politicsanalysisOur World in Data

Young people vote far less than older people in many countries, often by a wide margin

the gist

In many countries, young people turn out to vote far less often than older people, and the gap can be considerable. Turnout tends to rise with age as people settle into jobs, homes and communities, and acquire stakes in schools, pensions and local services. Younger voters also move house more often, which can make registration harder, and many are first-time voters without a voting habit yet. Recent national elections across several countries show these gaps clearly. Lower youth turnout means policy can end up reflecting the priorities of older voters.

so what

Turnout shapes who wins elections and which policies get priority, so age gaps matter for issues such as housing and education. Understanding why the gap exists helps explain low participation in many democracies.

Our World in Data · CC BY 4.0

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