The Human Truth Foundation

Solomon Islands

http://www.humantruth.info/solomon_islands.html

By Vexen Crabtree 2013

#solomon_islands

Solomon Islands
StatusIndependent State
Social and Moral Index180th best
CapitalHoniara
Land Area 27 990km21
LocationAustralasia, Melanesia
GroupingsSmall Islands
Population0.7m2
Life Expectancy70.35yrs (2017)3
GNI$2 482 (2017)4
ISO3166-1 CodesSB, SLB, 905
Internet Domain.sb6
CurrencyDollar (SBD)7
Telephone+6778

1. Overview

First settled by the French in the early 17th century, the islands represent the sole remaining vestige of France's once vast North American possessions.

CIA's The World Factbook (2013)9

Book CoverFor those seeking an authentic Melanesian experience or an off-the-beaten-track destination, the Solomons are hard to beat. From WWII relics scattered in the jungle to leaf-hut villages where traditional culture is alive, the Solomon Islands has so much on offer.

Then there´s the visual appeal, with scenery reminiscent of a Discovery Channel documentary: volcanic islands that jut up dramatically from the cobalt-blue ocean, croc-infested mangroves, huge lagoons, tropical islets and emerald forests.

Don´t expect white-sand beaches, ritzy resorts and wild nightlife - the Solomon Islands is not a beach-holiday destination. With only a smattering of traditional guesthouses and comfortable hideaways, it´s tailor-made for ecotourists.

For outdoorsy types, lots of action-packed experiences can easily be organised: climb an extinct volcano, surf uncrowded waves, snorkel pristine reefs or kayak across a lagoon. Beneath the ocean´s surface, unbeatable diving adventures await. The best part is, there´ll be no crowds to mar the experience.

"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)10

2. Solomon Islands National and Social Development

#economics #human_development #wealth

UN HDI (2021)11
Pos.Higher is better
Value11
1Switzerland0.962
2Norway0.961
3Iceland0.959
4Hong Kong0.952
5Australia0.951
...
152Kenya0.575
153Congo, (Brazzaville)0.571
154Zambia0.565
155Solomon Islands0.564
156Comoros0.558
157Papua New Guinea0.558
Australasia Avg0.70
World Avg0.72
q=191.
Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)11
Pos.Higher is better
PPP $11
1Liechtenstein$146 830
2Singapore$90 919
3Qatar$87 134
4Luxembourg$84 649
5Ireland$76 169
...
166Haiti$2 848
167Lesotho$2 700
168Tanzania$2 664
169Solomon Islands$2 482
170Guinea$2 481
171Ethiopia$2 361
Australasia Avg$12 519
World Avg$20 136
q=193.
Social & Moral
Development Index
12,13
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank12,13
1Taiwan28.6
2Norway29.4
3Denmark31.2
4Sweden32.2
5Finland32.6
...
177Palau120.7
178Papua New Guinea120.7
179Sudan121.2
180Solomon Islands121.3
181Burundi121.8
182Mauritania121.9
Australasia Avg102.8
World Avg86.1
q=195.

The United Nations produces an annual Human Development Report which includes the Human Development Index. The factors taken into account include life expectancy, education and schooling and Gross National Income (GNI) amongst many others..

The Social and Moral Development Index concentrates on moral issues and human rights, violence, public health, equality, tolerance, freedom and effectiveness in climate change mitigation and environmentalism, and on some technological issues. A country scores higher for achieving well in those areas, and for sustaining that achievement in the long term. Those countries towards the top of this index can truly said to be setting good examples and leading humankind onwards into a bright, humane, and free future. See: Which are the Best Countries in the World? The Social and Moral Development Index.

3. Solomon Islands's Demographics and Migration

#birth_control #demographics #health #immigration #life_expectancy #longevity #migration #overpopulation #population

Population:

The Solomon Islands's population is predicted to rise to 841 161 by 2030. This country has a fertility rate of 4.08. The fertility rate is, in simple terms, the average amount of children that each woman has. The higher the figure, the quicker the population is growing, although, to calculate the rate you also need to take into account morbidity, i.e., the rate at which people die. If people live healthy and long lives and morbidity is low, then, 2.0 approximates to the replacement rate, which would keep the population stable. If all countries had such a fertility rate, population growth would end. The actual replacement rate in most developed countries is around 2.1.

