Ireland vs United Kingdom: Age of electoral democracy
Ireland
105 years
in 2025
United Kingdom
98 years
in 2025
Ireland rank
7th
United Kingdom rank
8th
Age of electoral democracy over time
- Ireland
- United Kingdom
How they compare
Ireland currently reports 105 years against 98 years in United Kingdom, a difference of 7 years.
That makes Ireland's figure about 1.1 times United Kingdom's.
Across all 98 years both countries report, Ireland has been ahead every year.
Ireland ranks 7th and United Kingdom ranks 8th of 144 countries.
Ireland has averaged higher in every one of the 11 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Ireland | United Kingdom | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1920s | 8.5 years | 1.5 years | 7 years | Ireland |
| 1930s | 14.5 years | 7.5 years | 7 years | Ireland |
| 1940s | 24.5 years | 17.5 years | 7 years | Ireland |
| 1950s | 34.5 years | 27.5 years | 7 years | Ireland |
| 1960s | 44.5 years | 37.5 years | 7 years | Ireland |
| 1970s | 54.5 years | 47.5 years | 7 years | Ireland |
| 1980s | 64.5 years | 57.5 years | 7 years | Ireland |
| 1990s | 74.5 years | 67.5 years | 7 years | Ireland |
| 2000s | 84.5 years | 77.5 years | 7 years | Ireland |
| 2010s | 94.5 years | 87.5 years | 7 years | Ireland |
| 2020s | 102.5 years | 95.5 years | 7 years | Ireland |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher age of electoral democracy, Ireland or United Kingdom?
- Ireland, at 105 years against 98 years in United Kingdom as of 2025.
- What is the difference in age of electoral democracy between Ireland and United Kingdom?
- 7 years, with Ireland ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Ireland and United Kingdom?
- 98 years are reported by both, from 1928 to 2025.
- How do Ireland and United Kingdom rank globally for age of electoral democracy?
- Ireland ranks 7th and United Kingdom ranks 8th of 144 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- Lexical Index (2026) β processed by Our World in Data, published as Age of electoral democracy. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.
Individual pages
About this data
Number of consecutive years in electoral democracy.