Voter Turnout Comparisons

Following is voter turnout in the main legislature of various democracies, in the latest election as of early 1995. "PR" refers to a form of proportional representation.

Country Voter Turnout System
Belgium 93% PR
Turkey 92% PR
Italy 89% Mixed**
Luxembourg 87% PR
Austria 86% PR
Iceland 86% PR
Sweden 86% PR
Denmark 83% PR
Norway 83% PR
Netherlands 80% PR
Germany 78% PR*
Greece 77% PR
United Kingdom 76% District#
Finland 72% PR
Spain 70% PR
Ireland 69% PR***
Portugal 68% PR
France 65% District$
Switzerland 47% PR
United States (1994) 38% District#

* 50% by single-seat, plurality election

** 75% by single-seat, plurality election

*** Preference Voting

# Single-seat districts, elected by plurality

$ Single-seat districts, with majority provision

Source: The Almanac of European Politics (Congresional Quarterly, 1995)