UK expat children benefit by living abroad

More than nine in ten UK expat parents (93%) believe that their children are benefiting from the experience of living abroad, reveals a new report.

The latest NatWest International Personal Banking (NatWest IPB) Quality of Life Index undertaken in conjunction with think tank, Centre for Future Studies, surveyed British expatriates from across the world. It revealed that 58% of UK expats have at least one child, with 30% having one, 25% have two and 3% have two or more. The report revealed that nearly all expat children are benefiting across a range of factors that improve their quality of life.

Overall, more than eight out of ten UK expat parents (82%) say the main benefit is that their children have learnt to become more self reliant, whilst three quarters of parents (76%) say their children are benefiting from the different cultural experience they are being exposed to. Seven in ten parents also believe that their children are receiving higher educational standards.

Dave Isley Head of NatWest International Personal Banking comments: "What we know from this latest report is that most UK expats are experiencing far reaching benefits, such as an improved quality of life. However, it seems that the children of expat parents are also benefiting in many ways. Parents are reporting that their children are learning to be more independent, and learning from the different cultures they are being exposed to."

The report indicted that more than half (55%) of UK expats live in non English speaking countries. Their children who are learning a new language find it much easier to do so in an environment where the language is used full time. The education system in New Zealand ranked the highest amongst UK expats, closely followed by that in Canada, with Spain coming at the bottom of the table.

Dave Isley added: "New Zealand is the country that has scored the highest in the school and education ranking for expats. UK parents abroad clearly value and rate the experiences that their children have gained in this country in particular."

For further information on NatWest International Personal Banking visit: natwestinternational.com