2025 country profile

How democratic is
Fiji?

Fiji scores 62.0 out of 100 and ranks 71 of 179 in our independent 2025 democracy measure. Its lowest-scoring test is public participation. Explore the evidence and history below.

Democracys.org beta estimate, derived from V-Dem v16. A measure of political institutions and conditions—not a percentage of democracy or a judgment of people.

Printable country brief Compare this country

DEMOCRACYS SCORE

62.0out of 100Substantial but incomplete

2025 rank71 of 179

10-year change+10.4

25-year change+17.8

Source-bound range55.4–69.6

Weakest areaParticipation

The source-bound range is an uncertainty guide, not a confidence interval for this combined score. How to read the range →

SCORE HISTORY

Fiji, 1975–2025

The shaded area is a plain-language uncertainty guide. Treat small score differences cautiously.

About uncertainty

BEYOND THE NUMBERS

What changed on the ground?

A documented development to help interpret the institutions behind the score.

2025 context · Freedom House assessment

Courts and civilian law enforcement strengthened constraints on power

Freedom House cites Supreme Court decisions demonstrating independence and the replacement of military officers in law-enforcement roles with civilians. These developments concern who can check the government and how coercive authority is controlled. They follow the end of a long-dominant party’s rule, but should be assessed as institutional changes in their own right.

Read the country report · Freedom in the World 2026

AI-assisted source summary · not independently expert-reviewed

What this context does—and does not—explain

This is a selected development, not a complete political history. Its date may differ from the selected comparison period. It is not evidence that one event caused a particular number of points, and it may describe progress even when this index declines.

The scores use V-Dem. The narrative summarizes a separate assessment by Freedom House, whose definitions and coverage differ. Neither organization endorses this website. The summary is AI-assisted, source-linked, and has not received independent country-expert review. Source checked October 5, 2026.

Why democracy measures can disagree →

UNDERSTAND THE CHANGE

What drove the score?

2015–2025 · the measured story

The score for Fiji rose 10.4 points, from 51.6 to 62.0 between 2015 and 2025. All five areas improved. Public reasoning contributed the largest upward push in the score calculation. The latest year moved in the opposite direction (−1.1), so the longer trend is not the whole story.

Read the political context ↓

Largest influence on the calculation

Public reasoning

The evidence rates public justification, consultation, and engagement with opposing arguments more favorably.

Area score: 61.1 → 76.7
Approx. contribution to overall change: +2.8 points

Another important influence

Rights and checks

The evidence points toward stronger civil liberties, equality before the law, or constraints on executive power.

Area score: 59.7 → 74.9
Approx. contribution to overall change: +2.8 points

These contributions explain the calculation—not the causes. The five area scores combine several indicators; they do not identify which individual law, election, or event changed.

When did the biggest shifts appear?

The largest year-to-year movements within this period. These are changes in annual estimates, not precise dates of political events.

2018–2019−2.4 points
The overall score fell from 52.4 to 50.0. Participation supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2019–2020+1.7 points
The overall score rose from 50.0 to 51.7. Participation supplied the largest upward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2022–2023+10.3 points
The overall score rose from 51.5 to 61.8. Rights and checks supplied the largest upward contribution to that year’s calculated change.

Highest published score in this window: 63.1 in 2024. Small differences may fall within the source’s uncertainty.

See all five areas and how contributions are calculated

Changes in inputs versus contributions to the overall score
Area	2015	2025	Input change	Approx. contribution
Public reasoning	61.1	76.7	+15.6	+2.8
Rights and checks	59.7	74.9	+15.2	+2.8
Elections	38.5	50.7	+12.2	+2.8
Participation	37.4	43.4	+6.0	+1.4
Political equality	64.7	68.0	+3.3	+0.6

We change the five inputs from their starting to ending values in every possible order, then average each area’s effect on the formula. This distributes the formula’s interactions (a Shapley allocation). It is a mathematical attribution, not a causal estimate.

Inputs and published scores are rounded, so contributions are approximate and may not add exactly to the displayed total. No significance test is implied. Read the full scoring method →

BENEATH THE SCORE

Five dimensions of democracy

The headline score cannot show where a political system is strong or constrained. These five tests can. Each has equal weight in the beta standard.

Free and fair elections

Can people choose their leaders through broad voting rights, honest elections, free political groups, and open public debate?

