How European is the UK? Five charts that show how we differ from the EU in alcohol consumption, living costs and working hours
It's a potent question at the moment: what does it really mean to be “European”? It turns out our living costs, alcohol consumption and general life satisfaction make the UK the sixth most European country in the EU, according to analytics firm Qlik.
In a study pulling together statistics about how we live, work and play across the continent, the firm has looked into EU averages for a number of different measures – and who differs the most from them.
Slovenia is the most European country, according to the study, and Luxembourg the least. The UK is more European than Ireland or Germany, but falls short of France and Italy.
If you're curious to find out how continental your own habits are, Qlik's quiz will tell you how you compare to the European average – and what country you're most likely to be from.
So how does the UK measure up?
1. We drink four times more alcohol than the EU average
Going for a quick one after work today? You won't be the only one. The UK has the third highest alcohol consumption in the EU, bested only by Czech Republic and Ireland.
2. It’s one of the most expensive places to live
You won’t be surprised to hear that the UK is expensive compared to most of its European neighbours. Qlik compared how much we spend on clothes, eating out, transport, and of course accomodation, and found that on average, our living costs are second only to Denmark.
3. …but take property costs out and living costs tumble to Portugal’s level
Things like utilities, clothing, food and restaurants are actually cheaper in UK than most northern European countries, but the cost of property and rent by far outstrips the EU average.
4. Britons work less
The UK has the sixth lowest average working hours, despite having the second highest salary at 40 per cent above the EU average.
The Dutch are the real winners here, though, working the fewest hours per week and still enjoying one of the continent’s highest salaries.
(Greeks, meanwhile, work longer hours than anyone else in the EU, with the debt-ridden country clocking in at a weekly average of 41.5 hours per week.)
5. …and have longer holidays.
The average statutory annual leave in Europe is just 20 days.
