Top 10 Most Populated Indian Cities in 2024: Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata Lead , Pune ranks 9th
Top 10 Most Populated Indian Cities in 2024: Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata Lead , Pune ranks 9th
World Population Day 2024: India Overtakes China as the Most Populated Country
July 11, 2024, marks World Population Day, highlighting the challenges and opportunities presented by global population growth. This year, India, now home to over 1.4 billion people, has surpassed China as the world’s most populous country.
India’s Population Surge:
According to the UNFPA’s State of the World Population Report, India’s population has reached 1,428.6 million. The country’s population growth rate of just under one percent annually suggests that it may double in the next 75 years. Approximately 68% of India’s population is between 15 and 64 years old, and 26% is within the 10-24 age group, making it one of the youngest countries globally.
Top 10 Most Populated Indian Cities in 2024
1. Delhi: With a staggering population of 33.8 million, Delhi surpasses entire countries like Malaysia and Peru.
2. Mumbai: India’s financial capital, Mumbai, is home to 21.7 million people, more than the populations of Romania and the Netherlands.
3. Kolkata: A cultural hub with 15.6 million residents, surpassing Greece and Portugal.
4. Bengaluru: The technology capital has 14 million people, larger than Belgium.
5. Chennai: With 12 million residents, Chennai exceeds Cuba’s population.
6. Hyderabad: An IT and pharmaceutical hub with 11.2 million people, more than Hungary.
7. Ahmedabad: Population figures not provided in the summary.
8. Surat: Population figures not provided in the summary.
9. Pune: Population figures not provided in the summary.
10. Jaipur: Population figures not provided in the summary.
Urbanisation Challenges and Government Initiatives:
As India continues to urbanise, addressing infrastructure, environmental, and social challenges will be crucial for sustainable and inclusive growth. BJP’s JP Nadda emphasizes the government’s efforts to integrate these factors into national policies, ensuring that demographic growth translates into a sustainable future and inclusive prosperity.
World Population Day 2024 Theme:
This year’s theme, “Leave No One Behind, Count Everyone,” highlights the importance of comprehensive data collection to ensure accurate representation in population counts, irrespective of background, nationality, geography, or socioeconomic status. This approach aims to foster development through better understanding of issues and customised solutions.
By focusing on these key areas, India can better manage its burgeoning population and work towards a more sustainable and inclusive future.
Here are the top 10 most populated cities in India, as of 2024:
| India Rank | World Rank | City | State/UT | Population (2024) | Population (2023) | Change Percentage: (2023-24) |
| 1 | 2 | Delhi | New Delhi | 33,807,403 | 32,941,309 | 2.34% |
| 2 | 9 | Mumbai | Maharashtra | 21,673,149 | 21,296,570 | 1.50% |
| 3 | 18 | Kolkata | West Bengal | 15,570,786 | 15,332,793 | 1.08% |
| 4 | 23 | Bangalore | Karnataka | 14,008,262 | 13,607,800 | 0.97% |
| 5 | 28 | Chennai | Tamil Nadu | 12,053,697 | 11,776,147 | 0.83% |
| 6 | 34 | Hyderabad | Telangana | 11,068,877 | 10,801,163 | 0.76% |
| 7 | 45 | Ahmedabad | Gujarat | 8,854,444 | 8,650,605 | 0.61% |
| 8 | 50 | Surat | Gujarat | 8,330,528 | 8,064,949 | 0.57% |
| 9 | 58 | Pune | Maharashtra | 7,345,848 | 7,166,374 | 0.51% |
| 10 | 112 | Jaipur | Rajasthan | 4,308,510 | 4,207,084 | 0.23% |
Source: UN World Urbanisation Prospects
Key Insights:
Despite the large population, India’s fertility rate has been decreasing steadily. The National Family Health Survey 5 (2019–21) reports a total fertility rate of 2.0, below the replacement level of 2.1.
Experts suggest India’s population growth is due to population momentum from earlier decades, with a potential decline anticipated around 2050.
