Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands is a diverse archipelago in Melanesia comprising hundreds of islands with a total land area of 28,896 km² (11,157 sq mi). Current estimates show the population is approximately 859,000 people, with a projected GDP per capita of 2,051 USD.
Where is Solomon Islands?
Solomon Islands
- Continent
- Oceania
- Country
- Solomon Islands
- Coordinates
- -8.00°, 159.00°
Population Details
- Population
- 858.5K
- Area
- 28,896 km²
- Density per km²
- 30 / km²
- Growth rate
- +2.37%
- Annual growth
- +20.4K people
- Daily growth
- +55.76 people
- World population share
- 0.01%
Population Trend
Historical series from 1960 to 2026
Population & Social Snapshot
Age structure, urbanization, and benchmark indicators for Solomon Islands
Age Distribution
Urbanization
Health & Education Benchmarks
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Honiara
- Region
- Oceania
- Area
- 28,896 km²
- Languages
- English
- Currency
- Solomon Islands dollar ($)
- Timezones
- UTC+11:00
- UN Member
- Yes
Economy
The economy is primarily driven by primary sectors such as forestry, fishing, and agriculture, with latest data showing an annual GDP growth of 3.0%. The nation has a total GDP of approximately 1.58 billion USD, which ranks 194 of 212 globally and 8 of 19 in Oceania. While the unemployment rate is recorded at 1.4%, which ranks 178 of 186 globally (largest first), the country faces significant developmental hurdles, ranking 173 of 212 for GDP per capita worldwide and 5 of 5 in the Melanesia subregion.
Society
Health and social indicators have shown steady progress, with life expectancy now reaching 70.7 years, placing the nation at a rank of 147 of 215 globally. According to the latest available data, the adult literacy rate is 76.6%, which ranks 126 of 170 worldwide. Digital infrastructure is expanding but remains limited, as approximately 29.0% of the population are internet users, a figure that ranks 187 of 212 in the global tier.
Climate & Environment
The islands feature a tropical maritime climate with high humidity and consistent temperatures that typically range from 25 °C (77 °F) to 32 °C (90 °F) throughout the year. Rainfall is abundant, particularly during the northwest monsoon season between November and April, making the archipelago vulnerable to tropical cyclones and rising sea levels.
Government & Politics
- Government Type
- parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm
- Independence
- 1978-07-07 (UK)
The Solomon Islands operates as a parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy and is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. As a Commonwealth realm, the British monarch serves as the head of state and is represented locally by a Governor-General. Executive authority is vested in the Prime Minister, who is elected by the National Parliament and leads the cabinet. The legislative branch consists of a unicameral National Parliament with 50 seats, where members are elected for four-year terms through a first-past-the-post system. The legal system integrates English common law with local customary law, reflecting the nation's traditional social structures. Administratively, the country is divided into nine provinces and the capital territory of Honiara, each managed by elected provincial assemblies. This governance model aims to balance national unity with the diverse interests of the archipelago's various ethnic groups and island communities.
History
The history of the Solomon Islands spans thousands of years, beginning with the arrival of Melanesian and Lapita peoples. European contact was first established in 1568 by the Spanish explorer Álvaro de Mendaña, who named the archipelago after the biblical King Solomon. The islands became a British protectorate in 1893 to regulate labor trade and counter competing colonial interests in Oceania. During World War II, the territory became a major battleground between Allied and Japanese forces, most notably during the Battle of Guadalcanal from August 1942 to February 1943. This conflict left a lasting impact on the islands, which eventually transitioned to self-governance and achieved full independence from the United Kingdom on 7 July 1978. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the nation experienced a period of civil unrest known as The Tensions, which prompted the intervention of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI). This international effort helped restore stability and rebuild state institutions between 2003 and 2017. Today, the nation remains focused on reconciliation and sustainable growth for its population of approximately 800,000 people.
Notable Facts
- Mount Popomanaseu is the highest peak in the country, rising to an elevation of 2335 m (7661 ft) on the island of Guadalcanal.
