Top 10 Most Powerful Cities in the World

The Top Ten
1 London, United Kingdom London is the capital and most populous city of England and the United Kingdom. Standing on the River Thames in the south eastern part of the island of Great Britain, London has been a major settlement for two millennia. London is one of the world's most important global cities. It exerts considerable influence upon the arts, commerce, education, entertainment, fashion, finance, healthcare, media,... read more

London is an amazing city to be in. It's a 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 angle of hate, beef, and anger, but the truth is London is 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 supports it being the most powerful city in the world. Unlike London.

The reason London is considered the most powerful city in the world is its significant share of the power of the United Kingdom, which is the second most powerful country globally, albeit a distant second to the USA. If power were more evenly distributed across other UK cities, London would rank a distant third behind New York and Tokyo. The concentration of Britain's Comprehensive National Power in the capital is a source of some indignation to the rest of the country.

2 New York, United States The City of New York, often called New York City or simply New York, is the most populous city in the United States. New York City is also the most densely populated major city in the United States.

New York City, one of only two Alpha++ World Cities (the other being London), shares the status of economic capital of the world (a contested title) with London. In the realm of finance, money equates to power and significantly influences politics. Adding to this, unlike London, New York City is located in the world's only superpower, a status it is likely to maintain for quite some time. This makes New York City arguably the most powerful, or at least more powerful than Tokyo. While one could argue for London, Tokyo doesn't seem to be in the same league.

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, you're better off heading elsewhere.

It's a shame New Delhi is ahead of NYC. NYC has beaten London in wealth and economic power in almost every aspect. NYC may not have the history or the amount of culture other cities have, but I tell you, this is the city where dreams become real, most powerful city in the world in the most powerful country in the world.

3 Tokyo, Japan Tokyo, officially Tokyo Metropolis, one of the 47 prefectures of Japan, has served as the Japanese capital since 1869. Located at the head of Tokyo Bay, the prefecture forms part of the Kantō region on the central Pacific coast of Japan's main island of Honshu. Tokyo is the political and economic center of the country, as well as the seat of the Emperor of Japan and the national government. As of... read more

Tokyo is the world's largest population city. It is a very beautiful and clean city. I am Indian, but I love Tokyo. Tokyo is the 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 visited Tokyo, I was surprised in a good way by everything. I also like their beautiful culture and heart.

4 Paris, France Paris is the capital and most populous city of France, with an area of 105 square kilometres and an official estimated population of 2,140,526 residents as of 1 January 2019. Since the 17th century, Paris has been one of Europe's major centres of finance, diplomacy, commerce, fashion, science, and the arts... read more

Paris has an undeserved reputation for being bad for business and rude. It's actually a great economic and political center. An 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 the major places to be in a few years.

Paris, the capital city, is becoming the first place in Europe for high-tech startups. The most affluent area, Paris and its surroundings, is in Europe. Europe is the first economic power in the whole world.

5 Berlin, Germany Berlin is the capital and largest city of Germany by both area and population. Its 3.8 million inhabitants make it the European Union's most populous city, according to population within city limits One of Germany's sixteen constituent states, Berlin is surrounded by the State of Brandenburg and contiguous with Potsdam, Brandenburg's capital. Berlin's urban area, which has a population of around 4.5... read more

Berlin is, no doubt, the most powerful city on the globe. Germany and China hold up the world's economic system, and without these two countries, money would be hyperinflated, and the progress of the abundance of goods would be reverted to the 1600s. Deutschland ist über alles in der Welt!

Go Germany!

Economically wiser than everyone else. Lost 2 World Wars and is still the most powerful EU country.

Strong and will be the strongest!

6 New Delhi, India New Delhi is the capital and seat of government of India. It is also a municipality and district in Delhi and serves as the seat of Government of Delhi.

New Delhi is a nice, clean city, with all the facilities needed for a city to be called developed. However, Delhi cannot be compared to other beautiful or developed cities. It is a city of ancient Raja and Maharaja.

Delhi is beautiful and is considered a developed country. It is the world's 2nd most powerful city.

New Delhi is an excellent place to visit and live in. Go to Delhi and you'll find a colonial Delhi, a modern Delhi, and a post-modern Delhi.

7 Beijing, China

Beijing will definitely become the new center of the world, replacing New York City. If you haven't been there yet, you must check it out!

Beijing is the greatest city of all time and by 2025, its breathtaking skyscrapers will overtake New York's.

