Determining the largest city proper can be complex due to varying administrative boundaries, but Shanghai, China is generally recognized as the world's largest city proper by population, with over 24 million residents living within its official municipal limits. However, in 2026, Chongqing is often cited as a competitor because its administrative "city" boundaries cover an area the size of Austria, containing over 32 million people; however, much of this is rural. If looking at the metropolitan area or "urban agglomeration," Tokyo, Japan remains the largest in the world, with a population of approximately 37 million. Recent 2025/2026 data from the United Nations and other census bodies shows Jakarta, Indonesia and Delhi, India rapidly closing the gap, with some metrics placing Jakarta's "Greater Area" at the top spot with nearly 35 million people. In terms of strict "city proper" definitions (administrative boundaries), Shanghai and Beijing continue to lead the global rankings, though the hyper-growth of South Asian and African megacities is shifting these leaderboards almost annually as we move through the late 2020s.