Fiji has emerged as a standout in democratic progress within the Pacific region, as revealed by the 2025 Global State of Democracy (GSoD) Report released recently. The country achieved 11 key improvements, notably advancing in Civil Society, Credible Elections, Effective Parliament, Freedom of Expression, and Freedom of the Press, largely attributed to developments in 2023.
The report highlights the strengthening of democratic institutions in Fiji following the electoral defeat and political sidelining of former Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama. Among the indicators where Fiji shined were Inclusive Suffrage, Elected Government, and Civil Society, placing it among the world’s most improved countries.
The GSoD Report ranks Fiji 26th globally for “Participation” due to active civic engagement and a dynamic civil society, 51st for “Rule of Law”, and 67th for “Rights”. Despite these achievements, the report notes that areas like Effective Parliament, Credible Elections, Access to Justice, and Absence of Corruption still require significant reforms.
Local Democracy remains a concern as Fiji scored poorly, indicating a gap between national democratic strides and community-level governance. Nevertheless, the findings of the GSoD report present Fiji as a regional leader in democratic recovery and consolidation, reflecting increasing international recognition of its political transition and advances in transparency and accountability post-2022 general elections.
Fiji’s progress aligns with recent advancements highlighted in prior analyses like the Freedom of the World index and the CIVICUS Monitor. These earlier reports had noted similar trends of improvement in civil liberties and media freedom, propelled by the repeal of restrictive laws and improved governmental transparency and support for independent journalism.
Despite these positive changes, ongoing challenges such as the Public Order Act and the need for more inclusive political representation remain. Moving forward, continued reforms and commitments to civil rights and engagement with civil society are essential for Fiji to maintain and further its democratic trajectory.
Overall, Fiji’s progress offers hope and serves as an example for other nations in the region aiming for enhanced freedoms and democratic governance. The country’s journey underscores the value of continuing dialogue and reform, suggesting a promising future for its democratic landscape.
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