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Economy of Bhutan vs Solomon Islands compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bhutan has a GDP of $3.01B compared to $1.58B for the Solomon Islands, ranking 170/197 and 182/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bhutan has $3.53B in government debt (110.4% of GDP), compared to $350M (22.1% of GDP) in the Solomon Islands.

Bhutan vs Solomon Islands GDP by year

Bhutan
Solomon Islands
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bhutan Solomon Islands
2024 - $1,583,964,704
2023 $3,012,896,789 $1,506,124,566
2022 $2,898,227,744 $1,466,670,930
2021 $2,768,802,960 $1,558,312,104
2020 $2,457,604,334 $1,536,143,428
2019 $2,735,683,570 $1,619,150,564
2018 $2,583,335,722 $1,615,473,250
2017 $2,591,358,009 $1,469,790,526
2016 $2,357,504,761 $1,379,486,291
2015 $2,187,815,803 $1,307,908,814
2014 $2,089,079,571 $1,335,576,763
2013 $1,943,696,952 $1,285,905,958
2012 $1,973,387,228 $1,185,217,634
2011 $1,977,728,659 $1,063,898,227
2010 $1,708,880,730 $898,128,551
2009 $1,331,343,798 $805,557,289
2008 $1,317,517,835 $776,335,523
2007 $1,255,767,964 $695,291,218
2006 $942,879,879 $617,257,458
2005 $860,391,000 $552,881,357
2004 $735,348,490 $468,000,121
2003 $651,935,430 $417,666,639
2002 $559,345,264 $346,406,739
2001 $496,110,226 $409,508,553
2000 $460,733,418 $419,842,674
1999 $399,311,200 $488,024,514
1998 $363,458,381 $457,579,840
1997 $352,229,077 $526,554,006
1996 $303,408,346 $510,586,430
1995 $290,490,984 $469,443,202
1994 $258,954,708 $402,837,005
1993 $225,973,693 $300,746,361
1992 $240,233,531 $269,034,596
1991 $240,294,286 $227,540,473
1990 $287,765,007 $214,877,667
1989 $264,798,626 $172,882,411
1988 $272,298,067 $176,494,394
1987 $242,742,766 $155,128,542
1986 $191,218,115 $147,620,048
1985 $163,288,815 $165,524,943
1984 $160,423,494 $181,570,474
1983 $156,704,290 $181,220,399
1982 $141,439,317 $192,902,019
1981 $139,174,178 $193,750,541
1980 $128,669,201 $182,852,107
1979 $105,377,995 $151,276,496
1978 $94,086,228 $111,027,427
1977 $97,884,434 $93,145,283
1976 $88,461,263 $83,100,834
1975 $86,820,762 $74,620,320
1974 $92,901,784 $84,539,332
1973 $78,900,289 $55,272,109
1972 $70,139,867 $40,606,712
1971 $66,289,450 $50,056,883
1970 $61,812,113 -
1969 - $28,606,411
1968 - $28,084,253
1967 - $25,203,524

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1967–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/solomon-islands | CC BY

GDP per capita in Bhutan vs Solomon Islands by year

Bhutan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Solomon Islands
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bhutan Solomon Islands
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $1,934 $2,675
2023 $3,831 $16,215 $1,883 $2,597
2022 $3,711 $15,064 $1,878 $2,496
2021 $3,571 $13,459 $2,043 $2,450
2020 $3,192 $12,475 $2,063 $2,405
2019 $3,577 $12,909 $2,224 $2,512
2018 $3,400 $11,970 $2,278 $2,494
2017 $3,435 $11,677 $2,144 $2,454
2016 $3,152 $11,273 $2,083 $2,421
2015 $2,954 $10,214 $2,045 $2,354
2014 $2,849 $9,323 $2,165 $2,377
2013 $2,680 $8,667 $2,161 $2,394
2012 $2,751 $8,577 $2,066 $2,320
2011 $2,788 $7,935 $1,924 $2,306
2010 $2,436 $7,246 $1,685 $2,182
2009 $1,918 $6,466 $1,555 $2,021
2008 $1,920 $6,035 $1,526 $1,989
2007 $1,850 $5,729 $1,390 $1,869
2006 $1,406 $4,860 $1,256 $1,786
2005 $1,300 $4,523 $1,144 $1,693
2004 $1,130 $4,173 $986 $1,556
2003 $1,022 $3,942 $896 $1,433
2002 $896 $3,663 $757 $1,344
2001 $812 $3,338 $912 $1,387
2000 $772 $3,113 $953 $1,503
1999 $685 $3,017 $1,134 $1,754
1998 $638 $2,819 $1,092 $1,785
1997 $630 $2,683 $1,292 $1,793
1996 $553 $2,548 $1,289 $1,830
1995 $530 $2,374 $1,220 $1,820
1994 $467 $2,146 $1,078 $1,668
1993 $407 $2,001 $829 $1,556
1992 $416 $1,840 $764 $1,505
1991 $401 $1,657 $666 $1,346
1990 $488 $1,638 $648 $1,266
1989 $462 - $538 -
1988 $489 - $567 -
1987 $449 - $515 -
1986 $365 - $506 -
1985 $321 - $586 -
1984 $326 - $665 -
1983 $328 - $686 -
1982 $306 - $756 -
1981 $311 - $786 -
1980 $296.9 - $768 -
1979 $251.4 - $658 -
1978 $232.2 - $500 -
1977 $249.9 - $434 -
1976 $233.7 - $401 -
1975 $237.4 - $372 -
1974 $262.8 - $433 -
1973 $230.9 - $291.3 -
1972 $212.4 - $219.5 -
1971 $207.7 - $277.1 -
1970 $200.3 - - -
1969 - - $165.9 -
1968 - - $166.9 -
1967 - - $153.5 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1967–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/solomon-islands | CC BY

