Voting Age Population 2019

Voting age population denotes individuals eligible to vote based on age, providing insights into electoral demographics.

54 data pointsGlobal CoverageOur World in Data

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Complete Data Rankings

Rank
Actions
1
Uruguay flag
Uruguay
94.88 millions
2
Bolivia flag
Bolivia
86.53 millions
3
Indonesia flag
Indonesia
82.44 millions
4
Sri Lanka flag
Sri Lanka
81.91 millions
5
Australia flag
Australia
80.79 millions
6
Argentina flag
Argentina
79.49 millions
7
Israel flag
Israel
78.73 millions
8
Belgium flag
Belgium
77.94 millions
9
Denmark flag
Denmark
76.38 millions
10
Panama flag
Panama
75.66 millions
11
Philippines flag
Philippines
71.91 millions
12
Kazakhstan flag
Kazakhstan
70.09 millions
13
Thailand flag
Thailand
69.75 millions
14
Mauritius flag
Mauritius
69.45 millions
15
Finland flag
Finland
69.43 millions
16
Belarus flag
Belarus
68.94 millions
17
Guinea-Bissau flag
Guinea-Bissau
68.93 millions
18
India flag
India
68.74 millions
19
Maldives flag
Maldives
68.01 millions
20
Spain flag
Spain
65.14 millions
21
Austria flag
Austria
64.4 millions
22
Greece flag
Greece
63.52 millions
23
El Salvador flag
El Salvador
63.34 millions
24
Lithuania flag
Lithuania
63.01 millions
25
Canada flag
Canada
62.42 millions
26
United Kingdom flag
United Kingdom
61.83 millions
27
Uzbekistan flag
Uzbekistan
61.39 millions
28
Portugal flag
Portugal
61.29 millions
29
Solomon Islands flag
Solomon Islands
60.01 millions
30
Poland flag
Poland
59.08 millions
31
Estonia flag
Estonia
56.45 millions
32
Romania flag
Romania
55.92 millions
33
Namibia flag
Namibia
55.44 millions
34
Senegal flag
Senegal
54.87 millions
35
Republic of Moldova flag
Republic of Moldova
54.66 millions
36
Ukraine flag
Ukraine
54.21 millions
37
Croatia flag
Croatia
54.02 millions
38
Botswana flag
Botswana
53.24 millions
39
Malawi flag
Malawi
52.83 millions
40
Guatemala flag
Guatemala
50.28 millions
41
Mozambique flag
Mozambique
49.92 millions
42
North Macedonia flag
North Macedonia
49.41 millions
43
Slovakia flag
Slovakia
48.37 millions
44
Tunisia flag
Tunisia
47.35 millions
45
South Africa flag
South Africa
47.28 millions
46
Mauritania flag
Mauritania
44.29 millions
47
Comoros flag
Comoros
36.14 millions
48
Switzerland flag
Switzerland
36.06 millions
49
Algeria flag
Algeria
34.86 millions
50
Madagascar flag
Madagascar
28.83 millions
51
Nigeria flag
Nigeria
26.87 millions
52
Benin flag
Benin
19.23 millions
53
Oman flag
Oman
16.42 millions
54
Afghanistan flag
Afghanistan
9.63 millions

Top 10 Countries

  1. #1Uruguay flagUruguay
  2. #2Bolivia flagBolivia
  3. #3Indonesia flagIndonesia
  4. #4Sri Lanka flagSri Lanka
  5. #5Australia flagAustralia
  6. #6Argentina flagArgentina
  7. #7Israel flagIsrael
  8. #8Belgium flagBelgium
  9. #9Denmark flagDenmark
  10. #10Panama flagPanama

Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.

Bottom 10 Countries

  1. #54Afghanistan flagAfghanistan
  2. #53Oman flagOman
  3. #52Benin flagBenin
  4. #51Nigeria flagNigeria
  5. #50Madagascar flagMadagascar
  6. #49Algeria flagAlgeria
  7. #48Switzerland flagSwitzerland
  8. #47Comoros flagComoros
  9. #46Mauritania flagMauritania
  10. #45South Africa flagSouth Africa

Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.

