Switzerland vs United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Age of liberal democracy
Switzerland
177 years
in 2025
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
105 years
in 2023
Switzerland rank
1st
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland rank
4th
Age of liberal democracy over time
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
How they compare
Switzerland currently reports 177 years against 105 years in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, a difference of 72 years.
That makes Switzerland's figure about 1.7 times United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland's.
Across all 105 years both countries report, Switzerland has been ahead every year.
Switzerland ranks 1st and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 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 of Great Britain and Northern Ireland | 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 of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- Switzerland, at 177 years against 105 years in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland as of 2025.
- What is the difference in age of liberal democracy between Switzerland and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- 72 years, with Switzerland ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Switzerland and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- 105 years are reported by both, from 1919 to 2023.
- How do Switzerland and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland rank globally for age of liberal democracy?
- Switzerland ranks 1st and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks 4th of 47 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- V-Dem (2026) – 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.