Top 10 Most Powerful Cities in the World

London, an amazing city to be in. Great city in terms of infrastructure, transportation, law and order, living, tourism, shopping and fashion. I have been to many countries and cities in the world, but I think, none can beat London. London has areas where people from different parts of the world, can have a feeling of being in their own country when they are in those places.
You can look at it from any angle you want, the angel of hate, beef and anger but the truth is London worth being the most powerful city. I have been to New York many times and I think the way the city is perceived is totally different from reality. It doesn't have the best infrastructure that fully support it being the most powerful city in the world. Unlike London.
The reason why London is the most powerful city in the world is that it has such a huge percentage of the power of the second most powerful country in the world which is itself a very distant second from the most powerful country in the world USA. If power was more evenly spread accross other UK cities London would be a distant third behind New York and Tokyo. The fact that such a large amount of Britains Comprehensive National Power is in the capital is a source of some indignation to the rest of the country as a whole.
London was the center of the british empire for years and years, not to mention that it was the largest empire the world has ever seen. The ancient buildings and architecture make London what it is today, deep in history and culture. Without London the world would not be what it is today.

One of only 2 Alpha World ++ cities (other one is London), shares economic capital of the world status (contested) with London. And money is power, money is what runs politics. Add this to the fact that unlike London this city is in the world's only superpower that will remain as such for a pretty long time and New York City is most powerful, or at least more powerful than Tokyo, London you can make an argument for but Tokyo isn't on the same league.
Umm, London's GDP is not nearly the size as New York's. And according to the "Global Financial Centres Index" New York ranks above Tokyo and London. Tokyo IS 6TH PLACE!
For more information about the index: "The Global Financial Centres Index is a ranking of the competitiveness of financial centres based on over 26,000 financial centre assessments from an online questionnaire together with over 80 indices from organisations such as the World Bank, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the Economist Intelligence Unit. It is compiled and published twice a year by Z/Yen Group and sponsored by the Qatar Financial Centre Authority."
Just look it up instead of basing your opinions off of ignorant statements.
I live in NYC, this makes me feel awesome! But it's true, our Broadway shows rock, I just saw Kinky Boots and that was great (still singing "Sex is in the Heel"). The restaurants are great too! Seafood in NYC is awesome! Japanese Grocery stores are awesome and fun to visit. I just got Lychee the other day, they taste great. The only thing that I HATE about NYC, is the racism (*sarcasm* nice job NYPD), some of the mayor's decisions, and the horse carriages! I love animals but, please, these horses shouldn't be hurt so badly. Overall, NYC is great! Lots o' wealth!
After reading other polls it seems this one is a bit flawed. Every other poll stated that NYC is the most powerful city in the world. London isn't far behind and is most definitely in the same playing field, but NYC still tops most if not all lists. It's the most brilliant place to be and live, but only if you hustle and make it that way...otherwise better off heading elsewhere.

Tokyo is the world largest population city. It is very beautiful and clean city. I am indian but I love Tokyo. Tokyo is heart of Japan.
Tokyo is such a beautiful city, and it is so inspiring too, they're so nice and they have a lot of respect there. Go go Tokyo!
When I visit Tokyo I was surprised with everything in good way. Also I like their beautiful culture and heart.
It must be powerful because the buildings light up.

Undeserved reputation for being bad for business and rude. Actually great economical and political centre. Amazing place to study, with schools among the best in the world. And beautiful, too.
Paris La Défense is Europe's largest purpose-built business, district to the West of the city of Paris. The district is a showcase of France's great leap into the 21st century. For many visitors to France who come to Paris with a preset image in their mind, the Business District is rather unexpected
Yes Paris will be one of major place to be in few years.
Capital city, becoming the first place in Europe for high tech startups.
Most rich area, Paris and around, in Europe.
Europe in the 1st economical power in the whole world.
Cultural capital of the world (I dare say), envy of europe, center of art and letter, capital of fashion during 18 - 20thcentury.

