Freedom Status: Free
Aggregate Score: 93
Freedom Rating: 1.0
Political Rights: 1
Civil Liberties: 1

Quick Facts

Capital: Palikir
Population: 103,000
GDP/capita: $3,049.10
Press Freedom Status: N/A
Net Freedom Status: N/A

OVERVIEW

Political Rights: 37 / 40

Civil Liberties: 56 / 60

The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) held general elections in March 2015, resulting in a new Congress of 14 members, all of whom ran as independents. In May, Congress named Peter Christian, the at-large senator representing the state of Pohnpei, as president and Yosiwo George, the at-large senator for Kosrae, as vice president.

There were no reports of fraud or irregularities in the March polls. No female candidates participated, and the FSM remained one of the few countries in the world with no women in the legislature. Voters in Chuuk, the federation's most populous state, were to decide in a concurrent referendum whether to seek independence, but the Chuuk governor postponed the plebiscite indefinitely in February on the grounds that more consultation was needed before such an important vote.

The FSM relies on economic and defense assistance from the United States under a 1986 Compact of Free Association. The current terms of the compact call for more than $130 million in annual aid through 2023, in addition to funding from applicable U.S. federal programs, though the compact itself does not expire.

Ties with China have deepened in recent years, with increased Chinese aid and more Chinese tourist arrivals. In April 2015, China pledged $500,000 in disaster assistance after a typhoon struck the states of Chuuk and Yap. In September, the Chinese government agreed to provide a $10 million grant for various transportation projects.

This country report has been abridged for Freedom in the World 2016. For background information on political rights and civil liberties in Micronesia, see Freedom in the World 2015.

Scoring Key: X / Y (Z)

X = Score Received
Y = Best Possible Score
Z = Change from Previous Year

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