The Geeks Guide to Living and Working in the UK
According to a survey conducted by the Paris-based Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, (OECD), the small island of Britain is ranked ahead of Germany, Japan and the United State as one of the best places to live and work.
Above Average Survey Results
The results of the survey were formulated from the input of thirty-four industrialised countries, and took into account the income, education, housing and security of all participants. The ranking achieved by the UK was above average when it came to jobs, earnings, housing, quality of environment and personal security.
This means that Britain ranks alongside Australia, Switzerland, Canada, New Zealand and the Nordic European countries as the best performing nation on the Better Life Index drawn up by the OECD. Below the UK, and rated as average, are Germany, USA, Ireland and France. Countries with a lower ranking include Brazil, Turkey, Mexico, Greece, Estonia, Chile and Hungary.
The Economic Crisis
Overall, the OECD survey paints a picture of hardship and personal suffering for many householders, caused directly by the financial crisis. However, on average, the British householder has only been modestly affected by the economic crisis - unemployment figures rose, while the quality of living standards dipped.
Confidence in institutions such as banks and power companies declined in those countries severely affected by the economic downturn, but in the years between 2007 and 2011, disposable household income in the UK increased by around 1%, whereas in other euro-zone countries this figure dropped by 2%.
Closing the Gender Gap
Much work still has to be done in the UK to close the gender gap: the OECD results reveal that more British men are likely to have a paid job than women and more men are likely to be elected to parliament than women. The UK is also slightly behind on job and education opportunities.
Lifestyle Satisfaction
In the five years between 2007 and 2012, the €life satisfaction' of the population declined by more than 10% in Italy, 12% in Spain and 20% in Greece. However, in the UK over the same period, the percentage of British people who were very satisfied with their lives increased to a massive 64%.
The Greek Crisis
The OECD also found that the average Greek household had been seriously affected by the downturn, especially when it came to jobs, life satisfaction, household income and civic
engagement. In the four years from 2007 to 2011, Greece suffered the largest drop in real disposable household income, and, in this same four-year period, the percentage of Greek people who were very satisfied with their lives fell by almost half, from 60% to 34% - a dramatic decline.
Sharing Expenses in the USA
The report also showed that in 2011, 67% of Americans were very satisfied with their lives, but before the economic downturn hit, this figure was sitting at a high of 78%. The main problem for the Americans was the deteriorating job market and, as money and household budgets became increasingly tight, the report reveals that nearly 20% of all American households moved in and shared expenses with other households.
Among the populations of many countries, there was suspicion and a dwindling trust in banking institutions, governments and in democracy itself. Less than half of the thirty-four OECD countries surveyed, said they trusted their own governments - the lowest level recorded since 2006.
Reversing the Trend
However, in the UK, the reverse was true, as trust in Britain's ruling politicians increased. According to the OECD's report in the period between 2007 and 2011, the percentage of UK citizens who had trust and faith in government institutions increased from 36% to 47%, an 11% jump.
Above Average Survey Results
The results of the survey were formulated from the input of thirty-four industrialised countries, and took into account the income, education, housing and security of all participants. The ranking achieved by the UK was above average when it came to jobs, earnings, housing, quality of environment and personal security.
This means that Britain ranks alongside Australia, Switzerland, Canada, New Zealand and the Nordic European countries as the best performing nation on the Better Life Index drawn up by the OECD. Below the UK, and rated as average, are Germany, USA, Ireland and France. Countries with a lower ranking include Brazil, Turkey, Mexico, Greece, Estonia, Chile and Hungary.
The Economic Crisis
Overall, the OECD survey paints a picture of hardship and personal suffering for many householders, caused directly by the financial crisis. However, on average, the British householder has only been modestly affected by the economic crisis - unemployment figures rose, while the quality of living standards dipped.
Confidence in institutions such as banks and power companies declined in those countries severely affected by the economic downturn, but in the years between 2007 and 2011, disposable household income in the UK increased by around 1%, whereas in other euro-zone countries this figure dropped by 2%.
Closing the Gender Gap
Much work still has to be done in the UK to close the gender gap: the OECD results reveal that more British men are likely to have a paid job than women and more men are likely to be elected to parliament than women. The UK is also slightly behind on job and education opportunities.
Lifestyle Satisfaction
In the five years between 2007 and 2012, the €life satisfaction' of the population declined by more than 10% in Italy, 12% in Spain and 20% in Greece. However, in the UK over the same period, the percentage of British people who were very satisfied with their lives increased to a massive 64%.
The Greek Crisis
The OECD also found that the average Greek household had been seriously affected by the downturn, especially when it came to jobs, life satisfaction, household income and civic
engagement. In the four years from 2007 to 2011, Greece suffered the largest drop in real disposable household income, and, in this same four-year period, the percentage of Greek people who were very satisfied with their lives fell by almost half, from 60% to 34% - a dramatic decline.
Sharing Expenses in the USA
The report also showed that in 2011, 67% of Americans were very satisfied with their lives, but before the economic downturn hit, this figure was sitting at a high of 78%. The main problem for the Americans was the deteriorating job market and, as money and household budgets became increasingly tight, the report reveals that nearly 20% of all American households moved in and shared expenses with other households.
Among the populations of many countries, there was suspicion and a dwindling trust in banking institutions, governments and in democracy itself. Less than half of the thirty-four OECD countries surveyed, said they trusted their own governments - the lowest level recorded since 2006.
Reversing the Trend
However, in the UK, the reverse was true, as trust in Britain's ruling politicians increased. According to the OECD's report in the period between 2007 and 2011, the percentage of UK citizens who had trust and faith in government institutions increased from 36% to 47%, an 11% jump.
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