Voting Age Population 2021

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

46 data pointsGlobal CoverageOur World in Data

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Complete Data Rankings

Rank
Actions
1
Syrian Arab Republic flag
Syrian Arab Republic
114.77 millions
2
Vietnam flag
Vietnam
94.06 millions
3
Ecuador flag
Ecuador
89.34 millions
4
Peru flag
Peru
83.63 millions
5
Laos flag
Laos
83.07 millions
6
Iceland flag
Iceland
75.79 millions
7
Netherlands flag
Netherlands
74.92 millions
8
Israel flag
Israel
73.65 millions
9
Argentina flag
Argentina
72.57 millions
10
Uzbekistan flag
Uzbekistan
72.42 millions
11
Sao Tome and Principe flag
Sao Tome and Principe
72.4 millions
12
Germany flag
Germany
69.46 millions
13
Norway flag
Norway
69.33 millions
14
Albania flag
Albania
68.35 millions
15
Gambia flag
Gambia
66.24 millions
16
Nicaragua flag
Nicaragua
63.87 millions
17
Ethiopia flag
Ethiopia
63.37 millions
18
Congo flag
Congo
62.37 millions
19
Czech Republic flag
Czech Republic
61.66 millions
20
Honduras flag
Honduras
59.72 millions
21
Chile flag
Chile
59.65 millions
22
Bulgaria flag
Bulgaria
58.32 millions
23
Chad flag
Chad
57.79 millions
24
El Salvador flag
El Salvador
57.74 millions
25
Cabo Verde flag
Cabo Verde
56.98 millions
26
Republic of Moldova flag
Republic of Moldova
56.92 millions
27
Kazakhstan flag
Kazakhstan
56.09 millions
28
Japan flag
Japan
55.75 millions
29
Canada flag
Canada
55.43 millions
30
Mongolia flag
Mongolia
54.92 millions
31
Mexico flag
Mexico
54.52 millions
32
Armenia flag
Armenia
54.45 millions
33
Zambia flag
Zambia
52.37 millions
34
Uganda flag
Uganda
49.77 millions
35
Portugal flag
Portugal
49.69 millions
36
Russia flag
Russia
49.64 millions
37
Niger flag
Niger
48.68 millions
38
Iran flag
Iran
46.9 millions
39
Benin flag
Benin
44.39 millions
40
Iraq flag
Iraq
42.59 millions
41
Morocco flag
Morocco
35.94 millions
42
Kyrgyzstan flag
Kyrgyzstan
35.75 millions
43
Cyprus flag
Cyprus
35.17 millions
44
Djibouti flag
Djibouti
27.06 millions
45
Algeria flag
Algeria
19.53 millions
46
Côte d'Ivoire flag
Côte d'Ivoire
17.98 millions

Top 10 Countries

  1. #1Syrian Arab Republic flagSyrian Arab Republic
  2. #2Vietnam flagVietnam
  3. #3Ecuador flagEcuador
  4. #4Peru flagPeru
  5. #5Laos flagLaos
  6. #6Iceland flagIceland
  7. #7Netherlands flagNetherlands
  8. #8Israel flagIsrael
  9. #9Argentina flagArgentina
  10. #10Uzbekistan flagUzbekistan

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

Bottom 10 Countries

  1. #46Côte d'Ivoire flagCôte d'Ivoire
  2. #45Algeria flagAlgeria
  3. #44Djibouti flagDjibouti
  4. #43Cyprus flagCyprus
  5. #42Kyrgyzstan flagKyrgyzstan
  6. #41Morocco flagMorocco
  7. #40Iraq flagIraq
  8. #39Benin flagBenin
  9. #38Iran flagIran
  10. #37Niger flagNiger

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

Analysis & Context

In 2021, the Syrian Arab Republic led the world in Voting Age Population with 114.77 million individuals, while the global range spanned from 17.98 million in Côte d'Ivoire to this maximum. The global average Voting Age Population across the 46 countries with available data was 59.24 million, offering a snapshot of electoral demographics worldwide.

Demographic Giants and Voting Age Population

The data reveals that countries with large populations or significant demographic shifts often have higher Voting Age Populations. For instance, the Syrian Arab Republic tops the list with 114.77 million eligible voters, reflecting its sizable population despite ongoing conflicts. Similarly, Vietnam and Ecuador follow with 94.06 million and 89.34 million respectively. These figures can be attributed to both countries' substantial populations and relatively stable demographic structures.

On the other hand, smaller countries like Iceland with 75.79 million and the Netherlands with 74.92 million also feature prominently. This suggests a mature age distribution where a significant portion of the population is eligible to vote, reflecting both aging populations and effective civic registration systems.

Economic and Policy Influences on Voting Age Populations

Economic factors and government policies also significantly influence the Voting Age Population. In Laos, where the Voting Age Population stands at 83.07 million, economic growth and urbanization have led to increased civic engagement and registration. Similarly, Argentina and Uzbekistan report populations of 72.57 million and 72.42 million respectively, which may be influenced by governmental efforts to enhance voter registration and participation.

Conversely, countries like Côte d'Ivoire and Algeria, with Voting Age Populations of 17.98 million and 19.53 million, reflect the challenges of political instability and lower civic engagement. These factors can limit the effectiveness of voter registration campaigns and reduce the overall Voting Age Population.

Year-over-Year Trends and Influences

The year-over-year changes in Voting Age Population highlight significant demographic and policy shifts. Uzbekistan experienced the largest increase of 63.33 million, a staggering 696.7%, likely driven by improved voter registration processes and population growth. The Syrian Arab Republic also saw a notable increase of 61.89 million or 117.0%, despite ongoing conflict, possibly due to international aid and efforts to maintain electoral rolls.