- The nation is an extensive archipelago consisting of nearly 1000 islands with a total coastline of 5313 km (3301 mi).
- Iron Bottom Sound near the capital of Honiara is a world-renowned diving destination containing numerous shipwrecks and aircraft from the Pacific theater of World War II.
- The population is highly diverse, with 95.3% of inhabitants being of Melanesian descent and the remainder including Polynesian and Micronesian groups.
- Christianity is the primary religion, with 73.4% of the population identifying as Protestant and 19.6% as Roman Catholic according to recent estimates.
Geography
- Highest Point
- Mount Popomanaseu (2,335 m)
- Lowest Point
- Pacific Ocean (0 m)
- Coastline
- 5,313 km
Major Cities
Largest Cities in Solomon IslandsExplore weather and climate data for cities in Solomon Islands
Climate & Weather
View full climate guideMonthly averages for Honiara
| Month | Temp | Feels Like | Rain | Sun | Humidity | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°C / 27°C | 37°C / 32°C | 28days (426 mm) Wet | 8.6h Good | 88% Very Muggy | Wet | View Details |
| February | 29°C / 26°C | 36°C / 32°C | 27days (454 mm) Wet | 7.7h Good | 89% Very Muggy | Wet | View Details |
| March | 29°C / 26°C | 36°C / 32°C | 29days (440 mm) Wet | 7.9h Good | 88% Very Muggy | Wet | View Details |
| April | 29°C / 26°C | 36°C / 32°C | 27days (358 mm) Wet | 8.6h Good | 88% Very Muggy | Wet | View Details |
| May | 29°C / 27°C | 36°C / 32°C | 28days (321 mm) Wet | 8.9h Good | 88% Very Muggy | Wet | View Details |
| June | 29°C / 26°C | 35°C / 31°C | 26days (176 mm) Wet | 9.4h Good | 87% Very Muggy | Wet | View Details |
| July | 29°C / 26°C | 35°C / 31°C | 23days (215 mm) Wet | 9.3h Good | 87% Very Muggy | Wet | View Details |
| August | 29°C / 26°C | 35°C / 31°C | 27days (230 mm) Wet | 9.1h Good | 87% Very Muggy | Wet | View Details |
| September | 29°C / 26°C | 35°C / 31°C | 27days (242 mm) Wet | 9.9h Good | 86% Very Muggy | Wet | View Details |
| October | 29°C / 26°C | 36°C / 31°C | 28days (304 mm) Wet | 10.2h Excellent | 87% Very Muggy | Wet | View Details |
| November | 29°C / 26°C | 36°C / 32°C | 28days (364 mm) Wet | 10h Excellent | 87% Very Muggy | Wet | View Details |
| December | 29°C / 26°C | 37°C / 32°C | 28days (435 mm) Wet | 9.3h Good | 88% Very Muggy | Wet | View Details |
Temperature
Line chart showing monthly temperatures. Jan: 30°C / 27°C . Feb: 29°C / 26°C . Mar: 29°C / 26°C . Apr: 29°C / 26°C . May: 29°C / 27°C . Jun: 29°C / 26°C . Jul: 29°C / 26°C . Aug: 29°C / 26°C . Sep: 29°C / 26°C . Oct: 29°C / 26°C . Nov: 29°C / 26°C . Dec: 29°C / 26°C .
Rainfall
Bar chart showing monthly rainfall. Jan: 426 mm. Feb: 454 mm. Mar: 440 mm. Apr: 358 mm. May: 321 mm. Jun: 176 mm. Jul: 215 mm. Aug: 230 mm. Sep: 242 mm. Oct: 304 mm. Nov: 364 mm. Dec: 435 mm.
Frequently Asked Questions
The population of Solomon Islands is approximately 858.5K (2024).
The capital of Solomon Islands is Honiara.
Solomon Islands's GDP per capita is $2.1K (2024).
Life expectancy in Solomon Islands is 70.69 years (2024).
