Karachi to become world's fifth largest city by 2050: UN

Karachi is on track to become the world’s fifth-largest city by 2050, according to new estimates of the United Nations’ World Urbanisation Prospects 2025.

The UN projects the city’s population will rise to almost 33 million, placing it ahead of major urban centres such as Cairo, Tokyo, Guangzhou, Manila and Kolkata.

The report points to Karachi’s fast-paced urban expansion, which has already contributed to its ranking among “the 10 least liveable cities” in assessments by the Economist Intelligence Unit. With roughly 25,000 people living per square kilometre, Karachi remains one of the most crowded cities anywhere in the world.

The UN notes that “Karachi’s growth reflects broader trends in Asia,” where more than half of the planet’s 33 megacities are currently located. By 2050, the number of megacities is expected to reach 37, with India, China, Nigeria, Pakistan and the United States responsible for a large share of the world’s urban population surge.

Karachi’s swelling population brings both opportunities and growing strain. As Pakistan’s main economic hub, the city continues to draw people seeking work, education and healthcare. But the rapid inflow has put added pressure on infrastructure, housing, transport systems and public services.

The UN study also underscores the global shift toward urban living.

Since 1975, the number of megacities has quadrupled, and the world now has more people living in cities than in rural areas. Between 2000 and 2025, urban populations grew by 1.25 billion — with a significant share of that growth concentrated in just a few countries, including Pakistan.