Younger iTaukei people are significantly less likely to vote for Indo-Fijian candidates compared with older generations, a new study has revealed.
This is widening the trust gap between the two ethnic groups, especially among those aged 18 to 35.
According to the latest Social Cohesion and Reconciliation Index (SCPRE) for Fiji by the Centre for Sustainable Peace and Democratic Development (SeeD), only 44 per cent of iTaukei aged 35 and below said they would definitely vote for an Indo-Fijian candidate.
In contrast, 66 per cent of iTaukei aged 36 and above expressed willingness to do so. By comparison, younger Indo-Fijians are more open to voting for iTaukei candidates than their parents.
The report states: “Younger generations of iTaukei are more reluctant than their parents to vote for an Indo-Fijian candidate, whereas younger Indo-Fijians are more tolerant than their parents when it comes to voting for an iTaukei candidate.”
The study, conducted in October 2025 with 1339 respondents, found that young iTaukei are the group most open to divisive messages and most worried about insecurity.
It warns that future ethnic polarisation may become more concentrated among younger people, even if overall peaceful coexistence in Fiji remains stable for now.
The findings highlight the need for urgent youth-focused peacebuilding efforts to stop long-term ethnic political divisions from becoming deeper and harder to bridge.
Fiji’s national security strategy recognises social cohesion as a key priority for maintaining national stability.
Survey: 40pc tolerate political violence
MOST Fijians support democracy, but a significant portion still condone political violence under certain
conditions, new findings from the Social Cohesion and Reconciliation Index (SCORE) survey reveal.
The survey, conducted by the Centre for Sustainable Peace and Democratic Development (SeeD), shows that while many favour democratic governance, around 40 per cent of respondents tolerate political violence to some extent.
SeeD uses evidence from social science and citizen engagement, through its SCORE index, to help
governments strengthen trust, social cohesion, and democratic resilience.
Researchers warn that these findings point to fragile democratic foundations, with 73 per cent of respondents either rejecting democratic values or tolerating political violence.
Public attitudes, the report notes, are shaped by insecurity, inequality, and perceived threats, indicating
that support for democracy is not deeply embedded across all segments of society.
The SCORE findings also highlight low tolerance toward marginalised groups and weak support for certain human rights, further complicating efforts to build an inclusive society.
These trends have direct implications for Fiji’s National Security Strategy (2025-2029), which links social
cohesion; unity, trust, and inclusion among citizens to long-term stability and resilience.
The report stresses that strengthening democracy goes beyond elections, requiring trust in institutions, civic engagement, and shared national values.
Without sustained public education and social reforms to reduce inequality, these attitudes risk undermining social cohesion and stability.
In response, the National Social Cohesion Stakeholder Conference, organised by the Ministry for Women,
Children and Poverty Alleviation, brought together ners to share perspectives, foster inclusivity, and cocreate a unified vision for across Fiji’s diverse communities. government, faith-based, and international part stronger social cohesion
