Korea Surpasses the US and China... This City Becomes the World's Wealthiest City, Attracting Koreans

World’s Wealthiest Cities: Tokyo Takes the Top Spot, Seoul Ranks Fifth
Asian Cities Rise on the Back of Technology and Innovation
"Future Competitiveness Depends on Adaptability and Sustainability"

Which city is the wealthiest on Earth? As of 2025, Tokyo, Japan, has claimed the title of the "world's wealthiest city," recording a gross domestic product (GDP) of approximately 2.55 trillion dollars. Seoul has also secured the 5th position, further solidifying its status as a global economic hub.

The business magazine 'CEO WORLD' recently released its "2025 World Wealthiest Cities Ranking," comparing the economic scale of 300 cities worldwide. In this assessment, which measured city wealth based on GDP, Tokyo ranked first, supported by decades of accumulated capabilities in manufacturing and technology industries.

Tokyo Ranks No.1... "Growth Driven by Innovation in Technology, Automotive Engineering, and Precision Manufacturing"

Downtown Tokyo. Pixabay

The report stated, "Tokyo's economic power is the result of ongoing innovation in technology, automotive engineering, and precision manufacturing," and added, "The organic integration of infrastructure and technology has further reinforced its foundation in the global economy."

Tokyo's GDP was tallied at 2.55 trillion dollars (about 3,711 trillion won), followed by New York in second place (2.49 trillion dollars), Los Angeles in third (1.62 trillion dollars), and London in fourth (1.472 trillion dollars).

Seoul in the Global Top 5... "Established as a City of Digital Innovation"

Seoul downtown viewed from Namsan.

Among Korean cities, Seoul ranked 5th with a GDP of 1.42 trillion dollars (about 2,066 trillion won). The report commented on Seoul, stating, "Seoul's remarkable growth clearly demonstrates Korea's capabilities in technology, electronics, and digital innovation."

Asian Cities Rising Rapidly... "The Center of the World Shifting Eastward"

It is notable that, aside from the United States, most of the top-ranked cities were in Korea, Japan, and China. This is interpreted as a sign that the economic paradigm, once centered on the United States and Europe, is shifting toward Asia. The report analyzed, "Asian megacities are attracting global capital, talent, and technology, leading the restructuring of the world economic order," and added, "The center of the global economy is moving eastward."

The report emphasized, "Sustainable urban planning, climate resilience, and technological adaptability are crucial determinants of long-term prosperity," and noted, "Going forward, the key will not be which city builds the tallest tower, but which city establishes the most adaptable and sustainable ecosystem."