Number of Ministerial Advisers in Westminster democracies, 1996-2024

The dataset lists the annual number of Ministerial Advisers or Ministerial Staff serving in minister's offices between 1996 and 2024 in four Westminster family democracies: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. The data on these "political staff" is further categorised to show the number working in 1) the Prime Minister's Office, 2) the number working in the offices of all ministers (except the Prime Minister), and 3) the total number of staffers across both categories. There are some gaps in the data where precise information could not be found. The author accepts responsibility for any errors.