Great britain not so great?

A record number of people from the UK are choosing to emigrate abroad, according to official figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Living in Britain can be a bleak experience, what with gloomy weather, soaring costs, escalating street crime and the credit crunch.

These reasons lie behind the 350,000 people that choose to turn their backs on the UK annually, a figure that last year was the highest amount ever recorded under the current measuring system.

Eight per cent of the British population live abroad; a figure which is far higher than the percentage of citizens from other countries abandoning their home country.  

The majority of those are in the 18 - 25 year old age group and a recent survey by Natwest International found that the number of Brits moving abroad or at least dreaming of a new life overseas has gone up by almost 50% in just three years.

Britain has consistently been losing more people overseas since the 1960s than it has managed to attract to its shores and of those who emigrate an ever increasing percentage are graduates and professionals.

This means that Britain has achieved an outward flow of talent.

Workers who leave Britain for a job overseas may be able to get a pay rise of up to 43%.

So, not only do they find themselves better off financially, they also enjoy a better quality of life, are less stressed and enjoy tax free wages.

Of those moving abroad around one third were actively seeking a better quality of life and a further third were keen on living in a country where the climate was better. 

Over 40% of those who felt they were only able to dream of a new life abroad stated that it was the familial restrictions and personal responsibilities holding them back from turning their dream into a reality rather than any loyalty or commitment to the UK.

Ninety-nine per cent said they had made 'a good decision' to live abroad, with many saying their decision to move was 'excellent'. More than 60% said they had 'no reason' to return to Britain.

David Isley, Head of NatWest International Personal Banking, said, "Expats who have moved abroad appear to be wealthier, healthier and happier. All these factors have contributed to a better quality of life."

The ONS said that people from Britain are choosing to set up home in many different parts of the world.

English-speaking nations such as Australia, New Zealand, America and Canada are popular with emigrants who want to start a new life.

Personal and corporate foreign exchange service HiFix has revealed a recent surge of interest in buying property in Australia, with the country being the subject of 10% of the enquiries it received into moving abroad in April of this year.

Popular short haul destinations included Spain and France, which, although have the language barrier, are a lot closer to the UK for visits home. 

Picture by julius seizure