Beijing is the heart of Asia. It's the place where all the magic happens.

8 Singapore, Singapore
9 Seoul, South Korea Seoul – officially the Seoul Special City – is the capital and largest metropolis of the Republic of Korea, forming the heart of the Seoul Capital Area, which includes the surrounding Incheon metropolis and Gyeonggi province, the world's 14th largest city and second largest metropolitan area.

While Japan was dealing with its economic bubble burst, Seoul had to take on some of the industrial work that Tokyo previously handled. Seoul is a very fast-paced city. By this, I mean everything moves quickly. Korea's GNP in 1953 was $67 after a destructive war between communism and capitalism. By 2007, Korea's GNP had risen to $21,655, making Korea one of the top 20 major powers on Earth. Seoul was the driving force behind all this.

Home to Samsung Headquarters (if Samsung were an independent nation, it would rank among the top 30 economies in the world. What!), SK Labs, LG Headquarters, and Gangnam, Seoul also boasts some of the finest elite education centers. Furthermore, the city has access to the world's best airport, Incheon Airport, and possesses a rich history dating back to 4000 BC in prehistory. Seoul has been a major city since 5 AD.

The remains of Baekje, Goryeo, Joseon dynasties are still evident today, with ancient temples and palaces, old city gates, and walls.

10 Washington, D.C., United States

I live here, so I might be partial. I'm not from here, but Washington, D.C. is not only the political capital of the most economically powerful and culturally influential nation in the world. It is also incredibly diverse. People from all over the world want to move here.

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. 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, with a significant population of college-educated people. So, it's really a sought-out city for the intellectual and nerd crowd.

Every nation has a presence here via embassies. We're second in the world behind Brussels in the number of embassies. We also have the headquarters of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. I believe the UN has offices here. We also have world-renowned tourist attractions such as the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. In addition, we boast some of the most prestigious and visited museums in the world, like the Smithsonian and the National Gallery of Art.

The city is also very densely populated and has three airports, all major sports teams, a semi-functional Metrorail, and it's centrally located on the East Coast with very quick connections to other major global cities in the US. It isn't thriving like Manhattan or LA, but it's certainly up there and very much a necessary city on the global stage. Not to mention, the most powerful military in the world is here... The nukes are all here too...

The Contenders
11 Mumbai, India Mumbai is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra. Mumbai lies on the Konkan coast on the west coast of India and has a deep natural harbour. In 2008, Mumbai was named an alpha world city. It has the highest number of millionaires and billionaires among all cities in India. Mumbai is home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Elephanta Caves, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, and... read more

Mumbai may not be the most powerful city on Earth, but it certainly deserves to be ranked higher. With 41 billionaires, this city stands as the sixth on Forbes' list. This is an incredible number for a country often perceived as poor. Moreover, the city's population isn't disproportionately high compared to the rest of India, so its high GDP and the presence of the super-rich cannot be so easily dismissed.

Strategically situated between the West and the East, Mumbai is neither East Asian (like China) nor European. As a former second city of the British Empire, it has retained its global appeal. Following Hong Kong and London, it is the most influential city in the English-speaking world outside of America.

Mumbai, the financial capital of India, is home to some of India's tallest and most magnificent towers. It has the best British architecture. Mumbai rocks.

Mumbai, the financial capital and entertainment center, is home to most of the billionaires and skyscrapers. What more is required for it to be a global power in itself?

12 Amsterdam, Netherlands
13 Shanghai, China Shanghai is one of the four municipalities under the direct administration of the central government of the People's Republic of China, the largest city in China by population, and the second most populous city proper in the world, with a population of 24.28 million as of 2019, it is the most populous urban area in China and the most populous city proper in the world. Shanghai is a global center for... read more

Why isn't Shanghai on this list? That's crazy! Look up some pictures on Google Images!

Shanghai is already in the top 5 today, it's close to 2019 now.

Shanghai should be in the list, at least Top 10.

14 Moscow, Russia

Moscow may not be as powerful as New York or London at this moment, but the only reason for that is the impact of communism in the 20th century. The Russian state administration now has a very hard task, but I deeply believe that, with some effort (especially in rebuilding the industry), Moscow will be in the top 3.

Moscow is the financial, political, and economic center of Russia. It is a monopoly in its own country and controls it to 100 percent, while other large countries have a lot of great cities. Moscow is the special one in Russia, so it is today a single center in a very large nation and is, because of this, the world's most powerful city.