Solomon Islands covers 28,896 km² (11,157 sq mi).
Solomon Islands is sparsely populated, averaging 30 people per km², below the global average of 60.
Solomon Islands's population is growing rapidly at 2.4% per year — among the fastest in the world.
Based on GDP per capita, Solomon Islands falls in the lower-middle GDP-per-person tier at $2.1K. Official World Bank income groups use Atlas-method GNI per capita, so this is a GDP-based comparison rather than an official income-group label.
Solomon Islands's intentional homicide rate is 3.7 per 100,000 people, close to the global average.
The official language of Solomon Islands is English.
Solomon Islands uses the Solomon Islands dollar ($) as its sole official currency.
Solomon Islands is an island nation and shares no land borders.
Current estimates show the population of Solomon Islands is approximately 859,000 people. The nation maintains an annual population growth rate of 2.4%, ranking it 5 of 19 within the Oceania region. Most residents live in rural communities, though the capital city of Honiara continues to experience steady urban expansion.
Recent data indicates the GDP per capita is 2,051 USD. This figure ranks the nation 173 of 212 globally and 19 of 19 in the Oceania region. The economy relies heavily on natural resources, particularly timber and fish, alongside subsistence farming which supports a large portion of the rural population.
The current life expectancy at birth in Solomon Islands is 70.7 years. This health indicator places the country at a rank of 147 of 215 globally. While medical services have improved since independence in July 1978, delivering consistent healthcare across the dispersed archipelago remains a significant logistical challenge for the government.
Current estimates show that approximately 29.0% of the population in Solomon Islands are internet users. This percentage ranks the nation 187 of 212 globally for digital connectivity. Efforts to improve satellite and undersea cable infrastructure are ongoing to help bridge the digital divide between Honiara and the outer provinces.
The adult literacy rate in Solomon Islands is 76.6%, based on the most recent available records. This places the country at 126 of 170 in global rankings. Educational development is a central focus for the parliamentary democracy as it seeks to diversify the economy and improve technical skills for the youth.
According to the latest available data, the unemployment rate in Solomon Islands is 1.4%. This figure ranks the country 178 of 186 globally (largest first). While the number is low, it largely reflects a high participation in informal sectors and subsistence livelihoods rather than a high density of formal jobs.
Solomon Islands covers a land area of 28,896 km² (11,157 sq mi) and features a coastline of 5,313 km (3,301 mi). The highest point is Mount Popomanaseu at 2,335 m (7,661 ft). The country consists of a double chain of volcanic islands and coral atolls, providing rich natural resources including fish and bauxite.
The estimated 2026 population of the Solomon Islands is 858,501, based on recent growth projections. This figure reflects a steady annual increase of approximately 2.37% from the official 2024 population of 819,198. The nation continues to see rapid growth due to high birth rates across the archipelago.
The Solomon Islands currently holds a global rank of 163 of 215 countries according to the latest 2024 data. Regionally, it is the 5th largest country in Oceania out of 19 nations and ranks 3rd within the Melanesian subregion. It sits behind Papua New Guinea and Fiji in regional size.
The population density is an estimated 30.7 people per km² (79.5 per sq mi). This places the country at a global density rank of 173rd and 14th within the Oceania region. Much of the population is concentrated on the larger islands, while many smaller islets remain sparsely inhabited.
Yes, the population is growing at an annual rate of 2.37% according to the latest official 2024 data. This growth results in a net increase of approximately 53 people per day. The combination of a high birth rate and a relatively low death rate sustains this upward demographic trend.
The latest fertility rate is 3.51 births per woman, ranking the Solomon Islands 44th globally for highest fertility. This rate contributes significantly to the country's high growth percentage. The crude birth rate is currently estimated at 26.7 births per 1,000 people annually.
According to the latest 2024 data, 30.7% of the population is urban, ranking the nation 192nd globally for urbanization. Most residents live in rural areas, maintaining traditional lifestyles. However, the capital city of Honiara continues to attract migrants from other islands, leading to gradual urban expansion.
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