The skyline of global cities is constantly evolving, with architects and engineers reaching new heights each year. As of 2025, the world’s tallest building is the Burj Khalifa lighting up Dubai’s skyline, and a host of other tallest skyscrapers around the world follow closely behind. Below is a ranked list of the top 10 tallest towers in the world for 2025—each entry includes its height, key construction facts, and the story behind the structure. From the Middle East to East Asia and North America, these highest buildings showcase extraordinary engineering feats and architectural innovation.

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1. Burj Khalifa – 828 m (2,717 ft)

• Total cost: ≈ US $1.5 billion
• Construction: 2004 (start) – 2010 (opening)
• Number of floors: 163
• Developer / Architect: Emaar Properties / Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (Adrian Smith)
• Construction time: ~6 years

Opened in 2010, Burj Khalifa dominates Dubai’s skyline as the world’s tallest building—a symbol of the city’s rapid growth and ambition. Its stepped, spiraling form draws inspiration from Islamic architecture, while cutting-edge engineering allows it to withstand desert winds. The tower houses offices, residences, restaurants, and observation decks, firmly positioning Dubai as a global hub of super-tall design.

2. Merdeka 118 – 679 m (2,227 ft)

• Total cost: ≈ US $1.2 billion (RM 5 billion)
• Construction: 2014 – 2023
• Number of floors: 118
• Developer / Architect: PNB Merdeka Ventures / Fender Katsalidis + RSP KL
• Construction time: ~9 years

Kuala Lumpur’s Merdeka 118 is the tallest skyscraper in Southeast Asia and the world’s second-tallest overall. Its angular, crystalline façade references traditional Malay patterns, while its name (“Merdeka” means “independence”) honors Malaysia’s national spirit. Housing offices, a luxury hotel, and an observation deck, the tower signals Malaysia’s ascent on the global stage.

3. Shanghai Tower – 632 m (2,073 ft)

• Total cost: ≈ US $2.4 billion
• Construction: 2008 – 2014; opened 2015
• Number of floors: 128
• Developer / Architect: Shanghai Tower Construction & Development Co. / Gensler
• Construction time: ~6 years

The twisting Shanghai Tower spirals above China’s financial capital, reducing wind loads while showcasing sustainable double-skin design. With LEED Platinum credentials, it integrates offices, retail, and one of the world’s highest observation decks, reflecting China’s commitment to cutting-edge green architecture.

4. Abraj Al-Bait Clock Tower – 601 m (1,972 ft)

• Total cost: ≈ US $15 billion (complex)
• Construction: 2002 – 2011; opened 2012
• Number of floors: 120
• Developer / Contractor: Saudi Binladin Group
• Construction time: ~9 years

Overlooking the Grand Mosque in Mecca, the Abraj Al-Bait Clock Tower features the world’s largest clock face and provides accommodation for millions of pilgrims. Blending modern engineering with Islamic motifs, it reshaped Mecca’s skyline and hospitality capacity.

5. Ping An Finance Center – 599 m (1,965 ft)

• Total cost: ≈ US $1.5 billion
• Construction: 2010 – 2017
• Number of floors: 115
• Developer / Architect: Ping An Insurance Group / Kohn Pedersen Fox
• Construction time: ~7 years

Shenzhen’s sleek Ping An Finance Center symbolizes the city’s emergence as a tech and finance powerhouse. Its faceted stainless-steel façade tapers to a pyramid-like crown, and the “Free Sky” deck offers sweeping views of China’s innovation capital.

6. Lotte World Tower – 555 m (1,821 ft)

• Total cost: ≈ US $3.4 billion
• Construction: 2010 – 2016; opened 2017
• Number of floors: 123
• Developer / Architect: Lotte Group / Kohn Pedersen Fox
• Construction time: ~6 years

South Korea’s Lotte World Tower rises gracefully above Seoul with a tapered silhouette inspired by traditional Korean ceramics. Inside are offices, residences, a luxury hotel, and the “Seoul Sky” deck, offering thrilling glass-floor views of the capital.

7. One World Trade Center – 541.3 m (1,776 ft)

• Total cost: ≈ US $3.9 billion
• Construction: 2006 – 2014
• Number of floors: 104
• Developer / Architect: Port Authority of NY & NJ + Durst Organization / SOM
• Construction time: ~8 years

New York’s One World Trade Center stands as a beacon of resilience, its symbolic height of 1,776 ft honoring American independence. Rebuilt on Ground Zero, it combines advanced security, sustainable design, and the sky-high One World Observatory.

8. Tianjin CTF Finance Centre – 530 m (1,739 ft)

• Total cost: ≈ US $1.2 billion
• Construction: 2013 – 2019
• Number of floors: 97
• Developer / Architect: New World Development / SOM + Ronald Lu & Partners
• Construction time: ~6 years

With its flowing, curved glass form, Tianjin CTF Finance Centre minimizes wind forces and showcases seismic resilience. This mixed-use tower anchors Tianjin’s Binhai business district with offices, serviced apartments, and a luxury hotel.

9. Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre – 530 m (1,739 ft)

• Total cost: ≈ US $1.5 billion
• Construction: 2010 – 2016
• Number of floors: 111
• Developer / Architect: New World Development / Kohn Pedersen Fox
• Construction time: ~6 years

Guangzhou’s CTF Finance Centre pairs with the city’s International Finance Centre to form iconic “twin towers.” Its tiered sections house retail, offices, residences, and one of the world’s fastest elevator systems, epitomizing vertical mixed-use design.

10. CITIC Tower (China Zun) – 528 m (1,732 ft)

• Total cost: ≈ US $3.8 billion
• Construction: 2011 – 2018
• Number of floors: 109
• Developer / Architect: CITIC Group / TFP Farrells & KPF + BIAD
• Construction time: ~7 years

Beijing’s CITIC Tower, nicknamed China Zun, draws its elegant, curving profile from an ancient ceremonial vessel. As the tallest building in the capital’s skyline, it embodies China’s modern aspirations while respecting cultural symbolism.

Have you visited any of these buildings?

In 2025, Burj Khalifa retains its crown as the world’s tallest building, but challengers like Malaysia’s Merdeka 118 and China’s new super-talls showcase an era of ambitious engineering. With every structure on this list exceeding 500 meters, the pursuit of the sky has become a defining mark of global cities. These top 10 tallest skyscrapers highlight human ingenuity—each tower serving as both architectural statement and catalyst for urban development, inspiring the next generation of sky-high achievements.

FAQ

Q1. What is the world’s tallest building in 2025?
A: Dubai’s Burj Khalifa tops the 2025 ranking at 828 m (2,717 ft).

Q2. How tall is Merdeka 118 and where does it rank?
A: Merdeka 118 stands 679 m (2,227 ft), ranking second-tallest skyscraper in 2025.

Q3. Which country claims the most towers in the top-10 list?
A: China leads with five of the world’s tallest buildings, including Shanghai Tower and China Zun.

Q4. What is the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere?
A: One World Trade Center in New York City, at 541.3 m (1,776 ft), holds the Western Hemisphere record.

Q5. How much did the Burj Khalifa cost to build?
A: Construction cost is estimated at US $1.5 billion, completed over roughly six years.

Q6. Are any upcoming projects expected to surpass Burj Khalifa?
A: Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia aims to exceed 1,000 m, poised to set a new height record if completed.