December 11, 2025
Municipal Information Network

Municipal Information Network
Big, Bigger, Biggest
By Gord Hume

December 9, 2025

There is an exceptionally good chance that your weather today is blustery, grey, cold and blah. It is winter in Canada.

I am here to brighten your day and help you remove those blaahsssss with a little brainteaser.

What is the world's largest city today, according to the United Nations? NO PEEKING! Have a sip of coffee and think it through. The world's largest city/CMA? It may not be what you thought. Because the world is changing.

The answer? Jakarta. The capital of Indonesia. The city typifies the massive global shift from rural to urban.

OK, who is second? Think. Don't sneak a look.

I'm betting that you don't have this one on your list: Dhaka.

And to save you the trouble, it is the capital of Bangladesh. And yes, I had to look it up to be sure.

The bronze medalist in this race? Tokyo.

The rest of the top ten, in order:

  • New Delhi
  • Shanghai
  • Guangzhou
  • Cairo
  • Manila
  • Kolkata
  • Seoul

Kolkata, in ninth position, is also in India. It is the capital of West Bengal.

NYC is 22nd; LA 27th. No Canadian city is within sniffing distance of the list.

No European city. No North American. All Asian/SE Asian, with one from Africa. The world's population has shifted. Economic power is following, as will political, and, one would assume, military.

This is why governments need to understand the unique and shifting global environment today—and even more so for tomorrow.

Municipal leaders in Canada should be keeping these population shifts and economic opportunities in mind as they do their next strategic plans.

Enjoy your day.

For more information

Municipal Information Network
Adresse: 475, Montée Masson #102
Mascouche Quebec
Canada J7K 2L6
www.municipalinfonet.com
Gord Hume
gordhume@municipalinfonet.com
http://www.gordhume.com
519-657-7755

Gord Hume is recognized as one of Canada's leading voices on municipal government and is an articulate and thoughtful commentator on civic government and community issues. He is a very popular public speaker, an advisor to municipal governments, and a respected and provocative author.

Gord was elected to London City Council four times. He has had a distinguished career in Canadian business, managing radio stations and as Publisher of a newspaper. Gord received two “Broadcaster of the Year' awards. He is now President of Hume Communications Inc., a professional independent advisor to municipalities.