Final answer:
Voter turnout as a percentage of voting-age population in the United States is lower compared to other industrialized countries, such as Germany, Spain, and France. Some countries have compulsory voting laws or automatic voter registration, which contribute to higher voter turnout rates.
Step-by-step explanation:
In U.S. presidential elections over the last few decades, about 55% to 65% of voting-age citizens actually voted, according to the U.S. Census. In comparison, countries like Germany, Spain, and France have seen voter turnout rates of about 75% to 80% in national elections since the 1980s. This indicates that the voter turnout as a percentage of voting-age population in the United States is lower than that of these industrialized countries.
One reason for this difference in voter turnout is that some countries, like Belgium and Turkey, have compulsory voting laws which require citizens to vote in elections. Additionally, countries like Sweden and Germany automatically register their voters. These factors contribute to higher voter turnout rates in these countries compared to the United States.
Overall, while voter turnout in the United States has improved in recent years, it still lags behind many other industrialized countries.