Dhaka, Nov 26 (V7N) — Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, has risen to second place on the list of the world’s most populous cities, currently home to more than 35 million people, according to a new United Nations report. Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, is ranked first, with a population of about 41 million. The report predicts that Dhaka will become the world’s most populous city by 2050.

The findings come from the “World Urbanization Prospects 2025” report by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA). In 2018, Dhaka was ranked ninth, with a population of around 12 million, highlighting its rapid growth. Experts attribute the surge to factors such as the capital-centered economy, business opportunities, and the impacts of climate change.

Other major Asian cities dominate the list of megacities. New Delhi ranks fourth with over 30 million residents, while Shanghai and Guangzhou are fifth and sixth, each approaching 30 million. Kolkata is ninth with 22.5 million inhabitants. Tokyo, previously the world’s most populous city, now ranks third with 33.4 million people.

The UN report highlights that 19 of the world’s 33 megacities are in Asia, including 9 of the top 10, with Cairo in Egypt being the only non-Asian city in the top 10.

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