The long-term propensity for political affiliation in island microstates

Abstract

Contrasting profiles for 25 dependent and 30 independent small islands (less than one million in population) are developed using 22 socioeconomic and demographic indicators for every fifth year between 1990 and 2010. Results confirm the consistently superior performance of the subnational island jurisdictions and provide strong but indirect evidence of their propensity for the political status quo. The former consistently remained more affluent with more dynamic and diversified economies, and their citizens were uniformly healthier with longer life expectancy and higher literacy than residents of the sovereign microstates. Finally, the affiliated islands were also more demographically mature with lower fertility.

Keywords:

• islands
• SNIJs
• sovereign microstates
• propensity for dependence
• profiles

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Courtney E. Parry

Consultant, Deloitte Risk Management Services, Los Angeles, CA 90039, USA.