Bhutan's GDP per capita is $3,831, ranking 132/197, compared to $1,934 in the Solomon Islands, ranking 157/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bhutan ranks 109th at $16,215, while the Solomon Islands ranks 183rd at $2,675.

Economic indicators

Bhutan Solomon Islands
Gross domestic product
$3.01B
2023
$1.58B
2024
GDP rank
170/197
2023
182/197
2024
GDP growth
4.63%
2022-2023
3%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,831
2023
$1,934
2024
GDP per capita rank
132/197
2023
157/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$16,215
2023
$2,675
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
109/197
2023
183/197
2024
Government debt
$3.53B
2023
$350M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
110.4%
2024
22.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,485
2023
$427
2024
Government debt per person rank
87/185
2023
169/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,506
2026
$1,776
2026
Income share by richest 10%
22.7%
2022
29.2%
2012
Income share by poorest 10%
3.6%
2022
2.8%
2012
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.1%
2024
35.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.3%
2023-2024
4.32%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2024
0.69%
2013
Population
803385
863951

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bhutan
Spending

Debt
Solomon Islands
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bhutan Solomon Islands
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 27.1% 110.4% 35.8% 22.1%
2023 28.8% 117.1% 40.1% 20.3%
2022 32.1% 119.9% 40.8% 15.5%
2021 36.6% 124.5% 37.8% 15.9%
2020 30.9% 116% 40.4% 12.8%
2019 24.2% 100.8% 35.6% 7.82%
2018 31.7% 103.4% 34.8% 7.95%
2017 30.6% 104.1% 40.4% 8.77%
2016 30.5% 103% 39.6% 7.54%
2015 27.5% 90.2% 41.5% 7.88%
2014 28.9% 89.8% 39.8% 10.1%
2013 32.5% 87.4% 41.8% 11.6%
2012 35.1% 71.5% 29.4% 13.3%
2011 36.1% 62.3% 27% 18.3%
2010 41.5% 55.8% 23.9% 22.9%
2009 39.3% 61% 24.8% 18.9%
2008 36.1% 60.6% 27% 28.9%
2007 33.2% 67.3% 23.7% 33%
2006 33.4% 80.1% 19.9% 42.3%
2005 36.4% 80.8% 17% 44.7%
2004 31% 76% 14.7% 58.2%
2003 34.7% 68.5% 14.9% 61.3%
2002 39.3% 57.7% 16.7% 65.7%
2001 50.3% 52.4% 18.1% 52.8%
2000 43% 44% 18.7% 44.3%
1999 40.2% 39.2% 18.7% 42%
1998 31.1% 36.4% 15.5% 39.5%
1997 37.8% 33% 19.3% 25.9%
1996 37.9% 36.8% 24.2% -
1995 38.6% 38.7% 24.7% -
1994 37.9% 53.2% 30.2% -
1993 35.2% 60.2% 33.2% -
1992 34.5% 35.6% 35.1% -
1991 30.8% 33.5% 39.4% -
1990 35.8% 27.4% 30% -
1989 46.8% 26.4% - -
1988 45.3% 24.7% - -
1987 47.5% 17.3% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1987–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/solomon-islands | CC BY

In 2024, Bhutan's government spending was $869M, accounting for 27.1% of its GDP, while the Solomon Islands spent $567M, or 35.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 110.4% in Bhutan and 22.1% in the Solomon Islands, ranking 17/185 and 173/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bhutan

