World Happiness Report for Solomon Islands 2024
- Overall Happiness Rank Solomon Islands: na
- Happiness Score Solomon Islands:na
Happiness is a subjective concept that has long been debated by philosophers, psychologists, and economists alike. However, in recent years, there has been a growing interest in quantifying happiness and using it as a measure of a nation’s overall well-being. This is where the concept of the Happiness Index comes into play.
What is the Happiness Index?
The Happiness Index is a measure that attempts to quantify the overall happiness and life satisfaction of a country’s population. It is based on the idea that traditional economic indicators, such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), do not fully capture the overall well-being of a society. The Happiness Index takes into account various factors that contribute to an individual’s sense of happiness and life satisfaction, including social support, freedom to make life choices, healthy life expectancy, and perceptions of corruption.
How is the Happiness Index Calculated?
The Happiness Index is calculated through a combination of subjective and objective data. The primary source of data is the Gallup World Poll, which is a survey conducted in over 160 countries. The survey asks respondents to rate their overall life satisfaction on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being the worst possible life and 10 being the best possible life.
In addition to the life satisfaction score, the Happiness Index also takes into account the following factors:
- GDP per capita: This is a measure of a country’s economic output and standard of living.
- Social support: This factor measures the extent to which individuals have supportive relationships and love in their lives.
- Healthy life expectancy: This is a measure of the number of years an individual is expected to live in good health.
- Freedom to make life choices: This factor measures the extent to which individuals are able to make decisions about their lives without external constraints.
- Generosity: This factor measures the extent to which individuals engage in charitable activities and donate to others.
- Perceptions of corruption: This factor measures the extent to which individuals perceive their society to be free from corruption.
These factors are weighted and combined to produce an overall Happiness Index score for each country.
What Does the Happiness Index Affect?
The Happiness Index has significant implications for policymaking and societal well-being. Countries with higher Happiness Index scores are generally considered to have better overall quality of life and well-being for their citizens. This can have positive impacts on various aspects of society, including:
- Economic productivity: Happier individuals tend to be more productive and engaged in their work, which can contribute to a country’s economic growth.
- Public health: Higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction are associated with better physical and mental health outcomes, which can reduce healthcare costs and improve overall well-being.
- Social cohesion: Societies with higher levels of happiness tend to have stronger social bonds and lower levels of conflict and crime.
- Environmental sustainability: Happier individuals may be more likely to engage in environmentally-friendly behaviors and support policies that promote sustainability.
By focusing on the factors that contribute to happiness and well-being, policymakers can develop strategies to improve the overall quality of life for their citizens. The Happiness Index provides a valuable tool for measuring progress and identifying areas where improvements can be made.
Short information
- Abbreviation of Solomon Islands. SB.
Solomon Islands is
- a sovereign country in the Pacific Ocean
- known for its diverse culture and traditions
- relies heavily on agriculture, fishing, and forestry for its economy.
Solomon Islands – A Comprehensive Overview
Brief History
Early History: The Solomon Islands were first settled by Melanesian people over 30,000 years ago. The earliest known civilization was the Lapita culture, which flourished between 1600 BC and 500 BC.
Kingdoms and Empires: The Solomon Islands were never unified under a single kingdom or empire. The islands were governed by various chiefdoms and tribal societies.
Colonial Period: The Solomon Islands were explored by European navigators in the 16th and 17th centuries. In the late 19th century, the islands became a British protectorate.
Independence and Modern Era: The Solomon Islands gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1978. The country has experienced periods of ethnic conflict and political instability, including a civil war from 1998 to 2003.
Current Political Situation: The Solomon Islands is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government. The current Prime Minister is Manasseh Sogavare. Recent elections have been marked by allegations of corruption and irregularities.
International Relations: The Solomon Islands maintain close ties with Australia and New Zealand. The country is a member of the Pacific Islands Forum and the Commonwealth of Nations.
Human Development and Economy: The Solomon Islands has a developing economy heavily reliant on agriculture, fishing, and forestry. The country faces challenges with poverty, healthcare, and education.
Cultural Highlights: The Solomon Islands have a rich cultural heritage, with over 60 indigenous languages spoken. Traditional art forms, such as wood carving and shell money, are important cultural elements.
