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There are some truly impressive infrastructure projects across the world that have been completed in the last two decades.
Super-tall skyscrapers are rising across the world at a pace we have never seen before. Dozens of new towers have transformed city skylines in Asia and the Middle East, and many of them now stretch far higher than anything built in Europe. The UK has impressive buildings of its own, mostly in London, but not even its tallest structure comes close to the highest infrastructure projects.
The Shard in London is the UK’s tallest building, and it stands at 310m (1,017ft). But just for comparison’s sake, even the world’s 100th tallest building, the Shimao Global Financial Center, reaches 343m (1,125ft), meaning the Shard misses out on the top 100 by quite a lot. However, our focus here is on the top five, and according to experts at the Skyscraper Center, these are the tallest buildings on Earth.
5. Ping An Finance Center, Shenzhen, China - 599m(1,965ft)
Completed in 2017, the Ping An Finance Center is one of the most recognisable landmarks in Shenzhen. It rises 115 floors above the city and uses a concrete-steel composite structure designed for strength and stability. The tower connects directly to nearby commercial districts and the region’s high-speed rail network.
Its shape tapers sharply at the top and is supported by eight large super-columns that help reduce wind loads. The façade uses 1,700 tonnes of stainless steel, chosen to withstand the coastal climate, and is designed to keep its appearance for decades.
(Image: Getty)
4. Makkah Royal Clock Tower, Mecca, Saudi Arabia - 601m (1,972ft)
The Makkah Royal Clock Tower opened in 2012 and sits next to the Grand Mosque, making it one of the most visited buildings in the world during the Hajj period. The 120-floor tower is part of the wider Abraj Al-Bait complex and provides hotel rooms, serviced apartments and retail space.
Its four huge clock faces hold world records for size and height, and at night they are lit by more than one million LEDs. The spire includes an observation centre and is topped with a gold crescent weighing 35 tonnes. The tower’s lift system is also designed to move tens of thousands of visitors smoothly throughout the day.
(Image: Getty)
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3. Shanghai Tower, Shanghai, China - 632m (2,073ft)
Shanghai Tower was completed in 2015 and is known for its twisting design, which helps cut wind forces on the building by nearly a quarter. It has 128 floors and a concrete-steel composite structure. Inside, the tower is split into nine vertical zones, each built around a sky lobby that acts as a shared community space.
These areas bring natural light into the centre of the building and are used for shops, cafés and meeting areas. The tower has also been built with sustainability in mind, with a double-skin façade, water-recycling systems and several renewable energy features.
(Image: Getty)
2. Merdeka 118, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - 679m (2,227ft)
Merdeka 118 was finished in 2023 and is now the second-tallest building in the world. The £1bn tower reaches 369m higher than the Shard and includes offices, a hotel and serviced apartments across its 118 floors. Its structure is supported by reinforced concrete core walls linked to large perimeter mega-columns.
Engineers used this method to reduce the amount of imported steel required and to speed up construction. Many visitors have described the building as a “masterpiece”, and its sharp, angular design has transformed Kuala Lumpur’s skyline.
(Image: Getty)
1. Burj Khalifa, Dubai - 828m (2,717ft)
The Burj Khalifa remains the tallest building on Earth, standing at 828m with 163 floors. Completed in 2010, it uses a steel-over-concrete structure and a Y-shaped floor plan that increases stability and maximises window space. The tower went through extensive wind-tunnel testing to refine its shape, and its exterior is built with aluminium, stainless steel and high-performance glass to cope with extreme heat.
Burj Khalifa forms the centre of Dubai’s downtown district and includes offices, apartments and a hotel. It also features advanced safety systems and smart energy controls, as well as one of the world’s largest condensate-recovery systems.
(Image: Getty)
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