UK adults have only visited 5% of the world's countries

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What happened to the spirit of exploration? UK adults have only visited 5% of the world's countries with the least visited places including Greenland, Chile and Fiji
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The average UK adult has only visited five per cent of countries worldwide
95 countries have only been visited by one per cent of UK adults
The least-seen countries make up nearly half of the world
They include Greenland, Chile, Ghana, Fiji and Bangladesh

Published: 18:09 EST, 9 July 2015 | Updated: 02:07 EST, 10 July 2015

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On average UK adults have only visited five per cent of countries worldwide, according to a new study - and it's having children and going straight to work from university that's to blame for the lack of exploration.

The research reveals that the average UK adult has travelled to just ten countries, with the majority of these being European destinations.

Not surprisingly the most visited country is France, with 62 per cent of UK adults having made the journey across the channel.

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On average UK adults have only experienced five per cent of countries worldwide, according to a new study

However, there are 95 countries, out of the total of 196, that have been visited by just one per cent or fewer of UK adults.

The least-seen countries make up nearly half of the world and include Greenland, Chile, Ghana, Fiji and Bangladesh.

The research, from Hostelworld.com's Meet The World Report, found that after France, the second most visited countries by citizens are Spain (52 per cent have been), followed by Germany (41 per cent) and the US (40 per cent).

Although the UK still has 95 per cent of the world to discover, it is still ahead of other nations when it comes to travelling.

Trailing behind the UK is Germany, with the average adult seeing just eight countries - only 4.5 per cent of the world.

Australia and France have seen even less with the average number of countries visited six and five respectively.

Not surprisingly the most visited country is France, with 62 per cent of UK adults having made the journey across the channel

TOP TEN MOST VISITED COUNTRIES BY UK ADULTS
Rank	Country	Proportion of UK adults who have been there
1	France	62%
2	Spain	52%
3	Germany	41%
4	US	40%
5	Italy	37%
6	Belgium	35%
7	Greece	32%
8	Ireland	28%
9	Holland	27%
10	Portugal	23%

However, these numbers are predicted to increase over the next few years thanks to youth travel (those aged 15-30) rising dramatically. It's set to account for 25 per cent of all international departures.

The difference between travelling as opposed to going on holiday has been defined as an extended stay that covers more than one country.

Travelling is a growing trend, with one in ten adults going travelling in 2010, to one in five embarking in 2014.

While 94 per cent of UK adults having been abroad, only half have been travelling.

Almost one in ten says they regret they haven't done more with five per cent feeling strongly that it's their biggest regret in life.

There are many reasons why people have put off travelling, and the research showed that these included going straight into work after school or university (28 per cent) and having children (21 per cent).

Youth travel (those aged 15-30) is rising dramatically and set to account for 25 per cent of all international departures

The main reason why people haven't taken the plunge was found to be cost, with 56 per cent of people feeling they did not have the finances to fund it.

Otto Rosenberger, CMO, Hostelworld, comments: 'People think that going travelling can be expensive but the reality is that you can stay in hostels around the world for under £10 per night.

'Hostels are more stylish, comfortable and better equipped than ever before, so there's really no excuse for not getting out there and making new friends along the way.'

Simon Reeve, adventurer, TV presenter and New York Times bestselling author, added:

'The value of travelling is truly unquantifiable. I didn't go to university and I don't have many qualifications, but instead I've learnt through my travels around the world and the amazing people I've met along the way.

'There's no substitute for seeing things with your own eyes rather than in a textbook.

'Life is short and people need to get themselves out of their comfort zone and embrace the adventures that only global travel offers.'

WHY IS LONG YOUTH TRAVEL BECOMING A GROWING TREND?

One in eight (13 per cent) turn to global travel as a means to learn new skills, including becoming more independent (17 per cent) and learning new languages (15 per cent).

Among all age groups, the main motivation for travelling is to see the world (58 per cent), while more than half (51 per cent) cited adventure and new experiences as significant factors.

Learning more about the world was a major push for 38 per cent of travellers and over a quarter (26 per cent) went to meet new people.

Source: Hostelworld’s Meet The World Report.