Dhaka to become world's largest city by 2050, reshaping global urban landscape

The world's urban hierarchy is set for a fundamental transformation over the next quarter-century, according to projections on global demographic trends. By 2050, Dhaka is expected to claim the position of the world's largest city by population, with an estimated 52.1 million residents, surpassing current megacities and reshaping patterns of global urbanisation.

The forecasted shift reflects broader demographic patterns in Asia, where cities in the region are expected to dominate the list of world's most populous urban centres. Jakarta and Shanghai are projected to rank second and third respectively, highlighting the concentration of population growth in Asia's major metropolitan areas.

These projections underscore significant changes in global population distribution, with the centre of demographic gravity shifting decisively toward South and Southeast Asia. The growth is expected to strain infrastructure, resources, and urban planning frameworks in these already densely populated regions.

The anticipated changes will have far-reaching implications for economic development, environmental management, and geopolitical influence in the coming decades. Policymakers across the region are increasingly focusing on sustainable urban development strategies to accommodate the projected population growth and maintain livability in these expanding megacities.