Greater London occupies about 0.6 percent of the United Kingdom’s area but is responsible for 23 percent of the UK’s economy. New York City, the United States’ largest city, occupies 1 percent of the nation’s geography but produces 8 percent national GDP. Shanghai, China’s premier city, contributes up to 5 percent of the national GDP with a land area share of 0.1 percent. Tokyo, with the world’s highest city GDP, occupies 0.6 percent of Japan’s area and contributes 21 percent of Japan’s GDP.
The largest cities of countries have a major share in generating national GDP. Cities propel an inordinately large proportion of national economic growth worldwide. This is not exceptional but a global phenomenon. Since the number of such large cities is growing, it augurs well for the country as even larger contributions to national wealth will flow from this growing basket of million-plus settlements. Still, the big Indian cities have a disproportionately large demographic share and generate much of the 60 percent of the national GDP produced by India’s urban conurbations. Over one-third of the national population is spread over several thousand urban settlements. Decidedly, Indian mega and metropolitan cities have made a formidable contribution to the national economy. In a period when most nations are struggling with growth, and several are struggling to avoid or fight recession, India appears to move ahead with one of the highest global growth rates.
India’s economic rise among the comity of nations has been a cause of national celebration.