Whatever happened to Great Britain is the question we should be asking ourselves after new research revealed that Britain is the worst place to live in Europe despite having the highest salaries – this positive monetary aspect was cancelled out by a poor climate, long working hours and high household and grocery bills…
Now, we all know that us Brits love a good old moan. And the failings of our country and its weather is one of our favourite moaning topics. But here is actual research to show that we may have a point!
According to the uSwitch.com European Quality of Life Index, Great Britain was found to come absolute bottom in the quality of life list.
Despite Brits enjoying the highest after-tax household income, which, at £35,730-a-year, is more than £10,000 above the European average, high incomes were cancelled out by other negatives including poor annual leave and high food costs.
Researchers weighed up official data for ten European countries, including France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Sweden and Poland and looked at 17 quality of life measures, the study put Britain at the bottom of the list, with Ireland second from last. The best quality of life could be found in France and Spain.
We have to pay far more for basics than those living in other countries, with petrol very pricey in Blighty and a basket of food costing on average £20 more than in France.
Britons can expect to work three years longer and die two years younger than their French counterparts.
Annual household energy bills come in at £1,239 on average, with Britons paying the third-highest electricity charges.
Only Ireland and Sweden pays more for a round of drinks than the UK, and only the Irish pay more for cigarettes.
We are also working for longer – while the average European retirement age is 62 years, UK workers can expect to carry on six months longer – and living for less time – while Britons can expect to live to 78.9, the French can expect to reach 80.9.
Ann Robinson, Director of consumer policy at uSwitch.com, said, “There is more to good living than money and this report shows why so many Brits are giving up on living in the UK and heading to France and Spain.
“For too long the focus in the UK has been on standard of living rather than quality of life. As a result we have lost all sense of balance between wealth and well-being,” she added.
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