The Solomon Islands face challenges related to political instability, environmental issues, and economic development. Opportunities lie in sustainable resource management, tourism, and regional cooperation.
Travel Tips for Solomon Islands
Best Times to Visit: The dry season from May to October offers the best weather for travel.
Cultural Etiquette: Respect local customs, dress modestly, and ask permission before taking photographs.
Safety Precautions: Exercise caution in urban areas, avoid demonstrations, and follow travel advisories.
Must-See Landmarks: Kennedy Island, Honiara Central Market, Bonegi Beach, Mataniko Falls, and the Skull Island.
Culinary Experiences: Try local dishes like kokondo (coconut soup), fish and root crops, and locally grown fruits.
Living in Solomon Islands
Cost of Living: The cost of living is relatively low compared to other Pacific Island nations.
Housing: Expats often live in gated communities or compounds due to security concerns.
Healthcare: Healthcare facilities are limited, and many expats seek medical treatment abroad.
Education: International schools are available in Honiara, but options are limited outside the capital.
Lifestyle: Be prepared for a relaxed island lifestyle, but also potential infrastructure challenges.
Cultural Norms: Respect local customs, dress conservatively, and be mindful of traditional land ownership.
Doing Business in Solomon Islands
Business Culture: Personal relationships and trust are highly valued. Business dealings can be slow-paced.
Economic Climate: The economy is heavily reliant on agriculture, forestry, and fishing. Infrastructure challenges impact business operations.
Key Industries: Agriculture, fishing, forestry, mining, and tourism.
Legal Frameworks: Foreign investment is welcomed, but regulations can be complex. Seek legal advice.
Negotiation Strategies: Be patient, build relationships, and respect local customs and hierarchies.
Building Local Relationships: Network through local business associations and community events.
Studying in Solomon Islands
Educational System: The Solomon Islands follow a British-based educational system.
Top Universities: The University of the South Pacific (USP) and the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) are the main higher education institutions.
Student Life: Campus life is relatively quiet, with limited student facilities and activities.
Visa Requirements: International students need to obtain a student visa and meet eligibility criteria.
Opportunities for International Students: Opportunities exist for studying fields related to agriculture, marine sciences, and environmental studies.
Main facts
1. Location
The Solomon Islands is an archipelago located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, situated east of Papua New Guinea and northwest of Vanuatu. It consists of over 900 islands and forms part of the Melanesian region.
2. Map References
The Solomon Islands is located in the Oceania region, specifically in the southwestern Pacific Ocean.
3. Area – Comparative
The total land area of the Solomon Islands is approximately 28,896 square kilometers, which is slightly smaller than the state of Maryland in the United States.
4. Land Boundaries and Border Countries
The Solomon Islands has no land boundaries as it is an archipelagic nation.
5. Coastline
The Solomon Islands has a total coastline of 5,313 kilometers, featuring numerous beaches and lagoons.
6. Maritime Claims
The Solomon Islands claims a territorial sea extending 12 nautical miles from its coastline, an exclusive economic zone of 200 nautical miles, and a continental shelf of 200 nautical miles or to the edge of the continental margin.
7. Climate
The Solomon Islands has a tropical maritime climate, with hot and humid conditions throughout the year. The country experiences a wet season from November to April and a drier period from May to October.
8. Terrain
The Solomon Islands has a rugged and mountainous terrain, with numerous volcanic islands and coral atolls. The islands feature dense rainforests, coastal plains, and deep valleys.
9. Elevation Extremes
The highest point in the Solomon Islands is Mount Makarakomburu on Guadalcanal Island, with an elevation of 2,447 meters. The lowest point is the Pacific Ocean at sea level.
10. Natural Resources
The main natural resources in the Solomon Islands include fish, forests, gold, bauxite, phosphates, lead, zinc, and nickel.
11. Major Bodies of Water
The Solomon Islands is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and has several major water bodies, including the Indispensable Strait between the islands of Malaita and Guadalcanal, and the New Georgia Sound between the islands of New Georgia and Santa Isabel.
