Skip to content

Economy of Solomon Islands vs South Korea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Solomon Islands has a GDP of $1.58B compared to $1.88T for South Korea, ranking 182/197 and 12/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Solomon Islands has $350M in government debt (22.1% of GDP), compared to $934B (49.8% of GDP) in South Korea.

Solomon Islands vs South Korea GDP by year

Solomon Islands
South Korea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Solomon Islands South Korea
2024 $1,583,964,704 $1,875,388,209,407
2023 $1,506,124,566 $1,844,800,934,392
2022 $1,466,670,930 $1,799,363,116,867
2021 $1,558,312,104 $1,942,313,560,966
2020 $1,536,143,428 $1,744,070,276,373
2019 $1,619,150,564 $1,751,045,752,055
2018 $1,615,473,250 $1,824,251,454,307
2017 $1,469,790,526 $1,710,196,756,713
2016 $1,379,486,291 $1,579,150,518,945
2015 $1,307,908,814 $1,539,212,301,136
2014 $1,335,576,763 $1,556,252,422,020
2013 $1,285,905,958 $1,434,669,686,502
2012 $1,185,217,634 $1,335,343,586,438
2011 $1,063,898,227 $1,307,103,477,219
2010 $898,128,551 $1,192,830,015,738
2009 $805,557,289 $983,065,242,417
2008 $776,335,523 $1,091,580,692,542
2007 $695,291,218 $1,220,911,904,593
2006 $617,257,458 $1,095,175,538,508
2005 $552,881,357 $971,740,329,984
2004 $468,000,121 $823,251,107,639
2003 $417,666,639 $728,516,494,684
2002 $346,406,739 $650,014,391,470
2001 $409,508,553 $567,564,806,235
2000 $419,842,674 $597,487,173,479
1999 $488,024,514 $515,697,079,289
1998 $457,579,840 $397,297,216,492
1997 $526,554,006 $589,202,526,424
1996 $510,586,430 $631,196,863,758
1995 $469,443,202 $586,286,469,401
1994 $402,837,005 $479,181,794,217
1993 $300,746,361 $405,705,302,846
1992 $269,034,596 $366,921,291,825
1991 $227,540,473 $340,851,946,804
1990 $214,877,667 $292,064,221,389
1989 $172,882,411 $254,236,243,100
1988 $176,494,394 $205,477,530,605
1987 $155,128,542 $152,240,393,646
1986 $147,620,048 $119,965,960,795
1985 $165,524,943 $103,764,281,281
1984 $181,570,474 $99,749,645,089
1983 $181,220,399 $89,621,208,322
1982 $192,902,019 $79,921,300,447
1981 $193,750,541 $74,287,368,087
1980 $182,852,107 $66,547,970,351
1979 $151,276,496 $68,083,884,298
1978 $111,027,427 $52,824,793,388
1977 $93,145,283 $39,064,462,810
1976 $83,100,834 $30,371,074,380
1975 $74,620,320 $22,126,033,058
1974 $84,539,332 $19,860,929,977
1973 $55,272,109 $14,067,523,813
1972 $40,606,712 $10,990,490,570
1971 $50,056,883 $10,005,257,131
1970 - $9,085,001,794
1969 $28,606,411 $7,743,940,189
1968 $28,084,253 $6,167,109,472
1967 $25,203,524 $4,895,076,718
1966 - $3,957,064,541
1965 - $3,141,131,708
1964 - $3,476,789,682
1963 - $4,007,692,308
1962 - $2,826,923,077
1961 - $2,427,244,761
1960 - $3,973,069,307

