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Buildworld analysed a database of more than 109,000 skyscrapers to rank the cities with the tallest skylines
The origins of skyscrapers can be traced back to the late 19th century, with Chicago earning the moniker of the “birthplace of skyscrapers” due to the construction of the Home Insurance Building in 1885.
Though standing at a modest ten stories by today’s standards, this building marked a groundbreaking moment in construction history by introducing steel frames, heralding the era of vertical architecture.
Skyscrapers transcended being mere structures; they became integral to the long-term vision of creating vertical cities. Especially in densely populated urban areas, they proved indispensable in efficiently utilising limited space, accommodating vast populations, offices, and amenities within a compact footprint.
However, skyscrapers evolved beyond functionality, becoming canvases for architectural innovation. Visionaries like Frank Lloyd Wright, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and Frank Gehry pushed the boundaries with their artistic interpretations. Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, a masterpiece characterised by its titanium curves, defied conventional architectural norms.
Meanwhile, Adrian Smith’s design for the Burj Khalifa in Dubai symbolises modern elegance and innovation. These iconic designs have left an indelible mark on the architectural landscape, continuing to inspire and drawing visitors from around the globe.
Nevertheless, the proliferation of skyscrapers has generated a divided opinion on the aesthetics of city skylines. Some argue that once-clear cityscapes are now cluttered with towering structures. Conversely, others appreciate the artistry and the economic progress that skyscrapers typically signify.
The question that remains is: Which cities boast the world’s tallest skylines, and how have these towering urban landscapes evolved over the years?
Buildworld’s detailed analysis
Buildworld analysed a database of more than 109,000 skyscrapers and high-rise buildings in cities and metropolitan areas around the world. It collected the height in metres and the completion date and/or destruction of each building, all sourced from skyscraperpage.com.
To rank the cities with the tallest skylines and the city in each country with the tallest skyline, Buildworld averaged the height (in metres) of its 50 tallest buildings.
It also calculated the average height (in metres) of all skyscrapers built and/or destroyed per year and decade between 1900 and May 2023 for all cities in its dataset and for London, New York, Dubai, Toronto, Hong Kong and Melbourne.
Key findings
Dubai has the tallest skyline in the world, with an average height of 323.9 metres
The world’s second-tallest skyline belongs to New York, U.S (299.1 metres)
China dominates the results with nine cities amongst the top 20 tallest skylines in the world, led by Shenzhen (296.1 metres)
Completed in 1710, St Paul’s Cathedral was the tallest building in London, UK at a height of 111.3 metres, until the Millbank Tower was built in 1963 (119.0 metres) which was quickly surpassed by the BT Tower (188.4 metres) in 1964
In 1900, the average height of New York’s skyscrapers was 60.7 metres, the average height today is 83.4 metres
Hong Kong’s skyline has nearly doubled in the last century, from 57.4 metres in 1935 to 116.8 metres in 2023
The world’s tallest skylines
Rank City Country Average Skyline Height (in metres)
1 Dubai UAE 323.9
2 New York City US 299.1
3 Shenzhen China 296.1
4 Shanghai China 264.4
5 Guangzhou China 256.8
6 Chicago US 247
7 Hong Kong China 242.4
8 Chongqing China 234.7
9 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia 233.3
10 Wuhan China 225.4
11 Jakarta Indonesia 223.2
12 Mumbai India 220.9
13 Tianjin China 218.6
14 Nanning China 217.7
15 Bangkok Thailand 217.3
16 Singapore Singapore 216.9
17 Nanjing China 216.2
18 Tokyo Japan 211.7
19 Toronto Canada 209.1
20 Melbourne Australia 208.2
It might not surprise that Dubai, UAE, is the ultimate city in the clouds, where the average height of a building is 323.9 metres. The city’s skyline is adorned with architectural wonders like the twisting Cayan Tower, the elegant Princess Tower, and the Burj Al Arab, which is shaped like a billowing sail.
The jewel in the crown, though, is the Burj Khalifa – the world’s tallest building, standing at an impressive 828.1 metres, the world’s tallest structure (previously held by the KVLY-TV mast in Blanchard, North Dakota) and the tallest free-standing structure (previously held by Toronto’s CN Tower).
China dominates the results, with nine cities making the top 20, led by Shenzhen (296.1 metres). Though Hong Kong boasts around 200 more skyscrapers, Shenzhen’s tallest building is more impressive. Standing at 599.1 metres, Ping An International Finance Centre is the second-tallest building in the country and the fifth-tallest skyscraper on Earth.
Interestingly, the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) reported that as of September 2020, there were 81 unfinished skyscrapers in China where construction had been suspended, among which 66 are expected never to be completed. This could have contributed to its ban on “supertall skyscrapers”, which was imposed a year later.
The tallest skyline in every country
In today’s world, virtually every nation boasts impressive tall buildings that define its contemporary cityscape. These range from the iconic Burj Khalifa in the United Arab Emirates to the futuristic Shanghai Tower in China and the soaring One World Trade Center in the United States.
These towering edifices serve as remarkable testaments to human creativity and engineering excellence, acting as symbols of economic prosperity and the advancement of urban environments. Nevertheless, the significance of skyscrapers remains a subject of intense debate. Some argue that these “towers of power” reinforce capitalist ideals while potentially obstructing scenic city views.
Irrespective of their aesthetic impact, many countries take immense pride in their distinctive architectural wonders. Yet, a pressing question remains: Which city boasts the tallest skyline within each respective nation?
Buildworld’s map highlights which cities are home to the tallest skylines in every country around the world. Naturally, Dubai, New York and Shenzhen all make the cut. As does Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, where the average height of a building is 233.3 metres.
The city was once the home of the world’s tallest building thanks to The Petronas Towers, a pair of 88-storey supertall skyscrapers. They were officially the tallest buildings in the world until 2004 and remained the tallest buildings in Malaysia until 2019 when they were surpassed by The Exchange 106.
Toronto in Canada (209.1 metres), Melbourne in Australia (208.2 metres) and London in the UK (171.6 metres) all feature. Interestingly, so does Athens in Greece (66.4 metres). According to World Atlas, the city has a height restriction in place where buildings legally cannot surpass twelve floors tall. |
