Low ranking for Britain’s quality of life

Britain has fallen below Lithuania and the Czech Republic to 25th place in a poll of the best countries to live in

Date: 07 January 2010

The Quality of Life Index, created by International Living magazine, rates countries on nine categories including culture and leisure, the environment, safety and weather. France is currently at the top of the poll, followed by Australia, Switzerland and Germany.

Last year Britain was ranked 20th in the world, which suggests that the nation’s quality of life is falling. The US has also dropped in the ranking, now taking seventh place compared to last year’s third place.

Factors such as a bleak climate, rising crime rates, the increasing cost of living and over-crowded cities were cited as some of the reasons for this year’s lower position.

Jackie Flynn, publisher of International Living, believes the reasons behind France’s top place are clear. She said: 'In France life is savoured. There is so much pride in all the small details. The French love little window boxes filled with flowers, tidy gardens, pretty sidewalk cafes and clean streets.’

John Kelly, the CQI’s associate director of external affairs, said: ‘Though this survey is far from scientific, in that several factors such as weather and population density are beyond the control of government or business, others, such as workplace stress implied by a real and perceived culture of “live to work” rather than “work to live” have impacted on the scores for both Britain and the US.

‘Business and political leaders on our small, crowded island might pause to ponder whether we might learn positive lessons from our neighbours France and Germany, both of which have emerged from recession earlier than the UK and who score higher in virtually every category.'

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We have read about the Rise & Fall of the Roman Empire, we are now witnesses to the Fall of the British Empire. The cities & countryside of Europe ( I have lived & worked in France, Spain, Germany, Poland etc) are in the main much cleaner than ours. Public servants are better mannered, alcohol levels reduced. They all have a better climate, less crime, fewer vehicles, less stress & better education. Manufacturing industry in the UK has been significantly reduced, whilst government & local services have been considerably increased to the detriment of our economic revival. Our island is far to small to allow further immigration. We have engaged in wars without end. Compare with the fall of Rome. Government needs to find the root cause(s) & corrective actions to be implemented or Next year we will be lower down the pecking order.

John Smith

12 January 2010 19:44

Having done further analysis I find that the Final Scores are also incorrect in the 2010 Index as they are not a true average. When the true average is used the UK comes in position 22 thus dropping 2 places not 5 as reported. If we eliminate the climate because we can't control it, Switerland comes top followed by France and Germany with UK at poll position 19. The areas where the UK seems to fall behind are cost of living, health and infrastructure. Strangely we score 100 on Risk and Safety

David Hoyle

11 January 2010 11:42

There are some errors in the Quality of Life Index. 2010 Index shows Sweden has a cost of living index of 0 which is obviously incorrect pushing it down to poll position 37 when it was at 13 in 2009 2008 Index shows United Kingdom with a cost of living index of 5 which is obviously incorrect putting it at poll position 37 when one year later it is at 20. These errors stand to destroy the credibility of the index which otherwise is a very useful benchmark for Governments as well as citizens seeking a better place to live.

David Hoyle

11 January 2010 11:16

Chartered Quality Institute

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