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Jakarta Overtakes Tokyo as World’s Largest City, UN Reports

Source: Indonesia’s Jakarta now the world’s largest city, Tokyo falls to third: UN (2025-11-26)

A recent United Nations report has declared Jakarta, Indonesia, the world’s largest city with a population of 41.9 million, surpassing Tokyo’s 33.4 million residents. This shift highlights the rapid urbanization in Asia, with nine of the top ten mega-cities located on the continent. Notably, Dhaka, Bangladesh, is projected to become the world’s largest city by 2050, reaching over 50 million inhabitants. The rise of Jakarta underscores Indonesia’s demographic growth, which is driven by rural-to-urban migration, economic development, and improved infrastructure. Globally, urban populations are expected to reach 68% by 2050, emphasizing the importance of sustainable city planning. Recent data also shows that Jakarta’s population growth rate has accelerated due to internal migration and high birth rates, while Tokyo’s population has stabilized or declined slightly due to aging demographics. The UN’s findings reflect broader trends of urban expansion in Asia, where economic hubs like Shanghai, Mumbai, and Seoul continue to grow rapidly. Additionally, climate change poses significant challenges for Jakarta, a low-lying coastal city vulnerable to flooding and sea-level rise, prompting urgent calls for resilient infrastructure investments. The demographic shift has profound implications for global economics, infrastructure development, and environmental sustainability, making Jakarta’s rise a critical focus for policymakers worldwide. As urban populations surge, cities like Jakarta are becoming central to global economic strategies, technological innovation, and climate resilience efforts, shaping the future of urban living on a global scale.

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