Solomon Islands
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bhutan Solomon Islands
2024 -0.17% -3.08%
2023 -4.73% -3.81%
2022 -6.95% -2.51%
2021 -5.76% -1.86%
2020 -1.81% -2.44%
2019 -1.49% -1.52%
2018 -1.52% 1.49%
2017 -4.49% -2.27%
2016 -2.31% -3.56%
2015 -0.49% 0.81%
2014 2.46% 2.13%
2013 -4.55% 3.57%
2012 -2.1% 4.63%
2011 -3.02% 6.22%
2010 1.92% 6.02%
2009 -0.8% 2.35%
2008 -2.57% 1.94%
2007 0.79% 15.3%
2006 -0.07% 13%
2005 -6.96% 13.4%
2004 1.8% 17%
2003 -10.2% 10.6%
2002 -4.33% -4.35%
2001 -12.2% -2.4%
2000 -3.39% -2.93%
1999 -1.28% -0.32%
1998 1.28% 5.04%
1997 -1.92% 2.14%
1996 2.55% 3.73%
1995 -0.88% 3.19%
1994 -0.13% 4.33%
1993 4.71% 2.45%
1992 -3.47% 4.13%
1991 -0.48% 0.14%
1990 -7.21% 0.58%
1989 -10.1% -
1988 1.33% -
1987 -0.56% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1987–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/solomon-islands | CC BY

In 2023, Bhutan's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $142M, equivalent to 4.73% of GDP. This compares to the Solomon Islands' deficit of $57.3M, or 3.81% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Bhutan recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while the Solomon Islands ran a deficit in 11 years. On average, Bhutan posted an annual deficit equal to 2.34% of GDP, compared to surplus of 2.83% of GDP for the Solomon Islands.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bhutan

Solomon Islands
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bhutan Solomon Islands
2024 4.3% 4.32%
2023 4.5% 5.89%
2022 5.9% 5.52%
2021 8.2% -0.12%
2020 3% 2.96%
2019 2.8% 1.63%
2018 3.6% 3.46%
2017 4.3% 0.49%
2016 3.3% 0.51%
2015 6.7% -0.57%
2014 9.6% 5.17%
2013 8.1% 5.39%
2012 10.1% 5.91%
2011 8.6% 7.34%
2010 4.8% 1.05%
2009 7.1% 7.09%
2008 6.3% 17.3%
2007 5.2% 7.67%
2006 4.9% 11.2%
2005 4.8% 7.33%
2004 3.3% 6.99%
2003 2.5% 8.27%
2002 2.9% 10.9%
2001 3.7% 6.93%
2000 7.2% 7.89%
1999 9.1% 8.02%
1998 7.6% 12.4%
1997 8.6% 8.08%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/solomon-islands | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Bhutan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.75%, compared with 6.04% in the Solomon Islands. In 2024, inflation was 4.3% in Bhutan and 4.32% in the Solomon Islands.

Balance of trade

Bhutan Solomon Islands
Current account balance
-$670M
2024
-$66.2M
2024
Current account balance ranking
114/190
2024
87/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-32%
2023
-4.18%
2024
Goods imports
$1.29B
2024
$609M
2024
Goods exports
$656M
2024
$510M
2024
Service imports
$228M
2024
$248M
2024
Service exports
$288M
2024
$133M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.3%
2023
70.8%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.4%
2023
40.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Bhutan Solomon Islands
Economic freedom 57.5 53.7
Economic freedom ranking 115/197 137/197
Property rights 69.2 55.8
Government integrity 72.2 42.7
Judicial effectiveness 61.8 59.1
Tax burden 83.4 71.3
Government spending 74.1 54.6
Fiscal health 25.8 83.3
Business freedom 67.8 52.3
Labor freedom 60.1 60.4
Monetary freedom 71.6 76.5
Trade freedom 63.4 43.6
Investment freedom 20 15
Financial freedom 20 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bhutan
Solomon Islands
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bhutan Solomon Islands
2026 57.5 53.7
2025 57.5 56.3
2024 55.4 55
2023 59 56.9
2022 59.3 56.5
2021 58.3 56.5
2020 62.1 52.9
2019 62.9 54.6
2018 61.8 57.5
2017 58.4 55
2016 59.5 47
2015 57.4 47
2014 56.7 46.2
2013 55 45
2012 56.6 46.2
2011 57.6 45.9
2010 57 42.9
2009 57.7 46

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2009–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/solomon-islands | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Bhutan is 57.5, ranking 115/197, compared to 53.7 for the Solomon Islands, ranking 137/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bhutan Solomon Islands
Services, % of GDP
52.8%
2023
46.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2023
23.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
15%
2023
29.7%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.93B
2023
$1.57B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$15,320
2023
$2,680
2024
Total reserves including gold
$941M
2024
$688M
2023
Total reserves ranking
143/177
2024
149/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$22.8M
2024
$19.9M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.82M
2024
$33M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$52.9M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.96%
2023
1.64%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.4%
2022
12.7%
2012
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
45.3%
2023
19.5%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/solomon-islands | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1967–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2009–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1987–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.