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Britons lag behind the rest of Europe in terms of working hours and the age at which they retire, a survey by the uSwitch website has found.

Its Quality of Life index ranked the UK and Ireland the worst European countries to live in when factors such as fuel costs, life expectancy, healthcare benefits, education, retirement age, working hours and holiday entitlement and emigration were considered.

It found that the UK’s average retirement age at 63 was the third highest in Europe and five years later than that enjoyed by citizens of Poland and France.

Britons also have the shortest holidays at 28 days, while the French get 40 days annual paid leave and the Spanish, Swedes and Polish get 36 days. It found that the European average is 33 days leave a year.

Britons’ life expectancy is the third lowest in Europe at 78.9, compared to 80.9 in France and 80.7 in Sweden, according to the index.

In 2006, 41,026 Britons emigrated, the highest number in Europe and an increase of 30 per cent since 2001. Spain topped the index with France in second place and Germany third.

Ann Robinson, director of consumer policy for uSwitch, said: “We may earn substantially more than our European neighbours, but when it comes to quality of life, we remain the sick man of Europe.

“Soaring food prices and inflation, not to mention high property costs, are placing a squeeze on disposable incomes. With below average investment in health and education, it appears that we are getting a raw deal from the government.”