UK has 'worst quality of life in Europe'
- Thread starter Locutus
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Well, that analysis is a little more complicated than anything I would do for a post on a forum. The relative tax rate is about 2-7 points higher in the UK depending on the calculation you use. The question is what do we get for our tax rates, what do the UK citizens get for their tax rates, and ultimately relating that to quality of life.
It's not that straightforward.
I mean if you ranked the world, the nations with the best quality of life end up near the top of the relative tax rates, at the bottom you have countries like Chad, Sudan, Afghanistan. Not places I'd like to live, or countries that I would like to see Canada become more alike.
You also need to factor-in the various taxes outside of income tax. Sales taxes, VATs, muni taxes, etc.... You're right, it does get complicated, however, to my knowledge, the UK has a host of 'other' taxes that carve deeply into an individual's disposable income.
Add-in the general cost of living by looking at a few common items like the cost of a home (comparable munis), food, gas, etc and you develop a bit of an understanding of the cost of living.
Add-in the general cost of living by looking at a few common items like the cost of a home (comparable munis), food, gas, etc and you develop a bit of an understanding of the cost of living.
The average price of gasoline in Britain is 129 p/ L or $1.82 CDN/L.
In Canada, the average price is $1.32/L.
In Canada, the average price is $1.32/L.
Very true!
According to a BBC report:
"The UK spends 1.3% of GDP on higher education - lagging behind 3.1% in the US, 2.4% in South Korea and 2.6% in Canada. "
You pay for it one way or the other.
By in large, I believe it's fair to say, you are better off having more options with the choices you make relative to your life (ie student loans) and options on expenditures.
Of course, that's what I mean. A higher relative tax rate isn't really meaningful without examining what the benefits associated with the costs are. It's not necessarily a bad thing.
I really thought we worked more hours on average. I have almost always done 40hrs per week. Lunch breaks not included. 8.5 - 9hr day.
I guess when you average it out...
yeah me too... and I usually averaged 45 or more hours a week up until this job I have now...it's 35 hours a week... (sort of)
That "quality of life chart" is sadly lacking- no consideration for seniors. Miles of wheel chair ramps, access to meals on wheels, outlets selling canes, hearing aid maintenance facilities, # of benches along sidewalks, frequency of public washrooms.