UN DESA REPORT

NEWS

• The UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) released a report highlighting rapid global urbanisation.
• Cities now house 45% of the global population (8.2 billion).
• Two-thirds of global population growth by 2050 will occur in cities.

 INDIA’S URBAN PROFILE

India Leads in Population Density

• 12 of the world’s 50 most densely populated cities are in India.
• Mumbai is the world’s densest city – nearly 30,000 people/sq km.
• Four Indian cities in global top 10 density list:
  • Mumbai
  • Surat
  • Ahmedabad
  • Bengaluru (20,000+ people/sq km)

India’s Megacities

• India has 5 of the world’s 33 megacities (10+ million population):
  • Delhi
  • Mumbai
  • Kolkata
  • Chennai
  • Bengaluru
• China has 4 megacities in comparison.

GLOBAL URBAN SCENARIO

Most Populous Cities Globally

• Jakarta – 42 million
• Dhaka – 37 million
• Tokyo – 33 million
• Indian cities in top 10:
  • New Delhi (30 million)
  • Kolkata (22 million)
• Cairo is the only non-Asian entry.

Climate and Urbanisation Link

• The report coincides with COP30 in Brazil, stressing cities’ role in:
  • Emission reductions
  • Carbon sink creation
  • Building climate resilience
• UN DESA highlights that urbanisation must align with sustainable development pathways.

FUTURE DEMOGRAPHIC TRENDS

• Between 2025–2050, seven countries — India, Nigeria, Pakistan, DR Congo, Egypt, Bangladesh, Ethiopia — will add 500+ million urban residents, over half of global city population growth.
• Population growth is uneven:
  • 25% of Indian cities lost population from 2015 to 2025 despite national growth of 1% annually.