Page last updated on January 28, 2014

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
The UK established a protectorate over the Solomon Islands in the 1890s. Some of the most bitter fighting of World War II occurred on this archipelago. Self-government was achieved in 1976 and independence two years later. Ethnic violence, government malfeasance, and endemic crime have undermined stability and civil society. In June 2003, then Prime Minister Sir Allan KEMAKEZA sought the assistance of Australia in reestablishing law and order; the following month, an Australian-led multinational force arrived to restore peace and disarm ethnic militias. The Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) has generally been effective in restoring law and order and rebuilding government institutions.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Papua New Guinea
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8 00 S, 159 00 E
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Oceania
Area:
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total: 28,896 sq km
country comparison to the world: 144
land: 27,986 sq km
water: 910 sq km
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
slightly smaller than Maryland
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5,313 km
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
tropical monsoon; few extremes of temperature and weather
Terrain:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mostly rugged mountains with some low coral atolls
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Popomanaseu 2,310 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
fish, forests, gold, bauxite, phosphates, lead, zinc, nickel
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 0.62%
permanent crops: 2.25%
other: 97.13% (2011)
Irrigated land:
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NA
Total renewable water resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
44.7 cu km (2011)
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
typhoons, but rarely destructive; geologically active region with frequent earthquakes, tremors, and volcanic activity; tsunamis
volcanism: Tinakula (elev. 851 m) has frequent eruption activity, while an eruption of Savo (elev. 485 m) could affect the capital Honiara on nearby Guadalcanal
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
deforestation; soil erosion; many of the surrounding coral reefs are dead or dying
Environment - international agreements:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
strategic location on sea routes between the South Pacific Ocean, the Solomon Sea, and the Coral Sea; on 2 April 2007 an undersea earthquake measuring 8.1 on the Richter scale occurred 345 km WNW of the capital Honiara; the resulting tsunami devastated coastal areas of Western and Choiseul provinces with dozens of deaths and thousands dislocated; the provincial capital of Gizo was especially hard hit
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Solomon Islander(s)
adjective: Solomon Islander
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Melanesian 95.3%, Polynesian 3.1%, Micronesian 1.2%, other 0.3% (2009 est.)
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Melanesian pidgin (in much of the country is lingua franca), English (official but spoken by only 1%-2% of the population), 120 indigenous languages
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Protestant 73.4% (Church of Melanesia 31.9%, South Sea Evangelical 17.1%, Seventh Day Adventist 11.7%, United Church 10.1%, Christian Fellowship Church 2.5%), Roman Catholic 19.6%, other Christian 2.9%, other 1.3%, unspecified 0.1%, none 0.03% (2009 est.)
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
597,248 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 169
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0-14 years: 36.8% (male 113,030/female 106,527)
15-24 years: 20% (male 61,244/female 58,027)
25-54 years: 35% (male 106,525/female 102,452)
55-64 years: 4.3% (male 12,586/female 12,930)
65 years and over: 4% (male 11,598/female 12,329) (2013 est.)
population pyramid: "> Dependency ratios:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total dependency ratio: 77.1 %
youth dependency ratio: 71.2 %
elderly dependency ratio: 6 %
potential support ratio: 16.8 (2013)
Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 21.3 years
male: 21.1 years
female: 21.6 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.12% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
26.9 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.88 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 210
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-1.82 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 19% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 4.2% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
HONIARA (capital) 72,000 (2009)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.95 male(s)/female
total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
93 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 78
Infant mortality rate:
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total: 16.7 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 102
male: 19.03 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 14.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 74.66 years
country comparison to the world: 107
male: 72.05 years
female: 77.39 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.44 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
34.6% (2006/07)
Health expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8.8% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 49
Physicians density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.22 physicians/1,000 population (2009)
Hospital bed density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.4 beds/1,000 population (2005)
Drinking water source:
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improved:
unimproved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
30% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 27
Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
11.5% (2007)
country comparison to the world: 64
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7.3% of GDP (2010)
country comparison to the world: 19
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 84.1%
male: 88.9%
female: 79.2%
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 9 years
male: 10 years
female: 9 years (2007)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Solomon Islands
local long form: none
local short form: Solomon Islands
former: British Solomon Islands
Government type:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: Honiara
geographic coordinates: 9 26 S, 159 57 E
time difference: UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
9 provinces and 1 capital territory*; Central, Choiseul, Guadalcanal, Honiara*, Isabel, Makira, Malaita, Rennell and Bellona, Temotu, Western
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7 July 1978 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Independence Day, 7 July (1978)
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
adopted 31 May 1978, effective 7 July 1978; amended several times, last in 2010 (2012)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mixed legal system of English common law and customary law
International law organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Frank KABUI (since 7 July 2009)
head of government: Prime Minister Gordon Darcy LILO (since 16 November 2011)
cabinet: Cabinet consists of 20 members appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister from among the members of parliament
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the advice of parliament for up to five years (eligible for a second term); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition usually elected prime minister by parliament; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister from among the members of parliament; Gordon Darcy LILO elected on 16 November 2011
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
unicameral National Parliament (50 seats; members elected from single-member constituencies by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 4 August 2010 (next to be held in 2014)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - SIDP 14, OUR 4, SIPRA 3, RDP 3, IDP 2, DDP 2, PCP 1, PFP 1, RUPP 1, SILP 1, SINP 1, independents 17