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

GeoRank.org/economy/solomon-islands/south-korea | CC BY

GDP per capita in Solomon Islands vs South Korea by year

Solomon Islands
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Korea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Solomon Islands South Korea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,934 $2,675 $36,239 $61,051
2023 $1,883 $2,597 $35,674 $57,430
2022 $1,878 $2,496 $34,822 $55,509
2021 $2,043 $2,450 $37,518 $51,718
2020 $2,063 $2,405 $33,646 $47,881
2019 $2,224 $2,512 $33,827 $46,511
2018 $2,278 $2,494 $35,364 $45,511
2017 $2,144 $2,454 $33,297 $43,156
2016 $2,083 $2,421 $30,832 $41,673
2015 $2,045 $2,354 $30,172 $39,794
2014 $2,165 $2,377 $30,667 $37,032
2013 $2,161 $2,394 $28,449 $35,844
2012 $2,066 $2,320 $26,601 $35,062
2011 $1,924 $2,306 $26,175 $33,944
2010 $1,685 $2,182 $24,071 $33,120
2009 $1,555 $2,021 $19,937 $30,740
2008 $1,526 $1,989 $22,252 $31,211
2007 $1,390 $1,869 $25,078 $30,255
2006 $1,256 $1,786 $22,610 $27,972
2005 $1,144 $1,693 $20,167 $26,179
2004 $986 $1,556 $17,122 $24,658
2003 $896 $1,433 $15,212 $22,920
2002 $757 $1,344 $13,643 $22,173
2001 $912 $1,387 $11,981 $20,442
2000 $953 $1,503 $12,710 $19,237
1999 $1,134 $1,754 $11,063 $17,421
1998 $1,092 $1,785 $8,583 $15,500
1997 $1,292 $1,793 $12,822 $16,241
1996 $1,289 $1,830 $13,865 $15,164
1995 $1,220 $1,820 $13,002 $13,921
1994 $1,078 $1,668 $10,734 $12,551
1993 $829 $1,556 $9,180 $11,349
1992 $764 $1,505 $8,387 $10,468
1991 $666 $1,346 $7,873 $9,724
1990 $648 $1,266 $6,813 $8,567
1989 $538 - $5,989 -
1988 $567 - $4,889 -
1987 $515 - $3,658 -
1986 $506 - $2,911 -
1985 $586 - $2,543 -
1984 $665 - $2,469 -
1983 $686 - $2,246 -
1982 $756 - $2,032 -
1981 $786 - $1,918 -
1980 $768 - $1,746 -
1979 $658 - $1,814 -
1978 $500 - $1,429 -
1977 $434 - $1,073 -
1976 $401 - $847 -
1975 $372 - $627 -
1974 $433 - $572 -
1973 $291.3 - $412 -
1972 $219.5 - $328 -
1971 $277.1 - $304 -
1970 - - $281.8 -
1969 $165.9 - $245.5 -
1968 $166.9 - $200 -
1967 $153.5 - $162.5 -
1966 - - $134.4 -
1965 - - $109.4 -
1964 - - $124.2 -
1963 - - $147 -
1962 - - $106.6 -
1961 - - $94.2 -
1960 - - $158.8 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/solomon-islands/south-korea | CC BY

The Solomon Islands' GDP per capita is $1,934, ranking 157/197, compared to $36,239 in South Korea, ranking 31/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Solomon Islands ranks 183rd at $2,675, while South Korea ranks 33rd at $61,051.

Economic indicators

Solomon Islands South Korea
Gross domestic product
$1.58B
2024
$1.88T
2024
GDP rank
182/197
2024
12/197
2024
GDP growth
3%
2023-2024
2%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,934
2024
$36,239
2024
GDP per capita rank
157/197
2024
31/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,675
2024
$61,051
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
183/197
2024
33/197
2024
Government debt
$350M
2024
$934B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
22.1%
2024
49.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$427
2024
$18,052
2024
Government debt per person rank
169/185
2024
33/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,776
2026
$27,215
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.56T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
1,301,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
30
2025
Income share by richest 10%
29.2%
2012
24.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2012
2.9%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
35.8%
2024
22.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.32%
2023-2024
2.32%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
2.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
0.69%
2013
2.78%
2024
Population
863951
51649918

