UK among happiest nations for family life but among least neighbourly, says study

More than 90 per cent of Britons said they were very either happy or fairly happy with their family life

The UK is one of the happiest countries in terms of family relationships but is among the least friendly to neighbours, according to an international study. (Getty)

The UK is one of the happiest countries in terms of family relationships but is among the least friendly to neighbours, according to an international study.

We are, however, one of the least friendly nations in terms of knowing our neighbours. Only Germany ranked as less sociable in the study.

The results come in a set of international comparisons of wellbeing and life satisfaction, compiled by the Office for National Statistics, alongside OECD figures.

More than 90 per cent of Britons said they were either very happy or fairly happy with their family life, ranking the country fourth highest of developed nations.

However it appears our family units are rather insular in the community – as a country we placed second last in an OECD study, asking if we "feel close to people in the area" where we live.

In the UK, only 58.4 per cent of people agree that they know their neighbours and feel comfortable in their area. This places the country well below the average of 66 per cent.

Cyprus ranked as the most sociable country as 80 per cent said they knew their neighbours and felt that they fit in.