46% of Brits Considering Emigration as a Lifestyle Choice

Sept. 29, 2011 - PRLog -- Despite having higher than average pay, the UK's overall score in the uSwitch study was dragged down by long working hours, the lowest number of holiday days a year, a high retirement age, the most expensive food, high energy prices and higher than average petrol costs, as well as very few hours of sunshine.

Comparatively low investment in health and education also had a significant impact on the UK's score, and with the government looking to cut public spending, things are likely to get worse before they get better.

The UK spends just 11.2% of GDP on health, which is higher than last year, but well below the European average of 12%. Similarly, UK spending on education is lower than it was in 2010, falling below the average again at just 5.36% of GDP.

With average household energy bills standing at 1273 a year, food and diesel prices at the highest levels in Europe and alcohol more expensive than anywhere except Sweden and Ireland, the high cost of living is also a significant reason for the UK's position at the bottom of the Index.

Working culture also lowers the overall score. UK workers put in 36.4 hours a week, retire at 63 and have just 28 days holiday a year, commpared with the average ratings of: 36.3 working hours, 62.1 years retirement age and 38 days annual holiday.

While social issues were not included in the Index, it is clear that they do concern many people in the UK. Perhaps the most telling statistic of the uSwitch poll was that Britain's 'broken society' was identified as the single worst thing about living in the UK today.

With the UK now at the bottom of the Quality of Life Index, an accompanying poll found that 46% of those questioned have thought about emigrating, while 12% are seriously considering starting a new life abroad.

France may have achieved the highest Quality of Life score, but most people would actually prefer to live in Spain, which took second place. 13% of Brits said that if they could live in any European country they would choose Spain, while 7% chose France.

Other countries such as Bulgaria also have a lot to offer the would-be expat. After a couple of years of relatively quiet activity following the global recession, Bulgaria's property market is now well on the road to full recovery. The economy is strong, investment in infrastructure continues to grow year-on-year, tourism numbers are better than at any time since 2006 and, in its monthly analysis of buyers' web search activity, the Move Channel has identified that Bulgaria is now firmly back in the top-ten preferred investment destinations. Most importantly of all, though, property prices are amongst the lowest in Europe and market experts are now reporting strong indicators of steady and sustainable growth. Leading real estate agents have consistently reported rising sales volumes since the beginning of 2011 - and this is confirmed by data from the Bulgarian National Registry showing that the number of completed property deals increased by an amazing 48% in the second quarter of 2011, compared with the same period in 2010.

The full uSwitch report is available on-line.

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