Solomon Islands

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

By Vexen Crabtree 2013

Solomon Islands
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	180th best
Capital	Honiara
Land Area	27 990km²₁
Location	Australasia, Melanesia
Groupings	Small Islands
Population	0.7m₂
Life Expectancy	70.35yrs (2017)₃
GNI	$2 482 (2017)₄
ISO3166-1 Codes	SB, SLB, 90₅
Internet Domain	.sb₆
Currency	Dollar (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

“For 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
1	Switzerland	0.962
2	Norway	0.961
3	Iceland	0.959
4	Hong Kong	0.952
5	Australia	0.951
	...
152	Kenya	0.575
153	Congo, (Brazzaville)	0.571
154	Zambia	0.565
155	Solomon Islands	0.564
156	Comoros	0.558
157	Papua New Guinea	0.558
	Australasia Avg	0.70
	World Avg	0.72
q=191.

Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)₁₁
Pos.		Higher is better PPP $₁₁
1	Liechtenstein	$146 830
2	Singapore	$90 919
3	Qatar	$87 134
4	Luxembourg	$84 649
5	Ireland	$76 169
	...
166	Haiti	$2 848
167	Lesotho	$2 700
168	Tanzania	$2 664
169	Solomon Islands	$2 482
170	Guinea	$2 481
171	Ethiopia	$2 361
	Australasia Avg	$12 519
	World Avg	$20 136
q=193.

Social & Moral Development Index₁₂_,₁₃
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₁₂_,₁₃
1	Taiwan	28.6
2	Norway	29.4
3	Denmark	31.2
4	Sweden	32.2
5	Finland	32.6
	...
177	Palau	120.7
178	Papua New Guinea	120.7
179	Sudan	121.2
180	Solomon Islands	121.3
181	Burundi	121.8
182	Mauritania	121.9
	Australasia Avg	102.8
	World Avg	86.1
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
1	China	1.4b
2	India	1.4b
3	USA	327.1m
4	Indonesia	267.7m
5	Pakistan	212.2m
	...
160	Comoros	0.8m
161	Guyana	0.8m
162	Bhutan	0.8m
163	Solomon Islands	0.7m
164	Montenegro	0.6m
165	Luxembourg	0.6m
	World Avg	39.0m
q=195.

Life Expectancy (2021)₁₁
Pos.		Higher is better Years₁₁
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
4	Australia	84.5
5	Switzerland	84.0
	...
112	Belize	70.5
113	Vanuatu	70.4
114	Iraq	70.4
115	Solomon Islands	70.3
116	Suriname	70.3
117	Paraguay	70.3
	World Avg	71.28
q=195.

Fertility Rate (2013)₁₄
Pos.		2.0 is best₁₄
1	N. Korea	2.00
2	Brunei	1.99
3	St Vincent & Grenadines	2.01
4	France	1.99
5	Turkey	2.04
	...
140	Togo	3.90
141	Ethiopia	3.91
142	Ghana	4.03
143	Solomon Islands	4.08
144	Burundi	4.10
145	Ivory Coast	4.27
	World Avg	2.81
q=180.

Old-Age Dependency Ratio (2016)₁₅
Pos.		Lower is better Per 100₁₅
1	Uganda	04.3
2	Mali	04.5
3	Chad	04.7
4	Burkina Faso	04.7
5	Sierra Leone	04.8
	...
44	Mauritania	06.8
45	Kuwait	06.8
46	Congo, (Brazzaville)	07.0
47	Solomon Islands	07.0
48	Rwanda	07.0
49	Namibia	07.4
	World Avg	18.3
q=185.

Migration:

Immigrants (2017)₁₆
Pos.		%₁₆
1	UAE	88.4%
2	Kuwait	75.5%
3	Qatar	65.2%
4	Liechtenstein	65.1%
5	Monaco	54.9%
	...
172	Guatemala	0.5%
173	Cambodia	0.5%
174	Honduras	0.4%
175	Solomon Islands	0.4%
176	Papua New Guinea	0.4%
177	India	0.4%
	World Avg	9.4%
q=195.