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
highest court(s): Court of Appeal (consists of the court president, and ex officio members to include the High Court chief justice and its puisne judges); High Court (consists of the chief justice and puisne judges as prescribed by the National Parliament)
judge selection and term of office: Court of Appeal and High Court president, chief justices, and puisne judges appointed by the governor-general upon recommendation of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission, chaired by the chief justice to include 5 members, mostly judicial officials and legal professionals; all judges appointed until retirement at age 60
subordinate courts: Magistrates' Courts; local courts; Customary Land Appeal Court
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Direct Development Party or DDP [Dick HA'AMORI]
note: in general, Solomon Islands politics is characterized by fluid coalitions
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Isatabu Freedom Movement (IFM)
note: these rival armed ethnic factions crippled the Solomon Islands in a wave of violence from 1999 to 2003
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
ACP, ADB, AOSIS, C, EITI (candidate country), ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Collin David BECK (since 31 March 2004)
chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400L, New York, NY 10017
telephone: [1] (212) 599-6192, 6193
FAX: [1] (212) 661-8925
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
the US does not have an embassy in the Solomon Islands; the US ambassador to Papua New Guinea, currently Ambassador Walter E. North, is accredited to the Solomon Islands
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
divided diagonally by a thin yellow stripe from the lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is blue with five white five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern; the lower triangle is green; blue represents the ocean; green the land; and yellow sunshine; the five stars stand for the five main island groups of the Solomon Islands
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: "God Save Our Solomon Islands"
lyrics/music: Panapasa BALEKANA and Matila BALEKANA/Panapasa BALEKANA
note: adopted 1978
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
The bulk of the population depends on agriculture, fishing, and forestry for at least part of its livelihood. Most manufactured goods and petroleum products must be imported. The islands are rich in undeveloped mineral resources such as lead, zinc, nickel, and gold. Prior to the arrival of The Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI), severe ethnic violence, the closing of key businesses, and an empty government treasury culminated in economic collapse. RAMSI's efforts to restore law and order and economic stability have led to modest growth as the economy rebuilds.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.858 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$983.5 million (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.8% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$3,300 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 51.8%
industry: 9.2%
services: 39% (2012 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, rice, potatoes, vegetables, fruit; cattle, pigs; fish; timber
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
fish (tuna), mining, timber
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
202,500 (2007)
country comparison to the world: 170
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 75%
industry: 5%
services: 20% (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $411.1 million
expenditures: $391.6 million (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
41.8% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.6% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
11.28% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
Stock of narrow money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$326.3 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168
Stock of broad money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$386.4 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183
Stock of domestic credit:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$37.73 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
Current account balance:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$-1.2 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
timber, fish, copra, palm oil, cocoa
Exports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
China 50.8%, Australia 17.5% (2012)
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$446 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
food, plant and equipment, manufactured goods, fuels, chemicals
Imports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Singapore 27.2%, Australia 25.7%, China 7.1%, NZ 4.9%, Malaysia 4.8% (2012)
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$255.5 million (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Solomon Islands dollars (SBD) per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
82 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 202
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
76.26 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 165
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
36,000 kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 195
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 109
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1,728 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1,463 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 165
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 117
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
203,200 Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8,060 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 203
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
302,100 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 175
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
domestic: mobile-cellular telephone density is about 50 per 100 persons
international: country code - 677; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2011)
Broadcast media:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) is the sole TV broadcaster with 1 station; multi-channel pay-TV is available; SIBC operates 2 national radio stations and 2 provincial stations; 2 local commercial radio stations; Radio Australia is available via satellite feed (2009)
Internet country code:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.sb
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4,370 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 148
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
10,000 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 201
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
36 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 110
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 35
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 10
under 914 m:
Heliports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3 (2013)
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 1,390 km
country comparison to the world: 178
paved: 34 km
unpaved: 1,356 km
note: includes 920 km of private plantation roads (2011)
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Honiara, Malloco Bay, Viru Harbor, Tulaghi
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
no regular military forces; Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (2013)
Manpower available for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 142,913 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 118,921
females age 16-49: 118,164 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 6,483
female: 6,098 (2010 est.)
Transnational Issues:
Disputes - international:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
since 2003, the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands, consisting of police, military, and civilian advisors drawn from 15 countries, has assisted in reestablishing and maintaining civil and political order while reinforcing regional stability and security