Legal Age Requirements Around the World: Voting, Driving, and Drinking
October 8, 2026
Legal age thresholds vary significantly by country and often by region within a country — there's no universal 'adult age' that applies to voting, driving, and drinking everywhere. The table below gives a general picture, but always verify sub-national rules (US states, Canadian provinces) for anything that matters legally.
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| Country | Voting Age | Driving Age | Drinking Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 18 | 16-18 (varies by state) | 21 |
| United Kingdom | 18 (16 in Scotland for some elections) | 17 | 18 |
| Germany | 18 | 17 (accompanied) / 18 | 16 (beer/wine) / 18 (spirits) |
| Japan | 18 | 18 | 20 |
| Canada | 18 | 16 (varies by province) | 18 or 19 (varies by province) |
| Australia | 18 (compulsory) | 16-18 (varies by state) | 18 |
| South Korea | 18 | 18 | 19 (by Korean age reckoning) |
Why These Ages Differ So Much
Voting age has trended downward globally over the past few decades (many countries lowered it from 21 to 18 in the mid-to-late 20th century, and a handful have gone to 16). Drinking age tends to reflect public health policy debates specific to each country, which is why it can be lower than driving age in some places and far higher in others. Driving age often balances road safety data against practical needs like rural transportation access, which is part of why it varies even within a single country.
Age Itself Can Be Calculated Differently
Most countries use 'international age' — the chronological age from your exact birth date, which is what a standard age calculator computes. South Korea traditionally used 'Korean age,' where everyone is considered 1 year old at birth and gains a year on New Year's Day rather than their birthday — meaning someone born in December could be considered 2 under Korean age within their first month of life. South Korea officially switched to international age for all legal and administrative purposes in June 2023, standardizing it with how most of the world calculates age.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the drinking age 21 in the US but 18 in most of Europe?
This largely reflects differing public health and cultural policy choices made independently by each country — there's no single scientific consensus mandating one specific age, which is why thresholds vary even among countries with similar overall safety records.
Does driving age vary within the same country?
Yes, significantly in some countries — in the US, the age for a full unrestricted license varies by state (with graduated licensing programs starting earlier), and Canadian and Australian driving ages similarly vary by province or state.
What is 'Korean age' and is it still used?
Korean age counted everyone as 1 at birth and added a year on New Year's Day, rather than on an individual birthday. South Korea officially adopted international age (chronological age from exact birth date) for all legal and administrative purposes starting June 2023.
Has the voting age ever changed?
Yes — many countries, including the US and UK, lowered their voting age from 21 to 18 in the mid-to-late 20th century, and more recently several countries and regions (including Scotland for devolved elections) have debated or adopted an even lower voting age of 16.
Where can I find the exact legal age rules for my specific location?
National and regional government websites are the authoritative source — this table is a general reference, and sub-national rules (US states, Canadian provinces, Australian states) can differ from the national norm shown here.