Map shows world’s 100 largest cities—and where U.S. cities rank

A Newsweek map shows the world’s 100 largest cities by population, according to updated United Nations data—including the only two U.S. metropolises to make the cut: New York and Los Angeles.

Why It Matters

The rankings are based on estimates from the United Nations Population Division’s latest World Urbanization Prospects report, released last week. The study highlights humanity’s growing urbanization, with 45 percent of the world’s 8.3 billion people now living in cities—up from just 20 percent in 1950.

These figures offer crucial insights for policymakers as they plan for growing strains on infrastructure, resource management, and public services in the years ahead.

What To Know

The graphic highlights the world’s new largest city, Jakarta—Indonesia’s de facto capital—alongside Dhaka in Bangladesh and Tokyo, which slipped to third place this year.

New Delhi, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Cairo, Manila, Kolkata, and Seoul rounded out the top 10 largest megacities.

New York City ranked 22nd with 13.92 million residents—over a million more than in 1975, according to the U.N. metropolitan area definition. The Population Division projects the Big Apple will see its population dip to 13.23 million by 2050.

Los Angeles follows at 27th, with an estimated 12.74 million people, up from 12 million five decades ago. U.N. demographers expect America’s second-largest city to surpass New York by mid-century, reaching 13.86 million.

These figures are based on the U.N.’s own methodology and reflect population within each city’s broader urbanized area, often extending well beyond official city boundaries.

What People Are Saying

Li Junhua, U.N. under-secretary-general for economic and social affairs, was quoted in a U.N. press release: “Urbanization is a defining force of our time. When managed inclusively and strategically, it can unlock transformative pathways for climate action, economic growth, and social equity. To achieve balanced territorial development, countries must adopt integrated national policies that align housing, land use, mobility, and public services across urban and rural areas.”

What Happens Next

Despite the prevalence of city living in 104 countries worldwide, towns remain the predominant type of settlement in several major high-income nations—including the United States, Germany, and Italy—as well as in many African countries, according to the report.

However, the global trend is gradually shifting toward larger urban centers. Cities are expected to account for the largest share of the U.S. population by 2050 (38.6 percent), followed by towns (38.3 percent) and rural areas (23.1 percent).