NEW DELHI: Chennai will add 27 million to its population by 2030 and is projected to become a megacity, according to a UN report.
The study, titled ‘World Urbanization Prospects Report 2014’, also adds Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune and Surat to the list. Released on Thursday, the eve of World Population Day, the report shows New Delhi as the most populous city in the world after Tokyo. At third place was Shanghai with 23 million people followed by Mexico City, Mumbai and Sao Paulo, each with a population of around 21 million. Mumbai ranks sixth on the list and is projected to become the fourth largest city in 2030 when its population would grow to 28 million from the current 21 million.
By 2050, India is projected to add 404 million urban dwellers, way more than China’s projection of 292 million. “Projections indicate that urbanisation combined with overall growth will contribute to the 2.5 billion jump in India, which currently has the largest rural population, followed by China and Nigeria.”
By 2050, the number of rural residents in India is expected to decline by 52 million. India’s current urban population is 410 million and this will grow to 814 million by 2050. China currently has the largest urban population. “These countries will face challenges in meeting the needs of their growing urban populations,” said John Wilmoth, Director of the Population Division of UN’s Department of Economic and Social Affairs.