₦airaland Forum

Every year on July 11, World Population Day draws attention to the demographic trends reshaping societies around the globe. In 2026, the United Nations marks the occasion under the theme, "Realizing the Hopes and Aspirations of Young People – Today and for the Future," highlighting how young people's decisions about education, employment, housing, relationships, and family life are increasingly influenced by the cities they inhabit. Drawing on Lives, Choices and Futures, a global survey of more than 108,000 young adults across 73 countries, this year's campaign underscores the close relationship between demographic change and the social, economic, and spatial conditions of cities.

As more than half of the world's population now lives in urban areas, a proportion projected to approach 70 percent by 2050, cities remain at the forefront of demographic transformation. Continued urban growth places increasing pressure on housing, infrastructure, mobility networks, public space, and climate adaptation, while reinforcing the role of architecture, planning, and public policy in shaping more inclusive and resilient urban environments. Population trends also reveal where these pressures are most concentrated, providing insight into the metropolitan regions that continue to expand most rapidly.

Discover below the world's 20 most populated cities in 2026, measured according to the latest available estimates from WPR, together with each city's annual population growth compared to the previous year.

1. Shanghai, China

Population: 24,722,254 (1.93%)

2. Delhi, India

Population: 23,390,383 (2.42%)

3. Kinshasa, DR Congo

Population: 21,852,144 (5.13%)

4. Mumbai, India

Population: 21,782,818 (1.13%)

5. Beijing, China

Population: 21,571,693 (2.06%)

6. Karachi, Pakistan

Population: 21,243,390 (4.03%)

7. Shenzhen, China

Population: 20,622,629 (2.64%)

8. Guangzhou, China

Population: 18,515,410 (2.23%)

9. Kano, Nigeria

Population: 17,510,247 (3.16%)

10. Chengdu, China

Population: 15,831,571 (2.44%)

11. Istanbul, Turkiye

Population: 15,791,519 (0.29%)

12. Bengaluru, India

Population: 15,565,994 (4.1%)

13. Kolkata, India

Population: 15,440,671 (0.63%)

14. Lagos, Nigeria

Population: 14,881,845 (2.38%)

15. Lahore, Pakistan

Population: 14,062,745 (2.64%)

16. Moscow, Russia

Population: 13,399,945 (0.95%)

17. Chennai, India

Population: 13,109,989 (2.81%)

18. Jakarta, Indonesia

Population: 12,545,537 (1.68%)

19. Tianjin, China

Population: 12,361,093 (1.8%)

20. Johannesburg, South Africa

Population: 12,043,175 (2.88%)

Editor's Note: This ranking is based on the latest estimates published by World Population Review (WPR). Because definitions of city proper, metropolitan area, and urban agglomeration vary across countries, population figures are not directly comparable across all urban regions. Cities with extensive suburban populations, such as Tokyo or Jakarta, may therefore appear lower in the ranking than they do under broader metropolitan definitions.

Source: https://www.archdaily.com/1092474/the-worlds-largest-cities-in-2026-by-population

The World's Largest Cities In 2026 By Population. More Images.

The World's Largest Cities In 2026 By Population. More Images..

The World's Largest Cities In 2026 By Population. Awesome.

Is that Kano state or Kano city?

Kano city and Ibadan are withing the same population bracket and even if we do biometric census, I don't think Kano state can exceed 14million.

I thought Lagos population was around 20million, which one is this 14 million I'm seeing here? I don't think this data is accurate at all

So who counted the number of people in Kano and Lagos??

Nigeria always want to feel along when stats are listed...

Nobody dey USA cities nii? Elon doesn't like crowds sha

u know see politics; Kano before Lagos. dis north wan do everything to chop we south

Let me balance my chair to read comments 😆😆

mandarin:
Is that Kano state or Kano city?

Kano city and Ibadan are withing the same population bracket and even if we do biometric census, I don't think Kano state can exceed 14million.

Well fortunately many things are not done based on the way "you" think.
A global organization with focus on world population does a better job that you will....

It beats my imagination how you lots condemn data based on your imagination and what "you" think.

U go explain tire.
No evidence anywhere backing your claim.

mrkings84:
So who counted the number of people in Kano and Lagos??

Nigeria always want to feel along when stats are listed...

Lagos state has population of over 25millions people and obviously the most over crowded city in the world. Eko o ni ba je o

Kano and Ibadan are within the same population range!

Lagos is over 25 million...

How many state are representative from Nigeria

USA is suppose to be in this list

Kano over Lagos??

Dey play

Exousiang01:
Well fortunately many things are not done based on the way "you" think.
A global organization with focus on world population does a better job that you will....

It beats my imagination how you lots condemn data based on your imagination and what "you" think.

They depends solely on information obtained from population commissios in those countries. No foreign agencies will come down and do population counting in your country or city. Or have you ever seen where such things happened? If you're that intelligent, you should've known that such body dont have neccessary tools to conduct proper population check, and might not be in the right position to give accurate data.

Lagos by all standard is the most populous state in Nigeria, yet this stupid statistic gave Kano, not only the most populated city in Nigeria but by a wide margins of about 3m.

Capitalism is something else, Lol.

Dodgy stats. Joburg population is around 7M, not 12. And it's not bigger than Cairo - which is not listed.

So Kano state is far larger in population than Lagos state thought it was only in Nigerian census that figures where dished out ooo.....


Let me go to Kano state n check something 🏃🏃🏃🏃

dominique:
I thought Lagos population was around 20million, which one is this 14 million I'm seeing here? I don't think this data is accurate at all

agbero chairman induced hunger has wiped off 5 million. 1 million relocated back to their base

Lagos and Kano should start deportation.

We want 5% to increase.

I didn't mention any names. So don't be triggered

Anything to make Peter Obi to win 2027.

adecz:
Lagos is over 25 million...

according to ewedu media houses

This is quite interesting and instructive

sweetjohn:
according to ewedu media houses

Igbo amaka sighted eyes 👀....

Kedù ...

Even the 2006 census confirmed kano had more population than Lagos. Then Lagos state government disputed it and even held their own parrarrel census

bjcole:
Lagos state has population of over 25millions people and obviously the most over crowded city in the world. Eko o ni ba je o

You saw city,yet you keep referring to Lagos?
Which city within Lagos state has 25 million?

exeloncomms:
USA is suppose to be in this list

I no even see Tokyo for the list