More than 2,300 people left NI last year

An Institute for Public Policy Research study indicated at least 5.5 million people born in the UK now live abroad.

Australia and Spain are the top locations, however increasing numbers are heading to major Asian economies.

The number of British citizens who chose to go permanently abroad doubled from 53,000 in 2001 to 107,000 last year - some 2,000 people a week.

BBC reporter James Alexander, who is in the Spanish town of Torrevieja, said: "Other than the weather - an annual average temperature of 19 degrees - you would be forgiven for thinking you were in Northern Ireland.

"Everything else is what you would find back in Northern Ireland.

LOCATIONS WITH GROWING COMMUNITIES UAE (Inc Dubai): 55,000 Pakistan: 47,000 Singapore: 45,000 Thailand: 41,000 China: 36,000 See where Britons live around the world

Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster, he said: "We are in a very traditional pub called the Rose and Crown - there are premiership football shirts on the wall, there's BBC One on the TV and the menu today is serving Christmas dinner.

"This could be any town in Northern Ireland transplanted to the Spanish coast."

David Johnston, who is originally from Belfast, moved to Torrevieja in 1995.

"We are now in our 12th year here. I came here with my wife Sandra and our five-year-old daughter Nicole," he said.

"I had a respiratory problem that would be eased by coming to a warm climate. I had to retire from work and I came out here and we never regretted it."

He said the family had many Spanish friends and that his daughter had quickly integrated into the community.

"My daughter is totally bi-lingual. It was difficult starting to learn, but at the end of the first term she was able to get on with all her chums and by the end of the second term she was almost like a Spanish child."

Who left in 2004? 40% professional/managerial 25.3% manual/clerical 17.5% retired/carers 9.3% children 7.9% students Source: International Passenger Survey/ONS

David said there was no way he would ever return to Northern Ireland.

"When we go on holiday from here, my wife always says: 'Let's go home' - meaning let's go to Torrevieja."

Sir Andrew Green of Migrationwatch UK said the departure of UK citizens should be seen against an annual arrival of some 300,000 immigrants.

"This net migration is the key issue - that is those who come minus those who go," he said.

"We now face by far the largest wave of immigration since 1066, even allowing for those who emigrate. This is putting enormous strain on our infrastructure, public services and on social cohesion."