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Solomon Islands
Spending

Debt
South Korea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Solomon Islands South Korea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 35.8% 22.1% 22.5% 49.8%
2023 40.1% 20.3% 23.1% 50.5%
2022 40.8% 15.5% 26.7% 49.8%
2021 37.8% 15.9% 24.1% 48%
2020 40.4% 12.8% 23.7% 45.9%
2019 35.6% 7.82% 21.3% 39.7%
2018 34.8% 7.95% 19.3% 37.9%
2017 40.4% 8.77% 18.6% 38%
2016 39.6% 7.54% 18.5% 39.1%
2015 41.5% 7.88% 18.8% 38.8%
2014 39.8% 10.1% 18.8% 37.9%
2013 41.8% 11.6% 19% 36%
2012 29.4% 13.3% 18.8% 33.5%
2011 27% 18.3% 18.3% 31.7%
2010 23.9% 22.9% 17.9% 28.3%
2009 24.8% 18.9% 19.5% 28.8%
2008 27% 28.9% 19.1% 25.9%
2007 23.7% 33% 18.8% 26.3%
2006 19.9% 42.3% 18.7% 27%
2005 17% 44.7% 18.2% 24.9%
2004 14.7% 58.2% 18.5% 21.6%
2003 14.9% 61.3% 17.9% 19.1%
2002 16.7% 65.7% 15.9% 16.4%
2001 18.1% 52.8% 16.9% 16.6%
2000 18.7% 44.3% 16% 16.1%
1999 18.7% 42% 16.1% 15.8%
1998 15.5% 39.5% 16% 13.8%
1997 19.3% 25.9% 13.9% 9.69%
1996 24.2% - 14% 7.81%
1995 24.7% - 13.5% 8.48%
1994 30.2% - 15.4% 9.63%
1993 33.2% - 15.1% 10.9%
1992 35.1% - 15.5% 11.6%
1991 39.4% - 15.4% 11.9%
1990 30% - 15.2% 12.8%
1989 - - 15% 12.4%
1988 - - 13.9% 12.7%
1987 - - 14.3% 15.3%
1986 - - 14.9% 14.5%
1985 - - 15.5% 16.2%
1984 - - 15.6% 16.9%
1983 - - 16% 19.3%
1982 - - 17.8% 20.5%
1981 - - 16.3% 18.8%
1980 - - 16.8% 18.6%
1979 - - 16.3% 15.7%
1978 - - 15.7% 18.4%
1977 - - 17.7% 20.1%
1976 - - 17% 20.4%
1975 - - 18.8% 21.5%
1974 - - 16.1% 18.6%
1973 - - 14.2% 17.9%
1972 - - 18.5% 18.3%
1971 - - 18.5% 14.5%
1970 - - 17.5% 6.95%
1969 - - 19.8% 2.63%
1968 - - 18.5% 2.76%
1967 - - 16.7% 3.74%
1966 - - 16% 4.44%
1965 - - 13.1% 6.14%
1964 - - 12.1% 6.57%
1963 - - 15.4% 9.21%
1962 - - 22.3% 13%
1961 - - 21.2% 13.4%
1960 - - 17.9% 13.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/solomon-islands/south-korea | CC BY

In 2024, the Solomon Islands' government spending was $567M, accounting for 35.8% of its GDP, while South Korea spent $423B, or 22.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 22.1% in the Solomon Islands and 49.8% in South Korea, ranking 173/185 and 110/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Solomon Islands

South Korea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Solomon Islands South Korea
2024 -3.08% -0.78%
2023 -3.81% -0.67%
2022 -2.51% -1.49%
2021 -1.86% -0.02%
2020 -2.44% -2.11%
2019 -1.52% 0.35%
2018 1.49% 2.42%
2017 -2.27% 2.08%
2016 -3.56% 1.56%
2015 0.81% 0.5%
2014 2.13% 0.57%
2013 3.57% 0.79%
2012 4.63% 1.63%
2011 6.22% 1.72%
2010 6.02% 1.61%
2009 2.35% 0.24%
2008 1.94% 1.58%
2007 15.3% 2.49%
2006 13% 1.18%
2005 13.4% 0.95%
2004 17% 0.09%
2003 10.6% 1.51%
2002 -4.35% 3.23%
2001 -2.4% 2.42%
2000 -2.93% 3.91%
1999 -0.32% 1.15%
1998 5.04% 1.09%
1997 2.14% 2.31%
1996 3.73% 2.3%
1995 3.19% 2.16%
1994 4.33% 2.06%
1993 2.45% 3.21%
1992 4.13% 2.42%
1991 0.14% 1.94%
1990 0.58% 2.98%
1989 - 2.27%
1988 - 2.85%
1987 - 1.7%
1986 - 0.8%
1985 - 0.47%
1984 - 0.78%
1983 - 1.05%
1982 - -0.41%
1981 - 0.99%
1980 - 0.46%
1979 - 0.47%
1978 - -0.27%
1977 - -1.81%
1976 - -0.87%
1975 - -3.68%
1974 - -2.78%
1973 - -1.72%
1972 - -4.33%
1971 - -1.3%
1970 - -0.52%
1969 - -2.85%
1968 - -2.36%
1967 - -2.87%
1966 - -4.27%
1965 - -3.43%
1964 - -4.1%
1963 - -4.32%
1962 - -7.82%
1961 - -9.48%
1960 - -5.18%
1959 - -6.52%
1958 - -10%
1957 - -10.1%
1956 - -10.8%
1955 - -10.6%
1954 - -10.3%
1953 - -4.14%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1953–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/solomon-islands/south-korea | CC BY

