Key facts
- Mumbai, India, ranks among the most densely populated cities globally.
- The average home price in Mumbai is 34 times the average annual income.
- Beni, DRC, faces population growth due to conflict-driven displacement.
- Karachi, Pakistan, is projected to be a top 10 most populous city by 2030.
- Manila, Philippines, has a city proper population density of 73,920 people per square kilometer.
- 45% of the world's population lives in cities today, up from 20% in 1950.
Several cities worldwide are experiencing extreme population density, leading to significant challenges. Mumbai, India, is among the most densely populated, with its metro area housing approximately 10,500 people per square mile and over 20 million residents. Greater Mumbai's density is about 69,900 people per square mile. This density fuels a housing crisis, with home prices averaging 34 times annual income, far exceeding ratios in New York (9 times) and Hong Kong (21 times). Beni, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, faces rapid population growth due to conflict-driven displacement, exacerbating humanitarian issues. Kinshasa, the DRC's most populous city, has an estimated 11 million residents and struggles with violence. Karachi, Pakistan, with about 21 million residents, is predicted to be a top 10 most populous city by 2030 and is battling extreme heatwaves. Surat, India, a hub for diamond and textile industries, has around 6.9 million residents and a density of approximately 36,300 people per square mile, though its textile sector has faced impacts from global energy crises. Mogadishu, Somalia's capital, has an estimated 1.7 to 2.9 million residents and has been affected by conflict. Manila, Philippines, boasts a city proper density of about 191,000 people per square mile, with its metro area housing roughly 25 million residents. Baghdad, Iraq's most populous city, has a metro population of about 6.4 million and suffers from severe traffic congestion. Dhaka, Bangladesh, with a greater metro population of 36.5 million, is vulnerable to extreme flooding. Globally, urbanization is accelerating, with 45% of the world's population now living in cities, a significant increase from 20% in 1950. The number of megacities (10 million+ residents) has grown from eight in 1975 to a projected 33 by 2025.