Global State of Metropolis 2020 – Population Data Booklet

In 2020 there are 1934 metropolises with more than 300,000 inhabitants representing approximately 60% of the world’s urban population. At least 2.59 billion people live in metropolises in 2020 which is equivalent to one third of the global population. 34 metropolises have surpassed 10 million inhabitants; while 51 have a population of 5 to 10 million; 494 of 1 to 5 million; and 1355 of 300,000 to 1 million.

Rising population and uncontrolled urban land consumption rates have been responsible for the rise of bigger and denser cities and metropolises. Definitions of cities, urban agglomerations and metropolitan areas vary depending on legal, administrative, political, economic or cultural criteria in the respective countries and regions. In March 2020, the UN Statistical Commission endorsed a global definition of cities to facilitate international comparison. This definition captures the full extent of a city including the dense areas beyond the municipal boundaries. It defines a metropolitan area as a city and its commuting zone, which consists of suburban, periurban and rural areas economically and socially linked to the city. An approach supported by metropolitan authorities and experts and the World Urbanization Prospects (WUP).

This Data Booklet uses the datasets from the 2018 revision of the World Urbanization Prospects to analyse both global and regional metropolitan trends among the United Nations Regional Groups. This Booklet is in support to the preparation of the forthcoming UN-Habitat Global State of Metropolis Report.

Find out what metropolitan global experts project to happen by 2035!