As the only European nation with more credit cards than population, the UK has the highest percentage of consumers who say they spend spare cash paying off credit card debts and loans.

At the same time our investment rate in savings, pensions and the stock market is among the lowest of the European nations.

Indebtedness may be growing, but there is a shortage of spare cash - out of the European economies the UK is beaten only by Portugal when it comes to people saying that they had no money left for spending or saving.

These are the findings of the latest ACNielsen Global Consumer Confidence Survey conducted in October via the internet among consumers in 28 countries across Europe, the United States and Asia Pacific.

The survey also revealed that health is a major concern to Britons - 56% of respondents identified this as one of their top three concerns. Perhaps this is a response to the high profile campaigns targeting issues such as high fat, sugar and salt content found in various foods. The government's message does seem to be getting across - ACNielsen has established that 80% of people in the UK are trying to eat more healthily.

The UK also leads Europe when it comes to fear of terrorist attack, with nearly a quarter of respondents naming this as their top concern, compared with a European average of 13%.

Living for today - and living longer. There would seem to be trouble ahead for the spendthrift elements of British society.