Voting Age by Country 2024

Voting is a critical part of any democracy. But not every country provides the right to do so at the same age. In fact, it can vary by several years from nation to nation.

Several countries allow voting as young as age 16. These include Brazil and Argentina (where voting is mandatory from ages 18-70), Ecuador (mandatory voting for 18- to 65-year-olds), Cuba, Austria, and Nicaragua. These earliest vote-granting nations tend to be concentrated in central and South America, though smaller countries like Malta, Jersey, and the Isle of Man also allow 16-year-olds to vote. A smaller group allows voting to begin at age 17, including North Korea, Greece, and Indonesia (which allows married people of any age to vote.)

The voting age in the bulk of countries around the world sits at 18. More than 85 percent of nations fall into this group, likely covering that percentage of the world's population or more. These include the United States, United Kingdom, India, China, Japan, Germany, Italy, France, Canada, Australia, Peru, Chile, Israel, South Africa, and many more.

The Solomon Islands is the only country to grant voting rights at age 19, while just four, including Taiwan, allow it at age 20.

21 is the final common age when voting is allowed in countries around the world. Bringing up the rear, this group is typically made up of smaller or more politically conservative nations like Kuwait, Singapore, Oman, and Samoa. The United Arab Emirates has the highest voting age in the world at 25, four years later than the next closest country.

A notable number of countries include some restrictions, which may include compulsory voting, a lower voting age for local or regional elections, or different rules for the military, police, or married individuals. Some rules may reflect local customs or traditions, like 16-year-old Serbians, Slovenians, and other Balkan country residents being allowed to vote if they're employed.

In any case, it's vital to remember these varying ages when sizing up various aspects of a democracy's political participation.