Awe-inspiring architecture, groundbreaking urban planning, and a culture rich in artistic expression—the best countries to live in embrace all of these elements. And while a thriving creative scene might not be directly linked to a country’s GDP or military might, a focus on design can contribute to a high quality of life. That’s why we’ve rounded up the best countries to live in for design lovers. Similar to our list of The 15 Best Places to Live in the US, we’ve used U.S. News & World Report’s annual list of the Best Countries in the World as a jumping-off point, choosing the top 15 design countries among them.
But first, here’s a bit more about the methodology…
What is the best country in the world to live in?
Switzerland clinched the #1 spot on the U.S. News list, landing in the top 10 for multiple categories, including Cultural Influence, Entrepreneurship, Open for Business, Quality of Life, and Social Purpose. These top scores contributed to the country’s winning position.
What is the number one best country in the world for design lovers?
While the U.S. News list—which is based on a scoring system of 73 country attributes and surveys completed by more than 17,000 people around the globe—has 87 countries ranked in order, our list is in no particular order. We’ve eschewed a concrete ranking system, choosing instead to highlight 15 top-tier design countries (though we have kept them in the order of how they appear in the U.S. News list). Simply put, design is subjective, and while you could come up with a definitive answer to a country’s GDP or unemployment numbers, determining the most influential country in the fields of architecture or furniture design is nowhere near as clear-cut. However, we have considered which countries are home to UNESCO Cities of Design and where each country falls in the World Design Rankings, as well as general quality of life assessments from the U.S. News list.
What is the most livable country in 2023?
What constitutes “livable” might be just as subjective as what constitutes “good design.” So while certain countries on our list might be more livable to some because they offer an impressive health care system, political stability, superb public transportation, and an abundance of cultural opportunities, they might be unlivable to others due to their cost of living and a poor work-life balance. That being said, Sweden did rank #1 for Quality of Life, according to U.S. News, with Norway a close second and Canada coming in at third.
Is America the best country to live in?
USA slipped from #4 last year to #5 this year on the U.S. News list, so, no, it’s not the “best” country. But we’re giving the States props for its global cultural influence and for being home to a UNESCO City of Design—Detroit. Plus, San Diego and Tijuana have been declared the World Design Capital for 2024. This is the first time a binational destination has earned the title, which is designated every two years to a place that uses design to “enhance economic, social, cultural, and environmental quality of life.”
Now on to the list…
Switzerland
U.S. News & World Report ranking: #1
The “Land of Milk and Honey” landed top honors in the U.S. News ranking thanks, in part, to its low unemployment and skilled workforce, which undoubtedly includes scores of design-minded expats. Not only does Switzerland have a history rich in graphic design and typographic style (even NYC’s subway system uses the Swiss Style grid system and Helvetica typeface, which means Swiss in Latin), but the country is also a haven for architects. On this year’s list of The 15 Highest Paying Countries for Architects, according to Yahoo! Finance and ERI research, Switzerland snagged the #1 spot again, with an average salary of $130,898.
Sweden
U.S. News & World Report ranking: #3
What kind of place would the world be without Billy bookshelves, Hemnes dressers, and ridiculously affordable sheepskin rugs? One with much sparser college apartments, that’s for sure. Sweden’s beloved brand IKEA reinvented the furniture industry globally (plus had a lot more of us eating meatballs with jam). In the future, the country is sure to be a driving force in more environmentally friendly design, as sustainability is integral to Swedish style.
United States
U.S. News & World Report ranking: #5
The world’s largest economy is also ranked #3 for cultural influence, as it’s a major player in the entertainment world. It’s also no slouch in the design department either. In the World Design Rankings, a separate list based on the number of designers from each country that have been granted the A' Design Award, the US comes in at #2, just behind China. Plus, the country is home to a UNESCO City of Design—Detroit. This exclusive network of cities around the globe celebrates places that use design to improve the everyday lives of its citizens.
Japan
U.S. News & World Report ranking: #6
While Japan’s population is only about a third of the US’s and its GDP is less than one-sixth that of the States, it has twice as many UNESCO Cities of Design. Kobe—best known for its beef but also as a hub for the arts—and Asahikawa—famous for its furniture—together make Japan one of only a handful of countries with two Design Cities. Then there’s Tokyo, with its traditional tatami-mat-lined ryokans located near futuristic fashion flagships, such as the Herzog & de Meuron Prada store on Avenue Omotesandō.
Germany
U.S. News & World Report ranking: #7
Ottonian, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque—many of Europe’s most iconic architectural styles can be found in Germany. The country’s very own style, Bauhaus, originated in 1919 in Weimar and later profoundly impacted American skylines. Today the country is home to dozens of design-forward universities, including Bauhaus University, University of the Arts, and Berlin University of the Arts. Also in Berlin, a UNESCO City of Design, residents can regularly visit the Bauhaus Archives Museum and the Tchoban Foundation Museum for Architectural Drawing.
United Kingdom
U.S. News & World Report ranking: #9
One of the great cultural capitals of Europe, the United Kingdom has always been on the cutting edge of creativity. And the country is committed to staying that way, especially regarding sustainably driven design. The country’s Design Council, which has been around since 1944 when Winston Churchill founded it to tackle post-war economic recovery, is now on a mission to get the nearly 2 million people working in design in the UK to achieve a net zero world. In 2025, the council will host the World Design Congress, a.k.a. the “Olympics of design,” in London.
France
U.S. News & World Report ranking: #12
With a winning combo of government-guaranteed social services (including health care, education, and retirement pensions) as well as cultural riches galore (in literature, architecture, film, dance, and fashion), France is an aesthete’s dream country. And if we had to narrow down residency to two top-notch streets, we’d say you’d have won the lodging lottery if you called either Rue de l’Abreuvoir in Paris or Old Town in Colmar home, which both landed on our list of The 53 Most Beautiful Streets in the World.
Denmark
U.S. News & World Report ranking: #13
Copenhagen—with its multitude of modern furniture emporiums and endless examples of Scandinavian interior design—is known for capturing the hearts of the design-obsessed. But it’s the high-tech town of Kolding that’s a UNESCO City of Design in Denmark. Adopting the slogan “we design for life,” Kolding has become a creative hub where residents are encouraged to take part in municipal projects, including building urban gardens, hosting repair events (for electronics, clothes, and bicycles), and organizing green festivals. Using design to drive social impact is another way that Denmark, which also has a mostly free health care and higher education system, creates a high standard of living.
Finland
U.S. News & World Report ranking: #14
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
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
