which cities are rising, and which are fading
50 cities, six rankings, measured the same way everywhere. No surveys. No paid places.
Where cities are growing fastest
Population growth, 2015 to 2025, in each city’s dense core. · Estimate
- 4 Dubai UAE 42%
- 16 Riyadh Saudi Arabia 22%
- 18 Cairo Egypt 19%
- 19 Baghdad Iraq 18%
- 26 Tehran Iran 13%
Source: UN DESA, World Urbanization Prospects 2025 (cities by the Degree of Urbanisation) · 2025 data. The UN counts each city’s dense core (areas above 1,500 people per km²), which can shrink while suburbs grow; for Chengdu and Mexico City, national census figures differ. Hong Kong shows its largest UN city, Tamar. 2025 values are UN estimates.
Measured, never opinion · every number traceable · nobody can buy a rank.
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