Jakarta Becomes World’s Most Populous City In 2025

Overview: A 2025 UN report confirms that Jakarta has overtaken Tokyo and Dhaka to become the world’s most populous city. With over 42 million people, the city reflects the rapid pace of global urbanisation. The rise of megacities underscores growing challenges in housing, transport, infrastructure, and sustainability.

Riyaz

Nov-28-2025

Jakarta Becomes World’s Most Populous City In 2025

The report released by the United Nations in 2025 revealed that Jakarta has surpassed all other competitors in the world to become the most populous city in the world, with an estimated population of almost 42 megacities. This is a drastic change in demography as Jakarta overtakes Tokyo and Dhaka as a leader. The surge is an indication of rapid urbanisation, with over 45 per cent of the 8.2 billion people in the world today living in urban areas. The trend points to the increasing significance - and pressure - of mega-cities in a shifting global context, the problem of infrastructure, housing, transport, and sustainable urban development in one of the fastest-growing urban areas in the world.

Jakarta Surpasses All Cities to Become the World’s Largest in 2025

It is projected that in 2025, Jakarta will officially be the most populous city in the world with more than 42 million people.
Outsmarts its previous leaders, Tokyo and Dhaka, in terms of urban population.
High rates of urbanisation, migration and economic opportunities.
Families have a great problem with housing, transportation, healthcare, and sanitation.
Illustrates the pressure on resources and infrastructure, as well as on the services provided to the people.
Signifies the international tendency of megacity growth.
Highlights the necessity of sustainable urban planning and smart cities.

Exam-Related Questions Asked

Exam	Year	Question Asked	Correct Answer
UPSC Prelims	2023	Which of the following cities is predicted by the UN to remain among the world’s largest megacities by 2035? (Delhi, Tokyo, Dhaka, Shanghai)	Delhi, Dhaka, Shanghai
SSC CGL	2023	According to the UN World Urbanisation Report, which region will host the highest number of megacities?	Asia
RAS Prelims	2022	Which Indian city is projected to become the world’s largest megacity by 2030?	Delhi
UPPCS	2023	A megacity is defined as a city with a population above:	10 million
SSC CHSL	2024	Which country announced shifting its capital from Jakarta to Nusantara?	Indonesia
CAPF AC	2023	Why is Jakarta facing the risk of sinking?	Over-extraction of groundwater + rising sea levels

Expected Question for Upcoming Exams

Which major global city did Jakarta surpass to become the most populous city in 2025?
a) Tokyo
b) Mumbai
c) Shanghai
d) New York

Answer: a) Tokyo

Jakarta is located on which island of Indonesia?
a) Sumatra
b) Java
c) Bali
d) Kalimantan

Answer: b) Java

Assertion (A): Jakarta becoming the most populous city in 2025 highlights global demographic shifts.
Reason (R): Economic opportunities in Jakarta attract large-scale migration from rural areas.

a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, R is false.
d) A is false, R is true.

Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

Conclusion

The growth of the metropolis purpose of making Jakarta the most populated city in the world in 2025, is a sign of the rapid urbanisation and demographic changes in Southeast Asia. It has both benefits, such as the prospects of economic growth, but it is also associated with other challenges, such as the strained infrastructure, environmental pressures, and social inequality. It requires proper planning and sustainable development to control its population and further growth.