Tokyo has claimed the top spot as the world’s richest city in 2025, with a GDP of $2.55 trillion, according to CEOWORLD Magazine.
The city’s wealth is built on decades of technological innovation and strong industrial growth, putting it ahead of a list dominated by US cities.
“The world’s biggest cities form the economic backbone of the global economy, commanding capital, innovation, and influence at an unparalleled scale,” the magazine said in its survey of 300 cities.
Innovation at the core of Tokyo’s wealth
CEOWORLD Magazine said that urban wealth is not only about population or infrastructure but also about “innovation density, institutional strength, and capital fluidity.”
Tokyo’s economic strength comes from its long history of excellence in technology, automotive engineering, and precision manufacturing.
“The city remains a benchmark for operational excellence, technological sophistication, and disciplined economic governance,” the magazine said.
“Japan’s capital integrates innovation with infrastructure like few others, its transportation systems, financial networks, and industrial supply chains operate with unmatched precision.”
New York ranks second
The New York metropolitan area ranked second, serving as the world’s centre of finance and startups. Los Angeles came third, due to its entertainment industry and a fast-growing technology and aerospace sector, according to CEOWORLD.
“Collectively, the top 10 cities alone represent nearly one-third of global GDP, demonstrating how economic might is increasingly concentrated in urban centres that drive innovation, capital flow, and global competitiveness,” the report said.
US cities dominated the list, with Greater Chicago (7), San Francisco Bay Area (9), Greater Washington (12), Dallas-Fort Worth (13), Greater Houston (14), Greater Boston (15), Greater Seattle (18), Greater Philadelphia (19), Metro Atlanta (20), and Silicon Valley (24) also making it to the top 25.
Asia’s growing economic power
Asia’s strong performance in the 2025 rankings is telling us about a shift in global economic strength. Seoul ranked fifth due to South Korea’s success in technology, electronics, and digital innovation.
In China, Shanghai came 10th, continuing its transformation into a global financial and logistics hub, while Beijing ranked 11th.
The magazine said that a city’s ranking also depends on its quality of life and the ecosystem that supports wealth creation. Talent attraction, business climate, innovation capacity, and global connectivity all play key roles in determining how rich and influential a city becomes, CEOWORLD noted.