{"id":424,"date":"2026-06-18T13:26:59","date_gmt":"2026-06-18T10:26:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/f-375.ru\/?p=424"},"modified":"2026-06-18T13:31:33","modified_gmt":"2026-06-18T10:31:33","slug":"samye-vysokie-zdaniya-mira","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/f-375.ru\/en\/samye-vysokie-zdaniya-mira\/","title":{"rendered":"The Tallest Buildings in the World: Skyscraper Rankings and Heights"},"content":{"rendered":"

Skyscrapers are more than just buildings \u2014 they are monuments to engineering ingenuity and the ambitions of entire nations. The tallest structures on the planet fascinate far more than architects alone: their silhouettes become symbols of cities, while the race to set new height records never stops. In this guide, we rank the tallest buildings in the world, explore where they are located, what is inside them and the stories behind these famous towers. We also look at how the tallest building in Russia and Europe compares on the global stage.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ranking of the Tallest Buildings in the World<\/h2>\n

The table below lists the 20 tallest buildings in the world as of 2026.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Rank<\/b><\/td>\nBuilding<\/b><\/td>\nCity, country<\/b><\/td>\nHeight<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1<\/span><\/td>\nBurj Khalifa<\/span><\/td>\nDubai, UAE<\/span><\/td>\n828 m<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2<\/span><\/td>\nMerdeka 118<\/span><\/td>\nKuala Lumpur, Malaysia<\/span><\/td>\n679 m<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3<\/span><\/td>\nShanghai Tower<\/span><\/td>\nShanghai, China<\/span><\/td>\n632 m<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
4<\/span><\/td>\nMakkah Royal Clock Tower<\/span><\/td>\nMecca, Saudi Arabia<\/span><\/td>\n601 m<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5<\/span><\/td>\nPing An Finance Center<\/span><\/td>\nShenzhen, China<\/span><\/td>\n599 m<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
6<\/span><\/td>\nLotte World Tower<\/span><\/td>\nSeoul, South Korea<\/span><\/td>\n555 m<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
7<\/span><\/td>\nOne World Trade Center<\/span><\/td>\nNew York, USA<\/span><\/td>\n541 m<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
8<\/span><\/td>\nGuangzhou CTF Finance Centre<\/span><\/td>\nGuangzhou, China<\/span><\/td>\n530 m<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
9<\/span><\/td>\nTianjin CTF Finance Centre<\/span><\/td>\nTianjin, China<\/span><\/td>\n530 m<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
10<\/span><\/td>\nCITIC Tower<\/span><\/td>\nBeijing, China<\/span><\/td>\n528 m<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
11<\/span><\/td>\nTaipei 101<\/span><\/td>\nTaipei, Taiwan<\/span><\/td>\n508 m<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
12<\/span><\/td>\nShanghai World Financial Center<\/span><\/td>\nShanghai, China<\/span><\/td>\n492 m<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
13<\/span><\/td>\nInternational Commerce Center<\/span><\/td>\nHong Kong<\/span><\/td>\n484 m<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
14<\/span><\/td>\nWuhan Greenland Center<\/span><\/td>\nWuhan, China<\/span><\/td>\n475 m<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
15<\/span><\/td>\nCentral Park Tower<\/span><\/td>\nNew York, USA<\/span><\/td>\n472 m<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
16<\/span><\/td>\nLakhta Center<\/span><\/td>\nSt Petersburg, Russia<\/span><\/td>\n462 m<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
17<\/span><\/td>\nLandmark 81<\/span><\/td>\nHo Chi Minh City, Vietnam<\/span><\/td>\n461 m<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
18<\/span><\/td>\nInternational Land-Sea Center<\/span><\/td>\nChongqing, China<\/span><\/td>\n458 m<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
19<\/span><\/td>\nThe Exchange 106<\/span><\/td>\nKuala Lumpur, Malaysia<\/span><\/td>\n452 m<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
20<\/span><\/td>\nChangsha IFS Tower T1<\/span><\/td>\nChangsha, China<\/span><\/td>\n452 m<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

There is a clear pattern: most of the world\u2019s tallest buildings are concentrated in Asia, particularly in China. The Middle East holds the absolute height record, while the only building from Russia \u2014 and from Europe as a whole \u2014 in the top 20 is the Lakhta Center in St Petersburg.<\/span><\/p>\n

