Switzerland vs United Kingdom: Age of liberal democracy
Switzerland
177 years
in 2025
United Kingdom
105 years
in 2023
Switzerland rank
1st
United Kingdom rank
4th
Age of liberal democracy over time
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom
How they compare
Switzerland currently reports 177 years against 105 years in United Kingdom, a difference of 72 years.
That makes Switzerland's figure about 1.7 times United Kingdom's.
Across all 105 years both countries report, Switzerland has been ahead every year.
Switzerland ranks 1st and United Kingdom ranks 4th of 47 countries.
Switzerland has averaged higher in every one of the 12 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Switzerland | United Kingdom | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 71 years | 1 years | 70 years | Switzerland |
| 1920s | 76.5 years | 6.5 years | 70 years | Switzerland |
| 1930s | 86.5 years | 16.5 years | 70 years | Switzerland |
| 1940s | 96.5 years | 26.5 years | 70 years | Switzerland |
| 1950s | 106.5 years | 36.5 years | 70 years | Switzerland |
| 1960s | 116.5 years | 46.5 years | 70 years | Switzerland |
| 1970s | 126.5 years | 56.5 years | 70 years | Switzerland |
| 1980s | 136.5 years | 66.5 years | 70 years | Switzerland |
| 1990s | 146.5 years | 76.5 years | 70 years | Switzerland |
| 2000s | 156.5 years | 86.5 years | 70 years | Switzerland |
| 2010s | 166.5 years | 96.5 years | 70 years | Switzerland |
| 2020s | 173.5 years | 103.5 years | 70 years | Switzerland |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher age of liberal democracy, Switzerland or United Kingdom?
- Switzerland, at 177 years against 105 years in United Kingdom as of 2025.
- What is the difference in age of liberal democracy between Switzerland and United Kingdom?
- 72 years, with Switzerland ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Switzerland and United Kingdom?
- 105 years are reported by both, from 1919 to 2023.
- How do Switzerland and United Kingdom rank globally for age of liberal democracy?
- Switzerland ranks 1st and United Kingdom ranks 4th 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.