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Economy of Solomon Islands vs Tonga compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Solomon Islands has a GDP of $1.58B compared to $591M for Tonga, ranking 182/197 and 191/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Solomon Islands has $350M in government debt (22.1% of GDP), compared to $256M (37% of GDP) in Tonga.

Solomon Islands vs Tonga GDP by year

Solomon Islands
Tonga
1x
Year GDP, current $
Solomon Islands Tonga
2024 $1,583,964,704 -
2023 $1,506,124,566 $591,139,749
2022 $1,466,670,930 $556,514,555
2021 $1,558,312,104 $519,306,353
2020 $1,536,143,428 $506,571,468
2019 $1,619,150,564 $506,031,239
2018 $1,615,473,250 $493,530,783
2017 $1,469,790,526 $459,976,850
2016 $1,379,486,291 $420,828,262
2015 $1,307,908,814 $437,525,514
2014 $1,335,576,763 $440,997,738
2013 $1,285,905,958 $451,788,498
2012 $1,185,217,634 $471,122,971
2011 $1,063,898,227 $414,143,828
2010 $898,128,551 $366,887,375
2009 $805,557,289 $312,415,028
2008 $776,335,523 $344,438,844
2007 $695,291,218 $298,519,623
2006 $617,257,458 $292,232,703
2005 $552,881,357 $261,823,805
2004 $468,000,121 $230,678,011
2003 $417,666,639 $202,246,591
2002 $346,406,739 $182,764,281
2001 $409,508,553 $181,117,230
2000 $419,842,674 $204,848,488
1999 $488,024,514 $199,208,718
1998 $457,579,840 $191,504,893
1997 $526,554,006 $214,991,452
1996 $510,586,430 $222,100,576
1995 $469,443,202 $208,871,666
1994 $402,837,005 $195,990,986
1993 $300,746,361 $138,489,884
1992 $269,034,596 $137,066,291
1991 $227,540,473 $132,201,141
1990 $214,877,667 $113,563,822
1989 $172,882,411 $106,344,855
1988 $176,494,394 $106,657,267
1987 $155,128,542 $81,667,133
1986 $147,620,048 $68,195,856
1985 $165,524,943 $60,058,663
1984 $181,570,474 $64,248,355
1983 $181,220,399 $60,863,964
1982 $192,902,019 $62,068,161
1981 $193,750,541 $62,242,013
1980 $182,852,107 $53,260,077
1979 $151,276,496 $44,667,002
1978 $111,027,427 $41,567,472
1977 $93,145,283 $34,139,388
1976 $83,100,834 $30,036,417
1975 $74,620,320 $32,506,742
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/solomon-islands/tonga | CC BY

GDP per capita in Solomon Islands vs Tonga by year

Solomon Islands
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tonga
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Solomon Islands Tonga
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,934 $2,675 - -
2023 $1,883 $2,597 $5,652 $7,803
2022 $1,878 $2,496 $5,298 $7,296
2021 $2,043 $2,450 $4,923 $6,929
2020 $2,063 $2,405 $4,792 $6,676
2019 $2,224 $2,512 $4,789 $6,473
2018 $2,278 $2,494 $4,675 $6,393
2017 $2,144 $2,454 $4,366 $6,229
2016 $2,083 $2,421 $3,988 $5,920
2015 $2,045 $2,354 $4,124 $5,472
2014 $2,165 $2,377 $4,137 $5,336
2013 $2,161 $2,394 $4,219 $5,120
2012 $2,066 $2,320 $4,384 $4,996
2011 $1,924 $2,306 $3,850 $4,855
2010 $1,685 $2,182 $3,416 $4,465
2009 $1,555 $2,021 $2,914 $4,384
2008 $1,526 $1,989 $3,218 $4,600
2007 $1,390 $1,869 $2,797 $4,316
2006 $1,256 $1,786 $2,750 $4,327
2005 $1,144 $1,693 $2,478 $4,315
2004 $986 $1,556 $2,195 $4,235
2003 $896 $1,433 $1,936 $4,231
2002 $757 $1,344 $1,759 $4,171
2001 $912 $1,387 $1,754 $3,955
2000 $953 $1,503 $1,995 $3,834
1999 $1,134 $1,754 $1,952 $3,636
1998 $1,092 $1,785 $1,889 $3,527
1997 $1,292 $1,793 $2,136 $3,434
1996 $1,289 $1,830 $2,215 $3,410
1995 $1,220 $1,820 $2,084 $3,347
1994 $1,078 $1,668 $1,957 $3,088
1993 $829 $1,556 $1,383 $2,882
1992 $764 $1,505 $1,370 $2,716
1991 $666 $1,346 $1,323 $2,652
1990 $648 $1,266 $1,139 $2,416
1989 $538 - $1,070 -
1988 $567 - $1,078 -
1987 $515 - $830 -
1986 $506 - $696 -
1985 $586 - $613 -
1984 $665 - $656 -
1983 $686 - $621 -
1982 $756 - $633 -
1981 $786 - $636 -
1980 $768 - $545 -
1979 $658 - $458 -
1978 $500 - $428 -
1977 $434 - $353 -
1976 $401 - $315 -
1975 $372 - $349 -
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/solomon-islands/tonga | CC BY

