Quality of life slipping for Britain

The United Kingdom earns the second from the bottom spot on uSwitch.com's quality of life index for Europeans with Ireland earning the last spot. Reasons that contributed to the low index number are prolonged retirement, shortened holidays, inflation, and lack of spending on public services and health care.

It is noted that families in the United Kingdom actually earn nearly 10,000 pounds more than a typical family in the European Union. Along with this increased income come increased prices for fuel and other essential goods compared to others in the EU.

Over 40,000 citizens left the United Kingdom last year which is the highest emigration rate in the European Union.

Ranking at the top of the quality of life index is Spain which boasts 80 per cent more sunshine than Britain. While it does rank number one, the average income is considerably less than other countries in the European Union by approximately 8,500 pounds.

France was the second most desirable place to live. Factors contributing to their high ranking were an average of 40 vacation days each year and high spending on healthcare.

Ann Robinson with Uswitch notes that "We may earn substantially more than our European neighbours but when it comes to quality of life we remain the sick man of Europe. Soaring food prices and inflation, not to mention high property costs, are placing the biggest squeeze on disposable incomes in well over a decade. With below average investment in health and education, it appears that we are getting a raw deal from the government for the fruits of our labour."

www.uswitch.com