Brits flock to start a new life in Australia
The number of people leaving Britain has soared to a record high, with Australia the top country of choice to set up home, new statistics show.
Official figures released yesterday reveal 427,000 people left Britain last year, the highest number ever recorded and up 25% on the previous year.
Of those who moved Down Under, 63% were Bristish citizens and 32% were Australians returning home.
"In 2008, Australia continued to be the most popular country of next residence for those emigrating from the UK," the Office for National Statistics said. "British emigrants intending to reside in Australia stated work-related reasons as their main reason for emigrating, of whom 53% had a definite job to go to."
Britain's record emigration levels came at a time when its economy began to slide into recession as the credit crunch began to take its toll.
Australia escaped a similar fate, with its economy bucking the international trend and continung to grow.
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