UAE surpasses US in supertall skyscrapers, ranks second globally

Dubai: The United Arab Emirates has officially surpassed the United States in the number of completed skyscrapers exceeding 300 metres in height, according to newly released data from the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH).

The UAE now boasts 37 buildings taller than 300 metres, edging past the United States, which has 31. China, however, remains far ahead with 122 supertall structures, reinforcing its dominance in global high-rise construction.

Dubai leads the UAE’s skyscraper boom and is home to the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building at 828 metres. The city's skyline has become a symbol of the nation's drive for leadership in architecture, innovation, and tourism.

Across all height categories, the UAE now ranks third globally, with 345 buildings over 150 metres and 159 above 200 metres.

Meanwhile, China continues to dominate the global skyline by a wide margin. The country has 3,497 buildings taller than 150 metres, 1,271 over 200 metres, and 122 exceeding 300 metres — a testament to its rapid urban and economic growth.

Cities like Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou feature prominently in the global top 10 tallest buildings, with landmarks such as the Shanghai Tower (632m) and the Ping An Finance Center (599m) showcasing engineering excellence.

While China and the UAE set the pace, other nations are also expanding their high-rise portfolios. The United States, once the undisputed pioneer of skyscraper design, currently ranks second in total tall buildings, with 909 structures above 150 metres and iconic towers like One World Trade Center (541m) in New York.

Malaysia, home to the Merdeka 118 (679m) in Kuala Lumpur — the world’s second-tallest building — follows closely, with Japan, South Korea, Canada, and Australia rounding out the top contributors to the modern global skyline.