A groundbreaking United Nations report released this week reveals a significant demographic milestone: nearly half of the world's 8.2 billion people now call cities their home. The World Urbanization Prospects 2025 summary, published on November 18, 2025, documents humanity's accelerating shift toward urban living.
The Rise of Megacities and Urban Expansion
The transformation in global settlement patterns has been dramatic over the past 75 years. Since 1950, when only 20% of the world's 2.5 billion population lived in urban areas, the urban population has more than doubled to reach 45% today.
Perhaps even more striking is the explosive growth of megacities—urban areas with 10 million or more inhabitants. According to the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the number of megacities has quadrupled from just eight in 1975 to 33 in 2025, with Asia hosting the majority at 19 of these massive urban centers.
Jakarta, Indonesia currently holds the title as the world's most populous city with nearly 42 million residents. The urban expansion shows no signs of slowing, with projections indicating megacities will increase to 37 by 2050.
Smaller Cities Driving Growth
Despite the attention given to megacities, the UN report highlights an unexpected trend: small and medium-sized cities are actually growing faster than their larger counterparts and collectively house more people.
Of the 12,000 cities analyzed worldwide, 96% have populations under one million, while 81% contain fewer than 250,000 residents. The total number of cities globally has more than doubled between 1975 and 2025, and this growth is expected to continue, potentially exceeding 15,000 cities by 2050—with most remaining small-scale settlements.
This pattern is particularly pronounced in Africa and Asia, where smaller urban centers are experiencing rapid expansion.
Urbanization and Sustainable Development
The report arrives as world leaders gather for COP30 to advance global climate commitments. UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Li Junhua emphasized that urbanization presents crucial opportunities for driving sustainable development and climate resilience.
"Urbanization is a defining force of our time," Li stated. "When managed inclusively and strategically, it can unlock transformative pathways for climate action, economic growth, and social equity."
The UN official stressed that achieving balanced territorial development requires integrated national policies that coordinate housing, land use, mobility, and public services across both urban and rural landscapes.
Meanwhile, traditional settlement patterns continue to evolve. The share of global population living in towns has gradually declined from 40% in 1950 to 36% in 2025, while rural communities now host just 19% of humanity. Towns remain the most common settlement type in 71 countries, though this represents a significant shift from 1975 when rural areas dominated in 116 nations.
