Bali Ranked as Indonesia's Most Democratic Province in 2023

The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) reports that Bali had the highest democracy index score in Indonesia in 2023, reaching 85.3 points.

This achievement places Bali at a "good" democracy level. The measurement levels are: "good" with an index value of more than 80 points, "moderate" with an index of 60-80 points, and "poor" with an index of less than 60 points.

Bali's 2023 score increased from 83.21 points in 2022 and 75.35 points in 2021.

Second place went to DKI Jakarta with a score of 84.57 points. Similar to Bali, Jakarta's democracy score has increased since two years ago, from 82.13 points in 2022 and 82.08 points in 2021.

Third place was DI Yogyakarta with 83.88 points. However, this score decreased significantly from 85.62 points in 2022, when it held the top position. The 2021 score was 81.21 points.

(Also read: Yogyakarta Had the Highest Indonesian Democracy Index Score in 2022)

Outside the top three were West Java (83.04 points), East Kalimantan (82.28), East Java (82.01), West Kalimantan (81.69), Central Java (80.87), North Kalimantan (80.47), and South Kalimantan (80.44).

The least democratic provinces were West Papua (65.55 points), North Maluku (65.57), and Papua (67.64).

Nationally, Indonesia's democracy actually worsened. The score dropped from 80.41 points in 2022 to 79.25 points in 2023, a decrease of 0.90 points. This resulted in Indonesia's democracy level falling from "good" to "moderate."

The decline occurred across the board. The national IDI score was 83.14, down 1.15 points, while the provincial IDI score was 77.21, down 0.74 points.

BPS stated that the IDI is used to measure the development of Indonesian democracy, providing a benchmark for formulating political development programs for both the central and regional governments.

The assessment uses three main aspects: freedom, equality, and the capacity of democratic institutions.

These three main aspects are further broken down into several indicators, including: guaranteed freedom of assembly, association, and expression by state apparatus; fulfillment of workers' rights; the right to vote and be elected in elections; freedom of the press; gender equality; equal employment opportunities; environmental preservation; the performance of legislative and judicial institutions; election neutrality; budget transparency; and others.

(Also read: Indonesia's Democracy Level Decreased in 2023, What are the Causes?)