Portugal vs Spain: Age of electoral democracy (V-Dem)
Portugal
50 years
in 2025
Spain
48 years
in 2025
Portugal rank
28th
Spain rank
29th
Age of electoral democracy (V-Dem) over time
- Portugal
- Spain
How they compare
Portugal currently reports 50 years against 48 years in Spain, a difference of 2 years.
Across all 48 years both countries report, Portugal has been ahead every year.
Portugal ranks 28th and Spain ranks 29th of 111 countries.
Portugal has averaged higher in every one of the 6 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Portugal | Spain | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 3.5 years | 1.5 years | 2 years | Portugal |
| 1980s | 9.5 years | 7.5 years | 2 years | Portugal |
| 1990s | 19.5 years | 17.5 years | 2 years | Portugal |
| 2000s | 29.5 years | 27.5 years | 2 years | Portugal |
| 2010s | 39.5 years | 37.5 years | 2 years | Portugal |
| 2020s | 47.5 years | 45.5 years | 2 years | Portugal |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher age of electoral democracy, Portugal or Spain?
- Portugal, at 50 years against 48 years in Spain as of 2025.
- What is the difference in age of electoral democracy between Portugal and Spain?
- 2 years, with Portugal ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Portugal and Spain?
- 48 years are reported by both, from 1978 to 2025.
- How do Portugal and Spain rank globally for age of electoral democracy?
- Portugal ranks 28th and Spain ranks 29th of 111 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- V-Dem (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.