Conversely, Kyrgyzstan witnessed a decrease of 15.51 million or 30.3%, which may be attributed to political upheavals and challenges in maintaining accurate voter records. Similarly, Mongolia and Côte d'Ivoire saw reductions of 12.79 million and 8.91 million respectively, potentially due to economic migration and demographic changes.

Implications for Future Electoral Engagement

The variations in Voting Age Population across countries underscore the importance of demographic, economic, and policy factors in shaping electoral landscapes. Countries with robust voter registration systems and stable political environments tend to have higher Voting Age Populations, enabling greater electoral participation and representation.

As countries continue to evolve demographically and economically, their Voting Age Populations will likely reflect these changes. Policymakers and electoral bodies must consider these dynamics to enhance voter engagement and ensure that electoral systems remain inclusive and representative of the populace.

Frequently Asked Questions About Voting Age Population in 2021

Which country had the largest voting age population in 2021?

The Syrian Arab Republic had the largest voting age population in 2021, with 115 million individuals.

Which country had the smallest voting age population in 2021?

Côte d'Ivoire had the smallest voting age population in 2021, with 17.98 million individuals.

What was the average voting age population across the dataset countries in 2021?

The average voting age population across the 46 countries in the dataset was 59.24 million individuals.

What was the median voting age population among the countries in 2021?

The median voting age population among the countries in 2021 was 57.77 million individuals.

Which countries were in the top 10 for voting age population in 2021?

The top 10 countries for voting age population in 2021 were the Syrian Arab Republic, Vietnam, Ecuador, Peru, Laos, Iceland, Netherlands, Israel, Argentina, and Uzbekistan.

What is the range of voting age populations in the dataset for 2021?

The range of voting age populations in the dataset for 2021 spans from 17.98 million in Côte d'Ivoire to 115 million in the Syrian Arab Republic.

Insights by country

1

Laos

In 2021, Laos had a Voting Age Population of 83.07 millions, ranking #5 out of 46 countries. This figure is significant as it highlights Laos's substantial potential electorate in comparison to regional neighbors. Contributing factors include a relatively young demographic profile and ongoing efforts to enhance civic engagement through education and policy reforms.

2

Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan's Voting Age Population in 2021 is 56.09 millions, ranking it #27 out of 46 countries. This figure is notable compared to regional neighbors, reflecting a larger population base relative to countries like Kyrgyzstan. The substantial voting age population is driven by Kazakhstan's ongoing demographic growth and urbanization, alongside policies aimed at increasing civic engagement and participation in the electoral process.

3

Niger

Niger ranked #37 globally with a Voting Age Population of 48.68 millions in 2021. This figure places Niger below the regional average for West Africa, where many countries have larger populations eligible to vote. Contributing factors to this statistic include Niger's high fertility rate and young demographic, as well as challenges in education and healthcare that impact population growth and voter registration efforts.

4

Cyprus

In 2021, Cyprus had a Voting Age Population of 35.17 millions, ranking #43 out of 46 countries. This figure is notably lower than many of its European neighbors, reflecting a smaller population base. Contributing factors include Cyprus's geographic size and demographic trends, including a relatively stable population growth rate and a high percentage of young residents entering the electorate.

5

Vietnam

In 2021, Vietnam had a Voting Age Population of 94.06 millions, ranking #2 out of 46 countries. This figure is significant as it reflects Vietnam's large and youthful demographic compared to regional neighbors, contributing to its robust electoral engagement. The country's rapid economic growth and urbanization have also played a crucial role in expanding its voting age population, fostering a more politically active society.

6

Mongolia

Mongolia's Voting Age Population in 2021 was 54.92 millions, placing it at #30 out of 46 countries. This figure is notable as it reflects a growing democratic engagement in a country where younger demographics are increasingly participating in the political process. Contributing factors include Mongolia's significant urbanization and economic reforms that have fostered a more active civil society, particularly in its capital, Ulaanbaatar.

7

Armenia

In 2021, Armenia had a Voting Age Population of 54.45 millions, ranking #32 out of 46 countries. This figure is notably lower than the regional average for the South Caucasus, where neighboring countries often have higher populations eligible to vote. Contributing factors include Armenia's relatively small size and population growth challenges, alongside demographic trends that influence the number of eligible voters.

8

Honduras

In 2021, Honduras had a Voting Age Population of 59.72 millions, ranking #20 out of 46 countries. This figure is significant in the context of Central America, where countries like Nicaragua and Guatemala have smaller voting age populations. The high number is driven by Honduras's youthful demographic trends and relatively high birth rates, which contribute to a growing electorate as the country continues to develop its political landscape.

9

Uzbekistan

In 2021, Uzbekistan had a Voting Age Population of 72.42 millions, ranking #10 out of 46 countries. This figure is significant as it reflects a robust demographic potential compared to many neighboring countries in Central Asia, where populations tend to be smaller. The high voting age population in Uzbekistan is driven by its youthful demographic structure and recent population growth trends, which are influenced by improved healthcare and a decline in mortality rates.

10

Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan's Voting Age Population in 2021 was 35.75 millions, ranking #42 out of 46 countries. This figure is notably low compared to regional averages, reflecting demographic challenges in a country with a population of just over 6 million. Key drivers include a relatively young population and ongoing economic transitions that affect migration patterns, as many young Kyrgyz seek opportunities abroad, impacting the domestic voting demographic.

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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