Jakarta is now the world’s largest city, but it isn’t ready for the challenges
A new UN report highlights the rise of Asia’s megacities and the urgent need for them to have the infrastructure for climate resilience
DEMOGRAPHIC change tends to happen slowly and rarely captures the global headlines. However, the 2025 United Nations World Urbanisation Prospects report released last week throws an international economic and political spotlight on Jakarta and Asia.
The landmark study catapults the Indonesian capital into the position of the world’s largest megacity, with an estimated population of around 42 million; it seized the crown from Tokyo, which had held the top spot since 2000.
The dramatic surge – from 30th place in 2018 to 1st in 2025 – is in part due to a revision in UN methodology. The body has shifted from an administrative-boundary-based tally to measuring continuous urban areas where actual economic and living spheres are seen as connected.
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