A growing appetite for overseas holidays has increased exposure to new experiences, fuelled by television programmes such as ‘A Place in the Sun’ – preparing the ground for later retirement abroad. Additionally, the increased affluence of British people coupled with the strong pound and booming property prices have boosted the market for overseas buying.

Commenting on the research, Simon Hull, Managing Director of Alliance & Leicester International said: “Emigration clearly is seen as a fresh start allowing people to reinvent their lifestyles and with luck, themselves too!”

“It does seem to suggest a level of dissatisfaction with existing lifestyles such as, excessive stress in the workplace coupled with a negative impact on personal relationships and happiness.”

“Our research forecasts that Britons will constantly be on the lookout to change their lifestyle at the blink of an eye. In the past, people may have moved abroad because of high unemployment levels in the UK – now they may move because of a superficial desire to do ‘something new’ for the sake of doing something.”

However, the biggest worries people have about moving and living overseas are missing their family (59 per cent), the logistics of moving home (47 per cent), healthcare (45 per cent) and language (37 per cent).

Opportunities will increase for Britons moving abroad as governments welcome skilled labour – particularly in the technology, health, construction and manufacturing sectors. The international expansion of organisations, the varied role of new technology and a reduction of barriers to entry as travel becomes easier and cheaper will allow more people to fulfil their ambition for new experiences.

Simon Hull adds: “The number of people prepared to leave and excited by moving abroad – whether it be for work or leisure purposes – is rising significantly, and a number of new destinations are coming through.”

“Areas such as Spain, America, Australia and Canada will remain popular, but interestingly nations such as India, China, Russia, Indonesia, Asia and Brazil will become economically more attractive.”

ALIL’s research also shows substantial differences of opinion between professions, with senior managers citing France and Spain as joint favourites and City and finance workers, manual staff and middle managers naming Spain as their favourite. The US was the favoured destination among students, with service sector staff the most enthusiastic about migrating to Africa and the Middle East.