New Zealand vs Switzerland: Age of liberal democracy
New Zealand
113 years
in 2025
Switzerland
177 years
in 2025
New Zealand rank
2nd
Switzerland rank
1st
Age of liberal democracy over time
- New Zealand
- Switzerland
How they compare
Switzerland currently reports 177 years against 113 years in New Zealand, a difference of 64 years.
That makes Switzerland's figure about 1.6 times New Zealand's.
Across all 113 years both countries report, Switzerland has been ahead every year.
New Zealand ranks 2nd and Switzerland ranks 1st of 47 countries.
Switzerland has averaged higher in every one of the 12 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | New Zealand | Switzerland | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 4 years | 68 years | 64 years | Switzerland |
| 1920s | 12.5 years | 76.5 years | 64 years | Switzerland |
| 1930s | 22.5 years | 86.5 years | 64 years | Switzerland |
| 1940s | 32.5 years | 96.5 years | 64 years | Switzerland |
| 1950s | 42.5 years | 106.5 years | 64 years | Switzerland |
| 1960s | 52.5 years | 116.5 years | 64 years | Switzerland |
| 1970s | 62.5 years | 126.5 years | 64 years | Switzerland |
| 1980s | 72.5 years | 136.5 years | 64 years | Switzerland |
| 1990s | 82.5 years | 146.5 years | 64 years | Switzerland |
| 2000s | 92.5 years | 156.5 years | 64 years | Switzerland |
| 2010s | 102.5 years | 166.5 years | 64 years | Switzerland |
| 2020s | 110.5 years | 174.5 years | 64 years | Switzerland |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher age of liberal democracy, New Zealand or Switzerland?
- Switzerland, at 177 years against 113 years in New Zealand as of 2025.
- What is the difference in age of liberal democracy between New Zealand and Switzerland?
- 64 years, with Switzerland ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for New Zealand and Switzerland?
- 113 years are reported by both, from 1913 to 2025.
- How do New Zealand and Switzerland rank globally for age of liberal democracy?
- New Zealand ranks 2nd and Switzerland ranks 1st of 47 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- V-Dem (2026) β processed by Our World in Data, published as Age of liberal 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.