Thread: UK ranked bottom in Quality of Life Index

According to a a recent survey, the UK is now the worst place to live in Europe, thanks to a combination of high living costs, a poor work-life balance and low government spending on healthcare and education

The uSwitch Quality of Life Index ranks the UK bottom of the Index this year. The Index calculates an overall 'quality of life' score for ten European nations, based on 16 factors including net income, VAT and the cost of essential goods such as fuel, food and energy bills, as well as lifestyle issues like hours of sunshine, days holiday, working hours and life expectancy.

The UK was joined at the bottom of the index by Sweden and Ireland, while France came first for the third year in a row, with Spain taking second place and the Netherlands third.

Commenting on the findings, Ann Robinson, Director of Consumer Policy at uSwitch, said: "We are now officially at the bottom of the pile. We may still be enjoying the fourth highest household income in Europe, but the high cost of living means that we’re living to work."

Despite having higher than average pay, the UK’s overall score in the Index 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
• higher than average petrol costs
• very few hours of sunshine.

The UK’s comparatively low investment in health and education also had a significant impact on its score, and with the government looking to cut public spending, things could 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%; only Poland and Sweden spend less.

The UK now spends less on education than it did in 2010 too – falling below the average again at just 5.36% of GDP.

The high cost of living is also a significant reason for the UK coming at the bottom of the Index; the average household energy bill stands at £1,273 a year, while food and diesel prices are the highest in Europe and alcohol is the third most expensive.

The UK’s working culture also lowers the overall score: UK workers put in an average of 36.4 hours a week, retire at 63 and get just 28 days holiday a year.

With quality of life in the UK now the worst in the Index, an accompanying poll found that nearly half (46%) of those questioned have thought about emigrating.

France may have achieved the highest Quality of Life score, but most people would actually prefer to live in Spain, which took second place.

In a poll, 13% of Brits said that if they could live in any European country they would choose Spain, while 7% chose France.

Spain has more to offer would-be expats than the obvious sunshine: the Spanish can expect to live a year longer than people in the UK, they have the highest number of days holiday in Europe and the lowest prices for alcohol.

Social issues were not included in the Index, but they are concern many people in the UK - A uSwitch poll found that the the worst thing about living in the UK at the moment was the ‘broken society’, the second biggest concern was immigration, while unemployment and job security came third, followed by the cost of petrol and the weather.

Ann Robinson commented: “It’s not surprising that one in ten of us (12%) have seriously contemplated starting a new life abroad.

“But for those of us who decide to stick it out and ride the storm, there will be no choice but to batten down the hatches.

“Cutting back where possible to help combat our high living costs will go some way to improving our quality of life.

"This may be the only way to steer through these turbulent times until we reach a point where we can start to see our quality of life improve."

Wow, who would have thought it hey ? The worst place to live in Europe Imagine what it must be like living in a country with even higher average working hours, less holidays, more expensive food, high energy prices and high retirement age ?

I should add there are some interesting results from the survey It mentions these things as issues that dragged the overall score down
BUT

• long working hours...........the survey shows working hours in the UK at the lower end for the major EU countries.
• the lowest number of holiday days a year........is definitely at the low end but oddly higher than this country.
• a high retirement age......similar to several other major EU countries and lower than others.
• the most expensive food.............about the highest in EU which says a lot for our food prices here.
• high energy prices........electricity and certainly gas not the most expensive in Europe by any means.
• higher than average petrol costs........about the same as elsewhere in Europe.
• very few hours of sunshine.......can't argue with that.

All in all I thought I would look at the results and the UK would be bottom of everything so I'm a little confused.

just to add to the

The UK now spends less on education than it did in 2010 too – falling below the average again at just 5.36% of GDP.

although poor is still higher than Australia @ 5.2 (i believe)

In 2007 it was at 4.5% and is I think just over 5% now. Although this obviously isn't about Australia it is in fact quite relevant to many people especially those returning to the UK. The initial result would have us thinking that the UK was at the bottom of the barrel when on a world scale it actually would rate rather well when compared to some apparently 'better' countries.

Interesting, a report on how the UK is now suffering, and straight away Laurel and Hardy turn it into a lets compare it to Oz competition, you pair need to get out more, cos most of us dont really care, we know where were better off.

By the way its sounds like the UK is in dire straights according to this informed article...........................................

I'm sure many poms will be better off in Oz, That's not being disputed. I was just pointing out that these polls need to be taken in context.

Yes as I said these surveys are obviously interesting to ex pats returning home, we certainly know where we are better off that's for sure.
Where's Dumber by the way ?

Originally Posted by ophidian

yes as i said these surveys are obviously interesting to ex pats returning home, we certainly know where we are better off that's for sure.
Where's dumber by the way ?

they're still about (bless 'em)

Oh, no I didn't mean him, I assumed he had disappeared ages ago ?