Population (2018)2
Pos.
Population2
1China1.4b
2India1.4b
3USA327.1m
4Indonesia267.7m
5Pakistan212.2m
...
160Comoros0.8m
161Guyana0.8m
162Bhutan0.8m
163Solomon Islands0.7m
164Montenegro0.6m
165Luxembourg0.6m
World Avg39.0m
q=195.
Life Expectancy (2021)11
Pos.Higher is better
Years11
1Monaco85.9
2Hong Kong85.5
3Japan84.8
4Australia84.5
5Switzerland84.0
...
112Belize70.5
113Vanuatu70.4
114Iraq70.4
115Solomon Islands70.3
116Suriname70.3
117Paraguay70.3
World Avg71.28
q=195.
Fertility Rate (2013)14
Pos.2.0 is best14
1N. Korea2.00
2Brunei1.99
3St Vincent & Grenadines2.01
4France1.99
5Turkey2.04
...
140Togo3.90
141Ethiopia3.91
142Ghana4.03
143Solomon Islands4.08
144Burundi4.10
145Ivory Coast4.27
World Avg2.81
q=180.
Old-Age Dependency Ratio (2016)15
Pos.Lower is better
Per 10015
1Uganda04.3
2Mali04.5
3Chad04.7
4Burkina Faso04.7
5Sierra Leone04.8
...
44Mauritania06.8
45Kuwait06.8
46Congo, (Brazzaville)07.0
47Solomon Islands07.0
48Rwanda07.0
49Namibia07.4
World Avg18.3
q=185.

Migration:

Immigrants (2017)16
Pos.
%16
1UAE88.4%
2Kuwait75.5%
3Qatar65.2%
4Liechtenstein65.1%
5Monaco54.9%
...
172Guatemala0.5%
173Cambodia0.5%
174Honduras0.4%
175Solomon Islands0.4%
176Papua New Guinea0.4%
177India0.4%
World Avg9.4%
q=195.
Emigrants (2010)17
Pos.
%17
1Dominica104.8%
2Palestine68.4%
3Samoa67.3%
4Grenada65.5%
5St Kitts & Nevis61.1%
...
173Kenya1.1%
174Indonesia1.1%
175Myanmar (Burma)1.0%
176Solomon Islands1.0%
177India0.9%
178Papua New Guinea0.9%
World Avg11.5%
q=192.

4. Solomon Islands's Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#equality #freethought #gender_equality #homosexuality #human_rights #international_law #morals #politics #prejudice #religious_tolerance #tolerance #women

Compared to Australasia (2020)18,19
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank18,19
1New Zealand17.5
2Australia24.1
3Fiji102.4
4Papua New Guinea122.4
5Nauru123.4
...
9Marshall Islands134.6
10Samoa136.1
11Vanuatu138.2
12Kiribati138.4
13Cook Islands144.5
14Tuvalu158.8
15Solomon Islands166.6
Australasia Avg120.0
q=15.
Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2020)18,19
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank18,19
1Sweden9.2
2Norway14.7
3Denmark14.7
4Netherlands15.8
5New Zealand17.5
...
193Mauritania144.7
194N. Korea146.8
195Brunei147.1
196Sudan148.8
197Tuvalu158.8
198Somalia159.8
199Solomon Islands166.6
World Avg87.7
q=199.

The best countries in the world at ensuring human rights, fostering equality and promoting tolerance, are Sweden, Norway and Denmark18. These countries are displaying the best traits that humanity has to offer. The worst countries are The Solomon Islands, Somalia and Tuvalu18.

The data sets used to calculate points for each country are statistics on commentary in Human Rights Watch reports, its nominal commitment to Human Rights, speed of uptake of HR treaties, supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms, supporting press freedom, eliminating modern slavery, opposing gender inequality, the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators), the year from which women could participate in democracy, its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice, LGBT equality and freethought. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Baltic States and Europe18, whereas the worst are Melanesia, Micronesia and Australasia18.

