This is an updated and expanded version of the data visual first posted in June 2014. It draws on a new dataset from the United Nations Population Division. It also covers all cities with 500,000-plus inhabitants, compared to the earlier version that covered cities with 750,000-plus inhabitants.

Guide to use

To use the above data visual click on the dateline button at the top to slide the scale to the right and advance through the years, enabling you to see how and where cities of 500,000+ inhabitants have grown since 1800, plus predictions for future growth up to 2030.

A summary of the wider global changes taking place can be found at the top, while users who hover their mouse over individual cities can discover precise data regarding those cities.

Alternatively, click on the 'grid' view towards the top right of the visual to see a chart of the individual cities and where they rank in terms of population. How this has changed over time, and the predictions until 2030, can again be seen by sliding the scale to the right.

This data visual has been optimised to work best on desktop computers. If using a mobile device, you may enjoy a better experience with this version hosted by developers Kiln.

IIED's two most recent publications on this topic are Urbanisation Concepts and Trends by Gordon McGranahan and David Satterthwaite, and Urban Growth in Emerging Economies: Lessons from the BRICS, edited by Gordon McGranahan and George Martine.

This data visual was produced by IIED's Human Settlements Group in conjunction with Kiln.

Some caution is needed in all international comparisons of city populations because of different criteria used by national or local governments to set city boundaries. A city's population may be only for the built-up area or for the population within a boundary that urban growth has long exceeded – or it may be for a large region that encompasses large rural areas and populations. Many of the largest cities include what were once a network of separate cities.

Citation: Satterthwaite, D. 2014, Cities of more than 500,000 people, Visualisation. International Institute for Environment and Development (http://www.iied.org/cities-interactive-data-visual)

See IIED's full range of publications related to work on urban issues

Themes: Urban