Young people are less likely to join political parties than their older peers. They are also far less likely to vote in national elections (by 27 percentage points compared to people aged 50+). In addition, they remain underrepresented in legislative and executive branches. In 2022, 23% of members of parliament (MPs) and 7% of cabinet members were under the age of 40 across OECD countries, while 20-39 year-olds represent 34% of the voting age population. Young people face a number of barriers to voting and running as candidates in elections, including voter registration requirements, trade-offs between investing in political involvement and studies/employment, lack of funding, traditional stereotypes and minimum age requirements. While voting age requirements are fixed at 18 in most OECD countries, age requirements to run for office tend to be higher (19.9 on average) and more diverse. 22 OECD countries fix the minimum age to run as MP (in lower chambers/unicameral legislatures) at 18, ten of them at 21 and six of them at 25. As highlighted by the OECD Recommendation on Creating Better Opportunities for Young People, governments can consider the review, where appropriate, of minimum age requirements.
Reviewing minimum age requirements to vote and run as candidate in elections – Austria, Belgium, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Korea, Lithuania, Mexico and Türkiye
Abstract
Numerous OECD countries have reviewed minimum age policies in recent years. In 2007, Austria was the first OECD country to lower the minimum age to vote in national elections to 16, after a series of reductions at national level (in 1992 from 19 to 18) and at sub-national level (from 18 to 16 in five federal states by 2005). The minimum age to vote in national elections is 18 in all OECD countries except Austria (16) and Greece (17). Korea lowered the voting age from 19 to 18 in 2019. In Italy, the minimum age to vote for the Senate was lowered from 25 to 18 in 2021. In Austria, Estonia, Greece and Israel, the minimum age to vote is below 18 in subnational elections (17 for Greece and Israel; 16 for Austria and Estonia). In Germany, it is below 18 for subnational elections in four federal states and local elections in 11 federal states. In 2022 and 2023 respectively, Belgium and Germany lowered the minimum age to vote in the European Parliament elections from 18 to 16, the only OECD/EU countries with the requirement below 18 together with Austria (16) and Greece (17). In Austria, the 2007 electoral reform was coupled with awareness-raising campaigns targeting first-time voters and enhanced civic education in schools. Countries have also been reviewing age requirements to run for office. Türkiye lowered the minimum age to run for parliament from 30 to 25 in 2007 and further reduced it to 18 in 2017. In 2021, Korea lowered candidacy age for national and local elections from 25 to 18. In 2022, Lithuania lowered the minimum age to run for parliament from 25 to 21. In 2023, Mexico reduced the eligibility age from 21 to 18 for deputies and from 30 to 25 for Secretaries of State.
Several studies highlight the impact of reviewing minimum age requirements. Allowing young people aged 16-17 to vote can associate them closer to electoral processes as political socialisation in the family and in school are most impactful at that age compared to 18+. Indeed, studies show that close relatives and partners play a strong role in people’s voting behaviour. Studies also highlight a positive impact of lowering the voting age on civic education among young people. These effects can generate long-run benefits as people that vote when young are also more likely to continue voting when growing older. Such patterns have been confirmed by research conducted in Austria showing that turnout of 16- and 17-year-old Austrians tends to be higher than that of older first-time voters with no significant differences in political maturity. Research also finds that for every year candidacy age requirements are lowered, the share of young deputies aged 40 and lower increases by more than 1 percentage point. This pattern is confirmed by data from the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), highlighting that lower minimum candidacy age can support young people in building skills and connections at the local level in view of a political career at national level. More generally, the IPU advocates for the alignment of minimum voting age and minimum age of eligibility to run for office in order to ensure greater youth participation in public and political life.
Further reading
Aichholzer and Kritzinger (2020), Voting at 16 in Practice: A Review of the Austrian Case; European Parliament (2023), Voting age for European elections; Hart and Youniss (2017), Lower the Voting Age and Increase Participation; Inter-Parliamentary Union (2023), Youth participation in national parliaments: 2023; OECD (2020), Governance for Youth, Trust and Intergenerational Justice; OECD (2023), Government at a Glance 2023; OECD and OECD KOREA Policy Centre (2023), Participation rates of first-time voters; Wagner, Johann and Kritzinger (2012), Voting at 16: Turnout and the quality of vote choice.
This document, as well as any data and map included herein, are without prejudice to the status of or sovereignty over any territory, to the delimitation of international frontiers and boundaries and to the name of any territory, city or area.
The statistical data for Israel are supplied by and under the responsibility of the relevant Israeli authorities. The use of such data by the OECD is without prejudice to the status of the Golan Heights, East Jerusalem and Israeli settlements in the West Bank under the terms of international law.
Note by the Republic of Türkiye The information in this document with reference to “Cyprus” relates to the southern part of the Island. There is no single authority representing both Turkish and Greek Cypriot people on the Island. Türkiye recognises the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Until a lasting and equitable solution is found within the context of the United Nations, Türkiye shall preserve its position concerning the “Cyprus issue”.
Note by all the European Union Member States of the OECD and the European Union The Republic of Cyprus is recognised by all members of the United Nations with the exception of Türkiye. The information in this document relates to the area under the effective control of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus.
© OECD 2024
Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
This work is made available under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence. By using this work, you accept to be bound by the terms of this licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Attribution – you must cite the work.
Translations – you must cite the original work, identify changes to the original and add the following text: In the event of any discrepancy between the original work and the translation, only the text of original work should be considered valid.
Adaptations – you must cite the original work and add the following text: This is an adaptation of an original work by the OECD. The opinions expressed and arguments employed in this adaptation should not be reported as representing the official views of the OECD or of its Member countries.
Third-party material – the licence does not apply to third-party material in the work. If using such material, you are responsible for obtaining permission from the third party and for any claims of infringement.
You must not use the OECD logo, visual identity or cover image without express permission or suggest the OECD endorses your use of the work.
Any dispute arising under this licence shall be settled by arbitration in accordance with the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) Arbitration Rules 2012. The seat of arbitration shall be Paris (France). The number of arbitrators shall be one.