Overcrowding global crisis: how London compares to the rest

How people live in the world's most populous cities

Millions of people are drawn in by the allure of a bustling city, whether it’s for work, family or a faster pace of life. But many of the world’s cities are densely populated, which puts a strain on available accommodation, both in terms of cost and the physical squeeze of more and more people living in a limited space. We've taken a deep dive into the property situation in New York, London and Paris compared to some with the highest populations across the globe according to data from the World Population Review.

Read on to see where people call home in some of the world’s most overcrowded cities…

New York City, United States: home to 8.1 million people

The Big Apple is known for its high-rises, many of which are home to swathes of New Yorkers – for a hefty sum. The city's median monthly rent reached $3,700 (£2.8k) in May 2024 according to The New York Times, while the median house sale price was just over $714,000 (£547k) in August 2024. Given the steep cost of property in the city, it's no surprise that NYC has a total of 60 billionaires and 349,500 millionaires, more than any other city in the world, according to the World’s Wealthiest Cities Report 2024.

This penthouse on Manhattan’s Eleventh Avenue shows off the luxuries only the most privileged can afford – sprawling living spaces with incredible views of the Hudson River and the glittering cityscape.

New York City, United States: small apartments at big prices

In January 2024, a micro-apartment in New York City went viral for its slim square footage and its less-than-tiny rental cost of just under $2,000 (£1.5k) a month. The space includes a sink, fridge and small wardrobe space – but the bathroom is outside in the hallway and is shared with neighbouring units.

TikTok user Omer Labock did not specify where in the city this tiny home was, but it drew plenty of attention for its big price tag, with one user commenting: “Jail cells are bigger!”

New York City, United States: tiny city living

If the last apartment was a micro home, this surely must be a nano home. In October 2022, YouTuber Erik Van Conover shared a tour of what he described as Manhattan's cheapest apartment, which cost $650 (£498) a month in rent at the time of filming. The unit measures a minuscule 82 inches (208cm) by 110 inches (279cm), with the owner affectionately referring to the space as their "walk-in closet".

If real estate prices in the space-starved Big Apple continue in their upward trajectory, more and more people will see themselves priced out of the market or crammed into even smaller accommodations in the coming years.

London, United Kingdom: home to 9.7 million people

Purchasing a home in the densely populated UK capital of London will set buyers back around $902,000 (£691k) on average, leaving many of its population of 9.7 million unable to get on the property ladder. Meanwhile, the rental market is so overpriced that even high earners find it challenging to afford a place of their own, making shared accommodation commonplace. Property search site Zoopla reported that the average rent in April 2024 was $2,741 (££2.1k) per month.

What's more, the UK was named the work-from-home capital of Europe in 2023, so for many Londoners, their compact living spaces work double-time as makeshift offices too.

London, United Kingdom: cosy studio apartments

Studio apartments are not uncommon in London, keeping everything rather cosy in one living area. One microflat hit the headlines in February 2022 when it was selling for $65,200 (£50k) – and it covered just 75 square feet (7sqm).

Meanwhile, the chic flat pictured has a bit more room to breathe and neatly fits into 358 square feet (33.3sqm) of floor space. The living room, kitchen and dining room are all one space but there is a separate bathroom. This studio flat on the Strand, one of London’s most exclusive postcodes was on the market for $1.1 million (£825k).

London, United Kingdom: sheltered family housing

Some London families are in shared accommodation to make ends meet, living in sheltered housing built for parents who can’t afford to live alone with their children. Parents will often share a single bedroom with their children in buildings that were only ever meant to be temporary.

The properties were designed to be a stop-gap for families and other vulnerable people before they are placed in permanent social housing, but a lack of suitable homes has left some people living in the homes for much longer than anticipated.

Paris, France: home to 11.2 million people

Paris has a big issue with small homes, with thousands of people living in accommodations that don't meet legal standards for minimum size.

In this photo, resident Ivan Lopez sits in his apartment, which stretches fewer than 75 square feet (7sqm), in the capital’s fifth district. The legal requirement in France is that a single-occupancy home must be at least 97 square feet (9sqm) in floor space and with a ceiling height of at least 7.2 feet (2.2m). This tiny space falls short of that, comprising a bed, a modest kitchen area and a storage unit.

Paris, France: unusually small spaces

These cubby-hole living quarters can be found right across Paris. In this photo taken in September 2018, you can see that the low ceiling sits well below the 7.2-foot (2.2m) minimum. Legally, all spaces rented out for living purposes must also have a window, a separate bathroom, heating, a water system and working drains and gutters.