The World\u2019s 10 Tallest Buildings in Detail<\/h2>\n

1. Burj Khalifa \u2014 828 m (Dubai, UAE)<\/h3>\n

The undisputed leader and the tallest building in the world. Burj Khalifa stands 828 metres tall and has 163 floors. It was built between 2004 and 2010 to a design by architect Adrian Smith. The building contains apartments, offices and a hotel, as well as one of the world\u2019s highest restaurants and observation decks. The tower was named after Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and has become an internationally recognised symbol of Dubai.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Merdeka 118 \u2014 679 m (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)<\/h3>\n

The second-tallest building in the world was completed in 2023. Its name means \u201cindependence\u201d and refers to the nearby stadium where Malaysia\u2019s independence was declared in 1957. It is the newest skyscraper among the buildings at the top of the ranking.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Shanghai Tower \u2014 632 m (Shanghai, China)<\/h3>\n

The tallest building in China. Designed by Gensler, it contains nine internal zones with atriums, gardens and caf\u00e9s. The tower\u2019s twisting shape is not only visually striking but also functional, helping to reduce wind loads on the structure.<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Makkah Royal Clock Tower \u2014 601 m (Mecca, Saudi Arabia)<\/h3>\n

The tower is famous for having the world\u2019s largest clock faces, each measuring 43 metres in diameter. It forms part of the Abraj Al Bait complex, which includes seven hotels designed to accommodate millions of pilgrims. The building stands beside Islam\u2019s holiest site, the Grand Mosque.<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Ping An Finance Center \u2014 599 m (Shenzhen, China)<\/h3>\n

A landmark of Shenzhen\u2019s central business district. The 100-storey building, featuring a central atrium, serves as the headquarters of the insurance company Ping An Insurance.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Lotte World Tower \u2014 555 m (Seoul, South Korea)<\/h3>\n

A multifunctional skyscraper combining offices, apartments, shops, a hotel, a concert hall and an observation deck. The building was designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. One World Trade Center \u2014 541 m (New York, USA)<\/h3>\n

The tallest building in the United States. It was built on the site of the World Trade Center towers destroyed in the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001. By comparison, the iconic Empire State Building reaches a height of 442 metres. One World Trade Center has become not only an architectural landmark, but also a symbol of resilience.<\/span><\/p>\n

8\u20139. Guangzhou and Tianjin CTF Finance Centres \u2014 530 m Each (China)<\/h3>\n

The two towers are identical in height but very different in character. The Guangzhou tower has a restrained, box-like silhouette and stands on an eight-storey podium. The Tianjin tower is known for its smoothly curved glass walls, designed to reduce the effects of wind and sunlight. Both buildings combine offices, apartments, hotels and retail space.<\/span><\/p>\n

10. CITIC Tower \u2014 528 m (Beijing, China)<\/h3>\n

The tallest building in Beijing. It is also known as China Zun because its silhouette resembles a traditional Chinese ceremonial wine vessel. The tower was designed by Farrells and Kohn Pedersen Fox.<\/span><\/p>\n

Where the World\u2019s Tallest Buildings Are Located<\/h2>\n

Looking at the geographical distribution of the ranking reveals a clear picture of the global race for height.<\/span><\/p>\n

China is the undisputed leader.<\/b> China has more towers in the top 20 than any other country. Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Beijing, Tianjin, Wuhan, Chongqing and Changsha are just some of the country\u2019s major cities where supertall construction has taken place.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Middle East holds the record.<\/b> Burj Khalifa in Dubai and the Makkah Royal Clock Tower in Mecca place the region first and fourth in the global ranking.<\/span><\/p>\n

Southeast Asia is reaching new heights.<\/b> Malaysia, with Merdeka 118 and The Exchange 106, South Korea with Lotte World Tower, Vietnam with Landmark 81 and Taiwan with Taipei 101 are actively developing supertall skyscrapers.<\/span><\/p>\n

The United States has a smaller presence.<\/b> New York has two buildings in the top 15: One World Trade Center and Central Park Tower, the tallest residential skyscraper in the world.<\/span><\/p>\n

Europe is represented by a single building.<\/b> The only European skyscraper in the global top 20 is the Lakhta Center in St Petersburg.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Tallest Building in Russia and Europe: Lakhta Center<\/h2>\n

