The 10 Richest Cities in India
In recent years, India has leapfrogged the traditional economic superpowers to emerge as the world’s sixth-largest economy by nominal GDP and the third-largest by purchasing power parity. Its pharmaceutical sector is one of the biggest in the world, its chemical industry is huge, and its IT sector brings in $191 billion in revenue each year. In short, it’s one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. As to where the bulk of its wealth is concentrated, find out now as we rank the ten richest countries in India.
10. Visakhapatnam – GDP $43.5 billion
According to Sweet Sharing, the port city of Visakhapatnam has a GDP of $43.5 billion, making it the tenth richest city in terms of GDP in India. As the largest and most populous city in the state of Andhra Pradesh, it serves as the base for numerous big businesses, including GAIL, Vizag Steel, Hindustan Steel, and the Indian Navy’s Eastern Naval Command. In addition to being a major tourist destination thanks to its many beaches and cultural attractions, it’s also known as something of an educational hub, with countless educational institutes (including Indian Maritime University (IMU), Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University (DSNLU), National Institute of Oceanography, India, Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Andhra Medical College (AMC), and Andhra University (AU)) calling it home.
9. Surat – GDP $59.8 billion
Surat, a large city in the western state of Gujarat, has transformed itself from a relatively insignificant seaport into the commercial and economic center of South Gujarat. Boasting booming diamond and textile industries, its economy has grown significantly in recent years – so much so, in fact, it’s on track to becoming the world’s fastest-growing city between 2019 and 2035.
8. Ahmedabad – GDP $68 billion
Ahmedabad, the most populous city in the state of Gujarat and the fifth most populous city in India, is one of the most important economic and industrial hubs in India. In addition to serving as the second-largest cotton producer in the country, it also boasts well-established commerce, communication, and construction sectors. According to timesnownews.com, Ahmedabad, which is home to several large international companies like Adani Group, Arvind Mills, Cadila, Torrent Pharmaceuticals and Nirma, ranks as the third best place in India to live, with a well-developed infrastructure, excellent job opportunities, and ample housing options. With a GDP of $68 billion, it’s the 8th richest city in India.
7. Pune – GDP $69 billion
Up next is Pune, a center of culture and education that’s often referred to as ‘ the Oxford of the East’ in recognition of its vast number of educational institutions. Thanks to internationally recognized research institutes like the Inter-university Centre for Astronomy & Astrophysics (IUCAA), Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune (IISER, Pune), Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), and Research & Development Establishment (Engineers) (R&DE(E)), the city attracts a huge volume of international students – in fact, almost half of all international students in India study at Pune. Outside of education, the city boasts a booming economy centered around manufacturing and IT. Its current GDP is $69 billion.
6. Hyderabad – GDP $75.2 billion
With a population of 6.9 million residents, Hyderabad ranks as the fourth-most populous city in India. Up until the 19th century, Hyderabad was best known for its pearl industry, even earning the nickname of “City of Pearls.” Today, it’s a hub of pharmaceuticals and biotechnology and home to numerous multinationals, including Amazon, Google, and IBM. It’s also got a well-established film industry, producing the second-highest volume of movies in the country. With a GDP of $75.2 billion, it ranks as the 6th richest city in India.
5. Chennai – GDP $78.6 billion
The fifth-richest city in India with a GDP of $78.6 billion is Chennai. In addition to serving as one of the largest cultural, economic and educational centers of south India, it boasts a huge tourism industry, ranking as one of the most visited Indian cities and one of the most popular cities in the country for both international and domestic health tourists. Its economy is driven by the IT and finance sectors, medical tourism, and manufacturing. Its export trade is also a major contributor to GDP: in recent years, it’s grown to become the biggest exporter of electronics in the country.
4. Bengaluru – GDP $110 billion
Next is Bengaluru, the capital city of Karnataka and the third most populous city in India. As the second fastest-growing major city in the country, Bengaluru is big, buoyant, and booming, with the highest number of educated workforces in the world, a growing reputation as the Silicon Valley of India, and a vast number of entrepreneurs, multinationals, and startups. Regularly ranked as one of the most liveable cities in India, it’s home to a huge number of millionaires (7,700 by the last count) and 8 billionaires, the combined wealth of whom adds up to a staggering $320 billion. With a GDP of $110 billion, Bengaluru is the 4th richest city in India.
3. Kolkata – GDP $150.1 billion
With a GDP of $150.1 billion, Kolkata ranks as the third richest city in India. The city, which until 2001 went by the name of Calcutta, has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years, shaking off its reputation for poverty and deprivation to emerge as one of the most up-and-coming cities in the country. Home to numerous IT firms and multinationals, it’s also a major tourist destination, attracting hundreds of thousands of foreign visitors each year.
2. New Delhi – GDP $293.6 billion
Just missing out on the title of India’s richest city is New Delhi. The city’s GDP of $293.6 billion is driven largely by the service sector, with health care, telecommunications, finance, media, banking, and tourism representing around 80 percent of its economy.
1. Mumbai – GDP: $310 billion
Topping our list of the richest countries in India is Mumbai, the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra and the second-most populous city in the country. According to World Atlas, this megacity of 20 million people generates a huge volume of jobs that attracts people from all across the country, resulting in one of the most densely populated and diverse cities in the world. As well as playing home to the National Stock exchange, the Bombay Stock exchange and Reserve Bank of India, it’s also home to numerous multinationals, including Tata Group, Aditya Birla Group and Reliance Industries Limited. More than 70 percent of all transactions that happen in India originate in Mumbai – little wonder, then, that it boasts a giant GDP of $310 billion.