They say money can't buy happiness, and for many of Britain's wealthiest, the answer lies abroad.

While they might have the cash at home, the nation's highest earners say they would leave the UK to find a better quality of life.
A survey of rich Brits finds that wealthy people overwhelmingly think the UK offers a poorer lifestyle, worse well-being, and less 'general happiness' than other developed countries.

The YouGov study for Lloyds TSB International Wealth, which surveyed 923 people each of whom had more than £250,000 of savings and investments, has added to fears that Britain's well-heeled residents might move abroad in search of a superior lifestyle.

A meagre 5% of Britain's high flyers believe people living in Britain are happier than elsewhere.

The grass is greener for 53% of those polled, who say people living in Britain are generally less content.

The poll took place after the government announced plans last November for a 'Happiness Index' – a measure of well-being based on more than simply money.

The project, undertaken by the Office of National Statistics to measure the nation's happiness, is expected to provide a regional breakdown of nationwide 'life satisfaction' levels.

An exodus of miserable millionaires could spell trouble for the economy, as it would direct much-needed investment and skills away from Britain. The survey revealed that 36% of high-earners are keen to move abroad, while 14% are considering moving in the next two years.

The research reveals a perception among richer residents that life in the UK is more stressful than elsewhere. Only 3% think people in Britain are less stressed than in other developed countries, compared to 58% who think they are more stressed.

According to the poll, cash is not the key when it comes to being happy. Just under two-thirds of high-earners think that when measuring well-being, monitoring happiness is just as important as economic measurements such as GDP. Only 13% disagreed, saying money is all-important.

Nicholas Boys Smyth from Lloyds commented: 'Many wealthy people are downbeat about life in the UK. There's a groundswell of opinion that the key to happiness may not be found in Britain and that a better life can be had elsewhere.

Maybe Britain needs to get serious about being happy – certainly wealthy people think that monitoring national well-being could be a means to start improving it.'

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