Booming economy does not translate to life quality
10 September 2007
We may have the fifth-biggest economy world and be a key player on the international stage, but according to an acclaimed international study, the quality of life enjoyed in Britain is rather mediocre.
The Economist's Pocket World in Figures 2008 ranks Britain 17th for quality of life, down two places since last year.
Comparing the results to last year's premier league, Britain is on par with Tottenham Hotspur in terms of its GDP but equivalent to Wigan Athletic when it comes to quality of life or "human development".
Buying a property abroad
Norway topped the league for the second year in a row, followed by Iceland and Australia.
With the third highest house prices in the world - behind South Africa and Ireland - and one of the worst crime rates, the survey paints a relatively bleak picture of British life.
However, Stephen Brough, editor of the book, pointed to the positives.
"Despite concerns over binge drinking, we are not, per head, among the world's biggest beer-drinking nations, and our carbon emissions per person are less than half those of Americans."
Moreover, investment is booming - only the US and Japan are better at capitalising on the stock market.
