Hottest Capital Cities in the World 2026

Some of the world’s capital cities experience extreme heat throughout the year, shaping how people live, work, and design their cities. The hottest capital cities are usually found in tropical, desert, or equatorial regions where high temperatures remain consistent across seasons. Understanding which capitals are the hottest helps explain differences in urban planning, energy demand, water use, and public health challenges. As global temperatures continue to rise, heat exposure in major political and administrative centers has become an increasingly important global issue. This article looks at the hottest capital cities in the world, ranked by their average annual temperature, using verified and widely accepted climate data.

Average annual temperature is calculated by taking daily temperature readings over many years and finding a long-term mean. This method smooths out short-term weather extremes and provides a reliable picture of a city’s overall climate. Capital cities in hot regions often experience high daytime temperatures, warm nights, and limited seasonal variation. Geography plays a major role, including latitude, altitude, distance from the sea, and surrounding land features such as deserts or wetlands. Cities closer to the equator or located in arid zones tend to rank higher. Urban heat also increases due to dense construction, traffic, and reduced green spaces, making capitals especially vulnerable to long-term warming trends.

Top 10 Hottest Capital Cities in the World 2026

1. Khartoum: 29.9 °C
2. Niamey: 29.3 °C
3. N’Djamena: 28.9 °C
4. Ouagadougou: 28.9 °C
5. Juba: 28.3 °C
6. Doha: 28 °C
7. Bangkok: 28 °C
8. Malé: 28 °C
9. Phnom Penh: 27.4 °C
10. Jakarta: 27.1 °C

Khartoum stands clearly at the top of the ranking, with an average annual temperature close to 30 °C, reflecting its location near vast desert regions and the influence of hot continental air masses. Niamey and N’Djamena follow closely, both situated in the Sahel zone where long, hot seasons dominate the climate. Several cities cluster tightly around the 28 °C mark, showing how common extreme heat is across tropical capitals. Southeast Asian capitals such as Bangkok, Phnom Penh, and Jakarta appear due to persistent humidity and limited seasonal cooling. Malé stands out as an island capital, where warm ocean waters keep temperatures high year-round despite coastal influences.

Full Data Table

Key Points

• African capitals dominate the top of the ranking due to desert and semi-arid climates.
• Khartoum’s temperature is notably higher than all other capitals listed.
• Several cities show very small temperature differences, indicating similar climate conditions.
• Southeast Asian capitals remain consistently hot due to tropical humidity.
• Coastal and island capitals can still rank high despite ocean moderation.
• Capitals near the equator tend to experience less seasonal temperature variation.

The world’s hottest capital cities highlight how geography and climate shape everyday life at the national level. Capitals such as Khartoum, Niamey, and N’Djamena face extreme heat as a constant condition rather than a seasonal challenge. Meanwhile, tropical capitals in Asia demonstrate how humidity and urban density amplify heat exposure. As climate change continues to push global temperatures upward, these cities are likely to experience even greater pressure on infrastructure, health systems, and energy resources. Monitoring average annual temperatures in capital cities provides valuable insight into future climate risks and the growing importance of heat-resilient urban planning worldwide.

Related Articles

• Hottest Countries in the World
• Hottest Cities in the World
• Hottest Inhabited Places
• Hottest Uninhabited Regions
• Hottest Desert Regions

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Sources

• World Climate Guide – Climate and Average Temperatures by City – World Data
• Climate Data for Cities Worldwide – World Meteorological Organization
• Climate Normals for Capital Cities – National Centers for Environmental Information