093| +1.80%

20| Johannesburg| South Africa| 12,043,175| +2.88%

Key Insights

- Shanghai remains the world's largest city by population, with nearly 25 million residents.

- China leads the ranking with six cities in the global top 20.

- India follows with four cities, reflecting its fast-growing urban economy.

- Nigeria stands out with Kano and Lagos, highlighting Africa's rapidly expanding urban centers.

- Kinshasa records the fastest annual population growth at 5.13%, making it one of the world's fastest-growing megacities.

Why This Ranking Matters

The world's biggest cities are economic powerhouses that drive innovation, trade, technology, and culture. However, their rapid growth also creates challenges, including traffic congestion, rising housing costs, environmental pollution, and increasing demand for healthcare, education, and public transportation.

Urban planning, smart infrastructure, and sustainable development will be essential to ensure these cities remain livable for future generations.

Editor's Note: Population rankings may differ depending on whether they measure the city proper, metropolitan area, or urban agglomeration. The figures above are based on the latest estimates published by World Population Review (WPR).

Join the Conversation

>>> Which city surprised you the most? Do you think Kano will continue to outpace Lagos in population growth? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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