The Solomon Islands' GDP per capita is $1,934, ranking 157/197, compared to $5,652 in Tonga, ranking 115/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Solomon Islands ranks 183rd at $2,675, while Tonga ranks 144th at $7,803.

Economic indicators

Solomon Islands Tonga
Gross domestic product
$1.58B
2024
$591M
2023
GDP rank
182/197
2024
191/197
2023
GDP growth
3%
2023-2024
2.79%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$1,934
2024
$5,652
2023
GDP per capita rank
157/197
2024
115/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,675
2024
$7,803
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
183/197
2024
144/197
2023
Government debt
$350M
2024
$256M
2023
Debt-to-GDP ratio
22.1%
2024
37%
2024
Government debt per person
$427
2024
$2,445
2023
Government debt per person rank
169/185
2024
111/185
2023
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,776
2026
$3,886
2026
Income share by richest 10%
29.2%
2012
22%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2012
4%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
35.8%
2024
51.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.32%
2023-2024
3.18%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
0.69%
2013
1.65%
2023
Population
863951
103309

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Solomon Islands
Spending

Debt
Tonga
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Solomon Islands Tonga
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 35.8% 22.1% 51.3% 37%
2023 40.1% 20.3% 48.2% 43.3%
2022 40.8% 15.5% 44.4% 43.2%
2021 37.8% 15.9% 44.6% 43%
2020 40.4% 12.8% 37.9% 42.6%
2019 35.6% 7.82% 39.9% 42.8%
2018 34.8% 7.95% 39.6% 45.8%
2017 40.4% 8.77% 39.7% 44.7%
2016 39.6% 7.54% 37.2% 49.4%
2015 41.5% 7.88% 37.4% 51.1%
2014 39.8% 10.1% 31.5% 47.4%
2013 41.8% 11.6% 34.3% 48.9%
2012 29.4% 13.3% 32% 60%
2011 27% 18.3% 32.6% 51.9%
2010 23.9% 22.9% 28.4% 44.7%
2009 24.8% 18.9% 23.9% 39.7%
2008 27% 28.9% 24% 34%
2007 23.7% 33% 23.2% 37.8%
2006 19.9% 42.3% 25.6% 39.6%
2005 17% 44.7% 19.8% 43.3%
2004 14.7% 58.2% 19.3% 52.2%
2003 14.9% 61.3% 20% 56.2%
2002 16.7% 65.7% 21.3% 60.7%
2001 18.1% 52.8% 19.1% 53.4%
2000 18.7% 44.3% 20% 43.6%
1999 18.7% 42% 18.8% 38.4%
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/solomon-islands/tonga | CC BY

In 2024, the Solomon Islands' government spending was $567M, accounting for 35.8% of its GDP, while Tonga spent $285M, or 51.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 22.1% in the Solomon Islands and 37% in Tonga, ranking 173/185 and 142/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Solomon Islands

