The world’s wealthiest cities by GDP per capita
A ranking from Oxford Economics shows which cities generate the highest GDP per person among the cities included in the Global Cities Index 2026. Only figures for 2025 were used in the calculations and all amounts are given in US dollars. The leaders include San Jose, San Francisco and Dublin, as well as several Swiss and American centres. The details and an explanation of the methodology are important for understanding what lies behind the numbers.
How GDP per capita was calculated
The calculation is simple in concept but critical in the details. Two measures were used for each city and the first was divided by the second to obtain GDP per person.
- First, the estimate of the city GDP for 2025 was taken.
- Next, the population for the same year was used.
- Then nominal GDP was divided by the number of residents to obtain GDP per person.
- Ranks were compiled for the 40 cities that appear in the Global Cities Index 2026.
This approach gives an indication of average economic output per resident but does not account for income distribution or internal inequalities within a city.
Who topped the ranking and where the data came from
The leader was San Jose with GDP per capita of $238 700. In second place was San Francisco with $181 889. Dublin came third with $159 732. Next were Basel with $156 312 and Seattle with $152 030. New York was only 10th, even though the overall size of its economy is much larger than that of many cities in the ranking.
You can consult the original analysis from Visualcapitalist at the link reports. The calculations used data from Oxford Economics and figures for 2025.
What drives high GDP per capita in small cities
In the ranking 27 of the 40 cities are located in the United States, but Switzerland also has a strong presence. The country has five cities on the list, including Basel, Geneva, Zurich, Bern and Lausanne. High positions are often linked to a combination of small populations and the concentration of high-income sectors such as pharmaceuticals, finance and technology.
That is why large metropolitan areas do not necessarily lead in GDP per capita. If an economy is large but its population is even larger, the per-person figure can be lower than that of a compact centre with high income per job.
Why this ranking matters to Ukrainian readers
The results matter because of their channels of influence on business and markets. High productivity in cities signals demand for technological and financial services, which can shape demand for Ukraine’s export products and services or affect investment into regions.
Moreover, the movement of capital and skilled professionals across borders alters the labour market, and outflows or inflows of specialists can affect the exchange rate and prices for particular services. For those working or planning partnerships abroad, such rankings help identify where to look for clients and talent.
