Luxembourg is known as primary nation on this planet for ‘high quality of life’ whereas Britain languishes behind Lithuania outdoors high 20
Luxembourg has been named the number one place in the world for quality of life, while the UK remains out of the top 20, languishing behind countries like Lithuania and Slovenia.
The tiny European nation, home to just 672,000, beat Denmark, Switzerland and Finland, holding the top position on the Numbeo Quality of Life index for the third year in a row.
Just three years ago, Luxembourg was in 13th place.
The mid-year survey, which compiled user-reported information on factors including purchasing power, cost of living and house price to income ratios, places the UK at 22nd this year.
This was a jump from 24th place last year, when the UK was given a score of 170.6.
This year, the UK scored 177.2, with areas of improvement seen in purchasing power, the cost of living and the climate index.
But the UK hasn’t been in the top 20 countries on Numbeo’s list since 2022, when it was ranked at number 20.
The UK was consistently in the top 20 from 2012, the year Numbeo began its survey, until 2021, when it dropped to 21st before reentering the following year.
Luxembourg has been named the number one place in the world for quality of life, while the UK remains out of the top 20
The tiny European nation of Luxembourg is home to just 672,000 (File image of Luxembourg City)
An annual ‘Life in the UK’ survey of 7,000 people, carried out by charity Carnegie UK, showed no significant change in the wellbeing of Brits since 2023.
The survey asked a range of questions on economic, social, environmental and democratic topics to come up with an overall ‘wellbeing score’ out of 100.
This year’s survey reported an overall wellbeing score of 62, one point higher than last year and the same score as 2023.
Published a month ahead of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ next Budget, the report showed that households are finding it a little more affordable to keep their homes warm enough than they did in 2023 or 2024.
But the study also found that economic hardship has not eased for millions, especially those living in social housing; families with three or more children; and people on low incomes.
Carnegie UK warned there are large economic wellbeing gaps between different groups in society that aren’t closing.
Their report added that ‘while some individuals report greater financial stability and improved living conditions, others remain at risk of exclusion and hardship’.
It found declining satisfaction with local job opportunities and widespread experience of problems with pollution and littering in local neighbourhoods.
An annual ‘Life in the UK’ survey of 7,000 people, carried out by charity Carnegie UK, showed no significant change in the wellbeing of Brits since 2023
Carnegie UK warned there are large economic wellbeing gaps between different groups in society that aren’t closing
But there was a small improvement in the average person’s mental and physical health.
Sarah Davidson, chief executive of Carnegie UK, said: ‘Our index shows that between May 2024 and May 2025, the average person in the UK saw no meaningful improvement in their life.
‘Public services and systems are barely working for too many households, and our research shows that poorer people, larger families and people in social housing are still getting left behind.’
