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Economy of Solomon Islands vs United Arab Emirates compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

The Solomon Islands has a GDP of $1.75B compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 183/197 and 31/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Solomon Islands has $501M in government debt (28.7% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.3% of GDP) in the United Arab Emirates.

Solomon Islands vs United Arab Emirates GDP by year

Solomon Islands
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year GDP, current $
Solomon Islands UAE
2025 $1,749,572,443 -
2024 $1,583,964,704 $552,324,919,096
2023 $1,506,124,566 $522,622,268,401
2022 $1,466,670,930 $511,403,404,642
2021 $1,558,312,104 $422,441,282,436
2020 $1,536,143,428 $357,161,776,271
2019 $1,619,150,564 $433,926,218,686
2018 $1,615,473,250 $440,560,003,161
2017 $1,469,790,526 $403,365,056,079
2016 $1,379,486,291 $381,717,208,621
2015 $1,307,908,814 $381,973,135,513
2014 $1,335,576,763 $424,935,834,104
2013 $1,285,905,958 $409,632,574,703
2012 $1,185,217,634 $392,793,559,051
2011 $1,063,898,227 $368,881,033,963
2010 $898,128,551 $307,736,348,527
2009 $805,557,289 $253,547,358,747
2008 $776,335,523 $315,474,615,741
2007 $695,291,218 $257,916,148,767
2006 $617,257,458 $222,116,532,963
2005 $552,881,357 $180,617,467,954
2004 $468,000,121 $147,824,249,958
2003 $417,666,639 $124,346,476,180
2002 $346,406,739 $109,816,091,079
2001 $409,508,553 $103,311,631,797
2000 $419,842,674 $104,337,463,730
1999 $488,024,514 $84,445,399,335
1998 $457,579,840 $75,674,384,205
1997 $526,554,006 $78,838,886,862
1996 $510,586,430 $73,571,217,377
1995 $469,443,202 $65,743,604,966
1994 $402,837,005 $59,305,111,228
1993 $300,746,361 $55,625,269,485
1992 $269,034,596 $54,239,188,746
1991 $227,540,473 $51,552,058,250
1990 $214,877,667 $50,701,374,187
1989 $172,882,411 $41,464,966,302
1988 $176,494,394 $36,275,613,877
1987 $155,128,542 $36,384,802,310
1986 $147,620,048 $33,943,568,481
1985 $165,524,943 $40,603,631,079
1984 $181,570,474 $41,807,931,453
1983 $181,220,399 $42,803,373,390
1982 $192,902,019 $46,622,715,281
1981 $193,750,541 $49,333,471,895
1980 $182,852,107 $43,599,134,193
1979 $151,276,496 $31,225,557,022
1978 $111,027,427 $23,775,718,541
1977 $93,145,283 $24,871,660,292
1976 $83,100,834 $19,213,212,475
1975 $74,620,320 $14,720,729,969
1974 $84,539,332 $11,651,505,689
1973 $55,272,109 $4,231,243,616
1972 $40,606,712 $1,415,086,929
1971 $50,056,883 $939,893,600
1970 - $685,986,701
1969 $28,606,411 -
1968 $28,084,253 -
1967 $25,203,524 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1967–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/solomon-islands/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

GDP per capita in Solomon Islands vs United Arab Emirates by year

Solomon Islands
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Arab Emirates
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Solomon Islands UAE
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $2,086 - - -
2024 $1,934 $2,675 $50,274 $79,229
2023 $1,883 $2,597 $49,851 $77,955
2022 $1,878 $2,496 $50,760 $75,072
2021 $2,043 $2,450 $44,118 $68,580
2020 $2,063 $2,405 $37,992 $66,791
2019 $2,224 $2,512 $45,939 $79,816
2018 $2,278 $2,494 $47,135 $77,446
2017 $2,144 $2,454 $43,734 $70,282
2016 $2,083 $2,421 $42,721 $69,987
2015 $2,045 $2,354 $44,910 $73,986
2014 $2,165 $2,377 $52,725 $87,478
2013 $2,161 $2,394 $53,247 $87,526
2012 $2,066 $2,320 $53,142 $89,198
2011 $1,924 $2,306 $51,922 $89,665
2010 $1,685 $2,182 $44,795 $85,120
2009 $1,555 $2,021 $37,803 $84,780
2008 $1,526 $1,989 $50,054 $94,628
2007 $1,390 $1,869 $45,855 $100,813
2006 $1,256 $1,786 $44,343 $106,814
2005 $1,144 $1,693 $38,719 $101,301
2004 $986 $1,556 $33,377 $98,661
2003 $896 $1,433 $29,660 $92,636
2002 $757 $1,344 $27,754 $88,467
2001 $912 $1,387 $27,745 $90,370
2000 $953 $1,503 $29,866 $92,899
1999 $1,134 $1,754 $25,856 $87,658
1998 $1,092 $1,785 $24,889 $90,229
1997 $1,292 $1,793 $27,983 $96,009
1996 $1,289 $1,830 $28,323 $94,620
1995 $1,220 $1,820 $27,003 $93,702
1994 $1,078 $1,668 $25,473 $89,959
1993 $829 $1,556 $25,033 $86,330
1992 $764 $1,505 $25,648 $87,509
1991 $666 $1,346 $25,691 $87,250
1990 $648 $1,266 $26,710 $88,455
1989 $538 - $23,167 -
1988 $567 - $21,570 -
1987 $515 - $23,113 -
1986 $506 - $23,132 -
1985 $586 - $29,468 -
1984 $665 - $32,012 -
1983 $686 - $34,650 -
1982 $756 - $39,972 -
1981 $786 - $44,855 -
1980 $768 - $42,925 -
1979 $658 - $34,238 -
1978 $500 - $29,379 -
1977 $434 - $35,020 -
1976 $401 - $31,197 -
1975 $372 - $27,117 -
1974 $433 - $23,823 -
1973 $291.3 - $9,696 -
1972 $219.5 - $3,675 -
1971 $277.1 - $2,805 -
1970 - - $2,394 -
1969 $165.9 - - -
1968 $166.9 - - -
1967 $153.5 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1967–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/solomon-islands/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

