Britons are happier living abroad

A survey shows that almost 80% of adults who have emigrated from the UK are happy with their new life overseas. This compares with 51.8% of respondents who were satisfied with their earlier life in the UK.

The happiest people surveyed had moved to Spain, with 91% of emigrants saying that they were happy or very happy with their lives there. New Zealand emigrants were also relatively happy, with 88% of respondents satisfied with their new life. Canadian and Australian emigrants followed close behind on 86.4% and 84.2% respectively.

The main reason given for having moved was to gain a better quality of life (35%).

Others were looking for a new experience or adventure (12%) and a new job or relocation (9%).

According to the Office for National Statistics, the number of UK citizens opting to move abroad permanently increased to a record 207,000 in 2006.

Other findings from the survey were:

• 84.02% of people were happy with their new cost of living
• 80.63% of people were happy with the career opportunities in their new country
• 88.99% of people were happy with the food in their new country

The Happiness Survey looked at the results of 1,122 people (40% male and 60% of female). 25% of people interviewed were under 35, 60% were between 35 and 50, and 15% were 50+.