Nine in ten expats hail 'better life'

NINE out of ten Britons living abroad believe they have a better quality of life than they would enjoy in the UK.

They earn up to 20,000 more and the vast majority (87 per cent) believe their work-life balance is better.

And even more said living abroad exceeded their expectations – 92 per cent compared with 86 per cent in 2008, according to the third annual NatWest International Personal Banking (NatWest IPB) Quality of Life report, carried out by the Centre for Future Studies.

Likewise, only 19 per cent now say they will return to the UK compared to 26 per cent in 2008.

1,306 expats living in Australia, Canada, China, France, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Portugal, South Africa, Singapore, Spain, UAE and USA were surveyed between October and November 2009.

They rated natural environment top, followed by climate, culture and leisure, healthcare, education, financial security, safety and security, financial well-being and infrastructure.

Dave Isley, head of NatWest IPB, said: "It seems the grass really is greener for Brits living abroad as our study shows.

"The fact that fewer expats say they will return to the UK in the future, compared to three years ago, proves that the pace of life, work-life balance and earning potential abroad means life as an expat is sunnier in more ways than one – and that they are weathering the financial storm."