Tonga
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Solomon Islands Tonga
2024 -3.08% 4.17%
2023 -3.81% 6.14%
2022 -2.51% -0.1%
2021 -1.86% -0.87%
2020 -2.44% 5.25%
2019 -1.52% 3.28%
2018 1.49% 2.92%
2017 -2.27% 3.58%
2016 -3.56% 1.47%
2015 0.81% -2.75%
2014 2.13% 6.38%
2013 3.57% -1.3%
2012 4.63% -1.74%
2011 6.22% -6.02%
2010 6.02% -1.22%
2009 2.35% 6.85%
2008 1.94% 2.14%
2007 15.3% 5.39%
2006 13% 1.34%
2005 13.4% 4.23%
2004 17% 4.23%
2003 10.6% 2.37%
2002 -4.35% 2.59%
2001 -2.4% 2.23%
2000 -2.93% 1.35%
1999 -0.32% 1.55%
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/solomon-islands/tonga | CC BY

In 2023, the Solomon Islands' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $57.3M, equivalent to 3.81% of GDP. This compares to Tonga's surplus of $36.3M, or 6.14% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, the Solomon Islands recorded a fiscal deficit in 11 of those years, while Tonga ran a deficit in 7 years. On average, the Solomon Islands posted an annual surplus equal to 2.82% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.97% of GDP for Tonga.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Solomon Islands

Tonga
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Solomon Islands Tonga
2024 4.32% 3.18%
2023 5.89% 6.35%
2022 5.52% 11%
2021 -0.12% 5.64%
2020 2.96% -0.35%
2019 1.63% 1.18%
2018 3.46% 5.03%
2017 0.49% 7.52%
2016 0.51% 2.58%
2015 -0.57% -1.05%
2014 5.17% 2.51%
2013 5.39% 0.78%
2012 5.91% 1.15%
2011 7.34% 6.27%
2010 1.05% 3.53%
2009 7.09% 1.43%
2008 17.3% 10.4%
2007 7.67% 5.84%
2006 11.2% 6.15%
2005 7.33% 8.67%
2004 6.99% 11%
2003 8.27% 11.6%
2002 10.9% 10.4%
2001 6.93% 8.29%
2000 7.89% 6.33%
1999 8.02% 4.46%
1998 12.4% 3.27%
1997 8.08% 2.12%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, the Solomon Islands has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.04%, compared with 5.19% in Tonga. In 2024, inflation was 4.32% in the Solomon Islands and 3.18% in Tonga.

Top exports between countries

Solomon Islands
Export category Export value
Tonga
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $17K

Balance of trade

Solomon Islands Tonga
Current account balance
-$66.2M
2024
-$43.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
87/190
2024
83/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.18%
2024
-7.93%
2023
Goods imports
$609M
2024
$232M
2024
Goods exports
$510M
2024
$10.8M
2024
Service imports
$248M
2024
$161M
2024
Service exports
$133M
2024
$93.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
70.8%
2024
64.9%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.6%
2024
14.7%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Solomon Islands Tonga
Economic freedom 53.7 58.9
Economic freedom ranking 137/197 107/197
Property rights 55.8 71.1
Government integrity 42.7 45.1
Judicial effectiveness 59.1 64.9
Tax burden 71.3 85.6
Government spending 54.6 31
Fiscal health 83.3 97.3
Business freedom 52.3 59.2
Labor freedom 60.4 55.9
Monetary freedom 76.5 61
Trade freedom 43.6 75.4
Investment freedom 15 40
Financial freedom 30 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Solomon Islands
Tonga
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Solomon Islands Tonga
2026 53.7 58.9
2025 56.3 58.5
2024 55 59.2
2023 56.9 60
2022 56.5 60.8
2021 56.5 57.5
2020 52.9 58.8
2019 54.6 57.7
2018 57.5 63.1
2017 55 63
2016 47 59.6
2015 47 59.3
2014 46.2 58.2
2013 45 56
2012 46.2 57
2011 45.9 55.8
2010 42.9 53.4
2009 46 54.1

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Solomon Islands is 53.7, ranking 137/197, compared to 58.9 for Tonga, ranking 107/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Solomon Islands Tonga
Services, % of GDP
46.9%
2024
50%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
23.4%
2024
14.9%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
29.7%
2024
19%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$1.57B
2024
$619M
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,680
2024
$8,400
2023
Total reserves including gold
$688M
2023
$377M
2024
Total reserves ranking
149/177
2023
163/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$19.9M
2024
$13.3M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$33M
2024
-$12.1M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$52.9M
2024
$1.25M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.64%
2024
2.76%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.7%
2012
20.6%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19.5%
2024
25.9%
2023

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/tonga | 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)
  7. TradeMap (2020, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.