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Economy of East Timor vs Solomon Islands compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

East Timor has a GDP of $1.87B compared to $1.58B for the Solomon Islands, ranking 181/197 and 182/197 by economy size, respectively.

East Timor has $249M in government debt (13.3% of GDP), compared to $350M (22.1% of GDP) in the Solomon Islands.

East Timor vs Solomon Islands GDP by year

East Timor
Solomon Islands
1x
Year GDP, current $
East Timor Solomon Islands
2024 $1,865,608,515 $1,583,964,704
2023 $2,079,767,170 $1,506,124,566
2022 $3,208,599,889 $1,466,670,930
2021 $3,625,024,341 $1,558,312,104
2020 $2,162,619,241 $1,536,143,428
2019 $2,032,550,389 $1,619,150,564
2018 $1,555,988,614 $1,615,473,250
2017 $1,584,878,440 $1,469,790,526
2016 $1,640,464,612 $1,379,486,291
2015 $1,590,282,371 $1,307,908,814
2014 $1,447,535,183 $1,335,576,763
2013 $1,395,727,421 $1,285,905,958
2012 $1,160,555,040 $1,185,217,634
2011 $1,042,534,598 $1,063,898,227
2010 $881,909,347 $898,128,551
2009 $726,937,836 $805,557,289
2008 $648,523,571 $776,335,523
2007 $542,795,447 $695,291,218
2006 $453,792,415 $617,257,458
2005 $462,267,954 $552,881,357
2004 $440,771,962 $468,000,121
2003 $490,439,116 $417,666,639
2002 $469,455,491 $346,406,739
2001 $477,359,253 $409,508,553
2000 $366,924,277 $419,842,674
1999 $225,357,600 $488,024,514
1998 $325,729,800 $457,579,840
1997 $319,972,700 $526,554,006
1996 $306,956,900 $510,586,430
1995 $262,819,900 $469,443,202
1994 $239,040,500 $402,837,005
1993 $216,914,400 $300,746,361
1992 $187,891,500 $269,034,596
1991 $147,713,000 $227,540,473
1990 $128,210,142 $214,877,667
1989 - $172,882,411
1988 - $176,494,394
1987 - $155,128,542
1986 - $147,620,048
1985 - $165,524,943
1984 - $181,570,474
1983 - $181,220,399
1982 - $192,902,019
1981 - $193,750,541
1980 - $182,852,107
1979 - $151,276,496
1978 - $111,027,427
1977 - $93,145,283
1976 - $83,100,834
1975 - $74,620,320
1974 - $84,539,332
1973 - $55,272,109
1972 - $40,606,712
1971 - $50,056,883
1970 - -
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/east-timor/solomon-islands | CC BY

GDP per capita in East Timor vs Solomon Islands by year

East Timor
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Solomon Islands
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
East Timor Solomon Islands
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,332 $4,423 $1,934 $2,675
2023 $1,502 $4,807 $1,883 $2,597
2022 $2,343 $5,730 $1,878 $2,496
2021 $2,685 $6,825 $2,043 $2,450
2020 $1,631 $6,132 $2,063 $2,405
2019 $1,562 $4,557 $2,224 $2,512
2018 $1,219 $3,561 $2,278 $2,494
2017 $1,266 $3,463 $2,144 $2,454
2016 $1,336 $3,391 $2,083 $2,421
2015 $1,320 $3,108 $2,045 $2,354
2014 $1,225 $2,860 $2,165 $2,377
2013 $1,205 $2,566 $2,161 $2,394
2012 $1,023 $2,386 $2,066 $2,320
2011 $939 $2,066 $1,924 $2,306
2010 $813 $1,955 $1,685 $2,182
2009 $687 $1,810 $1,555 $2,021
2008 $628 $1,675 $1,526 $1,989
2007 $540 $1,516 $1,390 $1,869
2006 $465 $1,377 $1,256 $1,786
2005 $487 $1,435 $1,144 $1,693
2004 $474 $1,379 $986 $1,556
2003 $535 $1,355 $896 $1,433
2002 $534 $1,417 $757 $1,344
2001 $588 $1,619 $912 $1,387
2000 $492 $1,483 $953 $1,503
1999 $270 $819 $1,134 $1,754
1998 $346 $1,108 $1,092 $1,785
1997 $349 $1,149 $1,292 $1,793
1996 $344 $1,116 $1,289 $1,830
1995 $303 $1,043 $1,220 $1,820
1994 $283.1 $985 $1,078 $1,668
1993 $264.1 $925 $829 $1,556
1992 $235.1 $843 $764 $1,505
1991 $189.8 $766 $666 $1,346
1990 $168.6 $685 $648 $1,266
1989 - - $538 -
1988 - - $567 -
1987 - - $515 -
1986 - - $506 -
1985 - - $586 -
1984 - - $665 -
1983 - - $686 -
1982 - - $756 -
1981 - - $786 -
1980 - - $768 -
1979 - - $658 -
1978 - - $500 -
1977 - - $434 -
1976 - - $401 -
1975 - - $372 -
1974 - - $433 -
1973 - - $291.3 -
1972 - - $219.5 -
1971 - - $277.1 -
1970 - - - -
1969 - - $165.9 -
1968 - - $166.9 -
1967 - - $153.5 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/solomon-islands | CC BY

