Top 10 Tallest Buildings and Skyscrapers in the World
For nearly half a century, from 1931 to 1972, the Empire State Building in New York City held the title of the world’s tallest building. However, over 50 years later, it no longer ranks among the top 40. This shift is due to the rise of numerous construction companies worldwide and significant advancements in building technology. As a result, the rankings for the tallest skyscrapers are updated almost annually. While researching for this content, I noticed that different media outlets report varying rankings, largely depending on whether they include buildings under construction. Today, we’ll explore the top 10 tallest buildings in the world as of 2023, focusing only on completed structures. Enjoy the content and keep this in mind!
10. Taiwan: Taipei 101 [508m / 1,667ft]
The tenth tallest building in the world is Taipei 101, located in Taipei, Taiwan. Completed in 2004, it held the title of the world’s tallest building for five years. As its name suggests, it has 101 floors (plus 5 basement levels), with the 88th, 89th, and 91st floors serving as observation decks.
9. China: CITIC Tower [527m / 1,729ft]
Known as China Zun, CITIC Tower in Beijing ranks ninth among the world’s tallest buildings. Designed by the globally renowned architectural firm Arup, it stands at 527 meters with 109 floors and 8 basement levels. Construction began in September 2011 but took seven years to complete.
8. China: Tianjin CTF Finance Centre [530m / 1,739ft]
The eighth tallest building is the Tianjin CTF Finance Centre in Tianjin, China. Standing at 530 meters, it comprises 97 floors and 4 basement levels. According to an architecture magazine, the building’s distinctive wavy design and three programmatic elements are intricately expressed. This design reportedly minimizes exposure to sunlight and moisture, though this claim lacks verified evidence.
7. China: Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre [530m / 1,739ft]
Next is the Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre in Guangzhou, China. It shares the same height as the Tianjin CTF Finance Centre but has more floors—111 above ground and 5 below. Completed in 2010, it uses self-cleaning, corrosion-resistant terracotta and ceramic materials that allow natural ventilation. However, these claims are yet to be scientifically proven.
6. United States: One World Trade Center [541m / 1,776ft]
Located in New York City, One World Trade Center is the sixth tallest building globally, standing at 541 meters. Situated in Manhattan, it has 94 floors and 5 basement levels. Remarkably, it houses 71 elevators, some of which can travel at 23 mph (37 km/h), capable of reaching the 102nd floor from the ground in just one minute.
5. South Korea: Lotte World Tower [554m / 1,821ft]
The Lotte World Tower in Seoul’s Songpa District ranks fifth among the world’s tallest buildings. This skyscraper features a theme park, luxury hotel, theater, shopping mall, and museum. It has 123 floors above ground and 6 below, and it’s known as one of South Korea’s most expensive office-residential buildings. Foreign sources note that it took years to secure regulatory approval for its construction.
4. China: Ping An Finance Center [598m / 1,965ft]
Completed in 2017, the Ping An Finance Center in Shenzhen, China, is the tallest building in the city and the fourth tallest globally. With 115 floors and 5 basement levels, it accommodates over 100 offices, 15,500 employees, and 9,000 daily passengers. Its vast height and expansive floor area make it a truly massive structure.
3. Saudi Arabia: Abraj Al Bait Towers [601m / 1,972ft]
The third tallest building is the Abraj Al Bait Towers in Saudi Arabia. Construction began in 2004 and took nearly six years to complete, costing an estimated $15 billion, making it one of the world’s most expensive buildings. This massive clock tower, as its name suggests, features a clock face over five times larger than London’s Big Ben.
2. China: Shanghai Tower [631m / 2,073ft]
Located in China, the Shanghai Tower is not only the second tallest building in the world but also holds records for the fastest elevators, the highest hotel and restaurant, and the highest observation deck. It has 128 floors, with the observation deck on the 119th floor.
1. United Arab Emirates: Burj Khalifa [827m / 2,717ft]
For the past decade, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, has held the uncontested title of the world’s tallest building. Standing at an impressive 827 meters with 163 floors, it also holds records for the tallest freestanding structure, the most floors, and the longest elevator. The concrete used in its construction equals the weight of 100,000 elephants, and it features 26,000 glass panels.
I knew the world’s tallest building was in Dubai, but I had no idea it was this tall. The height difference between the first and second spots is staggering! It’s likely to remain number one not just for the past decade but for the next one as well. I was also surprised to see so many Chinese buildings in the top 10. However, the scientific claims about their designs lack verified evidence, so take those with a grain of salt.