From Substack · Hannah Ritchie · · 1m 30s
Leaders Older Than Populations
Global leaders often older than their citizens, with 75% living under leaders over 65.
In brief
Global leaders often older than their citizens, with 75% living under leaders over 65. Three in four people globally live under leaders older than 65, creating significant age gaps in most countries. Originally reported by Substack.
Global Leader Age Pattern
Three in four people globally live under leaders older than 65.
Paul Biya's Extreme Case
Cameroon’s president Paul Biya is 93 years old and has been in office since he was almost 50.
G20 Leader Age Distribution
Two leaders over 80: Brazil’s Lula da Silva and Donald Trump; seven over 70.
Leader Tenure by Regime
None of 25 liberal democracies has a leader over 10 years; autocracies have leaders over 40 years.
Global Median Leader Age
The median age of leaders globally is around 64 years.
Regional Leader Age Differences
Africa has the oldest median leader age at nearly 70 years; Europe and South America have younger leaders.
Age Gap Between Leaders and Populations
Leaders are older than the median age in 129 of 143 countries, with Cameroon having a 75-year gap.
Autocratic Leaders' Longer Tenure
Autocratic leaders tend to stay in power longer than democratic leaders.
African Leaders and Populations
31 of 41 African countries are autocracies, home to 8 of the 10 oldest leaders.
Leader Age vs Population Age
Leaders are older than the median population age in 129 of 143 countries.
What matters most
Three in four people globally live under leaders older than 65, creating significant age gaps in most countries.