For more, see:

Human Rights & Tolerance:

Nominal Commitment to HR (2009)20
Pos.Higher is better
Treaties20
1Argentina24
2Chile23
3Costa Rica23
4Ecuador23
5Germany23
...
154Zimbabwe11
155Saudi Arabia10
156Laos10
157Solomon Islands10
158Qatar10
159Vatican City10
Australasia Avg8.7
World Avg15.1
q=194.
HR Treaties Lag (2019)21
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Yrs/Treaty21
1Ecuador2.15
2Uruguay2.25
3Tunisia3.65
4Colombia3.68
5Costa Rica4.05
...
186Micronesia15.55
187Somalia15.71
188Kiribati15.80
189Solomon Islands15.81
190Nauru16.16
191Sao Tome & Principe16.17
Australasia Avg14.35
World Avg10.02
q=195.

Gender Equality:

See:

Year Women Can Vote
Pos.Lower is better
Year
1New Zealand1893
2Australia1902
3Finland1906
4Norway1913
5Denmark1915
...
162San Marino1973
163Andorra1973
164Jordan1974
165Solomon Islands1974
166Sao Tome & Principe1975
167Cape Verde1975
Australasia Avg1962
World Avg1930
q=189.

Prejudice:

LGBT Equality (2017)22
Pos.Higher is better
Score22
1Netherlands103
2Belgium90
3Sweden86
4Brazil81
5Spain79
...
188Senegal-39
189Libya-42
190Morocco-42
191Solomon Islands-44
192Qatar-54
193Sudan-67
Australasia Avg07.1
World Avg12.6
q=196.
Freedom of Thought (2021)23
Pos.Lower is better23
1Belgium1.0
2Netherlands1.0
3Taiwan1.0
4Sao Tome & Principe1.3
5Ecuador1.3
...
129Germany3.3
130Ghana3.3
131St Lucia3.3
132Solomon Islands3.5
133Togo3.5
134Turkey3.5
Australasia Avg2.6
World Avg3.0
q=196.

5. Solomon Islands's Health

#alcohol #birth_control #demographics #health #life_expectancy #longevity #obesity #overpopulation #parenting #population #smoking #Solomon_Islands #vaccines

Compared to Australasia (2020)24,25
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank24,25
1Solomon Islands82.0
2Australia84.6
3Kiribati87.0
4New Zealand88.8
5Fiji90.6
6Vanuatu97.1
7Niue98.7
8Tonga104.1
9Samoa107.8
10Tuvalu112.5
11Micronesia114.2
12Papua New Guinea120.8
13Cook Islands123.7
Australasia Avg109.4
q=16.
Health (2020)24,25
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank24,25
1Monaco13.0
2Hong Kong18.3
3Maldives41.0
4Singapore42.6
5Japan51.0
...
50Hungary80.9
51UK81.1
52Slovakia81.1
53Solomon Islands82.0
54Israel82.1
55Brazil82.1
56Cuba82.4
World Avg93.5
q=196.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, Hong Kong and The Maldives24. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are The Marshall Islands, S. Sudan and Palau24.

The data sets used to calculate points for each country are its average life expectancy, its alcohol consumption rate, its fertility rate, its smoking rate, its suicide rate, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance, the prevalence of overweight adults, its adolescent birth rate and its immunizations take-up. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Asia and The Mediterranean24, whereas the worst are Micronesia, Australasia and Africa24.

For more, see:

Health:

The Solomon Islands does relatively well in encouraging good health, compared to many other countries. The Solomon Islands does the second-best in terms of its smoking rate26. It does better than average when it comes to its alcohol consumption rate27 and in its immunizations take-up28. But, things still need to improve in The Solomon Islands. The Solomon Islands does worse than average in its adolescent birth rate29 (one of the worst in Australasia), its average life expectancy11 and in its fertility rate14 (the worst in Australasia). The prevalence of overweight adults has increased by 14% during the past 40 years.