50.7

Rights and checks on power

Are basic freedoms protected, laws applied fairly, courts independent, and leaders prevented from abusing power?

74.9

Public participation

Can people shape public life through civic groups, direct voting, and meaningful local and regional government?

43.4

Public reasoning

Do leaders explain decisions, consult the public, answer opposing arguments, and consider the common good?

76.7

Political equality

Do different social groups have equal rights, access, resources, and a real chance to influence political power?

68.0

HOW TO READ THIS PROFILE

Two kinds of evidence.
One clearer picture.

The score breakdown identifies which parts of the measure changed most. The country report adds documented political context. Together they help explain the institutions at stake—but they do not prove that a specific event produced a specific number of points.

Why this score differs from other democracy indices →

What a declining score can—and cannot—tell us about democratic backsliding

A recent improvement can coexist with a long-term decline. Always compare the dates, check the linked source, and consider developments the selected narrative does not cover.

ANNUAL DATA

Fiji score table

Download Fiji CSV

Year	Score	Source-bound range	Elections	Rights & checks	Participation	Reasoning	Equality
2025	62.0	55.4–69.6	50.7	74.9	43.4	76.7	68.0
2024	63.1	56.4–70.4	51.4	76.9	43.5	79.1	69.0
2023	61.8	55.1–69.3	50.9	77.6	43.5	77.7	63.2
2022	51.5	44.4–59.3	39.8	55.5	42.6	63.6	58.1
2021	51.8	44.2–59.4	40.0	57.1	39.4	65.2	60.0
2020	51.7	43.9–59.5	41.1	57.5	36.9	61.0	65.3
2019	50.0	42.8–57.6	39.1	57.0	34.3	60.2	63.0
2018	52.4	44.9–59.9	40.3	59.7	37.3	63.5	64.8
2017	52.9	45.8–60.5	40.0	60.9	39.0	63.5	64.3
2016	52.1	44.1–59.1	39.7	59.1	37.5	62.0	65.6
2015	51.6	44.2–59.4	38.5	59.7	37.4	61.1	64.7
2014	41.8	35.4–48.2	19.6	43.5	31.6	60.8	62.8
2013	35.1	28.9–41.5	14.0	37.9	27.9	51.6	53.6
2012	32.8	26.0–38.5	13.5	35.2	27.4	45.5	50.0
2011	30.9	24.0–36.4	13.1	35.2	26.8	36.4	49.8
2010	30.7	24.0–36.6	13.1	35.2	26.8	35.4	49.8
2009	26.6	20.1–32.0	12.9	32.3	26.8	18.5	49.3
2008	28.3	21.5–33.6	13.1	35.0	27.7	22.8	49.3
2007	28.0	21.4–33.7	13.4	34.9	27.7	20.9	50.1
2006	47.4	39.6–55.5	39.5	56.1	42.9	44.6	54.9
2005	55.6	47.7–63.9	53.0	64.1	44.6	59.4	57.7
2004	55.6	47.7–63.9	53.0	64.1	44.6	59.4	57.7
2003	55.6	47.7–63.9	53.0	64.1	44.6	59.4	57.7
2002	50.7	43.9–58.0	31.7	64.1	44.6	59.4	57.7
2001	43.0	35.8–50.6	25.6	49.8	44.6	41.2	57.7
2000	44.2	36.2–52.4	34.4	44.5	44.6	41.2	57.7
1999	59.8	51.8–68.2	54.2	70.6	44.6	74.3	58.0
1998	59.9	51.8–68.3	54.3	70.6	44.6	74.3	58.0
