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Tuvalu 2023 Press Freedom Profile

Tuvalu is not rated by the RSF index; Freedom House classifies it as Free with a total score of 93/100. Context: pop 12K, GDP $47.3M.

RSF Score——
Freedom StatusFreeFH total 93/100
GDP$47.3MWorld Bank data
Population12KNational total

2023 Press Freedom Scorecard

Overall score and global position

Tuvalu is not currently scored by the RSF World Press Freedom Index or by the V-Dem Freedom of Expression project; the profile relies on Freedom House and World Bank indicators below. Of the 25 Freedom House indicators, Tuvalu earns 18 at the maximum 4/4 and 0 at 0/4; its strongest category is Electoral Process (12/12) and its weakest is Personal Autonomy (13/16).

Composite index comparison

Political Rights (Freedom House)37 / 40

Elections, political pluralism, government functioning.

Civil Liberties (Freedom House)56 / 60

Freedom of expression, association, rule of law, personal autonomy.

Full socio-economic dashboard

public

Demographics & geography

Population12K
Urban population7K
Density393.0 people / km²
Land area26 km²
CapitalFunafuti
Largest citySingapore
Latitude-7.1095°
Longitude177.6493°
Forested area33.3%
Agricultural land60.0%
CO₂ emissions11 kt
payments

Economy & labour

GDP$47.3M
GDP per capita$4,059
CurrencyAUD
CPI—
CPI change (%)—
Minimum wage—
Unemployment rate—
Labor-force participation—
Tax revenue (% of GDP)—
Total tax rate—
Gasoline price—
medical_services

Health

Life expectancy—
Birth rate—
Fertility rate—
Infant mortality20.6 / 1 000 live births
Maternal mortality ratio—
Physicians0.92 / 1 000 people
Out-of-pocket health spend0.7%
school

Education

Gross primary enrollment86.0%
Gross tertiary enrollment—
account_balance

Administration

Official languageTuvaluan Language
ISO abbreviationTV
Calling code+688
Armed forces size—

All socio-economic indicators from the World Bank country dataset (2023 snapshot).

Democratic Rights & Civil Liberties

Freedom status explained

Freedom House classifies Tuvalu as Free with a 2024 aggregate score of 93/100 — meaning national institutions reliably protect political rights and civil liberties.

Within Freedom House's Asia region (43 countries), Tuvalu ranks #6 on the latest aggregate score — the 88th percentile. The region leaders are New Zealand, Japan, Australia.

Political Rights vs Civil Liberties

Political Rights

37/ 40

Rating 1 of 7 (1 = best)

Civil Liberties

56/ 60

Rating 1 of 7 (1 = best)

Political rights and civil liberties are rated in similar territory, a sign that formal political channels and everyday personal freedoms move together in this country.

Twelve-year Freedom House trend

02550751002013: 942014: 942015: 942016: 942017: 942018: 942019: 932020: 932021: 932022: 932023: 932024: 93201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024

Between 2013 and 2024, Freedom House moved Tuvalu from Free (Free, 94/100) to Free (Free, 93/100).

Latest A–G indicator scorecard

A.

Electoral Process

PR

Subtotal12 / 12
  • A1Free and fair head-of-government elections

    4/4

  • A2Free and fair legislative elections

    4/4

  • A3Electoral laws and framework

    4/4

B.

Political Pluralism & Participation

PR

Subtotal15 / 16
  • B1Right to organise in political parties

    4/4

  • B2Opposition can realistically gain power

    4/4

  • B3Free political choice without domination

    4/4

  • B4Political rights of minorities

    3/4

C.

Functioning of Government

PR

Subtotal10 / 12
  • C1Elected officials determine government policy

    4/4

  • C2Safeguards against corruption

    3/4

  • C3Transparency of government

    3/4

D.

Freedom of Expression & Belief

CL

Subtotal16 / 16
  • D1Free and independent media

    4/4

  • D2Freedom of religious expression

    4/4

  • D3Academic freedom

    4/4

  • D4Free private discussion

    4/4

E.

Associational & Organisational Rights

CL

Subtotal12 / 12
  • E1Freedom of assembly

    4/4

  • E2Freedom for NGOs

    4/4

  • E3Free trade unions

    4/4

F.

Rule of Law

CL

Subtotal15 / 16
  • F1Independent judiciary

    4/4

  • F2Due process in civil and criminal matters

    4/4

  • F3Protection from illegitimate force

    4/4

  • F4Equal treatment under the law

    3/4

G.

Personal Autonomy & Individual Rights

CL

Subtotal13 / 16
  • G1Freedom of movement

    4/4

  • G2Property rights

    3/4

  • G3Personal social freedoms

    3/4

  • G4Equality of opportunity

    3/4

Each indicator is scored 0–4 by Freedom House analysts; category subtotals combine into the Political Rights (A + B + C = 0–40) and Civil Liberties (D + E + F + G = 0–60) aggregates shown above. 2024 edition.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Tuvalu rank within its Freedom House region?

Tuvalu holds position #6 of 43 in the Asia region on the latest Freedom House aggregate score. The region's top country is New Zealand (99/100).

What is Tuvalu's economic context for its press freedom score?

Tuvalu has a GDP of $47.3M across a population of 12K, giving a per-capita GDP of about $4,059. Its capital is Funafuti; the official language is Tuvaluan Language.