Top 10 Richest Cities In The World 2013
The International Monetary Fund and World Bank, conduct surveys every year to assess the economic conditions of various cities around the world. These studies reveal data that can be used to find out the richest cities in the world. As expected, the majority of these cities are in the most developed nations of the world. However, a few of them reside in some of the not-so-well-off countries as well.
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In order to rank cities, according to wealth, surveys take into account certain aspects such as the population, standard of living, economic vitality, political influence, and income margins, among other parameters. Due to differences in inflation, cost of living, and other factors, it can be hard to come up with an accurate formula for ranking cities. However, calculations of Gross Domestic Product provide the closest approximation of wealth. The cities listed below are a blend of nations from America, Asia, and Europe. The rankings presented here are based on GDP per capita.
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#1: Tokyo, Japan Tops Richest City in the World List
In what started out as the fishing village of Edo, Tokyo has come a long way from its humble beginnings. The city was brought to its knees during the 1923 earthquake and devastating US bombings after World War II. However, it has recovered over the years, and today, it is not only Japan’s capital but also the richest metropolis in the world. The city has a staggering GDP value of $1,520 billion as of 2013. It is densely populated with 13 million inhabitants and the main source of wealth comes from diverse economic sectors, including electronics, telecommunications, and publishing, just to name a few. It is also home to the largest stock exchange market in the world.
#2: New York, United States of America
New York is a large city spanning an area of 1213 km2 and has a population of more than 8 million people. It ranks as the richest city in America and the second wealthiest in the world. It is the most densely populated city in the United States and home to people from all walks of life. The city’s gross GDP for 2013 was $1,210 billion. Industries in the publishing, real estate, and finance sectors are amongst the biggest contributors to its economy.
#3: Los Angeles, USA
Spanish settlers were among the earliest immigrants to Los Angeles. In fact, the city was initially known as El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina de Los Angeles. The Native American Chumash tribe also settled in LA back in the 16th century. The population and local infrastructure of Los Angeles has grown gradually over the years to become the city we know it today. It is home to more than 3 million people and covers 1,302 square kilometers. LA’s gross GDP for 2013 was $789.7 billion. Its biggest industries are in the finance and banking sectors. REF
#4: Seoul, South Korea
Seoul is the fourth largest city in the world with a GDP value of $779.3 billion. It was famed for being one of the first cities in South East Asia to have water, power, and a phone system. The city is only 605.21km2 in size. Despite its small size, Seoul is South Korea’s capital and home to more than 10 million people. Sectors that contribute the most to Seoul’s economy include the production of electronics, textile, and iron.
#5: London, England
Covering 1,570 km2, London is one of the biggest cities in England. This city has a wide racial and cultural diversity, with a population of over 8 million. Although the huge fire of 1666 nearly destroyed London, the city has slowly recovered over the years to become the modern metropolis it is now. At an estimated GDP of $731.2 billion, London ranks as the fifth richest city in the world. It is also the wealthiest city in the country and Europe. London’s main industries include banking and finance enterprises.
#6: Paris, France
The city of lights takes the sixth spot as one of the wealthiest urban centers in the world. Paris is the French capital, spanning 105.4 square kilometers and home to 10million+ people. Its GDP for 2013 is estimated to be $669.2 billion. Paris has a troubled past but has grown steadily to become one of the wealthiest cities in the world. It is also the most visited destination in all of Europe and a cultural melting pot. The key contributing sectors to London’s economy include tourism, the consumer goods business, and clothing design companies.
#7: Osaka, Japan
Osaka is one of the most important cities in Japan. It has a population of 1,545,410 and covers about 525.25 km2. However, only 223 square kilometers are designed as a city. Osaka is the seventh richest urban development in the world with a GDP of $554.8 billion. Textile, plastic, and metal manufacturers are among the biggest industries contributing to Osaka’s wealth.
#8: Chicago, USA
For decades, Chicago was one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. Today, it is not only the third richest city in America but also the eighth wealthiest city on earth. The bulk of Chicago’s wealth comes from manufacturing, printing, and publishing. GDP for Chicago in 2013 was $ 524.6 billion.
#9: Moscow, Russia
Moscow is an expansive city covering 2,510 square kilometers with a population of more than 11 million inhabitants. The city is not only the capital of Russia but also the richest in the country. Moscow derives its wealth mostly from the production of metal, food, and chemicals. Its gross GDP as of 2013 is $520.1 billion.
10#: Shanghai, China
Although it first started out as a fishing village during the Song Dynasty, Shanghai has developed into a modern metropolis. The city ranks as the 10th richest in the world and is the wealthiest in China. Its GDP for 2013 was estimated at $516.5 billion. A significant portion of this comes from the production of oil and chemicals.
Infesting Facts
The top 10 list does not feature any city from Africa or Australia. Asia dominates the list with four cities. It is followed by Europe and USA, which have three cities each on the list.