1997	59.9	51.8–68.3	54.3	70.6	44.6	74.3	58.0
1996	58.8	50.5–67.0	52.2	68.5	44.6	74.3	56.9
1995	59.9	51.9–67.8	52.2	68.8	44.6	80.2	56.9
1994	59.9	52.2–68.0	52.5	68.6	44.6	80.2	56.9
1993	59.8	52.3–68.4	54.0	68.6	44.6	77.5	56.9
1992	41.6	32.4–49.2	40.3	55.1	44.6	19.7	54.7
1991	35.3	27.6–42.0	22.4	42.1	44.6	19.7	54.7
1990	35.2	27.4–41.8	22.3	41.6	44.6	19.7	54.7
1989	35.0	27.2–41.6	21.9	41.0	44.6	19.7	54.7
1988	35.0	27.2–41.6	21.9	41.0	44.6	19.7	54.7
1987	36.4	27.7–43.4	32.7	38.1	41.6	19.7	54.5
1986	59.3	51.5–68.1	56.9	70.1	41.6	76.6	54.5
1985	59.3	51.5–68.1	56.9	70.1	41.6	76.6	54.5
1984	59.3	51.5–68.1	56.9	70.1	41.6	76.6	54.5
1983	59.3	51.5–68.1	56.9	70.1	41.6	76.6	54.5
1982	59.3	51.4–68.0	57.1	70.1	41.6	76.6	54.5
1981	59.3	51.4–67.9	57.2	70.1	41.6	76.6	54.5
1980	59.3	51.4–67.9	57.2	70.1	41.6	76.6	54.5
1979	59.3	51.4–67.9	57.2	70.1	41.6	76.6	54.5
1978	59.3	51.4–67.9	57.2	70.1	41.6	76.6	54.5
1977	59.3	51.4–67.9	57.2	70.1	41.6	76.6	54.5
1976	59.3	51.5–67.9	56.9	70.1	41.6	76.6	54.5
1975	59.3	51.5–67.9	56.9	70.1	41.6	76.6	54.5
1974	59.3	51.5–67.9	56.9	70.1	41.6	76.6	54.5
1973	59.3	51.5–67.9	56.9	70.1	41.6	76.6	54.5
1972	58.6	50.8–67.1	53.7	70.1	41.6	76.6	54.5
1971	54.7	46.7–62.8	51.6	70.1	28.1	76.6	54.5
1970	49.5	42.2–57.0	50.6	70.1	18.8	76.6	44.2
1969	41.5	33.1–49.5	48.1	57.4	18.2	52.9	38.3
1968	41.5	33.1–49.5	48.1	57.4	18.2	52.9	38.3
1967	38.1	30.6–45.3	31.2	57.4	18.2	52.9	38.3
1966	37.8	30.3–45.0	29.8	57.4	18.2	52.9	38.3
1965	37.6	30.1–44.8	28.8	57.4	18.2	52.9	38.3
1964	36.2	28.8–43.2	28.8	57.4	18.2	52.9	31.4
1963	36.0	28.6–43.0	27.9	57.4	18.2	52.9	31.4
1962	34.6	27.3–41.6	21.8	57.4	18.2	52.9	31.4
1961	34.6	27.3–41.6	21.8	57.4	18.2	52.9	31.4
1960	34.5	27.2–41.4	21.5	57.4	18.2	52.9	31.4
1959	34.4	26.8–41.1	21.2	57.4	18.2	52.9	31.4
1958	34.4	26.8–41.1	21.2	57.4	18.2	52.9	31.4
1957	34.4	26.8–41.1	21.2	57.4	18.2	52.9	31.4
1956	34.4	26.7–41.1	21.0	57.4	18.2	52.9	31.4
1955	34.4	26.9–41.2	21.3	57.4	18.2	52.9	31.4
1954	34.4	26.9–41.2	21.3	57.4	18.2	52.9	31.4
1953	34.1	26.5–40.9	21.3	57.4	18.2	51.0	31.4
1952	29.9	21.8–36.1	21.2	57.4	18.2	27.8	31.4
1951	29.9	21.8–36.1	21.2	57.4	18.2	27.8	31.4
1950	29.9	21.8–36.1	21.2	57.4	18.2	27.8	31.4
1949	29.7	21.9–36.2	21.0	56.5	18.2	27.8	31.4
1948	29.7	21.9–36.2	21.0	56.5	18.2	27.8	31.4
1947	29.7	21.9–36.2	21.0	56.5	18.2	27.8	31.4
1946	29.8	22.0–36.3	21.3	56.5	18.2	27.8	31.4
1945	27.7	19.9–33.7	21.3	56.5	18.2	18.4	31.4
1944	27.7	19.9–33.7	21.3	56.5	18.2	18.4	31.4
1943	27.7	20.0–33.8	21.1	56.5	18.2	18.4	31.4
1942	27.7	20.0–33.8	21.1	56.5	18.2	18.4	31.4
1941	27.7	20.0–33.8	21.1	56.5	18.2	18.4	31.4
1940	27.7	20.0–33.8	21.1	56.5	18.2	18.4	31.4