The Solomon Islands' GDP per capita is $2,086, ranking 157/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 25/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Solomon Islands ranks 183rd at $2,675, while the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229.

Economic indicators

Solomon Islands UAE
Gross domestic product
$1.75B
2025
$552B
2024
GDP rank
183/197
2025
31/197
2024
GDP growth
3.62%
2024-2025
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,086
2025
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
157/197
2025
25/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,675
2024
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
183/197
2024
16/197
2024
Government debt
$501M
2025
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
28.7%
2025
34.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$598
2025
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
162/185
2025
37/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,986
2026
$40,096
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.11T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
183,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
29.2%
2012
20.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2012
2.8%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
40.6%
2025
22.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.36%
2024-2025
1.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
0.69%
2013
1.88%
2024
Population
868694
11885001

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Solomon Islands
Spending

Debt
United Arab Emirates
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Solomon Islands UAE
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 40.6% 28.7% 22.6% 34.3%
2024 39.6% 26.1% 21.4% 34.9%
2023 44.2% 22.3% 22.7% 31.9%
2022 43.5% 16.5% 22.7% 31.5%
2021 36.9% 16.1% 25.9% 35.7%
2020 40.4% 9.15% 30.5% 30.1%
2019 35.6% 7.82% 27.4% 25.8%
2018 34.8% 7.95% 25.9% 20.7%
2017 40.4% 8.77% 27.2% 21.2%
2016 39.6% 7.54% 31.7% 18.6%
2015 41.5% 7.88% 26.4% 15.6%
2014 39.8% 10.1% 31.4% 13.5%
2013 41.8% 11.6% 28.9% 15.3%
2012 29.4% 13.3% 27.8% 20.2%
2011 26.7% 18.1% 29.6% 20.4%
2010 22.6% 21.6% 30.4% 18.3%
2009 22.7% 17.2% 35% 21.1%
2008 24.3% 26.1% 22% 8.95%
2007 21.1% 29.5% 17.7% 8.89%
2006 17.4% 36.9% 15.6% 5.05%
2005 14.7% 38.5% 15.7% 4.48%
2004 12.5% 49.4% 17.7% 4.08%
2003 12.6% 51.8% 20% 3.33%
2002 14.1% 55.5% 21.3% 3.43%
2001 15.3% 44.6% 25.2% 2.69%
2000 15.8% 37.4% 21.8% 3.12%
1999 15.8% 35.4% 24.3% 4.73%
1998 13.1% 33.3% 25.8% 4.18%
1997 16.3% 21.9% 22.6% 2.86%
1996 20.4% - 27.6% 3.48%
1995 20.8% - 26.1% 5.06%
1994 25.5% - 30.1% 5.58%
1993 28.1% - 31.5% 6.01%
1992 29.6% - 29.6% 5.31%
1991 33.2% - 36% 4.97%
1990 25.4% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/solomon-islands/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

In 2025, the Solomon Islands' government spending was $711M, accounting for 40.6% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 22.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 28.7% in the Solomon Islands and 34.3% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 158/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Solomon Islands

