Sometimes a city can expand only so much – something that the residents of each of the 11 largest cities in the world by population density have noticed long ago. When none of the directions on a compass are an option, sometimes the only way for expansion is up or down. Lots of civic designers, architects and people of various other fields of study have thought about it and given their opinion on the matter. There are, even at this time, many building plans which aim to combat overcrowding by using the “Y” plane too. Often the population density is a direct result of favorable conditions, combined with a lack of territory for expansion. Unlike many of the 14 biggest cities in the world by population, the cities on this list are mostly not at all impressive in size. However, their population is of impressive size for the area which they cover, which can lead to some really interesting results. Even though a square mile is quite a considerable amount of area, once dozens upon dozens of tens of thousands of residents have settled on it, things start looking less than perfect.
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Abundant population, while beneficial for the economics, often leads to overcrowding related problems such as increased crime, social problems, pollution, not enough facilities to cater for each age group’s numbers and many more. One big problem that designers and architects are looking to solve is the lack of housing to be provided to all new families. However the greater minds decide to battle the problems, though, it is apparent that modern civilization, while always running in deficiency, is always looking for ways to expand. With longer life expectancy, better healthcare and an increasingly convenient lifestyle, people tend to not only live longer, but also raise more and more healthy offsprings, which technically leads to an exponential growth. However, with the flow of residents in and out of cities, while growth is retained, it isn’t at such alarming rates. Let’s get to work and see the alarming results of our 11 largest cities in the world by population density.
11.Le Pré-Saint-Gervais
People/sq.mi: 67 047
Le Pré-Saint-Gervais is a commune near Paris. Even its locals don’t refer to it by full name, calling it the affectionate Le Pré or, translated to a less mind-boggling language, “the meadow”. While Le Pré stands true to its name, it is also quite densely packed with residents.
10. Levallois-Perret
People/sq.mi: 68 458
Levallois-Perret is a combination of two places that grew into each other with time. Levallois was a pre-French Revolution village and Perret was going to be the name of a housing project, started by a man of the same name. Eventually they grew and merged, taking the 10th spot on this list.
9. Caloocan
People/sq.mi: 72 302
Caloocan (also spelled Kalookan) is the third largest city in the Philippines as far as population is concerned. The city itself, aside from being one of the most densely populated in the world, is separated in two completely detached parts, where the north one is quite larger than the south one.
8. Kamarhati
People/sq.mi: 74 323
This city is located in the Indian state of West Bengal. The Kamarhati municipality started out as a humble resort-type area where the higher classes of society would go on vacations. Eventually it developed enough to reach the eighth spot on our list.
7. South Dumdum
People/sq.mi: 75 069
Despite sounding like a reference to the big stone statue from “Night at the Museum”, South Dumdum is another municipality in the state of West Bengal. What is notable about it, aside from its population density, is its quite higher-than-average literacy rate.
6. Mandaluyong
People/sq.mi: 75 606
Mandaluyong is another city in the Philippines, also being one of the sixteen that comprise metro Manila, the capital region. Mandaluyong is home to a large number of important production hubs and public service facilities.
5. Pateros
People/sq.mi: 79 114
Pateros is a small town also located in the Philippines and a part of metro Manila. However, it is known for producing a very popular, yet peculiar food called balut. Balut is a boiled, fertilized duck egg that is eaten with the fetus still inside. It takes the 5th place among the largest cities in the world by population density.
4. Serampore
People/sq.mi: 87 151
Serampore is an Indian city which, like others on the list, is located in West Bengal. The city is more than a couple centuries old so it has been populated before the coming of Danish colonization in the region. It is also notable for its high literacy rates.
3. Baranagar
People/sq.mi: 91 220
Another West Bengal city, Baranagar (though to mean “land of the pig”), makes the third spot on our list of the 11 most densely populated cities in the world. It is also home to the Indian Statistical Institute, an institution of great importance for the country.
2. Titagarh
People/sq.mi: 99 293
Barely missing the lead spot, Titagarh of West Bengal makes the second on this list. However, this city is the most densely populated in all India. Its population count is mainly attributed to migrants, attracted by work in the city.
1. Manila
People/sq.mi: 111 002
The capital city of the Philippines takes the prize in our list of the 11 largest cities in the world by population density. Covering just below fifteen square miles, Manila is home to more than a million and a half people which makes it the most densely populated city in the world so far.
