Spain 'offers high life expectancy'

A new study has found that the life expectancy in Spain is slightly higher than in the UK.

Research by uSwitch.com found that a typical Briton lives to 78.9 years of age - a year less than the average Spaniard.

Figures also showed that people in Spain will probably finish working 12 months before their British counterparts at the age of 62.

This means that the average retirement in Spain would last two years longer than it would in the UK.

Commenting on the findings, uSwitch.com said they show that Spain offers a much better lifestyle than Britain.

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

Spain was also highly rated for its climate, as it offers 80 per cent more sunshine than Britain.

The country's high quality of living could explain its current popularity with foreign property buyers in the UK.

According to Holiday-Rentals, 31 per cent of British-owned residences in Europe are located in Spain.