The world’s tallest skyscrapers are primarily located in Asia and were constructed in the past 15 years. Here is the ranking.
Constructing the world’s tallest skyscraper has been a challenge for nearly 150 years, dating back to the Home Insurance Building, which was completed in Chicago in 1885. Since that time, skyscrapers have emerged in numerous cities, serving both urban planning needs and symbolic purposes related to power and status. Today, advancements in technology allow skyscrapers to achieve remarkable heights. Explore the current ranking of these towering structures!
The ranking of the 10 tallest skyscrapers in the world
Thanks to recent technological and construction innovations, engineers worldwide have designed skyscrapers that challenge the laws of physics in terms of height and grandeur. This top 10 list includes completed buildings only, excluding those that are under construction or in the planning stage. Let’s explore together the 10 tallest skyscrapers in the world.
- Burj Khalifa, Dubai: 828 m
The Burj Khalifa, situated in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, has held the title of the world’s tallest skyscraper since its completion in 2010. This engineering marvel features approximately 185,000 square meters of indoor living space and comprises 163 floors. It accommodates offices, hotels, and residential apartments.
- Merdeka 118, Kuala Lumpur: 679 m
This skyscraper, completed in 2023, is among the newest additions to its category. Known as PNB118 and KL118, it features offices, a hotel, and a five-story shopping centre. Construction began in 2014 and took approximately seven years, costing around USD 2.5 billion.
- Shanghai Tower, Shanghai: 632 m
Ranking third among the world’s tallest skyscrapers, this impressive building is renowned for its aesthetics. Its curved, spiralling façade symbolises China’s transformation from poverty to economic prosperity. The Shanghai Tower is also one of the most sustainable skyscrapers globally, thanks to its choice of materials, advanced ventilation systems, and the integration of renewable energy sources.
- Mecca Royal Clock Tower, Mecca: 601 m
The Mecca Royal Clock Tower is part of a building complex known as Abraj Al Bait and is situated above the Holy Mosque of Mecca and the Kaaba, which is considered Islam’s holiest site. The clock in this tower has a diameter of 43 meters, making it the largest in the world by area and also the tallest. The tower houses a hotel that can accommodate approximately 100,000 pilgrims. Completed in 2012, the construction of this skyscraper cost an estimated $15 billion, which may make it the most expensive building in the world.
- Ping An Finance Centre, Shenzhen: 599 m
Completed in 2017, it is the second-tallest skyscraper in China and, like the Shanghai Tower, carries significant symbolic meaning. Its impressive height reflects the remarkable growth of Shenzhen, a city whose population has surged from 60,000 to 13.5 million since 1980. Additionally, it is the second-largest skyscraper in the world by total area, boasting a floor space of approximately 500,000 m².
- Lotte World Tower, Seoul: 555 m
The Lotte World Tower is the only building from South Korea included in the ranking. Its design is inspired by the country’s culture: the tapered shape resembles brushes used in Korean calligraphy, while the clear glass exterior reflects the region’s traditional ceramics and porcelain. With 123 floors, the tower features a 7-star luxury hotel, office spaces, and residential apartments.
- One World Trade Centre, New York: 541 m
Also known as the Freedom Tower, One World Trade Centre is the tallest skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere. The building holds significant symbolism for several reasons: its height of 1,776 feet commemorates the year of the United States Declaration of Independence, and its construction, which was completed in 2014, symbolises rebirth following the tragedy of September 11, 2001. In fact, the soaring Freedom Tower represents a vision for the future, while the 9/11 Memorial, which is set lower to the ground, serves as a poignant reminder of the past.
- Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre, Guangzhou: 530 m
Known as the East Tower, this building is the third-tallest skyscraper in China. It was designed and engineered by the same firms that created the Ping An Finance Centre in Shenzhen, which is the fifth-tallest skyscraper in the world. The East Tower features 111 stories and includes office spaces, luxury apartments with inner courtyards, a five-star hotel, an indoor swimming pool, as well as various bars and restaurants.
- Tianjin CTF Finance Centre, Tianjin: 530 m
Although the Tianjin CTF Finance Centre and the Guangzhou skyscraper are the same height, the Tianjin CTF Finance Centre ranks ninth among the world’s tallest skyscrapers. This ranking is due to differences in measurement techniques. Factors such as architectural height, measured without including antennas, and other parameters like the height of the highest occupied floor and the total number of floors are considered. The Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre ranks slightly higher because it performs better in these two specific categories.
- CITIC Tower, Beijing: 528 m
The final skyscraper among the tallest in the world is located in the Chinese capital and is known as China Zun. This building, like many others in Asia, holds significant symbolic value: the “zun” is an ancient Chinese ceremonial vessel, and the architecture of this remarkable structure is inspired by its shape. An interesting fact about the skyscraper is that from its top three floors, one can see Zhongnanhai, the headquarters of the Chinese Communist Party. In 2018, the Hong Kong newspaper Ming Pao even proposed expropriating the building for national security reasons.
Now that you know the top 10 tallest skyscrapers in the world, you may be inspired to book a trip to see them in person. By joining one of our clubs, you can enjoy discounts on your travels, so take advantage of this opportunity!
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