Moscow has given Russia a boosting economy. It is the political and economic city of Russia and deserves a higher ranking than tenth. 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!

15 Hong Kong, China Hong Kong, officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, is an autonomous territory on the eastern side of the Pearl River estuary in East Asia. With over 7.5 million residents of various nationalities in a 1,104-square-kilometre (426 sq mi) territory, Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated places in the world.
16 Oslo, Norway Oslo is the capital and most populous city of Norway. It constitutes both a county and a municipality.

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

17 Istanbul, Turkey Istanbul, formerly known as Byzantium and Constantinople, is the most populous city in Turkey and the country's economic, cultural and historic center. The city straddles the Bosphorus strait, and lies in both Europe and Asia, with a population of over 15 million residents, comprising 19% of the population of Turkey. Istanbul is the most populous city in Europe, and the world's fifteenth-largest city... read more

A 14 million population city, within a 25 million population state! It's the 2nd biggest city in Europe and the heart of over history cultures. It's the city of all times! And as Napoleon said: If the world were a single state, Istanbul would be its capital. Also, it's the only city in the world where the past, present, and future meet! So, it should be in the top 5!

While this is not debatable, Istanbul is the most important city of all time since its establishment.

Most powerful city in the heart of the world.

18 Rio De Janeiro, Brazil Rio de Janeiro, or simply Rio, is anchor to the Rio de Janeiro metropolitan area and the second-most populous municipality in Brazil and the sixth-most populous in the Americas.

The most beautiful city in the world!

19 Kolkata, India Kolkata, situated in eastern India, is known as the "City of Joy" and is a cultural and intellectual center. The Victoria Memorial showcases colonial-era architecture, while the Howrah Bridge is a iconic symbol. The city's rich literary heritage includes famous poets and authors. Kolkata's Durga Puja festival is a vibrant celebration of art and culture, attracting visitors from around the world.

Kolkata is one of the most powerful cities in every area.

Kolkata is one of the powerful cities. Why is it not included in the list?

20 Toronto, Canada Toronto is the most populous city in Canada, the provincial capital of Ontario, and the centre of the Greater Toronto Area, the most populous metropolitan area in Canada. Toronto is an international centre of business, finance, arts, and culture, and is recognized as one of the most multicultural and cosmopolitan cities in the world.

Toronto has built more new high-rise buildings than any other city in the world and still plans to build many more in the future. I believe Toronto will be one of the top 5 global cities in the world in 20 years.

Toronto, often referred to as the Big T, is considered one of the major economic powerhouses of the Americas. As of 2014, it was the fourth most powerful city in North America, trailing only New York, Los Angeles, and Mexico City. Almost a third of Canada's population hails from or resides in Toronto. What contributes to the city's appearance of power and superiority is its vast and impressive skyline, featuring the CN Tower. This skyline, particularly when viewed at night from Lake Ontario, ranks as one of the best in the world.

It should be number 1. Very nice and friendly. I always like to visit there.

21 Chicago, United States Chicago, officially the City of Chicago, is the third-most populous city in the United States. With over 2.7 million residents, it is also the most populous city in both the state of Illinois and the Midwestern United States. Chicago is considered one of the most important business centers in the world... read more

The economic capital of the Midwest!

22 Mexico City, Mexico Mexico City, or the City of Mexico, is the capital of Mexico and the most populous city in North America.

Mexico City is perfect. It has it all! It's the largest city in the Western Hemisphere and a future powerhouse.

Paseo de la Reforma is so nice, then there's the statue of the Angel and then the passage to Castle Chapultepec. It's awesome!

23 Kyiv, Ukraine

Kyiv is a sexy city. The future world sees Kyiv as the most powerful city. This statement is made by an Indian anthropologist.

Big city, bridge between Europe and Asia.

24 Sydney, Australia Sydney, a vibrant city on Australia's southeastern coast, is known for its iconic Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. The city's bustling waterfront offers activities like sailing and dining with harbor views. Bondi Beach is famous for its surf culture, while the Royal Botanic Garden provides a peaceful escape in the heart of the city. Sydney's diverse neighborhoods, such as The Rocks and... read more

Sydney is a diverse city that has had much power in the government. It's economically stable, as over 60% of the world's important materials come from our great nation, and most of these come from Sydney and its outskirts. It is definitely a powerful city.

25 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Kuala Lumpur, officially the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, or commonly known as KL, is the national capital and largest city in Malaysia.

I'm German, but what I can say is Malaysia is really, really awesome.

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