Current Affairs - International - Discussion

Jakarta has overtaken Tokyo to become the world’s most populous city, with an estimated population of 42 million in 2025, according to the UN World Urbanisation Prospects report. This change results from updated UN methodology that standardises urban population measurements and accounts for functional urban areas, including urban sprawl and regional connectivity. Jakarta’s rapid urban growth reflects broader trends in Asian megacities, where nine of the ten largest cities are located. The report highlights the increasing significance of urbanisation globally, with nearly half the world’s population now residing in cities, and projections indicating continued urban concentration by 2050.