The Age Of The City-States

The largest 300 cities are home to a fifth of the world’s people but account for nearly half of economic output.

From our partners:

cyberpogo

City-states-in-training? ... a map showing which cities outperform their countries (see below for full details). Image: Brookings.
City-states-in-training?  A map showing which cities outperform their countries (see below for full details). Image: Brookings.

It is frequently cited that more than half of us now live in cities. But it might come as more of a surprise to learn that the largest 300 cities, from New York to Guangzhou, account for nearly half (48%) of world economic output … yet contain only 19% of world population.

Some cities are so powerful economically that they dwarf the rest of their country. The number of jobs they house and GDP they generate can account for almost half of their nations’ output, if not more. They are no longer just cities: they are approaching the status of city-state.

London, for example, produces more than 30% of Britain’s entire GDP. Neither is it the most extreme example: it is just 30th on our list of cities that most dominate their countries (see below).

The ranking is led by the “classic” city-states – Luxembourg, Macau, Hong Kong, Singapore, places where the city essentially is the country. But look at Brussels (59% of national GDP), Copenhagen (55%) or Tel Aviv (54%). Is it time we start calling them city-states, too?

(Note that in a small number of cases, the metro area boundaries extend beyond country borders. This explains why the GDP and employment of Luxembourg City actually exceed those of Luxembourg country. You could almost say Luxembourg country is a “state-city”. More detail here.)

What’s more, even the smaller cities may be on their way toward city-statehood: according to Brookings’ Global Metro Monitor, between 2011-12 most cities in the world grew faster than their countries, either in jobs or GDP.

LEARN MORE  How Boomers Will Shape The Future Of Our Cities
American metro areas that outperformed their countries. Brookings Global MetroMonitor.
American metro areas that outperformed their countries. Brookings Global MetroMonitor.
European, African and Asian metro areas that outperformed their countries. Brookings Global MetroMonitor.
European, African and Asian metro areas that outperformed their countries. Brookings Global MetroMonitor.
Europe in details. Brookings Global MetroMonitor.
Europe in details. Brookings Global MetroMonitor.

 

Click here to see the Global MetroMonitor interactive map.

This article originally appeared on The Guardian.

 

GSuite



For enquiries, product placements, sponsorships, and collaborations, connect with us at [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you!



Our humans need coffee too! Your support is highly appreciated, thank you!
Total
0
Shares
Previous Article

City Maps Through The Ages

Next Article

The World's Most Expensive Cities In 2013

Related Posts
Total
0
Share