Solomon Islands: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

Essential data for planning your trip to Solomon Islands — from population and demographics to economic indicators, healthcare infrastructure, tourism trends, and digital connectivity.

Population & Geography

Population
652,858
#163 of 197 countries
Area
28,896 km²
#145 of 248 countries
Density
22.6 / km²
#200 of 245 countries

Solomon Islands has a population of 652,858 spread across 28,896 km², giving it an average density of 22.6 people per km².

Demographics

Median Age
25.5
Life Expectancy
77.2 yrs
Government
parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm
Ethnic Groups
Religions
GDP by Sector

Population Trends

How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.

Age Structure Over Time
Population Growth Rate (%)
Urban vs Rural (%)
Birth & Death Rates (per 1,000)

Economy & Cost of Living

Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. Solomon Islands is classified as a lower middle income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 73% of US levels, meaning costs are comparable to the United States.

Income Level
Lower middle income
GDP per Capita
$1,883
Cost of Living
73% of US
Inflation
5.9%
GDP per Capita (USD)
GDP Growth (%)
Inflation Rate (%)
Employment
GDP/Capita (PPP)
$2,500
Unemployment
1.5%

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors. Tourism accounts for 1.6% of Solomon Islands's total exports, making it a smaller part of the economy, meaning you may find fewer purpose-built tourist facilities but more authentic experiences.

Tourism Revenue
$7,000,000
Tourism % of Exports
1.6%
Air Passengers
157,418
International Tourist Arrivals
Tourism Receipts (USD)
Air Passengers Carried
Tourism as % of Exports

Health & Safety Infrastructure

Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available — Solomon Islands has 0.24 physicians per 1,000 people, which is well below the global average of 1.7. Travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is strongly recommended.

Physicians
0.24/1k
Health Spend
$111/person
Infant Mortality
16.5/1k
Immunization
78%
Safe Drinking Water
71.6%
Bottled water recommended
Basic Sanitation
34.7%
Health Expenditure per Capita (USD)
Hospital Beds per 1,000

Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure

Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In Solomon Islands, 42% of the population uses the internet — connectivity can be limited outside major cities, so download offline maps and content before heading to rural areas. There are 62 mobile subscriptions per 100 people.

Internet Users
42.5%
Mobile Subs
62/100
Broadband
0.1/100
Electricity Access
81.3%
Internet Users (%)
Urbanization (%)

Source: World Bank Open Data