Over 60 per cent of the working population in Britain would consider swapping long hours for a less stressful existence.

Bored at work? Money no longer a motivator? Dream of moving to a country cottage and quitting the rat race? Yes? Then you could be one of a growing trend of ‘Lifeshifters’ – people who are more interested in quality of life rather than a fat salary and luxury flat.

New research from savings giant, Prudential, shows that over three-fifths of the UK population would consider relocating to a cheaper area within the British Isles or would move abroad to take a less stressful, lower paid job and increase their leisure time – a phenomenon previously known as ‘downshifting’. What’s more, 38 per cent of people would be happy to take a lower paid job in return for more leisure hours without making a geographical move.

This points to a new phenomenon which Pru calls ‘lifeshifting’, where the exchange of a high speed, high gratification lifestyle for a slower paced, less materialistic one, is no longer viewed as a cop-out, but more of an aspiration.

A growing trend

Three years ago, 53 per cent of people said would consider downshifting or had already done it. Today that figure has risen to 61 per cent. The age group most likely to consider it are those aged 35 to 44, with 65 per cent of working Brits within that age band considering a lifestyle change or having done it already.

The research also found:

A good work life balance is the most important aspect of a job for a quarter of Brits
Money is no longer a key motivator for 30 per cent of the working population
More than one in three Brits (40 per cent) would consider moving abroad or have already done so.