Friendly scots and grumpy Londoners: Cambridge study reveals the UK's personality traits

Scottish people are said to be the friendliest in the UK. Credit: PA

People in the South East of England are among the most extroverted in the UK, a study by Cambridge University has found.

Researchers looked at data gathered online about five traits - extroversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, emotional stability and openness.

The study looked at more than 400,000 people to help determine which character traits prevail in different regions across the country.

They found Scottish people were the most cheerful and Londoners the least welcoming.

Researchers looked at data gathered online about five traits. Credit: Plos One

Researchers say their findings could help the government make policy decisions.

What the report found?

  • Scottish people are the friendliest.

  • Welsh people are the shyest.

  • Londoners are the least welcoming.

  • Those living in the East Midlands, Wales, Humberside, the North of England and East Scotland are quiet, reserved and introverted.

  • People living in London, Manchester, and pockets of South East England, Scotland and Yorkshire are the most extroverted.

The research was carried out by the University of Cambridge. Credit: PA

The study is based on data that was gathered as part of the Big Personality Test, an online survey published by the BBC in 2009 as part of a collaboration between the BBC and the scientific community.