It is a nice clean city, with all the facilities needed for a city to called developed. Well delhi cannot be compared to other beautiful or developed cities. It is a city of ancient raja and maharaja...
Delhi is beautiful and developed countries, it is world 2nd most powerful city in the world.
Excellent place to visit and live in.
Go to delhi and you'll find a colonial delhi, modern delhi and post modern delhi.
Best in Public Transport, Infrstructure, Best Marketplaces in India with most no. Of public spaces/Gardens in the entire Country

Berlin is no doubt the absolute most powerful city on the globe. Germany and China hold up the world's economical system and without these two countries money would be hyper inflated and the progress of the abundance of goods would be reverted to the 1600's. Deutschland ist uber alles in der Welt!
Gehe Deutschland!
Everyone thinks they are stupid because of Hitler but Germans are very nice people! I lived in Berlin for 12 years and I can tell you that!
Economically wiser than everyone else. Lost 2 World Wars and is still the most powerful EU country.
Strong and will be the strongest!

It definitely will be the new center of the world which is replace the new York city! if you haven't been to there yet, you must check it out!
The greatest city of all time and by 2025, it's breathtaking skyscrapers will overtake new york's.
Beijing is the heart of asia
The place where all the magic happens.
Best city ever is Beijing, the magic really does happen there
Epic city with people, cars, buildings, trains, food and so much more
So I think it should be the best city ever for its awesome, epic power


I live here. So I might be partial. I'm not from here. But not only is it the political capital of the most economically powerful and culturally influential nation in the world, it is also incredibly diverse here with people wanting to move here from all over the world. I don't know how to measure metropolitan wealth internationally, but domestically it's the richest region in the United States. It's a burgeoning region of booming economic sectors such as finance, and outside of San Jose, it's arguably the second-largest technology corridor in the world. It's also one of the most highly-educated areas in the world as well, with a significant population here of people who have a college educated background. So it's really a sought out city for the intellectual nerd crowd. Every nation has a presence here via embassies. We're second in the world behind Brussels in number of embassies. We also have the headquarters of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. I believe the UN ...more
New York may have money. Same with LA. Other cities like London have more people as well. But D.C. Is the most powerful. Could easily eliminate an entire nation with the military they control. No contest. Live in D.C. Like I do and you will laugh at others when they try to tell you what proximity to power is like.
The decisions made involving the world's largest military (aka most powerful) are in Washington DC (sorry New York). Largest population doesn't mean most powerful. DC has the power to shape the world more than any other place on earth.
The USA are strongest country on the world, so Washington D.C. is the most powerful capital city in the world.

While Japan went on its bubble popping, Seoul had to take some of the works Tokyo had to deal with, in means of Industry. Seoul is a very fast city; which here I mean, everything goes fast. Korea's GNP in 1953 was 67$ after a destructive war between communism and capitalism, and in 2007, Korea's GNP became 21655$, making Korea one of the 20 major power on Earth. Seoul was the Engine for all of these; Samsung Headquarters (if Samsung itself becomes an independent nation, it will become one of the top 30 major economy. What! ), SK Labs, LG headquarters, Gangnam and some of the greatest elite education centers are located in Seoul. Seoul has an access to world's best airport, the Incheon Airport, and has a rich history which dates back to because 4000 in prehistory, and was a major city since because 5. The remains of Baekjae, Goryeo, Joseon are still alive, with ancient temples and palaces, old city gates and walls.
Seoul is very powerful. There are so many good people. Not only seoul but also many cities in Korea, are very powerful.
1/4 of the population in the Republic of Korea live in Seoul. Hey, McDonalds and Burger King deliver...
Seoul is not politically powerful, but economically powerful. This city ranked in 3rd for population and 4th for economy.

