Determining the Middle Eastern country most similar to the South Pacific region requires considering various social, cultural, economic, and political factors.
One way to answer this complex question is by analyzing the data from the Country Similarity Index. The Index attempts to quantify how similar countries are to each other relative to other countries, using a variety of statistics from five broad categories: demographics, culture, politics, infrastructure, and geography.
Pakistan has a unique blend of both Middle Eastern and South Asian traits. However, according to the Index, it has slightly more characteristics of a Middle Eastern country.
The data shows that Pakistan is the most similar Middle Eastern country to the South Pacific. In contrast, Saudi Arabia has the least amount of traits in common with the South Pacific region.
(South Pacific countries defined as East Timor, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu)
While Pakistan is far different from most countries in the South Pacific, it does have a few traits that make it more like this region than the rest of the countries in the Middle East. The two biggest reasons are its government and infrastructure.
Government
Since Pakistan was once colonized by Great Britain, it has a parliamentary form of government, like most countries in the South Pacific region. It is a democracy unlike many countries in the Middle East that still have monarchs with absolute power. In addition, Pakistan and most countries in the South Pacific follow a legal system that has been influenced by British common law.
Infrastructure
Since Pakistan was once colonized by Great Britain, it drives on the left side of the road. Most countries in the South Pacific drive on the left too, but most countries in the Middle East drive on the right. However both Pakistan and the South Pacific region have few vehicles per capita. Access to clean water and sanitation facilities remains a challenge in the rural areas of these countries. Both Pakistan and the South Pacific region struggle with power shortages often.
The Most Similar South Pacific Country to Pakistan
The Country Similarity Index suggests that Fiji is the most similar country in the South Pacific region to Pakistan. Both Fiji and Pakistan were once colonies of the British Empire. Pakistan is predominantly Muslim but also a small Hindu population as well, Fiji has a significant Muslim and Hindu population as well. This is because many of its people actually have their origins in South Asia. Their ancestors were brought to Fiji to be indentured servants by the British.
