The Mosques of Sultan Hassan and Al-Rifai in Cairo. (Image: Getty)
The world is home to some . Some of these , like Tokyo or , are well known for their skylines and busy streets. Others, however, continue to grow at an astonishing pace, largely under the radar. One , already among the richest on the continent, is on track to become one of the most populated in the world, with projections suggesting it could have 40 million residents by the end of the century.
That city is , the capital of and the largest urban area in . With a population of over 22 million in 2024, Cairo has grown at a staggering rate over the past century. According to data from , its population could reach more than 40 million by 2100 if current growth trends continue. estimates that the metro area saw a 1.99% increase in population between 2023 and 2024, with an additional 440,700 people moving into the city in just one year.
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Cairo is the capital of Egypt and the largest urban area in Africa. (Image: Getty)
This explosive growth is nothing new for Cairo. In 1950, the city had a population of just 2.5 million.
By 1980, it had surged to over 10 million. The rapid increase is largely due to natural population growth, with birth rates significantly outpacing death rates.
For every 1,000 people, there are 30 births and just seven deaths, according to .
Alongside its status as a rapidly expanding mega-city, Cairo is also one of Africa’s wealthiest cities.
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The Egyptian capital is home to 7,200 millionaires and four billionaires. (Image: Getty)
The Egyptian capital is home to 7,200 millionaires and four billionaires. It also has one of the largest film and music industries in the Arab world, as well as Al-Azhar University, Egypt’s oldest higher education institution.
Many international companies and media organisations have regional headquarters in the city, and it has been the home of the Arab League’s headquarters for most of its existence.
However, Cairo’s enormous population has also brought some challenges. The city struggles with severe traffic congestion, a lack of sufficient infrastructure, and one of the highest air pollution levels in the world.
The World Health Organisation has previously warned that Cairo’s air pollution levels are nearly 12 times higher than the recommended safety limit, and reports suggest it contributes to 2% of all deaths in the city.