Emigrants (2010)₁₇
Pos.		%₁₇
1	Dominica	104.8%
2	Palestine	68.4%
3	Samoa	67.3%
4	Grenada	65.5%
5	St Kitts & Nevis	61.1%
	...
173	Kenya	1.1%
174	Indonesia	1.1%
175	Myanmar (Burma)	1.0%
176	Solomon Islands	1.0%
177	India	0.9%
178	Papua New Guinea	0.9%
	World Avg	11.5%
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
1	New Zealand	17.5
2	Australia	24.1
3	Fiji	102.4
4	Papua New Guinea	122.4
5	Nauru	123.4
	...
9	Marshall Islands	134.6
10	Samoa	136.1
11	Vanuatu	138.2
12	Kiribati	138.4
13	Cook Islands	144.5
14	Tuvalu	158.8
15	Solomon Islands	166.6
	Australasia Avg	120.0
q=15.

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2020)₁₈_,₁₉
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₁₈_,₁₉
1	Sweden	9.2
2	Norway	14.7
3	Denmark	14.7
4	Netherlands	15.8
5	New Zealand	17.5
	...
193	Mauritania	144.7
194	N. Korea	146.8
195	Brunei	147.1
196	Sudan	148.8
197	Tuvalu	158.8
198	Somalia	159.8
199	Solomon Islands	166.6
	World Avg	87.7
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:

"Which are the Best Countries for Human Rights, Equality and Tolerance?" by Vexen Crabtree (2020).

Human Rights & Tolerance:

Nominal Commitment to HR (2009)₂₀
Pos.		Higher is better Treaties₂₀
1	Argentina	24
2	Chile	23
3	Costa Rica	23
4	Ecuador	23
5	Germany	23
	...
154	Zimbabwe	11
155	Saudi Arabia	10
156	Laos	10
157	Solomon Islands	10
158	Qatar	10
159	Vatican City	10
	Australasia Avg	8.7
	World Avg	15.1
q=194.

HR Treaties Lag (2019)₂₁
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Yrs/Treaty₂₁
1	Ecuador	2.15
2	Uruguay	2.25
3	Tunisia	3.65
4	Colombia	3.68
5	Costa Rica	4.05
	...
186	Micronesia	15.55
187	Somalia	15.71
188	Kiribati	15.80
189	Solomon Islands	15.81
190	Nauru	16.16
191	Sao Tome & Principe	16.17
	Australasia Avg	14.35
	World Avg	10.02
q=195.

Gender Equality:

See:

"Religion Versus Womankind" by Vexen Crabtree (2007)

Year Women Can Vote
Pos.		Lower is better Year
1	New Zealand	1893
2	Australia	1902
3	Finland	1906
4	Norway	1913
5	Denmark	1915
	...
162	San Marino	1973
163	Andorra	1973
164	Jordan	1974
165	Solomon Islands	1974
166	Sao Tome & Principe	1975
167	Cape Verde	1975
	Australasia Avg	1962
	World Avg	1930
q=189.

Prejudice:

LGBT Equality (2017)₂₂
Pos.		Higher is better Score₂₂
1	Netherlands	103
2	Belgium	90
3	Sweden	86
4	Brazil	81
5	Spain	79
	...
188	Senegal	-39
189	Libya	-42
190	Morocco	-42
191	Solomon Islands	-44
192	Qatar	-54
193	Sudan	-67
	Australasia Avg	07.1
	World Avg	12.6
q=196.

Freedom of Thought (2021)₂₃
Pos.		Lower is better₂₃
1	Belgium	1.0
2	Netherlands	1.0
3	Taiwan	1.0
4	Sao Tome & Principe	1.3
5	Ecuador	1.3
	...
129	Germany	3.3
130	Ghana	3.3
131	St Lucia	3.3
132	Solomon Islands	3.5
133	Togo	3.5
134	Turkey	3.5
	Australasia Avg	2.6
	World Avg	3.0
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
1	Solomon Islands	82.0
2	Australia	84.6
3	Kiribati	87.0
4	New Zealand	88.8
5	Fiji	90.6
6	Vanuatu	97.1
7	Niue	98.7
8	Tonga	104.1
9	Samoa	107.8
10	Tuvalu	112.5
11	Micronesia	114.2
12	Papua New Guinea	120.8
13	Cook Islands	123.7
	Australasia Avg	109.4
q=16.

Health (2020)₂₄_,₂₅
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₂₄_,₂₅
1	Monaco	13.0
2	Hong Kong	18.3
3	Maldives	41.0
4	Singapore	42.6
5	Japan	51.0
	...
50	Hungary	80.9
51	UK	81.1
52	Slovakia	81.1
53	Solomon Islands	82.0
54	Israel	82.1
55	Brazil	82.1
56	Cuba	82.4
	World Avg	93.5
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:

"Countries With the Healthiest Cultures and Health Policies" by Vexen Crabtree (2020).