12. Natural Hazards
The Solomon Islands is prone to earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic activity, and cyclones. The country is located in the “Ring of Fire” region, a highly seismic zone in the Pacific Ocean.
13. Geography – Notes
The Solomon Islands is known for its diverse marine ecosystems, including extensive coral reefs and rich marine biodiversity. However, the country faces environmental challenges such as deforestation, overfishing, and the impacts of climate change, including rising sea levels and the increased frequency of natural disasters.
- Forest Area (% of land area): 77.90%. This is the percentage of a country’s total land area that is covered by natural or planted forests.
- Co2 Emissions: 169. CO2 emissions refer to the release of carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy production, transportation, and industrial processes.
- Agricultural Land( %). 3.90%. Agricultural land refers to the share of land area that is arable and used for cultivating crops or raising livestock.
- Geographic Coordinates: -9.64571160.156194.
- Capital: The capital of Solomon Islands is Honiara
- Major Cities:
- Honiara – Population: 84,520
- Auki – Population: 6,811
- Gizo – Population: 6,154
- Population: 669,823
- Area(Km2): 28896
- Population Density( P/Km²):25. This is the number of people living per square kilometer of land area in a given region or country.
- Calling Code:677
- Official Language(s):Solomon Islands is English (official) 1-2%, Melanesian pidgin 98%
- Currency: SBD
Main Economic Indicators
The Solomon Islands has a small, open economy driven by the agriculture, forestry, and fishing sectors. The country faces challenges related to undeveloped infrastructure, reliance on foreign aid and remittances, and exposure to natural disasters. Key economic policies focus on promoting sustainable growth, improving governance, and diversifying the economy.
Inflation Rate (Consumer Prices)
2021: 3.5%
2020: 3.1%
Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Credit Ratings
Fitch: No rating available
Moody’s: No rating available
Standard & Poor’s: No rating available
GDP – Composition by Sector of Origin
Agriculture: 23.6%
Industry: 11.7%
Services: 64.7%
Key Agricultural and Industrial Products
Agricultural Products: Coconuts, palm kernels, rice, root crops, fruit, timber
Industrial Products: Fish (tuna), mining (gold, bauxite, phosphate), timber
Labor Force
Total Labor Force: 270,500 (2017 estimate)
Comparative Ranking: Not available
Current Account Balance
2021: -$113 million
2020: -$91 million
Comparative Ranking: Not available
Exports and Imports
Exports: $580 million (2021 estimate)
Key Partners: China, Italy, Thailand, Australia, India
Main Commodities: Wood products, fish, palm oil, cocoa
Imports: $612 million (2021 estimate)
Key Partners: Australia, Singapore, China, New Zealand, Fiji
Main Commodities: Food, industrial goods, machinery, fuel
Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold
Foreign Exchange Reserves: $696.4 million (2021 estimate)
Gold Reserves: Not available
- GDP (Current US$):$1,425,074,226. It represents a country’s gross domestic product measured in current US dollars. Higher values indicate a larger economy and economic output.
- Tax Revenue (% of GDP): 29.50%. It refers to the amount of tax revenue collected by the government, expressed as a percentage of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Higher values indicate a higher tax burden relative to the size of the economy.
- Total Tax Rate (% of commercial profits): 32.00%. This is the sum of all taxes payable by businesses, expressed as a percentage of their commercial profits. Higher values indicate a higher tax burden on businesses.
- Gasoline Price. . It refers to the cost of one liter or gallon of gasoline/petrol. Higher values indicate more expensive gasoline prices for consumers and businesses.
- Minimum wage. $0.40. It refers to the lowest legally mandated hourly wage that employers must pay their workers. Higher values indicate a higher minimum level of pay for low-wage workers.
- Unemployment Rate (%): 0.58%. It represents the percentage of the labor force that is unemployed and actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate more joblessness in the economy.
Social Indicators
1. National Identity
Noun: Solomon Islander(s)
Adjective: Solomon Islander
2. Ethnic Groups
Melanesian 94.5%, Polynesian 3%, Micronesian 1.2%, other 1.1%, unspecified 0.2% (1999 est.)