Analysis & Context

Uruguay led the world in Voting Age Population in 2019 with a figure of 94.88 million, while the global range spanned from a minimum of 9.63 million in Afghanistan to the maximum in Uruguay. The global average Voting Age Population in 2019 was 58.56 million, providing a benchmark for understanding electoral demographics worldwide.

Population Size and Voting Age Dynamics

The Voting Age Population (VAP) in 2019 reveals significant variations globally, influenced by factors such as population size and demographic structures. Uruguay and Bolivia, with VAPs of 94.88 million and 86.53 million respectively, showcase how countries with substantial overall populations naturally have higher VAPs. In contrast, smaller nations like Afghanistan and Oman reported lower figures of 9.63 million and 16.42 million, reflecting their smaller total populations.

These figures are not just a reflection of population size but also age distribution. Countries with younger populations may have smaller VAPs despite large overall populations. For instance, Nigeria, with a VAP of 26.87 million, is indicative of a youthful demographic where a significant portion of the population is below the voting age.

Economic and Policy Influences on Voting Age Population

Economic conditions and electoral policies significantly influence VAP. Countries with robust economies and stable political systems often encourage higher voter registration and participation. Australia and Denmark, with VAPs of 80.79 million and 76.38 million respectively, exemplify nations where economic stability supports a mature electoral framework.

Conversely, nations like Afghanistan and Madagascar, with lower VAPs of 9.63 million and 28.83 million, may face challenges such as political instability and economic constraints that impact the effective engagement of eligible voters. In these contexts, policies aimed at improving voter education and access can play critical roles in increasing VAP.

Year-over-Year Changes and Their Implications

The year-over-year changes in VAP highlight some significant shifts. The average change across countries was a decrease of -5.30 million or -15.7%. Notable decreases were observed in Afghanistan and Madagascar, with declines of -12.18 million (-55.8%) and -9.90 million (-25.6%), respectively. These reductions could be attributed to factors such as migration, changes in legal voting age, or demographic shifts.

Conversely, some countries experienced increases in their VAP. El Salvador saw a rise of 4.94 million (8.5%), while Finland reported an increase of 1.96 million (2.9%). These increases might be linked to successful policy implementations aimed at broadening electoral participation or demographic shifts such as aging populations reaching voting age.

Geopolitical Context and Voting Age Population

Geopolitical factors also play a pivotal role in influencing VAP. Israel and Belgium, with VAPs of 78.73 million and 77.94 million, respectively, benefit from geopolitical stability, which supports consistent voter engagement. In contrast, regions experiencing conflict or political upheaval, such as Afghanistan, face challenges in maintaining or increasing their VAP.

Furthermore, geopolitical alliances and regional stability influence electoral policies and frameworks. Countries within stable regions may have more robust systems for managing voter registration and turnout, contributing to higher VAP figures. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for comprehending the broader implications of VAP statistics in 2019.

In summary, the Voting Age Population data for 2019 offers a multifaceted view of global electoral demographics, shaped by economic conditions, policy frameworks, demographic trends, and geopolitical contexts. These factors collectively influence the ability of nations to engage their eligible populations in the electoral process.

Frequently Asked Questions About Voting Age Population in 2019

Which country had the highest voting age population in 2019?

Uruguay had the highest voting age population in 2019, with 94.88 million individuals eligible to vote.

What was the lowest voting age population recorded in 2019?

Afghanistan recorded the lowest voting age population in 2019, with 9.63 million individuals.

What was the average voting age population across countries in 2019?

The average voting age population across the 54 countries in 2019 was 58.56 million.

What was the median voting age population in 2019?

The median voting age population in 2019 was 61.34 million.

Which countries were in the top 3 for voting age population in 2019?

The top 3 countries for voting age population in 2019 were Uruguay with 94.88 million, Bolivia with 86.53 million, and Indonesia with 82.44 million individuals.