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
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
4	Australia	84.5
5	Switzerland	84.0
	...
112	Belize	70.5
113	Vanuatu	70.4
114	Iraq	70.4
115	Solomon Islands	70.3
116	Suriname	70.3
117	Paraguay	70.3
	Australasia Avg	70.11
	World Avg	71.28
q=195.

Alcohol Consumption (2016)₂₇
Pos.		Lower is better Per Capita₂₇
1	Bangladesh	0.0
2	Kuwait	0.0
3	Libya	0.0
4	Mauritania	0.0
5	Somalia	0.0
	...
31	Eritrea	1.3
32	Guinea	1.3
33	Mali	1.3
34	Solomon Islands	1.4
35	Tonga	1.5
36	Lebanon	1.5
	Australasia Avg	4.3
	World Avg	6.2
q=189.

Fertility Rate (2013)₁₄
Pos.		2.0 is best₁₄
1	N. Korea	2.00
2	Brunei	1.99
3	St Vincent & Grenadines	2.01
4	France	1.99
5	Turkey	2.04
	...
140	Togo	3.90
141	Ethiopia	3.91
142	Ghana	4.03
143	Solomon Islands	4.08
144	Burundi	4.10
145	Ivory Coast	4.27
	Australasia Avg	3.26
	World Avg	2.81
q=180.

Smoking Rates (2014)₂₆
Pos.		Higher is worse₂₆
182	Montenegro	4 125
181	Belarus	3 831
180	Lebanon	3 023
179	Macedonia	2 732
178	Russia	2 690
	...
6	Samoa	54
5	Rwanda	53
4	Uganda	41
3	Kiribati	28
2	Solomon Islands	26
1	Guinea	15
	Australasia Avg	372
	World Avg	819
q=182.

Overweight Adults (2016)₃₀
Pos.		Lower is better %₃₀
1	Vietnam	18.3
2	India	19.7
3	Bangladesh	20.0
4	Ethiopia	20.9
5	Nepal	21.0
	...
94	Belize	54.8
95	Haiti	54.9
96	St Vincent & Grenadines	55.0
97	Solomon Islands	55.0
98	Denmark	55.4
99	Jamaica	55.5
	Australasia Avg	73.3
	World Avg	49.0
q=191.

Children's Health:

Adolescent Birth Rate (2015)₂₉
Pos.		Lower is better Per 1000₂₉
1	N. Korea	0.5
2	S. Korea	1.6
3	Switzerland	2.9
4	Hong Kong	3.2
5	Slovenia	3.8
	...
104	Suriname	46.1
105	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	46.6
106	Chile	47.8
107	Solomon Islands	48.4
108	Peru	49.1
109	Indonesia	49.6
	Australasia Avg	30.1
	World Avg	47.9
q=185.

Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 (2015)₂₈
Pos.		Higher is better Avg %₂₈
1	Hungary	99.0
2	China	99.0
3	Uzbekistan	98.9
4	Niue	98.8
5	Mongolia	98.7
	...
73	Eritrea	94.7
74	Singapore	94.6
75	UK	94.6
76	Solomon Islands	94.5
77	Norway	94.3
78	Bolivia	94.2
	Australasia Avg	86.4
	World Avg	88.3
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
1	New Zealand	17.6
2	Australia	19.2
3	Palau	59.3
4	Tonga	75.2
5	New Caledonia	75.5
	...
10	Samoa	103.4
11	Vanuatu	117.0
12	Micronesia	131.3
13	Kiribati	143.0
14	Tuvalu	148.0
15	Papua New Guinea	150.4
16	Solomon Islands	152.7
	Australasia Avg	98.1
q=16.

Modernity and Learning (2020)₁₉
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₁₉
1	Finland	8.4
2	Taiwan	10.0
3	Switzerland	15.1
4	Estonia	15.8
5	Denmark	16.0
	...
196	Papua New Guinea	150.4
197	Chad	150.6
198	Niger	151.0
199	Solomon Islands	152.7
200	Haiti	153.8
201	Guinea	157.5
202	Comoros	160.5
	World Avg	83.2
q=205.

