Thanks to a combination of high living costs, a poor work-life balance and low government spending on healthcare and education, the UK is now the worst place to live in Europe, according to the latest uSwitch Quality of Life Index ... and with the UK now at the bottom of the Index, an accompanying poll found that 46% of those questioned have thought about emigrating, while 12% are seriously considering starting a new life abroad.
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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.
The full uSwitch report is available on-line.
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.
The full uSwitch report is available on-line.
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