What was the range of voting age populations in 2019?

The range of voting age populations in 2019 spanned from Afghanistan's 9.63 million to Uruguay's 94.88 million.

Insights by country

1

Uzbekistan

In 2019, Uzbekistan had a Voting Age Population of 61.39 million, ranking #27 out of 54 countries. This figure is significant compared to regional neighbors, reflecting Uzbekistan's substantial youth demographic. Key drivers for this large voting age population include a high birth rate and ongoing demographic transitions, which are influenced by the country's economic development and urbanization trends.

2

Afghanistan

In 2019, Afghanistan had a Voting Age Population of 9.63 millions, ranking #54 out of 54 countries globally. This figure is notably low compared to many neighboring countries, reflecting the ongoing challenges in governance and civic engagement in the region. Contributing factors include prolonged conflict, economic instability, and limited access to education, which have hindered the development of a robust democratic process.

3

Senegal

In 2019, Senegal had a Voting Age Population of 54.87 millions, ranking #34 out of 54 countries. This figure is notable within West Africa, where countries like Nigeria and Ghana have significantly larger voting age populations. Senegal's relatively high voting age population can be attributed to its youthful demographic structure and ongoing political engagement, which encourages civic participation among its citizens.

4

Canada

In 2019, Canada had a Voting Age Population of 62.42 millions, ranking #25 out of 54 countries. This figure is notable when compared to the United States, which has a significantly larger population but also faces challenges with voter turnout. Canada's relatively high voting age population can be attributed to its stable democratic system, comprehensive social policies, and a commitment to civic engagement, which encourages participation among its citizens.

5

Poland

In 2019, Poland ranked #30 globally with a Voting Age Population of 59.08 million. This figure is significant when compared to its regional peers, as Poland has one of the largest voting age populations in Central Europe. The substantial population is driven by Poland's relatively high birth rates in the past few decades and a stable economy that encourages civic participation.

6

Australia

In 2019, Australia had a Voting Age Population of 80.79 millions, ranking #5 out of 54 countries. This figure is significantly higher than the global average, reflecting Australia's robust democratic engagement and relatively high population. Contributing factors include a stable economy, a strong emphasis on civic participation, and a well-established electoral system that encourages voter registration and turnout.

7

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has a Voting Age Population of 81.91 millions in 2019, ranking #4 out of 54 countries. This figure is significant when compared to regional neighbors, illustrating a robust democratic engagement in the South Asian context. Contributing factors include a relatively young population and a history of active electoral participation, which reflects the country's commitment to democratic processes despite recent challenges.

8

Oman

In 2019, Oman had a Voting Age Population of 16.42 million, ranking #53 out of 54 countries. This figure is relatively low compared to regional neighbors, reflecting the country's smaller population size and lower levels of political participation. Key factors influencing this statistic include Oman's demographic structure, characterized by a significant youth population, and its gradual political reforms that have expanded the electoral process.

9

Estonia

In 2019, Estonia had a Voting Age Population of 56.45 millions, ranking #31 out of 54 countries. This figure is notably higher than many of its regional neighbors, reflecting Estonia's stable democratic processes and active civic engagement. Contributing factors include a relatively young population and a robust digital infrastructure that encourages participation in elections.

10

Kazakhstan

In 2019, Kazakhstan had a Voting Age Population of 70.09 millions, ranking #12 out of 54 countries. This figure is significant when compared to its regional neighbors, many of which have smaller populations eligible to vote. Contributing factors include Kazakhstan's vast land area and relatively young demographic, which supports a higher proportion of citizens reaching voting age.

Data Source

Our World in Data

Our World in Data is a collaborative effort between researchers at the University of Oxford, who are the scientific editors of the website content; and the UK-based nonprofit organization Global Change Data Lab (GCDL), which publishes and maintains the website and the data tools that make our work possible.

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Historical Data by Year

Explore Voting Age Population data across different years. Compare trends and see how statistics have changed over time.

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