How the World's Densest Cities Compare to Swiss Urban Life

A new series on Swiss broadcaster SRF is highlighting how cities around the world cope with high population densities. 10 vor 10 has featured Chongqing, Utrecht, Medellín, and Copenhagen in recent segments. The programme compares urban living conditions while drawing on data from Swiss and global sources. The Federal Statistical Office tracks population density in Swiss cities, with Geneva topping the list at 13,100 residents per square kilometre. For comparison, the United Nations calculates global urban densities—but its figures often include sprawling metropolitan areas rather than city centres alone.

The series puts these numbers into perspective. Dhaka holds the world record, packing 34,000 people into each square kilometre. Manhattan follows with 28,800, making it the densest county in the U.S. Paris, meanwhile, reaches 20,755, one of Europe's highest figures. To illustrate the impact, the programme notes that St. Gallen's 81,000 residents would fit into just 2.9 square kilometres if matched with Manhattan's density. All segments remain available to stream on SRF's online platform, Play SRF.

The 10 vor 10 series uses hard data to show how urban spaces adapt to crowded conditions. Viewers can explore the differences between Swiss cities and global examples like Dhaka or Manhattan. The episodes provide a clear look at density challenges through real-world comparisons.