Britons are the highest earners in Europe - but they come out badly in the quality of life stakes. 

The price of fuel and other essential goods, below average spending on health and education, short holidays and late retirement puts the UK just above Ireland at the bottom of the uSwitch.com European quality of life index.

Although British families earn more than £10,000 more than the EU average, they pay the highest prices for diesel, 18% above the average, and the second highest price for unleaded petrol, 6% more than average.

They also pay 49% more for gas and 5% more for electricity - the third highest prices in Europe.

UK spending on healthcare and education is below the European average while life expectancy is the third lowest at 78.9 years, compared to 80.9 in France or 80.7 in Sweden.

Workers have the third highest retirement age and suffer the shortest holiday entitlement - a week below average, according to the study.

The weather adds to to the grim tally, with Britain receiving 80% less sunshine than Spain and 17% less than the European average.

A total of 41,026 residents left the UK in 2006, the highest number in Europe, with total emigration increasing by 30% from the UK since 2001.

The study assessed 19 factors to rank the UK in relation to nine other major countries across Europe.

Spain offers the best quality of life in Europe, despite families earning an annual net income of just £16,789 - £8,500 below the average and less than half that of the UK.

France came second, boasting the second highest spend on healthcare and the highest holiday allowance at 40 days.

"We may earn substantially more than our European neighbours but when it comes to quality of life we remain the sick man of Europe," uSwitch.com's Ann Robinson said.

"Soaring food prices and inflation, not to mention high property costs, are placing the biggest squeeze on disposable incomes in well over a decade.

"With below average investment in health and education, it appears that we are getting a raw deal from the government for the fruits of our labour.