3. Religions
Protestant 73.7% (Church of Melanesia 31.1%, South Seas Evangelical 17.5%, Seventh-Day Adventist 11.7%, United Church 10.1%, Christian Revival Crusade 1.1%, Anglican 1.2%, Baptist 1%, other Protestant 1%), Roman Catholic 17%, other Christian 4.4%, traditional beliefs 2.4%, other 1.5%, none 0.7%, unspecified 0.8% (2009 est.)
4. Age Structure
0-14 years: 35.04% (male 125,849/female 120,988)
15-64 years: 61.16% (male 225,126/female 205,749)
65 years and over: 3.8% (male 12,686/female 14,346) (2023 est.)
5. Dependency Ratios
Total: 61.9
Youth: 54.6
Elderly: 7.3 (2023 est.)
6. Median Age
Total: 22.5 years
Male: 22.9 years
Female: 22.2 years (2023 est.)
7. Lifestyle Indicators
Obesity Rate: 22.5% (2016)
Alcohol Consumption: 3.3 liters of pure alcohol per capita per year (2019)
Tobacco Use: 34.2% of adults aged 15 and over (2020)
- Life Expectancy at Birth: 72.8. Life Expectancy at Birth refers to the estimated average number of years a newborn is expected to live based on current mortality rates. Higher values indicate better health outcomes and living conditions in a country or region.
- Literacy Rate (% of adults): 84%. It refers to the percentage of the population aged 15 and above who can read and write with understanding of a short simple statement about their everyday life. Higher literacy rates indicate better educational attainment within a population.
- Birth Rate:32.44. Birth Rate is the total number of live births per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher birth rates indicate a larger share of the population being born each year.
- Death Rate:5. Death Rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher death rates indicate more people dying annually within a population.
- Fertility Rate: 4. Fertility Rate is the average number of children a woman would have over her reproductive years based on current birth rates. Higher fertility rates indicate larger family sizes and population growth.
- Internet Users (% of population): 10.3%. Internet Users (% of population) refers to the percentage of the total population in a country or region that has access to and uses the internet. Higher values indicate greater internet penetration and connectivity among the population.
- Urban Population: 162,164. Urban Population refers to the percentage or number of people living in urban areas or cities within a country or region. Higher urban population values indicate greater urbanization and concentration of people in cities compared to rural areas.
- Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure):3.30%. Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure) represents the portion of total health care costs that individuals pay directly out of their own pockets, rather than being covered by insurance or government programs. Higher values indicate greater personal financial burden for health care expenses.
Infrastructure and Services
Military and Security Forces
The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force is responsible for maintaining internal security and law enforcement in the Solomon Islands. The country has no formal military forces.
Military Expenditures
The Solomon Islands does not have a dedicated military budget or armed forces. Its expenditure on security and law enforcement is minimal, estimated at around 1.5% of GDP annually.
Personnel Strengths
The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force has approximately 1,100 active personnel.
Military Equipment Inventories and Acquisitions
As a nation without formal military forces, the Solomon Islands does not possess significant military hardware or equipment inventories. The police force is lightly armed with small arms and non-lethal equipment for law enforcement purposes.
Military Service Age and Obligation
There is no compulsory military service in the Solomon Islands.
Military Deployments
The Solomon Islands does not have any overseas military deployments.
Strategic Military Notes
With no formal military forces, the Solomon Islands primarily relies on international partnerships and regional security organizations for its defense. The country is part of the Pacific Islands Forum, which provides a framework for regional cooperation and security initiatives.
Given its limited resources and lack of armed forces, the Solomon Islands focuses on maintaining internal stability, law enforcement, and disaster response capabilities through its police force. The country has received international assistance, particularly from Australia and New Zealand, to support security sector reform and capacity building efforts.
- Armed Forces Size: . Armed Forces Size refers to the total number of active personnel serving in a country’s military forces, including the army, navy, air force, and other branches. Higher values indicate a larger military presence and personnel.
- Physicians per Thousand: Number of doctors per 1,000 people is 0.19
- Population: Labor Force Participation (%): 83.80%. This is the percentage of the total population aged 15 and older that is economically active, meaning they are either employed or actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate a greater proportion of the working-age population engaged in the labor force.