Christmas gifts 2015: Almost half of UK adults have at least one relative living abroad and 16 December is expected to be the day we are most likely to send money overseas
Business has become more global but it turns out the same is true for family matters.
A study out today from the Post Office International Payments has found that 41 per cent of UK adults now have at least one relative living overseas. So, if you've found yourself grappling with last postage dates for overseas for Christmas recently, you're far from alone.
On average, people in the UK have four relatives residing in a foreign country. Cousins are the most common type of relative to have taken up residence overseas.
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Meanwhile, more than 3m people have more than five family members living abroad, which is double the amount that could make this claim five years ago.
UK adults seem to be relishing in the fact that they have room and board overseas, with more than third (35 per cent) saying that having relatives in a foreign country has helped to expose them to a different culture, while a quarter appreciate being able to try new types of cuisine.
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Although you might need to take a long lunch if you've left it until now to send our your Christmas presents – the Post Office also predicts that today will be the busiest day of the year for international money transfers, as people panic over last minute gifts.
"People often leave it to the last minute to send gifts to family members abroad at Christmas, which causes a spike in demand for international payments," said Rob Scott, head of international payments at Post Office Money. "The rise of the multi-country family sees loved ones spread across the globe, so international money transfers are a convenient way to send a present this festive season."
As for where money is being sent to as gifts, Australia topped the list, followed by the USA and Spain.
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