Quick facts
Solomon Islands population overview
The Solomon Islands is the 5th most populous of 23 countries and territories in Oceania. The United Nations put the population at 849,246 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +2.3% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 53 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 22,165 births (26.1 per 1,000 people) and 4,246 deaths (5 per 1,000), plus net immigration of roughly 1,529 people. The infant mortality rate is 13.2 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 139,688 in 1960 to 838,645 in 2025 — a change of +500.4%, or +2.8% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 20.9 years; life expectancy at birth is 71 years; women have on average 3.5 children (2024, above the 2.1 replacement level); 36.6% of residents are under 15 and 3.7% are 65 or older (2025); 31.3% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Honiara. The Solomon Islands covers 28,900 km², giving a population density of about 29.9 people per km². GDP was $1.75B in 2025 — about $2,086 per person (World Bank classification: lower middle income).
Solomon Islands population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 864,822 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 849,246 |
| World rank | #165 of 238 |
| Rank in Oceania | #5 of 23 |
| Share of world population | 0.010% |
| Annual growth rate | +2.3% |
| Births per year est. | 22,165 |
| Deaths per year est. | 4,246 |
| Net migration per year est. | +1,529 |
| Birth rate | 26.1 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 5 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 13.2 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 104.6 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 20.9 years |
| Life expectancy | 71 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 3.5 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 31.3% |
| Surface area 2023 | 28,900 km² |
| Population density | 29.9 per km² |
| Capital | Honiara |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $1.75B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $2,086 |
| Income group World Bank | Lower middle income |
Solomon Islands population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 864,822 | – | – |
| 2025 | 838,645 | +19,447 | +2.4% |
| 2024 | 819,198 | +19,193 | +2.4% |
| 2023 | 800,005 | +18,939 | +2.4% |
| 2022 | 781,066 | +18,475 | +2.4% |
| 2021 | 762,591 | +18,093 | +2.4% |
| 2020 | 744,498 | +105,083 | +3.1% |
| 2015 | 639,415 | +106,447 | +3.7% |
| 2010 | 532,968 | +49,888 | +2% |
| 2005 | 483,080 | +42,611 | +1.9% |
| 2000 | 440,469 | +55,736 | +2.7% |
| 1995 | 384,733 | +53,298 | +3% |
| 1990 | 331,435 | +48,980 | +3.2% |
| 1985 | 282,455 | +44,320 | +3.5% |
| 1980 | 238,135 | +37,391 | +3.5% |
| 1975 | 200,744 | +24,165 | +2.6% |
| 1970 | 176,579 | +19,893 | +2.4% |
| 1965 | 156,686 | +16,998 | +2.3% |
| 1960 | 139,688 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Solomon Islands
Population over time
- From 139,688 in 1960 to 864,822 today — up 519.1%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +2.7% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 70.7 years (2024), up 23 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 3.5 births per woman (2024) — above the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 26.7 births vs 5.1 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 21.6 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 36.6% of the population is under 15 and 3.7% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 2.9% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 0.31 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 0.39 Mt in 2013 — down 20% since.
- Per person: 0.38 t in 2024, vs 0.37 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 128 kg of oil equivalent per person (2007), down 20.4% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 50.1% of final energy in 2022 (-10.1 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 90.1% of land area (2023).
- Net deforestation: cover fell from 90.9% to 90.1% since 1990 — roughly 249 km² of forest lost.
Urban population (% of total)
- 31.3% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 2.7% in 1960 (+28.6 points).
- Still majority-rural — less than half the population lives in cities.
Water resources & stress
- Renewable freshwater per person: 57,229 m³ in 2022, down 81.3% since 1962.
Economy
- GDP: $1.75B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 33.8% since 2015.
- That works out to $2,086 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 1.4% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 3.4% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 29% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 62.1 per 100 people (2022).
Solomon Islands in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of the Solomon Islands in 2026?
As of October 2026, the Solomon Islands has an estimated population of 864,822. The United Nations estimated 849,246 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +2.3% annual growth rate.
Is the population of the Solomon Islands growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +2.3% per year — roughly 53 more people every day. Each year there are about 22,165 births and 4,246 deaths, with net migration of +1,529.
What is the population density of the Solomon Islands?
About 29.9 people per square kilometre: 864,822 people living on 28,900 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in the Solomon Islands?
The median age is 20.9 years, and life expectancy at birth is 71 years. 36.6% of the population is under 15 and 3.7% is 65 or older (2025).
How does the Solomon Islands rank by population?
The Solomon Islands is the 165th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 5th in Oceania, with 0.010% of the global population.
How has the population of the Solomon Islands changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 139,688; by 2025 it had grown to 838,645 (+500.4%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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BhutanSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+2.3%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.