What Will Be the Largest City in the World in 2030?

Delhi, India
© iStock.com/Sean3810

Written by Tabitha Boothe

Published: November 22, 2023

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There are currently around 8 billion people in the world. By the time we hit 2030, that number is projected to go up to about 8.5 billion. Where do all these people live? Well, a lot of them live in what’s called a megacity. A megacity is a very large city with over 10 million people living in it. As of right now, according to the United Nations, there are 33 megacities worldwide. A good number of them are in China and India. Surprisingly, by the time we get to the year 2030, it is speculated that Delhi, India, will be the largest city in the world.

As it stands right now, the five biggest megacities are Tokyo, Japan (37.2 million), Delhi, India (32.9 million), Shanghai, China (29.2 million), Dhaka, Bangladesh (23.2 million), and Sao Paulo, Brazil (22.6 million). Four out of these five megacities will continue to grow over the next seven years. The only one that is projected to go down is Tokyo. Delhi is expected to surpass Tokyo to become the largest megalopolis in the world, making it the epicenter of a global phenomenon.

Why are so many people flocking to Delhi, India? Here is a list of reasons why this city is set to become the largest city in the world in 2030.

Delhi’s History and Future

Delhi, India

Delhi, India, has over 30 million people.

©iStock.com/Sean3810

For centuries, Delhi has served as the capital of kingdoms and empires. Continuously inhabited since at least the 6th century, the city has been the capital of many empires and kingdoms. It has also been captured, destroyed, and rebuilt numerous times. It was the site of Indraprastha, the mythical capital of the Pandavas, and it became a major trade route between the Gangetic plain and northwest India during the time of the Delhi Sultans.

Since 1962, the official planning organization of Delhi has developed a master plan intended to guide the future development of the city. However, most of that has remained on paper. Every 20 years or so, an updated version of this plan is set into action. A new master plan has been set into place for the year 2041. This plan envisions a megacity highlighting the city’s economic potential as a start-up hub and cultural capital.

Delicious Street Food

Spicy roasted tandoori chicken , chicken kabab, prepared for sale at evening as street food in Old Delhi market. It is famous for spicy Indian non vegetarian street foods. It is famous tourist spot.

Old Delhi is a famous tourist spot that sells local food from street vendors.

©Rudra Narayan Mitra/Shutterstock.com

Many people love Delhi for its variety of mouthwatering and delicious street food. The city is especially popular for its roasted and fried tandoori kebabs. The food choices in this city are endless. In addition to street food stalls and food trucks, there are top-notch eateries and cafes. Hauz Khas Village, Chandni Chowk, and the Defence Colony market are some of the locals’ favorite places to eat.

Education and Institutions

High school or college students studying and reading together in library education concepts

Delhi has almost 6,000 schools.

©Joyseulay/Shutterstock.com

You might also be surprised to learn that Delhi has one of the most sought-after educational institutes in India, Delhi University. Its alumni include many dignitaries and famous personalities. Aside from DU, the city has many other high-end and top-level educational institutions.

Some of these are Jamia Millia Islamia, IIT, AIIMS, Delhi Technological University, and GGSIPU, to name a few. This ultimately makes it one of the best cities for education in all of India.

Public Transportation

The road to the Presidential Residance or Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi, India

Delhi has many different means of transportation to get around the bustling city.

©AlexAnton/Shutterstock.com

Being one of the most crowded cities in India, Delhi has pretty much cornered the market on different forms of transportation. The city also prides itself on having some of the best roads in the world. The famous Delhi Metro, known as “Delhi’s Lifeline,” provides fast, cheap, clean, and safe trips around the city. It has been proven to be the best means of public transport in the country.

There are also the DTC (Delhi Transport Corporation) buses, auto- and cycle-rickshaws, private taxis, and ring railways. In addition, Delhi has three airports: Indira Gandhi International Airport (Palam), Safdarjung Airport, and Hindon Airport. 

Monuments and other Historical Spots

mughal era building inside unesco world heritage site, red fort, old delhi, india

Monuments here tell many stories about their origin in India.

©Sumit Kumar/iStock via Getty Images

Tombs, forts, monuments, and structures are just a few things that helped shape Delhi into such a great city. These different places also help tourists and visitors learn about the city’s rich cultural heritage. Some of the more popular areas include Humayun’s Tomb and Rajghat, Parliament House, India Gate, Qutub Minar, and Red Fort.

Entertainment Hubs and Shopping

Colorful spices powders and herbs in traditional street market in Delhi. India.

Delhi has many different colorful herbs and spices at their different street markets.

©Curioso.Photography/Shutterstock.com

The capital city of India is also known for its many different markets and forms of entertainment. These shopping areas offer local specialties at very reasonable prices. Some famous spots in Delhi are Janpath, Karol Bagh, Chandni Chowk, and Lajpat Nagar.

However, if you are a craft and art lover, visit DilliHaat, which is a large craft store and open food plaza spread over 6 acres in the city. It looks just like a classic village, and you can explore handicrafts, an array of artifacts, and cultural traditions from various states of the country.


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About the Author

Tabitha Boothe is a writer at A-Z Animals where her primary focus is on penguins, forests, and castles. Tabitha has been writing and researching animals and nature for the past three years. A resident of Texas, Tabitha enjoys reading, playing board games, and caring for her dogs Buttercup and Leia.

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