Tuvalu - 72.43
46
Paradise lost
Tuvalu is doomed. Even if climate change reverses course within the next few decades, rising sea levels have already begun to affect daily life in Tuvalu. Regardless of any progress or economic development, Tuvalu will be rendered completely uninhabitable before climate change can be corrected. The country has already petitioned the United Nations to continue recognizing the country after it is washed beneath the waves. The condition of Tuvalu is made especially disheartening when one considers the process that they have made up to this point. Tuvalu maintains one of the freest and fairest democracies in the Pacific. The country is incredibly free and while its economic situation leaves much to be desired it is still faring significantly better than many of its contemporaries. Tuvalu may not exist tomorrow, but today it is one of the highest-scoring Pacific Island nations.
Human Rights - 75
Tuvalu has fully abolished the death penalty. Homosexuality is illegal for men, though this policy goes unenforced. Transgender Tuvaluans can obtain sex reassignment surgery but cannot change their legal gender. Tuvalu has no military, so military service was not taken out of their score. Tuvalu guarantees discrimination protections, but has no legal recognition of same-sex relationships and homosexuals cannot adopt. Abortion is legal to save the woman’s life.
Democracy - 92
Tuvalu is a commonwealth democracy, limiting their score to 95. The governor general was appointed by the Queen and the prime minister is chosen by the assembly. The assembly is directly elected. Elections are free and fair. Tuvalu does not have a party system. All candidates run as independents though party formation and participation is not restricted. Alliances in the Assembly are loose and shift regularly. Most politicians are foreign-educated men, forming a small political elite in Tuvalu.
Freedom - 91
Tuvalu has no domestic news outlets. Media coverage in Tuvalu is minimal but not restricted. The Congregational Church of Tuvalu is the official religion but freedom of religion is guaranteed. All drugs are illegal in Tuvalu. Tuvalu may issue gun ownership licenses for bolt-action rifles for bird hunting.
Economy - 54
Health - 53
Tuvalu has a life expectancy of 66 years and an infant mortality rate of 1.87%. 51.6% of Tuvaluans are obese and 3.3% are malnourished. Tuvalu’s universal healthcare system is based around one full-service hospital on Funafuti and several smaller clinics on most inhabited islands providing basic care. Healthcare is of generally good quality in Tuvalu’s one full-service hospital and the government pays for transport from other islands to Funafuti for care. 89% of Tuvaluans have access to clean, running water.
Corruption - 74
Public services must be bribed into action. Some corruption is reported in Tuvalu’s import and export process. Tuvalu has been implicated in several corruption scandals regarding foreign investment.
Competency - 69
The government is failing to provide for the people. The government is failing to repeal or use unenforced laws, as homosexuality remains illegal despite a lack of enforcement.
Future - 1
Simply put, Tuvalu is doomed. Tuvalu will be rendered uninhabitable by 2050, limiting their score to one.
Actions Abroad - 100
Tuvalu does not maintain a military of any kind, instead falling under the military protection of Australia and New Zealand. Tuvalu maintains close relations with Taiwan and supports its admittance into the UN. Tuvalu is generally isolationist and maintains good relations with most nations.
3.3% of Tuvaluans live below the international poverty line and 26.3% live below the national poverty line. 8.49% of Tuvaluans are unemployed. Tuvalu has a low economic disparity. Tuvalu has no minimum wage. Tuvalu has a decent universal healthcare system. Tuvalu has one full-service hospital on Funafuti and several smaller clinics providing basic care on most inhabited islands. The government pays for transport from other islands to Funafuti for care. Healthcare in Tuvalu’s one hospital is of generally good quality. Tuvalu’s economy grew 4.4% in 2020 and grew 9.8% in 2019.