Life Expectancy (2021)11
Pos.Higher is better
Years11
1Monaco85.9
2Hong Kong85.5
3Japan84.8
4Australia84.5
5Switzerland84.0
...
112Belize70.5
113Vanuatu70.4
114Iraq70.4
115Solomon Islands70.3
116Suriname70.3
117Paraguay70.3
Australasia Avg70.11
World Avg71.28
q=195.
Alcohol Consumption (2016)27
Pos.Lower is better
Per Capita27
1Bangladesh0.0
2Kuwait0.0
3Libya0.0
4Mauritania0.0
5Somalia0.0
...
31Eritrea1.3
32Guinea1.3
33Mali1.3
34Solomon Islands1.4
35Tonga1.5
36Lebanon1.5
Australasia Avg4.3
World Avg6.2
q=189.
Fertility Rate (2013)14
Pos.2.0 is best14
1N. Korea2.00
2Brunei1.99
3St Vincent & Grenadines2.01
4France1.99
5Turkey2.04
...
140Togo3.90
141Ethiopia3.91
142Ghana4.03
143Solomon Islands4.08
144Burundi4.10
145Ivory Coast4.27
Australasia Avg3.26
World Avg2.81
q=180.
Smoking Rates (2014)26
Pos.Higher is worse26
182Montenegro4 125
181Belarus3 831
180Lebanon3 023
179Macedonia2 732
178Russia2 690
...
6Samoa 54
5Rwanda 53
4Uganda 41
3Kiribati 28
2Solomon Islands 26
1Guinea 15
Australasia Avg 372
World Avg 819
q=182.
Overweight Adults (2016)30
Pos.Lower is better
%30
1Vietnam18.3
2India19.7
3Bangladesh20.0
4Ethiopia20.9
5Nepal21.0
...
94Belize54.8
95Haiti54.9
96St Vincent & Grenadines55.0
97Solomon Islands55.0
98Denmark55.4
99Jamaica55.5
Australasia Avg73.3
World Avg49.0
q=191.

Children's Health:

Adolescent Birth Rate (2015)29
Pos.Lower is better
Per 100029
1N. Korea0.5
2S. Korea1.6
3Switzerland2.9
4Hong Kong3.2
5Slovenia3.8
...
104Suriname46.1
105Timor-Leste (E. Timor)46.6
106Chile47.8
107Solomon Islands48.4
108Peru49.1
109Indonesia49.6
Australasia Avg30.1
World Avg47.9
q=185.
Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 (2015)28
Pos.Higher is better
Avg %28
1Hungary99.0
2China99.0
3Uzbekistan98.9
4Niue98.8
5Mongolia98.7
...
73Eritrea94.7
74Singapore94.6
75UK94.6
76Solomon Islands94.5
77Norway94.3
78Bolivia94.2
Australasia Avg86.4
World Avg88.3
q=194.

6. Solomon Islands's Modernity and Learning

#education #modernity #technology #the_internet

Compared to Australasia (2020)19
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank19
1New Zealand17.6
2Australia19.2
3Palau59.3
4Tonga75.2
5New Caledonia75.5
...
10Samoa103.4
11Vanuatu117.0
12Micronesia131.3
13Kiribati143.0
14Tuvalu148.0
15Papua New Guinea150.4
16Solomon Islands152.7
Australasia Avg98.1
q=16.
Modernity and Learning (2020)19
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank19
1Finland8.4
2Taiwan10.0
3Switzerland15.1
4Estonia15.8
5Denmark16.0
...
196Papua New Guinea150.4
197Chad150.6
198Niger151.0
199Solomon Islands152.7
200Haiti153.8
201Guinea157.5
202Comoros160.5
World Avg83.2
q=205.

Modernity and Education:

Length of Schooling (2021)31
Pos.Higher is better
Years31
1Australia21.1
2New Zealand20.3
3Greece20.0
4Belgium19.6
5Sweden19.4
...
159Guatemala10.6
160Liberia10.4
161Papua New Guinea10.4
162Solomon Islands10.3
163Afghanistan10.3
164Marshall Islands10.2
Australasia Avg13.4
World Avg13.5
q=193.

