The urban world is shifting. Today only 600 urban centers generate about 60 percent of global GDP. While 600 cities will continue to account for the same share of global GDP in 2025, this group of 600 will have a very different membership. Over the next 15 years, the center of gravity of the urban world will move south and, even more decisively, east. Today, major urban areas in developed regions are, without doubt, economic giants. Half of global GDP in 2007 came from 380 cities in developed regions, with more than 20 percent of global GDP coming from 190 North American cities alone. The 220 largest cities in developing regions contributed another 10 percent.

See Also

Report: World Urbanization Prospects

Report: India's urban awakening

Report: Preparing for China's urban billion

Report: Estimating investment requirements for urban infrastructure services in India

Report: Are we building competitive & liveable cities?

Document: National mission on sustainable habitat

Feature: An urban puzzle