10 most densely populated cities in the world: This Indian city is no surprise

According to data compiled from World Population Review, the average global population density stands at about 14.7 people per square kilometre, a figure that dramatically increases when looking at cities. The highest population densities are usually accompanied by a number of complicated issues that include housing shortages, increased prices of real estate, overstretched public transport, traffic congestion, pressures on water and sanitation systems, and limited open spaces. Many of the world's most densely populated cities are in Asia, particularly Southeast and South Asia, where urbanisation has raced ahead of infrastructure development.

Manila is the world's most densely populated city. The capital of the Philippines, Manila lies at the very center of the nation's political, economic, and cultural life. Due to limited land availability and rapid population growth, there are extremely compact neighbourhoods, where residential, commercial, and informal settlements coexist side by side. High-rise apartments, congested roads, and packed public transport systems are everyday realities for residents.

Pateros, which is actually the smallest municipality in Metro Manila, is second worldwide in terms of population density. The total population of this city might be small, but because of this small area, the figures are greatly magnified. The streets are small, and so are the houses and yards.

Another Philippine city on the list, Mandaluyong is known for rapid economic growth. Mandaluyong finds itself at the heart of Metro Manila, where business districts, shopping centers, and corporate offices abound. With the presence of business growth, residential areas, and other establishments, the city has experienced vertical growth. These factors make Mandaluyong highly densely populated due to intensive land use.

Baghdad is the most densely populated city in the Middle East to feature on this list. Iraq’s capital and largest city, Baghdad has had large population inflows over decades due to rural migration and displacement caused by conflict. The city’s dense residential quarters, ageing infrastructure, and limited urban expansion have intensified crowding.

The financial capital of India, Mumbai, provides one of the most prominent examples of densely populated cities. The geographical location of Mumbai, with the Arabian Sea on the three sides, hinders its expansion in the horizontal direction. Hence, Mumbai has grown vertically, with densely populated slums in the outskirts. The density of Mumbai reveals the fact that it’s a huge attraction for people in search of better opportunities.

Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, is one of the fastest-growing megacities in the world. This is mainly because of the opportunities and displacement due to climate change, causing fast migration from rural areas to Dhaka, thus causing high density. The city of Dhaka has residential buildings that are tightly packed, and public services are under constant pressure.

Caloocan, part of Metro Manila, combines industrial zones with densely populated residential areas, leaving little room for expansion. Many neighbourhoods feature closely spaced housing and limited green areas. Similar to other cities in the area, Caloocan City has the problem of harmony between urban expansion and livability in the rapidly expanding metropolitan areas.

The capital city of Haiti, named Port-au-Prince, has considerable population density as a result of domestic migration and lack of development in other regions. It is exposed to greater challenges concerning public health and environmental factors.

Bnei Brak is one of the most densely populated cities in Israel, and it is recognized as having a large population of Ultra-Orthodox Jews. Bnei Brak is also identified for high reproduction rates, closely packed housing, and a small municipal area that adds to the density of the population. There are very few areas allocated to industry and commerce, and most areas are utilized for dwelling space and religious and community facilities.

Levallois-Perret in France is the only European city in the list of top ten most densely populated cities in the world. The city is located just outside Paris, and is a highly urbanised suburb with extensive residential and office developments. The city is known for efficient public transport, and its proximity to central Paris have made it a location loved by all. But because of this, there is also the problem of dense housing and limited open space.