Technology and Information:

Internet Users (2016)32
Pos.Higher is better32
1Iceland100%
2Faroe Islands99%
3Norway98%
4Bermuda97%
5Andorra97%
...
175Cambodia11%
176Gabon10%
177Burkina Faso10%
178Solomon Islands10%
179Liberia9%
180Congo, (Brazzaville)8%
Australasia Avg44.3%
World Avg48.1%
q=201.
IPv6 Uptake (2017)33
Pos.Higher is better
Ratio33
1Belgium55.4
2Germany41.8
3Switzerland35.1
4USA35.0
5Greece33.5
...
135Honduras0.0
136Syria0.0
137Nicaragua0.0
138Solomon Islands0.0
139Congo, (Brazzaville)0.0
140Sao Tome & Principe0.0
Australasia Avg1.55
World Avg3.82
q=176.

7. National Culture

#corruption #politics

Corruption (2022)34
Pos.Higher is better
Points34
1Denmark90.0
2Finland87.0
3New Zealand87.0
4Norway84.0
5Singapore83.0
...
78Vietnam42.0
79Trinidad & Tobago42.0
80Burkina Faso42.0
81Solomon Islands42.0
82Kuwait42.0
83Hungary42.0
Australasia Avg55.83
World Avg42.98
q=180.

8. The Natural Environment

#biodiversity #climate_change #deforestation #over-exploitation #the_environment

Forest Area Change 1990-2015 (2015)35
Pos.Higher is better
%35
1Iceland+205.6
2Bahrain+144.4
3Uruguay+131.3
4Kuwait+81.2
5Dominican Rep.+79.5
...
125Angola-05.1
126Singapore-05.2
127Mexico-05.3
128Solomon Islands-06.0
129Mauritius-06.1
130Kenya-06.6
Australasia Avg+03.4
World Avg+02.8
q=184.
Environmental Performance (2018)36
Pos.Higher is better36
1Switzerland87.4
2France84.0
3Denmark81.6
4Malta80.9
5Sweden80.5
...
148Rwanda43.7
149Zimbabwe43.4
150Cambodia43.2
151Solomon Islands43.2
152Iraq43.2
153Laos42.9
Australasia Avg55.2
World Avg56.4
q=180.
Convention on Biological Diversity
Pos.Earlier is better
Signed
1China1993 Dec 29
2Guinea1993 Dec 29
3Cook Islands1993 Dec 29
4Vanuatu1993 Dec 29
5Papua New Guinea1993 Dec 29
...
125Morocco1995 Nov 19
126Bhutan1995 Nov 23
127Mozambique1995 Nov 23
128Solomon Islands1996 Jan 01
129Togo1996 Jan 02
130Botswana1996 Jan 10
Australasia Avg1899 Dec 30
World Avg1899 Dec 30
q=197.

9. Economic Inequality and Poverty

#capitalism #economics #health #inequality #life_expectancy #social_development

Inequality in Life Expectancy (2019)37
Pos.Higher is worse37
184Chad40.90
183Central African Rep.40.10
182Sierra Leone39.00
181Somalia38.90
180Nigeria37.10
...
100Suriname12.80
99El Salvador12.50
98Cape Verde12.20
97Solomon Islands12.10
96Palestine12.00
95Panama12.00
Australasia Avg13.47
World Avg14.59
q=184.
Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) (2017)38
Pos.Lower is better
%38
1Ukraine25.0
2Belarus25.4
3Slovenia25.4
4Czechia25.9
5Moldova25.9
...
72Thailand36.5
73Fiji36.7
74Yemen36.7
75Solomon Islands37.1
76Lithuania37.4
77Bulgaria37.4
Australasia Avg38.3
World Avg38.1
q=152.

10. Religion and Beliefs

#buddhism #christianity #hinduism #islam #judaism

Data from the Pew Forum, a professional polling outfit, states that in 2010 the religious makeup of this country was as follows in the table below39:

Christian97.4%
Muslim0.1%
Hindu0.1%
Buddhist0.3%
Folk Religion1.3%
Jew0.1%
Unaffiliated0.2%

The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states: Protestant 73.7% (Church of Melanesia 32.8%, South Seas Evangelical 17%, Seventh-Day Adventist 11.2%, United Church 10.3%, Christian Fellowship Church 2.4%), Roman Catholic 19%, other Christian 4.4%, other 2.4%, unspecified 0.3%, none 0.2% (1999 census)40.

Links: