Mumbai's 8 Million Daily Commuters Outnumber Entire New Zealand Population
An influencer compares 8 million daily Mumbai commuters to New Zealand's 5.3 million population.
A viral Instagram video by social media influencer IndoGenius, whose real name is Nick Booker, has drawn widespread attention by comparing Mumbai’s local train ridership with the population of New Zealand, highlighting the sheer scale of the city’s daily commute. In the video, Booker is seen travelling on a crowded Mumbai local train, documenting the fast-paced and packed experience that millions of commuters face every day.
Booker captioned the post, “Riding Mumbai locals, the fastest way to get across the city. Amazing to think there are more people on Mumbai trains each day than there are people living in New Zealand.” An overlay on the clip further emphasized the comparison.
The claim is supported by official data. According to provisional estimates as of March 31, 2025, New Zealand’s population stands at around 5.33 million. In contrast, figures from the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC) indicate that nearly 8 million passengers use Mumbai’s suburban railway network daily.
Also Read: Daily Commuters Hit as Mumbai Local Train Services Face Major Disruptions
Often referred to as the lifeline of India’s financial capital, Mumbai’s local train system connects 119 stations and stretches across approximately 450 kilometers. Despite frequent overcrowding, delays, and safety challenges, it remains the fastest and most affordable mode of transport for a majority of the city’s working population.
Booker’s video resonated strongly with viewers and quickly gained traction on social media, crossing 6,000 views within 30 minutes of being posted. The rapid response reflects continued global fascination with the scale, efficiency, and intensity of Mumbai’s public transport system. The viral moment has once again sparked discussion on urban mobility in megacities, underlining how Mumbai’s local trains continue to move numbers comparable to entire nations every single day.
Also Read: Bihar Migrant Deaths in Chhattisgarh Blast Revive Unemployment Crisis
