The inaugural Dezeen Hot List has revealed that the late Zaha Hadid is the most talked-about design figure on earth, and that architecture is the hottest topic among Dezeen readers.

Published yesterday, Dezeen Hot List is the most comprehensive data survey of architecture and design media ever conducted. Based entirely on audience data, the 400-strong list reveals the key players and emerging talents in the design world.

The sad passing of Zaha Hadid was the most talked-about topic in architecture and design over the past 12 months, helping to secure the late architect top position on both the Architecture Hot List and the overall list.

The list also reveals that Bjarke Ingels is the most popular living architect or designer on the planet, claiming second place in both lists.

Architecture was the most popular category on the Hot List – there are 14 architects in the top 20, and 193 across the entire 400-strong list. This compares with a total of just 53 designers.

Other notable highlights on the Architecture Hot List include the strong showing of cult figures Peter Zumthor (number five) and Alejandro Aravena (number 11). The former's enduring popularity belies his low profile and modest output, while the latter's emergence as a key player is down to his double whammy of winning the Pritzker Prize and curating the Venice Architecture Biennale.

The top 10 architects on Dezeen Hot List are counted down in this video

Japan emerges as the strongest country for architecture with five spots in the top 20, while Vo Trong Nghia (number 15) cements his place as the first Vietnamese architect of genuine world stature.

However gender balance is not a winner. Zaha Hadid is the only woman in the top 20 in her own right, although both SANAA (number six) and MVRDV (number seven) have female co-founders.

Another surprise is the high ranking of several established but not internationally well-known London studios – for instance, Haptic, Duggan Morris Architects and Coffey Architects all came in ahead of Ole Scheeren and Morphosis.

The list also shows the enduring appeal of architecture legends. Including Hadid, there are 14 dead architects on the list, with Le Corbusier, Louis Kahn, Frank Lloyd Wright, Lina Bo Bardi and Oscar Niemeyer all making the top 400.

Find out more on www.dezeen.com/hotlist