The Lakhta Center in St Petersburg stands 462 metres tall and remains the tallest building not only in Russia, but in Europe as a whole. Designed by the British architectural firm RMJM, the tower features a twisting glass fa\u00e7ade that rises into a needle-like spire. The building was completed in 2019 and serves as the headquarters of Gazprom.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Lakhta Center was deliberately built away from St Petersburg\u2019s historic centre to preserve the city\u2019s UNESCO-protected low-rise skyline. It is the only building from Russia and Europe in the global top 20 and clear evidence that Russian high-rise construction has reached an international level.<\/span><\/p>\n

Moscow in the Global Context: Federation Tower<\/h2>\n

Although the Lakhta Center holds Russia\u2019s absolute height record, the country\u2019s main skyscraper cluster is located in Moscow at the Moscow-City business district. Its flagship building, Federation Tower East, reaches a height of 374 metres and is the second-tallest building in both Russia and Europe after the Lakhta Center.<\/span><\/p>\n

Moscow-City does not match Asian megacities in terms of absolute building height, but it holds several European records that even the Lakhta Center cannot claim: Europe\u2019s highest observation deck, highest restaurant and highest office.<\/span><\/p>\n

Europe\u2019s highest office is the three-level<\/span> is the F-375 office penthouse<\/b><\/a> floors 93\u201395 of Federation Tower, at a height of approximately 360\u2013370 metres. The space covers 2,642 square metres beneath a 14-metre-high glass dome and offers uninterrupted 360-degree panoramic views. Federation Tower may appear modest beside global giants exceeding 800 metres, but the highest office on the continent is located at its summit \u2014 there is nowhere higher to work in Europe.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why the World\u2019s Tallest Buildings Are Built<\/h2>\n

The race for height is not driven solely by architectural ambition. Supertall construction also serves several practical purposes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Scarcity of land.<\/b> In densely populated cities such as Hong Kong, Shanghai and Dubai, land is extremely expensive. Building upwards makes it possible to create the maximum amount of usable space on a limited site.<\/span><\/p>\n

Status and image.<\/b> The tallest building becomes a signature landmark for its city and country, symbolising economic strength and technological achievement.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mixed-use development.<\/b> Modern skyscrapers are vertical cities, bringing offices, apartments, hotels, restaurants, observation decks and retail spaces together under one roof.<\/span><\/p>\n

An engineering challenge.<\/b> Every new tower advances construction technology, including wind resistance, high-speed lifts, energy efficiency and the development of new materials.<\/span><\/p>\n

At the same time, architects are often required to limit the height of their projects. Wuhan Greenland Center and International Commerce Centre were originally designed to be taller, but airspace restrictions and local regulations forced their developers to scale back their ambitions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n

What Is the Tallest Building in the World?<\/h3>\n

The tallest building in the world is Burj Khalifa in Dubai, UAE. It stands 828 metres tall and has 163 floors. The building was constructed between 2004 and 2010. It contains apartments, offices and a hotel, as well as one of the world\u2019s highest restaurants and observation decks.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Is the Second-Tallest Building in the World?<\/h3>\n

The second-tallest building in the world is Merdeka 118 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The 679-metre tower was completed in 2023, and its name means \u201cindependence\u201d. Shanghai Tower in China ranks third at 632 metres.<\/span><\/p>\n

Which Country Has the Most Skyscrapers?<\/h3>\n

China has the largest concentration of supertall buildings. It has more towers in the world\u2019s top 20 than any other country, with skyscrapers in Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Beijing, Tianjin and many other major cities.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Is the Tallest Building in Russia and Europe?<\/h3>\n

The tallest building in Russia and Europe is the Lakhta Center in St Petersburg, which stands 462 metres tall. It is the only European skyscraper in the global top 20. The tallest building in Moscow is Federation Tower East, at 374 metres.<\/span><\/p>\n

Where Is the Highest Office in Europe?<\/h3>\n

Europe\u2019s highest office is the F-375 penthouse on floors 93\u201395 of Federation Tower in Moscow-City, at a height of approximately 360\u2013370 metres. It is a three-level office penthouse covering 2,642 square metres beneath a glass dome.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why Are Most of the World\u2019s Tallest Buildings in Asia?<\/h3>\n

Most supertall buildings are constructed in Asia because of a combination of factors: limited land in densely populated cities, rapid economic growth, the desire to demonstrate status and access to advanced construction technologies. China and the Middle East are leading the global race for height.<\/span><\/p>\n

The World\u2019s Tallest Buildings at a Glance<\/h2>\n