If you’re curious which were the most populous cities in the world in 1950—and how it compares to the list today—we’ve compiled that information for you. Some major metropolises around the world make the list in both eras, but overall, there’s been a pretty significant shift in the leading global population centers over 70 years.

It’s interesting to note—to Americans, at least—that the US had the world’s most populous city in 1950, and two cities in the top 10 most populous cities in the world in 1950. However, today, the US doesn’t have a city that even comes close to cracking the top 10. New York, its biggest city, ranks 44th today.

The Biggest Cities in the World in 1950

1. New York City, USA – 1950 population: ~12.3 million. Rank today: 44; population: ~8.2 million

2. Tokyo, Japan – 1950 population: ~11.3 million. Rank today: 1; population: ~37.3 million

3. London, UK – 1950 population: ~8.3 million. Rank today: 35; population: ~9.4 million

4. Osaka, Japan – 1950 population: ~7 million. Rank today: 10; population: ~19.1 million

5. Paris, France – 1950 population: ~6.3 million. Rank today: 28; population: ~11 million

6. Moscow, Russia – 1950 population: ~5.4 million. Rank today: 24; population: ~12.5 million

7. Buenos Aires, Argentina – 1950 population: ~5.1 million. Rank today: 14; population: ~15.2 million

8. Chicago, USA – 1950 population: ~5 million; Rank today: 181; population: ~2.7 million

9. Kolkata, India – 1950 population: ~4.6 million. Rank today: 15; population: ~15 million

10. Shanghai, China – 1950 population: ~4.3 million. Rank today: 3; population: ~27.8 million

Top 10 Biggest Cities in the World Today That Didn’t Make the Cut in 1950

And, just to round things out, here are the cities that are in the top 10 most populous today that weren’t in the top 10 in 1950. Only three cities (Tokyo, Osaka, and Shanghai) made the top 10 on both lists.

• Delhi, India – Rank today: 2; population: ~31.1 million. 1950 population: ~1.4 million

• Sao Paulo, Brazil – Rank today: 4; population: ~22.2 million. 1950 population: ~2.3 million

• Mexico City, Mexico – Rank today: 5; population: ~21.9 million. 1950 population: ~2.9 million

• Dhaka, Bangladesh – Rank today: 6; population: ~21.7 million. 1950 population: ~336,000

• Cairo, Egypt – Rank today: 7; population: ~21.3 million. 1950 population: ~2.5 million

• Beijing, China – Rank today: 8; population: ~20.9 million. 1950 population: ~1.7 million

• Mumbai, India – Rank today: 9; population: ~20.7 million. 1950 population: ~3.1 million