United Kingdom vs United States: Age of electoral democracy (V-Dem)
United Kingdom
107 years
in 2025
United States
106 years
in 2025
United Kingdom rank
5th
United States rank
6th
Age of electoral democracy (V-Dem) over time
- United Kingdom
- United States
How they compare
United Kingdom currently reports 107 years against 106 years in United States, a difference of 1 years.
Across all 106 years both countries report, United Kingdom has been ahead every year.
United Kingdom ranks 5th and United States ranks 6th of 111 countries.
United Kingdom has averaged higher in every one of the 11 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | United Kingdom | United States | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1920s | 6.5 years | 5.5 years | 1 years | United Kingdom |
| 1930s | 16.5 years | 15.5 years | 1 years | United Kingdom |
| 1940s | 26.5 years | 25.5 years | 1 years | United Kingdom |
| 1950s | 36.5 years | 35.5 years | 1 years | United Kingdom |
| 1960s | 46.5 years | 45.5 years | 1 years | United Kingdom |
| 1970s | 56.5 years | 55.5 years | 1 years | United Kingdom |
| 1980s | 66.5 years | 65.5 years | 1 years | United Kingdom |
| 1990s | 76.5 years | 75.5 years | 1 years | United Kingdom |
| 2000s | 86.5 years | 85.5 years | 1 years | United Kingdom |
| 2010s | 96.5 years | 95.5 years | 1 years | United Kingdom |
| 2020s | 104.5 years | 103.5 years | 1 years | United Kingdom |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher age of electoral democracy, United Kingdom or United States?
- United Kingdom, at 107 years against 106 years in United States as of 2025.
- What is the difference in age of electoral democracy between United Kingdom and United States?
- 1 years, with United Kingdom ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for United Kingdom and United States?
- 106 years are reported by both, from 1920 to 2025.
- How do United Kingdom and United States rank globally for age of electoral democracy?
- United Kingdom ranks 5th and United States ranks 6th 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.