Skip to content

Economy of Papua New Guinea vs Solomon Islands compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Papua New Guinea has a GDP of $31.8B compared to $1.58B for the Solomon Islands, ranking 110/197 and 182/197 by economy size, respectively.

Papua New Guinea has $16.6B in government debt (52.1% of GDP), compared to $350M (22.1% of GDP) in the Solomon Islands.

Papua New Guinea vs Solomon Islands GDP by year

Papua New Guinea
Solomon Islands
1x
Year GDP, current $
Papua New Guinea Solomon Islands
2024 $31,800,428,266 $1,583,964,704
2023 $30,816,367,067 $1,506,124,566
2022 $31,653,185,953 $1,466,670,930
2021 $26,109,413,521 $1,558,312,104
2020 $23,848,447,850 $1,536,143,428
2019 $24,750,626,030 $1,619,150,564
2018 $24,109,780,708 $1,615,473,250
2017 $22,742,699,138 $1,469,790,526
2016 $20,758,876,953 $1,379,486,291
2015 $21,723,437,010 $1,307,908,814
2014 $23,210,823,987 $1,335,576,763
2013 $21,261,338,065 $1,285,905,958
2012 $21,295,168,666 $1,185,217,634
2011 $17,985,138,066 $1,063,898,227
2010 $14,250,786,675 $898,128,551
2009 $11,619,456,449 $805,557,289
2008 $11,670,892,801 $776,335,523
2007 $9,545,028,944 $695,291,218
2006 $8,354,911,041 $617,257,458
2005 $4,865,892,972 $552,881,357
2004 $3,927,157,867 $468,000,121
2003 $3,536,411,824 $417,666,639
2002 $2,999,511,040 $346,406,739
2001 $3,081,024,212 $409,508,553
2000 $3,521,339,699 $419,842,674
1999 $3,477,038,204 $488,024,514
1998 $3,789,443,015 $457,579,840
1997 $4,936,615,299 $526,554,006
1996 $5,155,311,077 $510,586,430
1995 $4,636,057,476 $469,443,202
1994 $5,502,786,070 $402,837,005
1993 $4,974,550,286 $300,746,361
1992 $4,377,980,510 $269,034,596
1991 $3,787,394,958 $227,540,473
1990 $3,219,729,083 $214,877,667
1989 $3,546,472,566 $172,882,411
1988 $3,656,177,881 $176,494,394
1987 $3,143,851,794 $155,128,542
1986 $2,647,995,602 $147,620,048
1985 $2,423,339,172 $165,524,943
1984 $2,552,662,617 $181,570,474
1983 $2,562,351,551 $181,220,399
1982 $2,368,719,683 $192,902,019
1981 $2,498,190,847 $193,750,541
1980 $2,545,808,456 $182,852,107
1979 $2,293,760,511 $151,276,496
1978 $1,947,878,831 $111,027,427
1977 $1,640,746,619 $93,145,283
1976 $1,511,843,235 $83,100,834
1975 $1,356,603,608 $74,620,320
1974 $1,467,417,672 $84,539,332
1973 $1,299,079,410 $55,272,109
1972 $858,761,926 $40,606,712
1971 $717,750,278 $50,056,883
1970 $645,568,215 -
1969 $551,263,864 $28,606,411
1968 $485,184,190 $28,084,253
1967 $441,728,183 $25,203,524
1966 $390,992,063 -
1965 $344,176,055 -
1964 $305,312,049 -
1963 $275,968,044 -
1962 $261,184,042 -
1961 $244,832,039 -
1960 $230,496,037 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/papua-new-guinea/solomon-islands | CC BY

