Australia still provides best quality of life for British Expats

The annual NatWest International Personal Banking Quality of Life Study has revealed that Australia still provides British expats with the best quality of life.

The top three countries, according to the study, remain unchanged, with Canada and the UAE coming second and third respectively.

The study, which is conducted by the Centre for Future Studies between May and June 2014 takes feedback from a total of 1,804 British expats living worldwide. It incorporates attitudes to lifestyle, employment and financial status and looks at the overall behavioural shift since its launch in 2008.

The biggest changes highlight an increasing preference for life in the Far East with Singapore and China completing the top five, a rise of 3 and 6 places for each country.

Startling downward European trend

The traditional British expat European destinations of France (10^th), Spain (11^th) and Portugal (12^th) have fallen, signalling a shift towards life outside Europe, which is reportedly down to the increasing economic uncertainty and greater career and financial opportunities elsewhere in the world.

Other key contributing factors point to lower taxes, more efficient public transport and the widespread use of English as reasons why destinations such as Hong Kong (8^th) are desirable places to relocate to.

British Expats keen to stay in Australia

It is also highlighted that of the British expats in France, nearly a third (31%) are considering moving back to the UK permanently. When compared to 87% of British expats in Australia stating that they intend to live their indefinitely, and 26% of those living there already retired, it shows a clear distinction in how non-European countries can offer a quality of life which just can’t be reached closer to home.

The full top twelve British Expat destinations