East Timor's GDP per capita is $1,332, ranking 167/197, compared to $1,934 in the Solomon Islands, ranking 157/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), East Timor ranks 163rd at $4,423, while the Solomon Islands ranks 183rd at $2,675.

Economic indicators

East Timor Solomon Islands
Gross domestic product
$1.87B
2024
$1.58B
2024
GDP rank
181/197
2024
182/197
2024
GDP growth
-9.1%
2023-2024
3%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,332
2024
$1,934
2024
GDP per capita rank
167/197
2024
157/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,423
2024
$2,675
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
163/197
2024
183/197
2024
Government debt
$249M
2024
$350M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
13.3%
2024
22.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$177.5
2024
$427
2024
Government debt per person rank
182/185
2024
169/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,440
2026
$1,776
2026
Income share by richest 10%
24%
2014
29.2%
2012
Income share by poorest 10%
4%
2014
2.8%
2012
Government expenditure, % of GDP
90.8%
2024
35.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.1%
2023-2024
4.32%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
1.54%
2022
0.69%
2013
Population
1441764
863951

Spending and national debt comparison by year

East Timor
Spending

Debt
Solomon Islands
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
East Timor Solomon Islands
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 90.8% 13.3% 35.8% 22.1%
2023 78.6% 12.4% 40.1% 20.3%
2022 59.9% 7.9% 40.8% 15.5%
2021 45.7% 6.53% 37.8% 15.9%
2020 61.7% 10.1% 40.4% 12.8%
2019 68.8% 9.51% 35.6% 7.82%
2018 85.5% 9.31% 34.8% 7.95%
2017 87.3% 6.71% 40.4% 8.77%
2016 112.2% 4.71% 39.6% 7.54%
2015 98.1% 2.95% 41.5% 7.88%
2014 111% 1.52% 39.8% 10.1%
2013 96.1% 0.46% 41.8% 11.6%
2012 129.3% 0.002% 29.4% 13.3%
2011 133.3% 0% 27% 18.3%
2010 121.3% 0% 23.9% 22.9%
2009 121.8% 0% 24.8% 18.9%
2008 122.4% 0% 27% 28.9%
2007 75.8% 0% 23.7% 33%
2006 59.8% 0% 19.9% 42.3%
2005 58.3% 0% 17% 44.7%
2004 74.2% 0% 14.7% 58.2%
2003 80.1% 0% 14.9% 61.3%
2002 93.5% 0% 16.7% 65.7%
2001 95.7% 0% 18.1% 52.8%
2000 - - 18.7% 44.3%
1999 - - 18.7% 42%
1998 - - 15.5% 39.5%
1997 - - 19.3% 25.9%
1996 - - 24.2% -
1995 - - 24.7% -
1994 - - 30.2% -
1993 - - 33.2% -
1992 - - 35.1% -
1991 - - 39.4% -
1990 - - 30% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/solomon-islands | CC BY

In 2024, East Timor's government spending was $1.69B, accounting for 90.8% of its GDP, while the Solomon Islands spent $567M, or 35.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 13.3% in East Timor and 22.1% in the Solomon Islands, ranking 178/185 and 173/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
East Timor