Not the most powerful city on earth, but it deserves to be higher up. 41 billionaires make this city the 6th on forbes' list, they can't all be wrong for flocking here... this is an incredible number for a poor country. It's not like the city is much more populated, it is not proportional to India, so its high GDP and presence of super rich cannot be dismissed like that. Situated exactly between the west and the east, it is neither east asian (Chinese etc) nor European. A former second city of the British Empire, it has retained its global appeal. After Hong Kong and London, it is the most influential city in the English speaking world outside of America.
Mumbai the financial capital of India... Home to India's some of the tallest and magnificent towers... British architecture best... MUMBAI rocks...
Financial capital, entertainment center, home to most of the billionaires, skyscrapers what more is required for it to be a global power in itself.
Lots of love to Mumbai... This comes in 9th position in the most powerful cities list and comes 1st in worst cities in the world. Very bad.


Why isn't Shanghai on this list? That's crazy! Look up some pictures on Google Images!
Shanghai is already in top5 today, it's close to 2019 now.
Shanghai should be in the list. At least Top 10
Should be much higher than number 13!

It maybe isn't as powerful as New York or London at this moment, but the only reason for that is communism in 20th century. Russian state administration now have a very hard task, but I deeply believe that, with some effort (especially in rebuilding industry), Moscow will be in top 3.
Moscow is the Finance, political, economic Center of Russia. It is a monopol in its own country and controls it to 100 percent, during other large countries have a lot of great cities, Moscow is the special one in Russia, so it is today a single centre in a very large nation and is caused of this the worlds most powerful city.
Moscow has given Russia a boosting economy. it is the polital, and economical city of Russia and deserves a higher ranking than... ten. Moscow is the number 1 most powerful city in the world. But why is it so low? Because half the world hates Russia just because they are so damn powerful. So stop hating. Win this for Mother Russia!
Why does everyone hate Russia? Moscow should get a much higher ranking. Russia does not have a lot of major cities so pretty much everything happens in Moscow. And if you think about it Russia is strong so Moscow must be a powerful city.


Norway is a country with a developed economy. No doubt its capital is a really powerful city.
Best capital ever.

A 14 million population city, with a 25 million population state! And the 2nd biggest city in Europe and the head of over history cultures and it's the city of all times! And as napoleon said : if the world is one state Istanbul will be it's capital. Also it's the only city in the world where the past and present and future meet! So it should be in top 5!
Even this is not debatable, Istanbul is the most important city of all times since it has established.
Most powerful city in the heart of the world.
I have visited best trip of mines!

Many would consider the Big T as one of the major economic powerhouses of North America. In fact (2014) it is the 4th most powerful city in America after NY, LA and Mexico City. Almost a third of Canadians live in this massive city. Its also packed with skyscrapers, and boasts one of the most impressive looking skylines in the world in CN Tower thus equalling the superiority, greatness and power of the city.
Toronto has built many new highrise buildings more than any other city in the world and still has planned to build many more in the future. I believe Toronto will be one of 5 top global cities in the world in 20 years.
Many consider the Big T as one of the major economic powerhouses of both the Americas. It is in fact (2014) the fourth most powerful city in North America after NY, LA and Mexico City. Almost a third of Canada's population hail from or inhabit Toronto. What seems to make this huge mighty Canadian city look superior and powerful is also its vast impressive skyline and is one of the best in the world with CN Tower and when seen at night from Lake Ontario.
It should be #1 I love the nice people and the big list of things you can do here.. You will never get board

The most beautiful city in the world!

Kolkata is one of the most powerful cities in every area.
Kolkata is one the powerful city. Why it is not included in the list
I like you Kolkata

The economic capital of the Midwest!

Perfect city. It has it all! Largest city on the Western hemisphere. Future powerhouse.
Paseo de la reforma is so nice, them the statue of angel and them the passage to castle Chapultepec. So awesome!
Mexico City is not that powerful NYC is powerful Mexico City is not

Sexy city. The future world sees Kiev as the most powerful city. This statement is made by an indian anthropologist...
Big city, bridge between Europe and Asia..

I'm a German but what can I say is Malaysia is a really really awesome.
Best city in the world.
It has the best foods!

Best place ever.. Loved the night life
My favourite city! Love it
Beautiful place to live