GDP per capita in Papua New Guinea vs Solomon Islands by year

Papua New Guinea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Solomon Islands
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Papua New Guinea Solomon Islands
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $3,007 $4,875 $1,934 $2,675
2023 $2,966 $4,668 $1,883 $2,597
2022 $3,102 $4,420 $1,878 $2,496
2021 $2,608 $3,977 $2,043 $2,450
2020 $2,430 $3,900 $2,063 $2,405
2019 $2,576 $4,060 $2,224 $2,512
2018 $2,566 $3,910 $2,278 $2,494
2017 $2,478 $3,923 $2,144 $2,454
2016 $2,316 $3,813 $2,083 $2,421
2015 $2,485 $3,670 $2,045 $2,354
2014 $2,723 $3,500 $2,165 $2,377
2013 $2,561 $3,110 $2,161 $2,394
2012 $2,635 $3,026 $2,066 $2,320
2011 $2,288 $2,919 $1,924 $2,306
2010 $1,867 $2,912 $1,685 $2,182
2009 $1,569 $2,692 $1,555 $2,021
2008 $1,625 $2,583 $1,526 $1,989
2007 $1,371 $2,622 $1,390 $1,869
2006 $1,238 $2,444 $1,256 $1,786
2005 $744 $2,322 $1,144 $1,693
2004 $621 $2,187 $986 $1,556
2003 $577 $2,142 $896 $1,433
2002 $506 $2,125 $757 $1,344
2001 $538 $2,168 $912 $1,387
2000 $636 $2,196 $953 $1,503
1999 $650 $2,280 $1,134 $1,754
1998 $733 $2,285 $1,092 $1,785
1997 $990 $2,432 $1,292 $1,793
1996 $1,071 $2,578 $1,289 $1,830
1995 $998 $2,436 $1,220 $1,820
1994 $1,228 $2,558 $1,078 $1,668
1993 $1,151 $2,451 $829 $1,556
1992 $1,051 $2,100 $764 $1,505
1991 $942 $1,869 $666 $1,346
1990 $826 $1,703 $648 $1,266
1989 $934 - $538 -
1988 $985 - $567 -
1987 $865 - $515 -
1986 $745 - $506 -
1985 $697 - $586 -
1984 $750 - $665 -
1983 $769 - $686 -
1982 $726 - $756 -
1981 $781 - $786 -
1980 $813 - $768 -
1979 $748 - $658 -
1978 $648 - $500 -
1977 $558 - $434 -
1976 $525 - $401 -
1975 $482 - $372 -
1974 $533 - $433 -
1973 $483 - $291.3 -
1972 $327 - $219.5 -
1971 $279.7 - $277.1 -
1970 $257.6 - - -
1969 $225.3 - $165.9 -
1968 $202.9 - $166.9 -
1967 $189 - $153.5 -
1966 $171.1 - - -
1965 $153.9 - - -
1964 $139.5 - - -
1963 $128.9 - - -
1962 $124.7 - - -
1961 $119.7 - - -
1960 $115.5 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/papua-new-guinea/solomon-islands | CC BY

Papua New Guinea's GDP per capita is $3,007, ranking 140/197, compared to $1,934 in the Solomon Islands, ranking 157/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Papua New Guinea ranks 159th at $4,875, while the Solomon Islands ranks 183rd at $2,675.

Economic indicators

Papua New Guinea Solomon Islands
Gross domestic product
$31.8B
2024
$1.58B
2024
GDP rank
110/197
2024
182/197
2024
GDP growth
3.8%
2023-2024
3%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,007
2024
$1,934
2024
GDP per capita rank
140/197
2024
157/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,875
2024
$2,675
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
159/197
2024
183/197
2024
Government debt
$16.6B
2024
$350M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
52.1%
2024
22.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,566
2024
$427
2024
Government debt per person rank
129/185
2024
169/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,362
2026
$1,776
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$1.68B
2017
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
31%
2009
29.2%
2012
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2009
2.8%
2012
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20.4%
2024
35.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.6%
2023-2024
4.32%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
2.69%
2022
0.69%
2013
Population
11002753
863951

