It is difficult to give an exact number for the amount of cities in the world, as it depends on what you define as a city. Generally, a city is defined as a large, densely populated area with a distinct identity and economic and social functions.
One way to estimate the number of cities in the world is to look at the number of urban areas, which are defined as densely populated areas with a minimum population of 5000 people. According to the United Nations, in 2021, there were 4.39 billion people living in urban areas, which represents 55% of the global population.
However, this does not necessarily mean that there are 4.39 billion cities in the world. Urban areas can range in size from small towns to megacities with tens of millions of inhabitants. It is difficult to give an exact number of urban areas, as different sources may use different criteria to define an urban area.
The most widely used source for urban area data is the United Nations’ World Urbanization Prospects report. According to the latest edition of the report, there were 4,378 urban areas in the world with a population of 100,000 or more in 2020. Of these, 34 urban areas had a population of more than 10 million, and these are often referred to as megacities.
However, it is important to note that this number is constantly changing. Urbanization is a global trend, and the number and size of cities are increasing rapidly. The United Nations predicts that by 2050, 68% of the world’s population will live in urban areas, and the number of megacities will continue to grow.
Another factor that makes it difficult to give an exact number for the amount of cities in the world is that different countries have different criteria for what is considered a city. In some countries, there may be multiple levels of urban areas, such as towns, cities, and metropolitan areas, each with their own criteria for population and density.
For example, in the United States, the Census Bureau defines an urban area as a densely populated area with a minimum population of 2,500 people. However, cities in the United States are defined by individual states, and the criteria for what constitutes a city can vary widely.
Overall, while it is difficult to give an exact number for the amount of cities in the world, it is clear that urbanization is a global trend, and the number and size of cities are growing rapidly. By 2050, the majority of the world’s population is expected to live in cities, and the number of megacities with populations of 10 million or more will continue to grow.