The UK has been named Europe’s worst country, according to a new report by cross-border e-commerce platform Ubuy. The ranking is based on commuting costs, travel time, paid leave, working hours and national happiness – putting the bottom of the UK in the 34-country index.
The UK scored 107 out of a possible 136 points, with a lower score indicating a better experience in commuting. The report highlights soaring costs, long-distance travel time, limited paid leave and declining well-being, which are key factors in poor performance in the UK.
The average monthly commuter cost for UK commuters is the third highest in Europe at £67.21, just slightly higher than Luxembourg and Switzerland. The study shows that as train fares and fuel prices rise, many British workers spend more time on their jobs than some Europeans do on holidays.
The average commuting clock in the UK is 40 minutes (one of Europe’s longest times), while full-time workers receive only 20 days of legally paid annual leave (excluding bank holidays), which is the lowest ranking.
The UK also performed poorly in overall well-being, with the national happiness score of 6.75 out of 10 points, far behind top countries such as Finland and Estonia. The report warns that the combination of high commuting costs, long work weeks and limited breaks are creating recipes for burnout.
At the same time, Greece (also scored 107 points) also had similar problems. The average working hours in Greece are 39.8 per week, and the happiness is divided into 5.93, so they joined the UK.
Cyprus, Italy and France completed the lowest five. Although famous for their warm climates, these countries have limited flexibility in working hours and rest time due to high parking spaces and commuting costs.
By comparison, Estonia leads with a 64-point lead thanks to a low commute, cheap lunch and a stable work-life balance. Finland and Lithuania tied for second place (68 points), followed by Sweden and Romania third place (74 points), praised for their affordability and emphasis on the well-being of their employees.
“The ranking should be a wake-up call,” said Faizan Khan, a Ubuy spokesman. “As more and more people return to offices, the cost, time and stress of commuting is once again the feeling of employees about work. Countries like Estonia show that affordable transport and balanced working hours are possible – some of the UK has caught up.”
The study follows a rediscussion on hybrid work, flexible time and transport reform in the UK. As inflation and interest rates continue to impact household finances, advocates urge the government to reassess commuting policies and workplace expectations to reduce the burden on workers.
As commuting once again becomes a daily reality for millions of British people, this ranking emphasizes the importance of people not only where they work, but how they get there.
