The UN DESA report highlights how rapidly the world is urbanising, with cities becoming the core of global population and economic activity.
Key Highlights:
45% of the world’s population (≈ 8.2 billion) now lives in cities.
Number of megacities (10M+ population) rose from 8 in 1975 → 33 in 2025.
Jakarta is now the most populous city, followed by Dhaka, Tokyo, and New Delhi.
India-Specific Findings:
44% of India’s population now lives in towns and cities.
India, along with six other countries, will add over 500 million new urban residents between 2025–2050 — the largest global increase.