Surat, Ahmedabad among world’s most densely populated cities; Mumbai tops the list

Two of Gujarat’s biggest urban centres — Surat and Ahmedabad — have been ranked among the world’s ten most densely populated cities, according to the United Nations’ latest World Urbanization Prospects 2025 report released on Monday.

The report places Surat at No. 4 and Ahmedabad at No. 9, with both cities recording exceptionally high population concentration as rapid migration and economic expansion continue to reshape India’s western region. Mumbai tops the global list with nearly 27,000 people per sq km, while Bengaluru stands at No. 10.

The UN study examined the population density of 510 global urban settlements using satellite imagery and demographic estimates. It notes that 31 of the world’s 50 densest cities are in Asia, and countries such as India, China, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Indonesia will together add more than half a billion new urban residents by 2050.

Urban planning officials in Gujarat said the findings underline the need for faster expansion of transport networks, water and power infrastructure, and larger public service capacity in fast-growing regions.

They noted that Surat’s expanding textile, diamond, and industrial zones and Ahmedabad’s continuous real-estate growth have driven population pressure at a scale that will require sustained planning over the next two decades.