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Papua New Guinea
Spending

Debt
Solomon Islands
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Papua New Guinea Solomon Islands
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 20.4% 52.1% 35.8% 22.1%
2023 22.3% 53.9% 40.1% 20.3%
2022 21.9% 48.2% 40.8% 15.5%
2021 22% 52.6% 37.8% 15.9%
2020 23.5% 48.7% 40.4% 12.8%
2019 21.3% 38.2% 35.6% 7.82%
2018 20.3% 36.7% 34.8% 7.95%
2017 18.4% 32.5% 40.4% 8.77%
2016 20.9% 33.7% 39.6% 7.54%
2015 22.8% 29.9% 41.5% 7.88%
2014 27.1% 26.9% 39.8% 10.1%
2013 27.6% 24.9% 41.8% 11.6%
2012 22.4% 19.1% 29.4% 13.3%
2011 19.7% 16.3% 27% 18.3%
2010 18.4% 17.3% 23.9% 22.9%
2009 24.7% 21.7% 24.8% 18.9%
2008 19.8% 21.6% 27% 28.9%
2007 18% 22.2% 23.7% 33%
2006 19.4% 26% 19.9% 42.3%
2005 20.6% 31.6% 17% 44.7%
2004 19.4% 37.2% 14.7% 58.2%
2003 18.7% 40.4% 14.9% 61.3%
2002 20.8% 48.4% 16.7% 65.7%
2001 21.6% 47.7% 18.1% 52.8%
2000 20.5% 42.3% 18.7% 44.3%
1999 21.4% 41.8% 18.7% 42%
1998 20% 45.7% 15.5% 39.5%
1997 20.6% 43.9% 19.3% 25.9%
1996 17.6% 37.8% 24.2% -
1995 17.1% 36.6% 24.7% -
1994 19.3% 40.1% 30.2% -
1993 23.5% 30% 33.2% -
1992 22.8% 30.4% 35.1% -
1991 22.4% - 39.4% -
1990 24.5% - 30% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1992–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/papua-new-guinea/solomon-islands | CC BY

In 2024, Papua New Guinea's government spending was $6.48B, accounting for 20.4% of its GDP, while the Solomon Islands spent $567M, or 35.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 52.1% in Papua New Guinea and 22.1% in the Solomon Islands, ranking 100/185 and 173/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Papua New Guinea

Solomon Islands
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Papua New Guinea Solomon Islands
2024 -3.23% -3.08%
2023 -4.34% -3.81%
2022 -5.25% -2.51%
2021 -6.84% -1.86%
2020 -8.85% -2.44%
2019 -4.98% -1.52%
2018 -2.58% 1.49%
2017 -2.47% -2.27%
2016 -4.75% -3.56%
2015 -4.55% 0.81%
2014 -6.27% 2.13%
2013 -6.87% 3.57%
2012 -1.19% 4.63%
2011 2.22% 6.22%
2010 3.06% 6.02%
2009 -5.48% 2.35%
2008 2.73% 1.94%
2007 6.9% 15.3%
2006 5.34% 13%
2005 2.85% 13.4%
2004 2.03% 17%
2003 0.19% 10.6%
2002 -1.75% -4.35%
2001 -1.33% -2.4%
2000 0.3% -2.93%
1999 -1.94% -0.32%
1998 -0.16% 5.04%
1997 0.67% 2.14%
1996 2.05% 3.73%
1995 1.08% 3.19%
1994 -1.01% 4.33%
1993 -4.9% 2.45%
1992 -4.33% 4.13%
1991 -0.62% 0.14%
1990 -2.04% 0.58%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/papua-new-guinea/solomon-islands | CC BY

In 2024, Papua New Guinea's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.03B, equivalent to 3.23% of GDP. This compares to the Solomon Islands' deficit of $48.8M, or 3.08% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Papua New Guinea recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while the Solomon Islands ran a deficit in 12 years. On average, Papua New Guinea posted an annual deficit equal to 1.61% of GDP, compared to surplus of 2.66% of GDP for the Solomon Islands.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Papua New Guinea

