Does good design lead to happiness or does happiness lead to good design? Either way, the two go hand in hand in Finland, which has been named the world’s happiest country for six years in a row. Furniture, textiles, and glassware are among the country’s most popular creative pursuits, with brands like Marimekko and Ittala known worldwide. Both are headquartered in Helsinki, which is a UNESCO City of Design.
Italy
U.S. News & World Report ranking: #15
Beautiful sunset cityscape view of the Santa maria nouvelle Duomo and the town of Florence, in the Italian Tuscany.Photo: Getty Images/Suttipong Sutiratanachai
If the best countries were picked based on cultural criteria alone, Italy would steal the #1 spot each time. The European country landed at #1 for both Heritage and Cultural Influence in the U.S. News rankings. Italy also snagged a top spot on our list of The 20 Most Colorful Destinations in the World, which features Cinque Terre and its beautifully bright seaside houses. To top it off, Turin, with its seven universities offering design-related courses, is a UNESCO City of Design.
Singapore, Marina Bay, Garden By the bay, botanic garden, Supertree Grove and Cloud ForestPhoto: Getty Images
Singapore
U.S. News & World Report ranking: #16
The only country that’s in itself a UNESCO City of Design, this densely populated city-state has relied on smart design solutions to meet the needs of its citizens. In 2003, Singapore’s Ministry of Culture founded the DesignSingapore Council, which promotes socially responsible projects that have tackled homelessness, access to creative education, and inclusivity, among other issues.
Shanghai skyline panoramic in the dramatic sky at sunset.Photo: Getty Images
China
U.S. News & World Report ranking: #20
In 2020, the World Design Rankings experienced a shakeup when China moved ahead of the US to claim the #1 spot (the US moved to #2 where it has remained ever since). With more A' Design Awards than any other country and two UNESCO Cities of Design (Shenzhen and Wuhan), China has established itself as a force to be reckoned with in creativity and innovation. Though the country does face its challenges, with human rights policies, air pollution, and political stability among them.
Brazil
U.S. News & World Report ranking: #28
Aerial view of Rio De Janeiro. Corcovado mountain with statue of Christ the Redeemer, urban areas of Botafogo and Centro, Sugarloaf mountain.Photo: Getty Images/Stevica Mrdja
Sergio Rodrigues, Rogério Duarte, Lina Bo Bardi, and Oscar Niemeyer are all world-renowned architects who called Brazil home and made their mark on the country’s real estate. The creative foundation they helped build remains strong today, especially in Fortaleza and Brasilia, the country’s two UNESCO Cities of Design. Fortaleza, the capital of the northeastern Brazilian state of Ceará, hosts the annual Ceará Design Week, and Brasilia, the country’s capital city, is filled with modernist architecture that has beguiled design lovers for decades.
Landmark pagoda in doi Inthanon national park at Chiang mai, Thailand.Photo: Getty Images
Thailand
U.S. News & World Report ranking: #29
With a low cost of living, especially compared to many Western European countries, Thailand has become a popular destination for digital nomads. Here, design lovers can wander opulent Buddhist temples and explore contemporary design in places like the Thailand Creative & Design Center in the country’s capital city, Bangkok. A UNESCO City of Design, Bangkok hosts the renowned ASA Architect Expo; STYLE Bangkok, one of Asia’s top fashion and lifestyle trade fairs; and Bangkok Design Week, which attracts an international crowd with its workshops, experimental installations, and food markets.
Mexico
U.S. News & World Report ranking: #33
Scenic view at Basilica of Guadalupe with Mexico city skyline at sunset, MexicoPhoto: Getty Images
Like Japan, China, and Brazil, Mexico also has two UNESCO Cities of Design: Querétaro and Mexico City. The former—an innovation hub in north-central Mexico—hosts various creative events a year that draw attention to the city’s design industries, including animation, architecture, and digital art. The latter, Mexico City, has a world-renowned design scene and is a cultural utopia for museums, food, fashion, and music. In 2018, Mexico City was named the World Design Capital. In 2024, San Diego and Tijuana share the honor—the first time a binational area has earned the designation.
