23-05-2025
Baghdad ranks 43rd in world's largest cities by population
Baghdad ( – As of 2025, Baghdad has ascended to the 43rd position among the world's most populous cities, with a metro area population of approximately 8.06 million, according to Ontario Tech University's Sustainability Today.
This growth places Iraq's capital ahead of regional counterparts such as Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (7.7 million), and Alexandria, Egypt (5.7 million).
Cairo remains the most populous city in the Arab world, ranking 6th globally with around 22.6 million residents . Globally, the top three most populated cities are Tokyo, Japan (37.1 million), Delhi, India (33.8 million), and Shanghai, China (29.9 million).
Baghdad's population growth reflects broader urbanization trends in Iraq, where the total population is estimated at 47 million as of mid-2025 . The city's expansion underscores its significance as a central hub in the Middle East, both demographically and economically.
