Jakarta Surpasses Tokyo as Most Populous Megacity
Greater Jakarta and its surrounding areas have overtaken Tokyo as the world's most populous city according to the United Nations' latest World Urbanisation Prospects report launched in November 2025. Jakarta's metropolitan area now houses nearly 42 million people, followed by Dhaka with 37 million, and Tokyo dropping to third with 33 million inhabitants. This ranking marks a significant shift from prior tallies that counted city populations based on administrative boundaries alone, as the new UN methodology considers contiguous urbanized areas with a population density threshold, capturing wider urban sprawl.
Updated Population Counting Methodology
The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs introduced a refined method to define urban areas for the 2025 report. Instead of relying on national statistics that undercount metropolitan extent, the UN now measures dense populations of adjacent areas continuously forming a city. This change explains why Jakarta's population estimate is over four times larger than the 12 million registered residents counted by Indonesia's national statistics agency. The methodology aligns populations across nations, revealing more realistic urbanization levels and highlighting Jakarta’s massive growth.
Implications of Rapid Urban Growth
Experts caution that Jakarta’s rising urbanization presents profound challenges for infrastructure, housing, and public services. The city, already dense and sinking, faces mounting pressure to accommodate increasing residents sustainably. UN under-secretary-general Li Junhua described urbanization as a powerful force that can drive economic growth, climate action, and social equity but also requires careful management. By 2050, Jakarta is projected to grow further to nearly 52 million people, intensifying the need for comprehensive urban planning.
Global Urbanization Trends
The UN report highlights a broader global urbanization trend: as of 2025, 45% of the world's population lives in cities, up from 20% in 1950. Megacities—defined as having populations over 10 million—have grown from 8 to 33 since 1975, with 19 situated in Asia. Jakarta’s rise exemplifies the rapid population shifts fueling urban megacities, especially in Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, cities like Tokyo are projected to face population declines due to aging demographics.
"Jakarta’s ascent to the world’s largest city reaffirms the rapid and complex urbanization occurring globally, demanding innovative approaches to development and sustainability." — Urban studies expert El Sutanjaja.
Jakarta's emergence as the largest megacity underscores the dramatic urban growth reshaping the global landscape, driven by new population definitions and rapid metropolitan expansion. This shift calls for urgent attention to sustainable urban development challenges in the world's burgeoning megacities.
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