Modernity and Education:

Length of Schooling (2021)₃₁
Pos.		Higher is better Years₃₁
1	Australia	21.1
2	New Zealand	20.3
3	Greece	20.0
4	Belgium	19.6
5	Sweden	19.4
	...
159	Guatemala	10.6
160	Liberia	10.4
161	Papua New Guinea	10.4
162	Solomon Islands	10.3
163	Afghanistan	10.3
164	Marshall Islands	10.2
	Australasia Avg	13.4
	World Avg	13.5
q=193.

Technology and Information:

Internet Users (2016)₃₂
Pos.		Higher is better₃₂
1	Iceland	100%
2	Faroe Islands	99%
3	Norway	98%
4	Bermuda	97%
5	Andorra	97%
	...
175	Cambodia	11%
176	Gabon	10%
177	Burkina Faso	10%
178	Solomon Islands	10%
179	Liberia	9%
180	Congo, (Brazzaville)	8%
	Australasia Avg	44.3%
	World Avg	48.1%
q=201.

IPv6 Uptake (2017)₃₃
Pos.		Higher is better Ratio₃₃
1	Belgium	55.4
2	Germany	41.8
3	Switzerland	35.1
4	USA	35.0
5	Greece	33.5
	...
135	Honduras	0.0
136	Syria	0.0
137	Nicaragua	0.0
138	Solomon Islands	0.0
139	Congo, (Brazzaville)	0.0
140	Sao Tome & Principe	0.0
	Australasia Avg	1.55
	World Avg	3.82
q=176.

7. National Culture

#corruption #politics

Corruption (2022)₃₄
Pos.		Higher is better Points₃₄
1	Denmark	90.0
2	Finland	87.0
3	New Zealand	87.0
4	Norway	84.0
5	Singapore	83.0
	...
78	Vietnam	42.0
79	Trinidad & Tobago	42.0
80	Burkina Faso	42.0
81	Solomon Islands	42.0
82	Kuwait	42.0
83	Hungary	42.0
	Australasia Avg	55.83
	World Avg	42.98
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
1	Iceland	+205.6
2	Bahrain	+144.4
3	Uruguay	+131.3
4	Kuwait	+81.2
5	Dominican Rep.	+79.5
	...
125	Angola	-05.1
126	Singapore	-05.2
127	Mexico	-05.3
128	Solomon Islands	-06.0
129	Mauritius	-06.1
130	Kenya	-06.6
	Australasia Avg	+03.4
	World Avg	+02.8
q=184.

Environmental Performance (2018)₃₆
Pos.		Higher is better₃₆
1	Switzerland	87.4
2	France	84.0
3	Denmark	81.6
4	Malta	80.9
5	Sweden	80.5
	...
148	Rwanda	43.7
149	Zimbabwe	43.4
150	Cambodia	43.2
151	Solomon Islands	43.2
152	Iraq	43.2
153	Laos	42.9
	Australasia Avg	55.2
	World Avg	56.4
q=180.

Convention on Biological Diversity
Pos.		Earlier is better Signed
1	China	1993 Dec 29
2	Guinea	1993 Dec 29
3	Cook Islands	1993 Dec 29
4	Vanuatu	1993 Dec 29
5	Papua New Guinea	1993 Dec 29
	...
125	Morocco	1995 Nov 19
126	Bhutan	1995 Nov 23
127	Mozambique	1995 Nov 23
128	Solomon Islands	1996 Jan 01
129	Togo	1996 Jan 02
130	Botswana	1996 Jan 10
	Australasia Avg	1899 Dec 30
	World Avg	1899 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
184	Chad	40.90
183	Central African Rep.	40.10
182	Sierra Leone	39.00
181	Somalia	38.90
180	Nigeria	37.10
	...
100	Suriname	12.80
99	El Salvador	12.50
98	Cape Verde	12.20
97	Solomon Islands	12.10
96	Palestine	12.00
95	Panama	12.00
	Australasia Avg	13.47
	World Avg	14.59
q=184.

Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) (2017)₃₈
Pos.		Lower is better %₃₈
1	Ukraine	25.0
2	Belarus	25.4
3	Slovenia	25.4
4	Czechia	25.9
5	Moldova	25.9
	...
72	Thailand	36.5
73	Fiji	36.7
74	Yemen	36.7
75	Solomon Islands	37.1
76	Lithuania	37.4
77	Bulgaria	37.4
	Australasia Avg	38.3
	World Avg	38.1
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:

Christian	97.4%
Muslim	0.1%
Hindu	0.1%
Buddhist	0.3%
Folk Religion	1.3%
Jew	0.1%
Unaffiliated	0.2%

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:

A List of All Religions and Belief Systems