In 2024, the Solomon Islands' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $48.8M, equivalent to 3.08% of GDP. This compares to South Korea's deficit of $14.7B, or 0.78% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, the Solomon Islands recorded a fiscal deficit in 12 of those years, while South Korea ran a deficit in 5 years. On average, the Solomon Islands posted an annual surplus equal to 2.66% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.35% of GDP for South Korea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Solomon Islands

South Korea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Solomon Islands South Korea
2024 4.32% 2.32%
2023 5.89% 3.6%
2022 5.52% 5.09%
2021 -0.12% 2.5%
2020 2.96% 0.54%
2019 1.63% 0.38%
2018 3.46% 1.48%
2017 0.49% 1.94%
2016 0.51% 0.97%
2015 -0.57% 0.71%
2014 5.17% 1.27%
2013 5.39% 1.3%
2012 5.91% 2.19%
2011 7.34% 4.03%
2010 1.05% 2.94%
2009 7.09% 2.76%
2008 17.3% 4.67%
2007 7.67% 2.53%
2006 11.2% 2.24%
2005 7.33% 2.75%
2004 6.99% 3.59%
2003 8.27% 3.51%
2002 10.9% 2.76%
2001 6.93% 4.07%
2000 7.89% 2.26%
1999 8.02% 0.81%
1998 12.4% 7.51%
1997 8.08% 4.44%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/solomon-islands/south-korea | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Solomon Islands has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.04%, compared with 2.68% in South Korea. In 2024, inflation was 4.32% in the Solomon Islands and 2.32% in South Korea.

Top exports between countries

Solomon Islands
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $4.35M
Chemicals & pharma $43K
South Korea
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $4.33M
Raw materials & minerals $3.63M
Animal & marine products $2.85M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.98M
Chemicals & pharma $350K
Metals $316K
Weapons & explosives $91K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $69K
Wood & paper products $12K

Balance of trade

Solomon Islands South Korea
Current account balance
-$66.2M
2024
$99B
2024
Current account balance ranking
87/190
2024
7/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.18%
2024
+5.28%
2024
Goods imports
$609M
2024
$596B
2024
Goods exports
$510M
2024
$696B
2024
Service imports
$248M
2024
$163B
2024
Service exports
$133M
2024
$139B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
70.8%
2024
40.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.6%
2024
44.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Solomon Islands South Korea
Economic freedom 53.7 73.7
Economic freedom ranking 137/197 24/197
Property rights 55.8 89.6
Government integrity 42.7 70.9
Judicial effectiveness 59.1 77.5
Tax burden 71.3 61.5
Government spending 54.6 82.6
Fiscal health 83.3 93.5
Business freedom 52.3 81.5
Labor freedom 60.4 55
Monetary freedom 76.5 79.3
Trade freedom 43.6 73
Investment freedom 15 60
Financial freedom 30 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Solomon Islands
South Korea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Solomon Islands South Korea
2026 53.7 73.7
2025 56.3 74
2024 55 73.1
2023 56.9 73.7
2022 56.5 74.6
2021 56.5 74
2020 52.9 74
2019 54.6 72.3
2018 57.5 73.8
2017 55 74.3
2016 47 71.7
2015 47 71.5
2014 46.2 71.2
2013 45 70.3
2012 46.2 69.9
2011 45.9 69.8
2010 42.9 69.9
2009 46 68.1
2008 - 68.6
2007 - 67.8
2006 - 67.5
2005 - 66.4
2004 - 67.8
2003 - 68.3
2002 - 69.5
2001 - 69.1
2000 - 69.7
1999 - 69.7
1998 - 73.3
1997 - 69.8
1996 - 73
1995 - 72

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/solomon-islands/south-korea | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the Solomon Islands is 53.7, ranking 137/197, compared to 73.7 for South Korea, ranking 24/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Solomon Islands South Korea
Services, % of GDP
46.9%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
23.4%
2024
33.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
29.7%
2024
1.46%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.57B
2024
$1.9T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,680
2024
$61,930
2024
Total reserves including gold
$688M
2023
$418B
2024
Total reserves ranking
149/177
2023
8/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$19.9M
2024
$33.4B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$33M
2024
$15.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$52.9M
2024
$48.6B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.64%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.7%
2012
14.4%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19.5%
2024
30%
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/solomon-islands/south-korea | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1953–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2018–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.