1939	27.7	19.7–33.6	21.1	56.5	18.2	18.4	31.4
1938	27.7	19.7–33.6	21.1	56.5	18.2	18.4	31.4
1937	29.5	22.1–36.1	21.1	56.5	18.2	26.3	31.4
1936	29.5	22.2–36.1	21.1	56.5	18.2	26.3	31.4
1935	29.4	22.1–36.1	21.0	56.5	18.2	26.3	31.4
1934	29.4	22.2–36.2	21.0	56.5	18.2	26.3	31.4
1933	29.4	22.2–36.2	21.0	56.5	18.2	26.3	31.4
1932	29.4	22.2–36.2	21.0	56.5	18.2	26.3	31.4
1931	29.4	22.1–36.1	21.0	56.5	18.2	26.3	31.4
1930	29.4	22.1–36.1	21.0	56.5	18.2	26.3	31.4
1929	29.2	21.9–35.9	20.1	56.5	18.2	26.3	31.4
1928	29.2	21.9–35.8	20.1	56.5	18.2	26.3	31.4
1927	29.2	21.9–35.8	20.1	56.5	18.2	26.3	31.4
1926	29.2	21.9–35.8	20.1	56.5	18.2	26.3	31.4
1925	29.2	22.0–35.9	20.1	56.5	18.2	26.3	31.4
1924	29.2	22.0–35.9	20.1	56.5	18.2	26.3	31.4
1923	29.2	22.0–35.9	20.1	56.5	18.2	26.3	31.4
1922	29.2	22.0–35.9	20.0	56.5	18.2	26.3	31.4
1921	29.2	22.0–35.9	20.0	56.5	18.2	26.3	31.4
1920	29.2	22.0–35.9	20.0	56.5	18.2	26.3	31.4
1919	29.3	22.0–36.0	20.2	56.5	18.2	26.3	31.4
1918	29.3	22.0–36.0	20.2	56.5	18.2	26.3	31.4
1917	29.3	22.0–36.0	20.2	56.5	18.2	26.3	31.4
1916	29.3	21.9–35.8	20.2	56.5	18.2	26.3	31.4
1915	29.3	21.9–35.8	20.2	56.5	18.2	26.3	31.4
1914	29.3	21.9–35.8	20.2	56.5	18.2	26.3	31.4
1913	29.3	21.9–35.9	20.5	56.5	18.2	26.3	31.4
1912	29.3	21.9–35.9	20.5	56.5	18.2	26.3	31.4
1911	29.3	21.9–35.9	20.5	56.5	18.2	26.3	31.4
1910	29.3	22.1–36.0	20.5	56.5	18.2	26.3	31.4
1909	29.3	22.1–36.0	20.5	56.5	18.2	26.3	31.4
1908	29.3	22.1–36.0	20.5	56.5	18.2	26.3	31.4
1907	29.0	21.7–35.6	19.2	56.5	18.2	26.3	31.4
1906	29.0	21.7–35.6	19.2	56.5	18.2	26.3	31.4
1905	29.0	21.7–35.6	19.2	56.5	18.2	26.3	31.4
1904	27.8	20.9–34.2	14.4	56.5	18.2	26.3	31.4
1903	25.2	18.6–31.0	14.4	39.6	18.2	26.3	31.4
1902	25.2	18.6–31.0	14.4	39.6	18.2	26.3	31.4
1901	25.2	18.6–31.0	14.4	39.6	18.2	26.3	31.4
1900	25.2	18.6–31.0	14.4	39.6	18.2	26.3	31.4

CITE THIS PROFILE

Source and attribution

Democracys.org (2026), “Fiji Democracy Score, 1900–2025,” Democracys Standard v1.0 beta; derived from Coppedge et al. (2026), V-Dem Country-Year Dataset v16.

Open source DOI

NEARBY IN THE 2025 RANKING

#69Vanuatu62.9 #70Nepal62.6 #72Liberia61.5 #73Maldives61.4

All rankings

How democratic isFiji?

Fiji, 1975–2025

Courts and civilian law enforcement strengthened constraints on power

Public reasoning

Rights and checks

When did the biggest shifts appear?

Five dimensions of democracy

Free and fair elections

Rights and checks on power

Public participation

Public reasoning

Political equality

Two kinds of evidence.One clearer picture.

Fiji score table

Source and attribution

How democratic is
Fiji?

Two kinds of evidence.
One clearer picture.