Solomon Islands
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
East Timor Solomon Islands
2024 -43.5% -3.08%
2023 -34.7% -3.81%
2022 -29.5% -2.51%
2021 -20.1% -1.86%
2020 -18.9% -2.44%
2019 -25.4% -1.52%
2018 -26.9% 1.49%
2017 -33.8% -2.27%
2016 -55.7% -3.56%
2015 -33.2% 0.81%
2014 -37.5% 2.13%
2013 -14.4% 3.57%
2012 -38.7% 4.63%
2011 -25.4% 6.22%
2010 -19.8% 6.02%
2009 -17.2% 2.35%
2008 -18.6% 1.94%
2007 -29.9% 15.3%
2006 41% 13%
2005 -10.5% 13.4%
2004 -7.48% 17%
2003 -8.24% 10.6%
2002 -7.64% -4.35%
2001 3.24% -2.4%
2000 - -2.93%
1999 - -0.32%
1998 - 5.04%
1997 - 2.14%
1996 - 3.73%
1995 - 3.19%
1994 - 4.33%
1993 - 2.45%
1992 - 4.13%
1991 - 0.14%
1990 - 0.58%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/solomon-islands | CC BY

In 2024, East Timor's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $812M, equivalent to 43.5% of GDP. This compares to the Solomon Islands' deficit of $48.8M, or 3.08% of GDP.

Over the past 24 years, East Timor recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while the Solomon Islands ran a deficit in 10 years. On average, East Timor posted an annual deficit equal to 21.4% of GDP, compared to surplus of 2.94% of GDP for the Solomon Islands.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
East Timor

Solomon Islands
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
East Timor Solomon Islands
2024 2.1% 4.32%
2023 8.4% 5.89%
2022 7% 5.52%
2021 3.8% -0.12%
2020 0.5% 2.96%
2019 0.9% 1.63%
2018 2.3% 3.46%
2017 0.5% 0.49%
2016 -1.5% 0.51%
2015 0.6% -0.57%
2014 0.8% 5.17%
2013 9.5% 5.39%
2012 10.9% 5.91%
2011 13.2% 7.34%
2010 5.2% 1.05%
2009 -0.2% 7.09%
2008 7.4% 17.3%
2007 8.6% 7.67%
2006 5.2% 11.2%
2005 1.6% 7.33%
2004 2.2% 6.99%
2003 8% 8.27%
2002 4.1% 10.9%
2001 3.6% 6.93%
2000 - 7.89%
1999 - 8.02%
1998 - 12.4%
1997 - 8.08%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2001–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/solomon-islands | CC BY

Over the past 24 years, East Timor has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.36%, compared with 5.53% in the Solomon Islands. In 2024, inflation was 2.1% in East Timor and 4.32% in the Solomon Islands.

Balance of trade

East Timor Solomon Islands
Current account balance
-$587M
2024
-$66.2M
2024
Current account balance ranking
108/190
2024
87/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-31.5%
2024
-4.18%
2024
Goods imports
$839M
2024
$609M
2024
Goods exports
$196M
2024
$510M
2024
Service imports
$432M
2024
$248M
2024
Service exports
$82.1M
2024
$133M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
84.9%
2024
70.8%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
10.6%
2024
40.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

East Timor Solomon Islands
Economic freedom 47.9 53.7
Economic freedom ranking 173/197 137/197
Property rights 43.5 55.8
Government integrity 43.9 42.7
Judicial effectiveness 34.5 59.1
Tax burden 97.1 71.3
Government spending 0 54.6
Fiscal health 19.6 83.3
Business freedom 62.7 52.3
Labor freedom 56.5 60.4
Monetary freedom 72.2 76.5
Trade freedom 79.8 43.6
Investment freedom 45 15
Financial freedom 20 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

East Timor
Solomon Islands
1x
Year Economic freedom index
East Timor Solomon Islands
2026 47.9 53.7
2025 47.9 56.3
2024 50.2 55
2023 47.2 56.9
2022 46.3 56.5
2021 44.7 56.5
2020 45.9 52.9
2019 44.2 54.6
2018 48.1 57.5
2017 46.3 55
2016 45.8 47
2015 45.5 47
2014 43.2 46.2
2013 43.7 45
2012 43.3 46.2
2011 42.8 45.9
2010 45.8 42.9
2009 50.5 46

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

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/solomon-islands | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for East Timor is 47.9, ranking 173/197, 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

East Timor Solomon Islands
Services, % of GDP
71.6%
2024
46.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
11.8%
2024
23.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.2%
2024
29.7%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.31B
2024
$1.57B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,040
2024
$2,680
2024
Total reserves including gold
$737M
2024
$688M
2023
Total reserves ranking
147/177
2024
149/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$211M
2024
$19.9M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$216M
2024
$33M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$4.5M
2024
$52.9M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.23%
2024
1.64%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
41.8%
2014
12.7%
2012
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30.1%
2024
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/east-timor/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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. 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.