Dublin is the most prosperous city in Europe on official 2023 output data, and our overall ranking of the world’s most prosperous cities puts it first, ahead of Paris and Oslo. This list ranks 10 cities by economic output per resident and the strength of their economies, using official statistics for each, and it replaces the old index scores that this article used to show.
| Rank | City | Key economic figure | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dublin | EUR 139,500 GDP per inhabitant (PPS) | Official EU data, 2023 |
| 2 | Paris | EUR 126,900 GDP per inhabitant (PPS) | Official EU data, 2023 |
| 3 | Oslo | EUR 96,000 GDP per capita | Reported for 2016 |
| 4 | New York City | More than US$1.3 trillion GDP | 2024 |
| 5 | London | GBP 617.92 billion gross regional product | 2023 |
| 6 | Tokyo | US$62,291 per capita | FY2022 |
| 7 | Stockholm | More than a third of Sweden’s GDP | Region |
| 8 | Helsinki | EUR 62,093 GDP per capita | Helsinki-Uusimaa, 2023 |
| 9 | Vienna | EUR 56,600 GDP per capita | 2024 |
| 10 | Copenhagen | Almost 40% of Denmark’s output | Region |
1. Dublin: the highest GDP per inhabitant in the EU
Dublin recorded GDP per inhabitant of 139,500 euros in purchasing power standards in 2023, the highest of any region in the European Union’s statistics. Dublin’s gross domestic product was 253.6 billion euros in 2024, making it one of the largest city economies in the EU.
Part of that output comes from multinational companies based in the city, and Eurostat links the high values to such firms. Dublin is also home to the International Financial Services Centre, founded in 1987.
Verdict: top official per-capita output, adjusted in our judgment for the effect of multinationals.
2. Paris: 126,900 euros per inhabitant
Paris had GDP per inhabitant of 126,900 euros in purchasing power standards in 2023, fourth overall among EU regions at that level. Its metropolitan population was 13.3 million in 2023, and the headquarters of the French companies in the Fortune Global 500 are all in the Paris Region.
Rents are high and most central buildings are old, so prosperity there comes with high costs.
Why here: very high per-capita output on a much bigger base than Dublin.
3. Oslo: a capital supported by oil and savings
Oslo’s GDP totaled 64 billion euros in 2016, or 96,000 euros per capita, about 20% of Norway’s output. The municipality had 724,290 residents in 2025.
We could not find a newer per-capita figure on the same basis, so the number is dated.
Our take: the highest per-capita figure outside the EU in our data, but from an older year.
4. New York City: more than US$1.3 trillion a year
New York City’s GDP exceeded US$1.3 trillion in 2024, with more than US$1 trillion (77%) produced by Manhattan alone. The city has a Gini coefficient of 0.55 as of 2022, which shows wide income gaps.
As of 2025 it is the most expensive city for expatriates, according to reports, and affordability is a growing concern.
Rating note: the biggest economy on the list, held back by inequality and cost.
5. London: GBP 617.92 billion in 2023
London’s gross regional product was 617.92 billion pounds (US$846.46 billion) in 2023, around a quarter of UK output. It has five major business districts: the City, Westminster, Canary Wharf, Camden & Islington, and Lambeth & Southwark.
Bottom line: a huge and diversified economy, with high living costs.
6. Tokyo: the world’s second-largest metropolitan economy
Tokyo’s gross output was 120.2 trillion yen (US$887.9 billion) in fiscal 2022, 21.2% of Japan’s total, which converts to US$62,291 per capita. Including the Greater Tokyo Area, it is the second-largest metropolitan economy in the world after New York.
Wholesale and retail was the largest sector, at 21.5% of output.
In short: scale and stability, with a per-capita figure lower than European leaders.
7. Stockholm: more than a third of Sweden’s GDP
The Stockholm region accounts for over a third of Sweden’s GDP and is among the top 10 regions in Europe by GDP per capita. Most of Sweden’s largest banks are headquartered there.
Stockholm is also one of Europe’s major tech centers.
Score logic: a strong tech and banking base.
8. Helsinki: GDP per capita 27% above the Finnish average
Helsinki-Uusimaa had GDP per capita of 62,093 euros in 2023, compared with 48,863 euros for Finland as a whole, about 27% above the national average. It ranks in the top 30% of OECD metropolitan areas by GDP per capita.
Business services, including information and communication, finance and real estate, are particularly prominent.
The trade-off: solid per-capita output and a strong knowledge economy.
9. Vienna: 25.1% of Austria’s economy
Vienna generates 25.1% of Austria’s GDP, the highest-performing regional economy of the country, with GDP per capita of 56,600 euros as of 2024. Unemployment was 9.6% in 2022, the highest of all Austrian states.
Private services provide 75% of jobs.
Summary: strong output, tempered by relatively high unemployment.
10. Copenhagen: almost 40% of Denmark’s output
The Copenhagen region accounts for almost 40% of Denmark’s output and has enjoyed long-term stable growth. The city’s economy is based mainly on services and commerce, and it is widely recognized as a leader in the green economy.
Hovedstaden, the capital region, grew 5.0% in real GDP in 2023.
Final note: stable growth and a green economy lead, with less precise per-capita data.
Keep reading
- Most expensive hotels in Paris: what the cost of staying in one of these cities looks like at the top end
- Top 15 most expensive cities: where prosperity shows up in property prices
- How cities get rich: the forces behind lists like this
FAQ
Which is the most prosperous city in the world?
On official 2023 output data, Dublin leads the EU with 139,500 euros GDP per inhabitant (PPS), and it tops our ranking. New York has the largest economy at more than US$1.3 trillion.
How did you rank the cities?
We used official statistics for each city or region: GDP, GDP per capita and share of national output, and applied our own judgment on size and quality.
Why is Dublin so high?
Part of the figure reflects multinational companies based there, which Eurostat flags as a reason for high values.
Is Oslo’s figure current?
No. The 96,000 euros per capita figure is for 2016, so we label it as older data.
Which city has the largest economy?
New York City, with more than US$1.3 trillion in 2024 GDP.
Do these figures show how rich residents are?
Not exactly. GDP measures output in a city, not residents’ incomes, and commuters and companies affect it.
How we put this list together
We compiled official figures for each city and region and compared them on the same basis where possible. The order reflects our own judgment of per-capita output, scale and economic strength, and figures from different years are labelled.
Last updated: October 2026.
