Wealthier countries have fewer old men per GDP and better law
Comparing Rule of Law Index with Population ages 70-74, male, per unit of GDP across 169 countries, 2025–2025.
- Rank correlation
- -0.61
- Holding size constant
- -0.42
- Countries compared
- 169
- Period
- 2025–2025
What might link these
The relationship between the proportion of older males in a population relative to GDP and the Rule of Law Index might be influenced by factors such as a country's healthcare system, social security, and overall economic stability. A careful reader should consider education as a likely confounder, as it can impact both economic productivity and adherence to the rule of law. The correlation suggests a complex interplay between demographic, economic, and institutional factors.
Why this is not proof of anything
This is a correlation across countries, not an experiment. It cannot show that either indicator causes the other, and both may simply follow a third thing. This correlation could mislead by implying a direct causal link between demographics and governance, when in fact the relationship is likely mediated by numerous other factors.
The second figure above repeats the measurement with national population and income held constant. It is the more conservative number: a relationship that largely disappears there was mostly telling you that larger, richer countries have more of most things.
How this was measured
Both indicators were ranked across every country reporting each, and the two rankings compared — ranks rather than raw values, because a handful of very large countries can otherwise manufacture a relationship on their own. The calculation is arithmetic over figures already published on this site; the commentary above is drafted from the two indicator names and the resulting coefficients.