World's 20 Most Populous Cities in 2026 Ranked by WPR
Shanghai tops the list of the world's 20 most populated cities in 2026 with 24.7 million residents, followed by Delhi (23.4 million) and Kinshasa (21.9 million). The ranking, based on World Population Review estimates, highlights rapid growth in African and South Asian cities: Kinshasa grows at 5.13%, Karachi at 4.03%, and Bengaluru at 4.1%. Chinese cities dominate with seven entries, while India has five. The data coincides with World Population Day 2026, themed on youth aspirations. Editor's note cautions that definitions of city boundaries vary, affecting comparability.
Key facts
- Shanghai, China is the most populous city in 2026 with 24,722,254 residents.
- Delhi, India ranks second with 23,390,383 residents.
- Kinshasa, DR Congo ranks third with 21,852,144 residents and the highest growth rate at 5.13%.
- Mumbai, India has 21,782,818 residents.
- Beijing, China has 21,571,693 residents.
- Karachi, Pakistan has 21,243,390 residents and grows at 4.03%.
- Bengaluru, India grows at 4.1%.
- World Population Day 2026 theme: 'Realizing the Hopes and Aspirations of Young People – Today and for the Future'.
Entities
Institutions
- United Nations
- World Population Review
- WPR
Locations
- Shanghai
- China
- Delhi
- India
- Kinshasa
- DR Congo
- Mumbai
- Beijing
- Karachi
- Pakistan
- Shenzhen
- Guangzhou
- Kano
- Nigeria
- Chengdu
- Istanbul
- Turkiye
- Bengaluru
- Kolkata
- Lagos
- Lahore
- Moscow
- Russia
- Chennai
- Jakarta
- Indonesia
- Tianjin
- Johannesburg
- South Africa
- Tokyo