Young workers ‘semi-grating' to escape recession

Young workers are ‘semi-grating' to escape the economic downturn - rather than leave the UK for good; over 5.5 million are considering boomerang breaks abroad, according to new research.

The Aviva UK Health ‘Semi-Gration' study of UK workers aged 18 to 30 reveals that nearly six in ten (56%) now believe there are better prospects abroad, with over half (54%) saying they are considering a stay in another country.

But rather than abandon the UK entirely, the younger generations now favour medium term breaks to escape the impact of the recession - two in five (43%) say a year would be long enough while a fifth (20%) would consider a three-year break from the UK.

In fact, young workers believe that ‘semi-grating' would mean a pay boost of, on average 35%, and a lower cost of living (53%). Two in five (44%) have already seen a friend or family member move abroad for work in the last three years.

One of their key concerns however is looking after their health abroad - a quarter (25%) say the NHS is one of the things they'd most miss, while almost two thirds (64%) believe the UK has superior state health benefits over other countries.

Independent travel expert Amanda Lamb, who reviewed the Aviva research, said: "A boomerang break might seem for young workers like a less radical move than emigrating from the UK but it's crucial that ‘semi-graters' consider the everyday practicalities of living in another country.

"Healthcare provision, for example, varies massively from one country to the next and young workers should not assume that they will receive the same free at point of delivery health benefits in Australia or the US that we have at home."

The ‘Semi-Gration' study, commissioned to mark the launch of the International Solutions product from Aviva UK Health, found that:

Three quarters (74%) of young workers believe their job prospects have declined in the last two years

One in four (29%) aged 18 to 30 would consider a permanent move away from the UK

Less than one in ten (7%) believe they will receive better state health provision outside of the UK

International Solutions is an innovative medical insurance plan that takes a modular approach, offering customers flexibility to choose benefits that meet their needs and budget whilst complementing the healthcare provision in the country they are living in.

Andrew Turner, international strategic development manager, Aviva UK Health, comments: "Worryingly, one third (34%) of young workers considering ‘semi-grating' told us they wouldn't consider it important to take out additional medical insurance. The danger is that, should the worst happen, those people could find themselves in unfamiliar territories, often not speaking the local language, not knowing how to arrange medical treatment or indeed being able to pay for it."

"International health insurance such as Aviva's International Solutions policy helps provide individuals with the peace of mind that they have the medical support they need when they need it most. We can arrange ambulances, find appropriate treatment facilities, deal directly with providers in their local language and settle invoices directly. Basically we take care of everything whilst keeping them and their relatives informed throughout. The flexibility of International Solutions also means that individuals can select their cover to complement the free healthcare provisions that may be available to them."

Aviva's research revealed the top destinations for 18 to 30 year olds considering ‘semi-grating':

Australia
United States
Canada
Spain
New Zealand