Scots who vote at sixteen more likely to keep up the habit
However, research suggests Scots from low income families are less likely to keep voting compared to their affluent counterparts.
Scottish youngsters are voting more in later life if they're allowed to vote at 16, a new study has suggested.
University of Edinburgh researchers found those able to vote at 16 were more likely to retain the habit in later life compared to those over 18.
The research, funded by the Scottish Government, surveyed 904 young people between the age of 16 and 31 about their voting habits, comparing those who first voted at 16 to those who first voted at 18.
More access needed
The survey’s finding was welcomed by Molly McGoran, Vice Chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament.
However, Ms McGoran also said: "One of the key things we're currently lacking right now is funding for youth work.
"I've learned everything I have about the political system through my volunteering experience, through the youth parliament, through those opportunities.
"We also need more equal access to education.
"Modern studies is amazing and is working in encouraging young people to be politicly active, however not everyone is getting the same opportunities across Scotland."
Lower income voters
Whilst first-time voters maintained a habit of voting, researchers said there was no longer-term effects of participating in politics more widely such as signing petitions or attending demonstrations.
Inequalities in voter turnout among those from lower socio-economic backgrounds were reduced when voting aged 16 or 17, but these trends were not maintained as voters got older and standard patterns re-emerged as they moved into their twenties.
The voting age was reduced to 16 in Scottish local and parliamentary elections as well as the 2014 independence election.