One of the reasons behind these illegal spaces is the inordinate cost of property in the city. According to 2024 data, homes in Paris cost €882 ($962/£737) per square foot or €9,490 ($10.3k/£7.9k) per square metre. Meanwhile, a family apartment costs a monthly average of €1,862 ($2k/£1.6k) to rent.

Paris, France: how the other half live

The city's more monied residents, who can foot the bill of its sky-high property prices, can afford significantly more square footage.

Situated 328 feet (100m) from the Champs-Élysées, this 2,368-square-foot (220sqm) apartment hit the market beach in the summer of 2022 for €7.2 million ($7.8m/£6m). It's captured here during a video tour with local realtor Romain Perez. The three-bedroom residence features parquet floors, ornate mouldings and a wraparound balcony with views of the Eiffel Tower. The master suite alone includes a dressing room and a spa-style bathroom clad in marble.

While these cities are big, they are tiny compared to the world's most populous. Let's take a deep dive on some of those in the top 10...

Mexico City, Mexico: home to 22.5 million people

Informal settlements make up a lot of the housing options for people who are priced out of the market in Mexico City’s Metropolitan Area (MCMA). Research suggests it’s one of the biggest metropolitan regions globally, and that its population of 22.5 million is at huge risk of energy and transport poverty. Gentrification has hit the city hard, with prices for locals pushed up by foreign buyers and digital nomads who flock to the city.

The average price for a property in Mexico City in the third quarter of 2023 was MEX$3.7 million ($191k/£146k), well above the means of many of the city's residents.

Mexico City, Mexico: precarious living

Makeshift housing is common among those struggling to make ends meet in Mexico City, with homes often constructed from scratch with whatever materials residents can get their hands on. This house for example is predominantly made from gathered materials such as cardboard and scrap metal. Despite its small proportions, it accommodates an entire family.

The city's housing shortage is only worsening. Mexico's Federal Mortgage Association estimated that at least 11,000 new properties a year are required to address the issue, yet in 2023, only 1,701 homes were built. What's more, only 12% of those were classed as affordable.

Mexico City, Mexico: the 'Beverly Hills of Mexico'

For those on the other side of the wealth divide, it's a very different story. Dubbed the 'Beverly Hills of Mexico', the neighbourhood of Polanco in the heart of Mexico City is brimming with designer shops, upscale restaurants and high-end homes.

Local realtor Olivier Tomas shared this video tour of a two-bedroom apartment in the exclusive enclave, which was for sale back in April 2023 for MEX$20 million ($1m/£788k). Positioned on the 28th floor of a luxury high-rise, the residence encompasses 1,912 square feet (178sqm) and includes two bathrooms, three parking spaces and access to a pool and gym.

São Paulo, Brazil: home to 22.8 million people

The most populous city in Brazil, São Paulo is the nation's bustling financial hub, steeped in a rich cultural and architectural heritage.

However, homelessness is a widespread issue among its 22.8 million residents. The city has a housing deficit of more than 1.1 million homes, with just under 3.2 million dwellings identified as inadequate. An estimated 9.4% of the population lives in informal settlements, yet there are also lots of vacant homes. This often leads to families moving into empty properties illegally, leaving them in inadequate and dangerous shelters.

São Paulo, Brazil: inadequate accommodation

This mother and her son are pictured here in 2003 in what looks to be an abandoned property they have made into their home because of a lack of proper, liveable accommodation.

People living in these buildings without permission are typically evicted, often leaving them homeless. Social movements have petitioned tirelessly to try and improve housing for marginalised communities in São Paulo. There are 588,978 homes without residents in São Paulo, while there are 48,261 people living on the streets, according to 2022 census data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics.

São Paulo, Brazil: lavish penthouses

According to data platform Statista, the average price of real estate in São Paulo in 2024 stands at R$910 ($162/£124) per square foot, the equivalent of R$9,800 ($1.8k/£1.3k) per square metre. The steep cost of property is a barrier to homeownership for many residents.

For the city's wealthiest residents, the skyline is peppered with luxury high-rise homes. Marketed as São Paulo's most expensive penthouse when it went up for sale in September 2023 with local realtor Natanel Duarte, this sprawling residence shows what high-end living looks like in the densely populated metropolis. The apartment includes four suites and 5,683 square feet (528sqm) of accommodation, with a price tag of R$30 million ($5.4m/£4.1m).

Shanghai, China: home to 29.8 million people

China's largest city, Shanghai is home to around 29.8 million people. The global financial hub is a popular spot for international expats, which means some of its property is seriously high-end.

