Skip to content

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

Updated on by Georank

The Solomon Islands has a GDP of $1.75B compared to $1.87T for South Korea, ranking 183/197 and 13/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Solomon Islands has $501M in government debt (28.7% of GDP), compared to $978B (52.3% 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
2025 $1,749,572,443 $1,872,374,961,553
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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
2025 $2,086 - $36,227 -
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Solomon Islands' GDP per capita is $2,086, ranking 157/197, compared to $36,227 in South Korea, ranking 33/197. 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
$1.75B
2025
$1.87T
2025
GDP rank
183/197
2025
13/197
2025
GDP growth
3.62%
2024-2025
1.01%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$2,086
2025
$36,227
2025
GDP per capita rank
157/197
2025
33/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,675
2024
$61,051
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
183/197
2024
33/197
2024
Government debt
$501M
2025
$978B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
28.7%
2025
52.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$598
2025
$18,930
2025
Government debt per person rank
162/185
2025
34/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,986
2026
$25,661
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.76T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
1,317,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
49
2026
Income share by richest 10%
29.2%
2012
25%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2012
2.9%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
40.6%
2025
24%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.36%
2024-2025
2.12%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
2.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
0.69%
2013
2.79%
2025
Population
868694
51624449

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
2025 40.6% 28.7% 24% 52.3%
2024 39.6% 26.1% 22.5% 49.7%
2023 44.2% 22.3% 23.1% 50.5%
2022 43.5% 16.5% 26.7% 49.8%
2021 36.9% 16.1% 24.1% 48%
2020 40.4% 9.15% 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 26.7% 18.1% 18.3% 31.7%
2010 22.6% 21.6% 17.9% 28.3%
2009 22.7% 17.2% 19.5% 28.8%
2008 24.3% 26.1% 19.1% 25.9%
2007 21.1% 29.5% 18.8% 26.3%
2006 17.4% 36.9% 18.7% 27%
2005 14.7% 38.5% 18.2% 24.9%
2004 12.5% 49.4% 18.5% 21.6%
2003 12.6% 51.8% 17.9% 19.1%
2002 14.1% 55.5% 15.9% 16.4%
2001 15.3% 44.6% 16.9% 16.6%
2000 15.8% 37.4% 16% 16.1%
1999 15.8% 35.4% 16.1% 15.8%
1998 13.1% 33.3% 16% 13.8%
1997 16.3% 21.9% 13.9% 9.69%
1996 20.4% - 14% 7.81%
1995 20.8% - 13.5% 8.48%
1994 25.5% - 15.4% 9.63%
1993 28.1% - 15.1% 10.9%
1992 29.6% - 15.5% 11.6%
1991 33.2% - 15.4% 11.9%
1990 25.4% - 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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, the Solomon Islands' government spending was $711M, accounting for 40.6% of its GDP, while South Korea spent $449B, or 24% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 28.7% in the Solomon Islands and 52.3% in South Korea, ranking 158/185 and 98/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Solomon Islands

South Korea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Solomon Islands South Korea
2025 -3.24% -1.43%
2024 -2.09% -0.78%
2023 -4.13% -0.67%
2022 -2.7% -1.49%
2021 -1.82% -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 6.14% 1.72%
2010 5.67% 1.61%
2009 2.15% 0.24%
2008 1.75% 1.58%
2007 13.7% 2.49%
2006 11.3% 1.18%
2005 11.5% 0.95%
2004 14.5% 0.09%
2003 8.91% 1.51%
2002 -3.67% 3.23%
2001 -2.02% 2.42%
2000 -2.47% 3.91%
1999 -0.27% 1.15%
1998 4.25% 1.09%
1997 1.8% 2.31%
1996 3.15% 2.3%
1995 2.69% 2.16%
1994 3.65% 2.06%
1993 2.07% 3.21%
1992 3.48% 2.42%
1991 0.12% 1.94%
1990 0.49% 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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1953–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, the Solomon Islands' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $56.6M, equivalent to 3.24% of GDP. This compares to South Korea's deficit of $26.8B, or 1.43% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, the Solomon Islands recorded a fiscal deficit in 13 of those years, while South Korea ran a deficit in 6 years. On average, the Solomon Islands posted an annual surplus equal to 2.16% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.28% of GDP for South Korea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Solomon Islands

South Korea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Solomon Islands South Korea
2025 3.36% 2.12%
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 (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, the Solomon Islands has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.95%, compared with 2.67% in South Korea. In 2025, inflation was 3.36% in the Solomon Islands and 2.12% in South Korea.

Top exports between countries

Solomon Islands
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $3.52M
Animal & marine products $413K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $157K
Chemicals & pharma $76K
Machinery & equipment $43K
Raw agricultural goods $29K
Metals $10K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K
South Korea
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $4.22M
Machinery & equipment $2.45M
Metals $468K
Animal & marine products $422K
Textiles & consumer goods $286K
Chemicals & pharma $268K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $210K
Weapons & explosives $91K
Wood & paper products $20K

Balance of trade

Solomon Islands South Korea
Current account balance
-$66.2M
2024
$123B
2025
Current account balance ranking
78/190
2024
4/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.18%
2024
+6.57%
2025
Goods imports
$609M
2024
$581B
2025
Goods exports
$510M
2024
$719B
2025
Service imports
$248M
2024
$185B
2025
Service exports
$133M
2024
$150B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
70.8%
2024
40.6%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.6%
2024
45.8%
2025

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 2026-07-08).

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
57.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
23.4%
2024
34.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
29.7%
2024
1.46%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$1.7B
2025
$1.96T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,790
2025
$64,210
2025
Total reserves including gold
$686M
2024
$437B
2025
Total reserves ranking
148/177
2024
9/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$19.9M
2024
$25.4B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$33M
2024
$12.9B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$52.9M
2024
$49.7B
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
29.1%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1953–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.