Solomon Islands
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Papua New Guinea Solomon Islands
2024 0.6% 4.32%
2023 2.3% 5.89%
2022 5.25% 5.52%
2021 4.48% -0.12%
2020 4.87% 2.96%
2019 3.93% 1.63%
2018 4.37% 3.46%
2017 5.42% 0.49%
2016 6.67% 0.51%
2015 6% -0.57%
2014 5.22% 5.17%
2013 4.96% 5.39%
2012 4.54% 5.91%
2011 4.44% 7.34%
2010 6.01% 1.05%
2009 6.92% 7.09%
2008 10.8% 17.3%
2007 0.91% 7.67%
2006 2.37% 11.2%
2005 1.78% 7.33%
2004 2.16% 6.99%
2003 14.7% 8.27%
2002 11.8% 10.9%
2001 9.3% 6.93%
2000 15.6% 7.89%
1999 14.9% 8.02%
1998 13.6% 12.4%
1997 3.96% 8.08%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/papua-new-guinea/solomon-islands | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Papua New Guinea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.35%, compared with 6.04% in the Solomon Islands. In 2024, inflation was 0.6% in Papua New Guinea and 4.32% in the Solomon Islands.

Top exports between countries

Papua New Guinea
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $13.3M
Animal & marine products $8.12M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $5.69M
Raw materials & minerals $1.94M
Raw agricultural goods $1.02M
Chemicals & pharma $628K
Weapons & explosives $415K
Wood & paper products $373K
Textiles & consumer goods $357K
Metals $52K
Solomon Islands
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.66M
Chemicals & pharma $62K
Machinery & equipment $29K
Metals $10K
Animal & marine products $3K
Raw agricultural goods $1K

Balance of trade

Papua New Guinea Solomon Islands
Current account balance
$4.77B
2024
-$66.2M
2024
Current account balance ranking
33/190
2024
87/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+15%
2024
-4.18%
2024
Goods imports
$4.69B
2024
$609M
2024
Goods exports
$13.4B
2024
$510M
2024
Service imports
$2.4B
2024
$248M
2024
Service exports
$75.2M
2024
$133M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
58.9%
2004
70.8%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
72.2%
2004
40.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Papua New Guinea Solomon Islands
Economic freedom 54.3 53.7
Economic freedom ranking 134/197 137/197
Property rights 45 55.8
Government integrity 30.8 42.7
Judicial effectiveness 41.1 59.1
Tax burden 70.9 71.3
Government spending 86.1 54.6
Fiscal health 65.3 83.3
Business freedom 34.2 52.3
Labor freedom 65.1 60.4
Monetary freedom 77.4 76.5
Trade freedom 80.2 43.6
Investment freedom 25 15
Financial freedom 30 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Papua New Guinea
Solomon Islands
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Papua New Guinea Solomon Islands
2026 54.3 53.7
2025 52.5 56.3
2024 49.4 55
2023 51.7 56.9
2022 54.6 56.5
2021 58.9 56.5
2020 58.4 52.9
2019 58.4 54.6
2018 55.7 57.5
2017 50.9 55
2016 53.2 47
2015 53.1 47
2014 53.9 46.2
2013 53.6 45
2012 53.8 46.2
2011 52.6 45.9
2010 53.5 42.9
2009 54.8 46
2008 - -
2007 - -
2006 - -
2005 - -
2004 - -
2003 - -
2002 - -
2001 57.2 -
2000 55.8 -
1999 56.3 -
1998 55.2 -
1997 56.7 -
1996 58.6 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/papua-new-guinea/solomon-islands | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Papua New Guinea is 54.3, ranking 134/197, 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

Papua New Guinea Solomon Islands
Services, % of GDP
41.5%
2024
46.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
37.2%
2024
23.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
17.2%
2024
29.7%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$30.7B
2024
$1.57B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,580
2024
$2,680
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.9B
2023
$688M
2023
Total reserves ranking
107/177
2023
149/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
$968M
2024
$19.9M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$198M
2024
$33M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$770M
2024
$52.9M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
19.7%
2024
1.64%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
39.9%
2009
12.7%
2012
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20%
2004
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/papua-new-guinea/solomon-islands | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2018–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1992–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.