For example, this high-rise home was part of one of the city’s most expensive apartment projects of all time in 2006, with units priced from CN¥38 million ($5.3m/£4m). The decadent décor matches the price tag, with plush crimson upholstery, elaborate light fittings and a majestic cream and gold dining table suitable for the most prestigious of guests.

Shanghai, China: bed leasing

But not all of Shanghai’s residents can afford to live in the lap of luxury. Many low-income migrants who travel to the city for work have to resort to extreme sharing, often leasing a bed in a room with several others.

The accommodation is often advertised as a hotel for job-seekers. Pictured here, Jiang Ye paid CN¥810 ($114/£87) a month in 2010 to rent this bed and use it to store her belongings.

Shanghai, China: attempted crackdown

Space in many of these apartments is leased out illegally, which is something the government has tried to crack down on. But it can be difficult to control the unregulated subletting market, which is used by many people who have nowhere else to stay. Government officials frequently raid properties they suspect are being rented out illegally and go as far as censoring words such as ‘bed space’ on listing sites.

It's no surprise that illegal housing is in demand given the extortionate cost of property in the city. According to the newspaper South China Morning Post, the average price of sold homes as of March 2024 stood at CH¥5,484 per square foot ($771/£589) or CH¥59,030 ($8.3k/£6.3k) per square metre.

Delhi, India: home to 33.8 million people

The second most populous city in the world with a population of 33.8 million, the vibrant Indian capital of Delhi has a huge housing crisis. The dream of homeownership has become increasingly elusive for the city's lower and even middle classes.

Many residents resort to living in run-down parts of the city where substandard homes like this in the Tehkand Slum are often constructed from materials such as wooden sticks and cardboard. There is little access to basic resources such as clean water and sanitation facilities and the cramped conditions often mean that diseases can run rampant.

Delhi, India: cramped family homes

Those who do have more substantial homes often share their accommodation with multiple family members. This picture shows Suman and her son in 2011 in a bright but small bedroom, which they share with four other family members.

According to the city government's Economic Survey for 2020-2021, just over 6.7 million people lived in poor housing in low-income settlements in New Delhi, in the south half of the capital. While there are government initiatives to try and house everybody in the city, those same authorities often demolish temporary settlements as part of a beautification drive, leaving residents with nowhere to go.

Delhi, India: sprawling new-builds

Delhi has an affordable housing deficit that continues to drive up property prices. The average cost per square foot of real estate in the city is ₹18,303 ($218/£166), the equivalent of ₹197,016 ($2.3k/£1.8k) per square metre.

Meanwhile, the monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre stands at ₹2,114 per square foot ($25/£19) or ₹22,751 ($270/£207) per square metre.

Those with money reside in the new developments of luxury homes in New Delhi. The owner of this modern property in one of the area's affluent communities is from India's merchant class. A dramatic contrast to the conditions millions of residents live in, Delhi is a city of two halves.

Tokyo, Japan: home to 37 million people

Home to 37 million people, Tokyo is the world's most crowded city and has developed a reputation for its efficient tiny living solutions. The average apartment in Tokyo measures approximately 709 square feet (65.9sqm), according to Japan’s House and Land Survey released in 2019. Yet more than 1.4 million apartments are smaller than 212 square feet (19.7sqm).

This type of apartment (pictured) in Adachi ward, which measures 107 square feet (10sqm), is particularly popular with young professionals looking for a home in Tokyo's most expensive neighbourhoods.

Tokyo, Japan: capsule apartments

Japan is renowned for its quirky living arrangements. Tourists visiting Tokyo often opt for a futuristic pod bed in a capsule hotel to save money on sleeping arrangements. However, for some permanent residents, capsule apartments offer the most affordable long-term accommodation option.

Filmed here by YouTuber Norm Nakamura for his channel Tokyo Lens, this unit is one of many in a capsule apartment building in Tokyo. Costing the equivalent of $200 (£153) a month, the sleeping pod is fitted with hanging rails in the ceiling for storage and plenty of plug sockets. The units on each floor have access to a communal kitchen, living area and bathroom.

Tokyo, Japan: luxury living

It's no wonder residents are resorting to alternative housing options when the average cost of an 800-square-foot (74sqm) apartment in Tokyo is around JP¥70 million ($469k/£358k). The average rent for a similar-sized property is around JP¥235,000 ($1.6k/£1.2k).

For wealthier residents, housing options range from detached family homes to sprawling apartments. For example, this three-bedroom penthouse in Shibuya ward features 1,780 square feet (165sqm) of floor space. Shared on the Tokyo Portfolio YouTube channel, it comes complete with a roof deck, a Jacuzzi and an outdoor swimming pool, plus an asking price of JP¥1.3 billion ($8.7m/£6.7m).