Brits Head Overseas To Seek Better Careers Abroad

Britain is undergoing ‘talent drain’ according to the NatWest IPB Quality of Life Report released today and undertaken in conjunction with think tank, Centre for Future Studies which researched British expatriates from across the world. The report revealed increasing number of British citizens leaving the UK to live abroad, with over 200,000 departing in 2006.

According to the NatWest International Personal Banking Quality of Life Report, increasing numbers of UK workers are spending time working abroad, tempted by further career opportunities and potential higher earnings. Two thirds of those who left in 2006 went to work abroad. Figures demonstrate that over the last 25 years, 1.38 million highly skilled Britons travelled abroad to work.

Results of the survey suggest that the typical expat abroad is no longer necessarily a retiree in the sun, but has a professional career (57%),is aged 43 and earns an average salary of £67 000.

Dave Isley Head of NatWest International Personal Banking comments: “We have seen a rise in queries from people who want to relocate abroad, and we predict this to grow. Not only are there Brits that want to spend their latter years on a beach in the sun, it is increasingly those who are suited and booted who want to improvetheir career opportunities by seeking employment around the world, with the added bonus of experiencing new cultures whilst doing so.”

With only four percent of expats surveyed believing the UK provided lack of career opportunities, its seems the lure of a better job from abroad rather than dissatisfaction with the job market in the UK is one of the biggest motivators for moving out of the UK.

According to the report there are number of reasons driving the flows of employees out of the UK:

• A decade of solid economic growth in the UK leading to a strong pound and soaring house prices meaning people moving abroad to get more for their money
• Opportunities for highly skilled Britons to migrate are likely to be sustained or even increase. ‘Points based’ immigration systems are ideal for skilled, English speaking people
• Recruitment agencies from abroad are targeting Britons through regular expos and conferences, highlighting work and lifestyle opportunities
• Phenomenal rise of offshoring and outsourcing will increase the need for managers and trainers to work and live overseas to set up operations
• As EU member states become more politically and economically integrated, new opportunities for British workers to relocate abroad becomes easier

UK employers are encouraging their employees to work abroad with 43% of the expats surveyed* moving on the request of their employer, particularly to Sweden and the UAE.

The findings of the Quality of Life Report contrasts against another recent survey which suggests expats are leaving regions such as the UAE due to rising living costs such as spiralling rents but it is easy to see why expats stay, once they have made the move abroad. 90% believe they are financially better off abroad compared to living in the UK. Consequently, only a minority of Britons who live abroad want to return to the UK.

On the plus side, those most likely to return to their native shores are emigrants who on the whole are well educated and accomplished bringing back the skills they have learnt abroad and over half returning expats to the UK do so for professional or educational reasons.

The study demonstrates the popularity among Britons working abroad,particularly those who are highly skilled. This trend will increase as countries continue to seek out the talents of British workers and entice them to foreign climes with career opportunities and the chance to experience life abroad. Whether it is a permanent move abroad, or for a short period of time, it seems working abroad is an opportunity increasingly open to more employees. The trend of Brits taking their talent to sunnier climes looks set to continue.