WE live in the worst country in Europe according to a quality of life index published yesterday.

Brits are stuck with the fourth highest retirement age, one of the lowest holiday entitlements, and above average costs for essentials including food, petrol and electricity.

Our government spends less on health and education than the European average, and people in France, Spain, Germany, Holland, Sweden and Italy all enjoy longer life expectancy.

And to top it all off we no longer have the highest net household income in Europe to make up for it – thanks to the recession we’re now trailing behind Ireland, the Netherlands and Denmark in those stakes too.

These are the findings of the latest uSwitch.com Quality of Life Index which takes into account 16 factors including VAT, average weekly working hours, hours of sunshine and cost food and utilities.

UK and Ireland at the bottom of the pile – with the lucky folk in France topping the index for the second year running. The French enjoy the earliest retirement age of 59, the most spent on healthcare, 36 days holiday for workers, and the longest life expectancy.

So the Echo asked shoppers in Poole’s Dolphin Centre whether they were green with envy or happy with their lot.

Andy Scott, a plasterer, 35, from Boscombe said quality of life came from within.

“Life is what you make of it – it’s your personal journey. For me it all begins at home with family – make your woman happy, make your kids happy, then I’m happy – that’s just the way it is,”

Clifford Churchill, 71, from Swanage, said: “We got healthcare, we don’t have to worry about insurance, we can see a doctor at any time. I think we’re as lucky as anybody in the world.”

Rosemary Rawlings, 67, from Wimborne, said while the cost of utilities and travel were higher than in Europe she didn’t feel badly off personally.

“It depends on what you want out of life. People have different ideas about quality of life. It depends on their situation and what they enjoy.”

Ann Robinson, director of consumer policy at uSwitch.com, said: “Last year compared with our European neighbours we were miserable but rich, this year we’re miserable and poor. In fact we work harder, take less holiday and retire later than most of our European counterparts – but the high cost of living makes this a necessity rather than a choice.”