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Solomon Islands UAE
2025 -3.24% 5.15%
2024 -2.09% 6.41%
2023 -4.13% 5.82%
2022 -2.7% 9.8%
2021 -1.82% 3.96%
2020 -2.44% -2.42%
2019 -1.52% 2.5%
2018 1.49% 3.65%
2017 -2.27% -0.16%
2016 -3.56% -2.95%
2015 0.81% -6.35%
2014 2.13% 1.74%
2013 3.57% 7.99%
2012 4.63% 8.59%
2011 6.14% 5.05%
2010 5.67% 0.52%
2009 2.15% -6.13%
2008 1.75% 17.6%
2007 13.7% 17.1%
2006 11.3% 20.2%
2005 11.5% 16%
2004 14.5% 6.4%
2003 8.91% 2.35%
2002 -3.67% -1.24%
2001 -2.02% 1.21%
2000 -2.47% 10.7%
1999 -0.27% 1.31%
1998 4.25% 1%
1997 1.8% 6.71%
1996 3.15% 0.92%
1995 2.69% 3.58%
1994 3.65% -1.78%
1993 2.07% -2.89%
1992 3.48% 3.34%
1991 0.12% 3.89%
1990 0.49% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/solomon-islands/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

In 2024, the Solomon Islands' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $33.1M, equivalent to 2.09% of GDP. This compares to the United Arab Emirates' surplus of $35.4B, or 6.41% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, the Solomon Islands recorded a fiscal deficit in 12 of those years, while the United Arab Emirates ran a deficit in 8 years. On average, the Solomon Islands posted an annual surplus equal to 2.37% of GDP, compared to surplus of 4.25% of GDP for the United Arab Emirates.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Solomon Islands

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Solomon Islands UAE
2025 3.36% 1.3%
2024 4.32% 1.7%
2023 5.89% 1.6%
2022 5.52% 4.8%
2021 -0.12% -0.1%
2020 2.96% -2.1%
2019 1.63% -1.9%
2018 3.46% 3.1%
2017 0.49% 2%
2016 0.51% 1.6%
2015 -0.57% 4.1%
2014 5.17% 2.3%
2013 5.39% 1.1%
2012 5.91% 0.7%
2011 7.34% 0.9%
2010 1.05% 0.9%
2009 7.09% -4.7%
2008 17.3% 12.3%
2007 7.67% 11.1%
2006 11.2% 9.3%
2005 7.33% 6.2%
2004 6.99% 5%
2003 8.27% 3.1%
2002 10.9% 2.9%
2001 6.93% 2.8%
2000 7.89% 1.3%
1999 8.02% 2.1%
1998 12.4% 2%
1997 8.08% 3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/solomon-islands/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, the Solomon Islands has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.95%, compared with 2.7% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2025, inflation was 3.36% in the Solomon Islands and 1.3% in the United Arab Emirates.

Top exports between countries

Solomon Islands
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $152K
UAE
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $1.58M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $541K
Machinery & equipment $104K
Raw agricultural goods $81K
Chemicals & pharma $49K
Raw materials & minerals $34K
Wood & paper products $20K
Precious metals & jewellery $5K
Metals $1K

Balance of trade

Solomon Islands UAE
Current account balance
-$66.2M
2024
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
78/190
2024
9/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.18%
2024
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$609M
2024
$400B
2024
Goods exports
$510M
2024
$467B
2024
Service imports
$248M
2024
$117B
2024
Service exports
$133M
2024
$181B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
70.8%
2024
92.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.6%
2024
106.8%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Solomon Islands UAE
Economic freedom 53.7 71.9
Economic freedom ranking 137/197 29/197
Property rights 55.8 62.9
Government integrity 42.7 65.3
Judicial effectiveness 59.1 34.4
Tax burden 71.3 99.9
Government spending 54.6 85.1
Fiscal health 83.3 97.6
Business freedom 52.3 84.5
Labor freedom 60.4 63.2
Monetary freedom 76.5 81.2
Trade freedom 43.6 78.6
Investment freedom 15 50
Financial freedom 30 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Solomon Islands
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Solomon Islands UAE
2026 53.7 71.9
2025 56.3 71.6
2024 55 71.1
2023 56.9 70.9
2022 56.5 70.2
2021 56.5 76.9
2020 52.9 76.2
2019 54.6 77.6
2018 57.5 77.6
2017 55 76.9
2016 47 72.6
2015 47 72.4
2014 46.2 71.4
2013 45 71.1
2012 46.2 69.3
2011 45.9 67.8
2010 42.9 67.3
2009 46 64.7
2008 - 62.6
2007 - 62.6
2006 - 62.2
2005 - 65.2
2004 - 67.2
2003 - 73.4
2002 - 73.6
2001 - 74.9
2000 - 74.2
1999 - 71.5
1998 - 72.2
1997 - 71.9
1996 - 71.6

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/solomon-islands/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the Solomon Islands is 53.7, ranking 137/197, compared to 71.9 for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 29/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Solomon Islands UAE
Services, % of GDP
46.9%
2024
54.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
23.4%
2024
44.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
29.7%
2024
0.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.7B
2025
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,790
2025
$81,640
2024
Total reserves including gold
$686M
2024
$292B
2025
Total reserves ranking
148/177
2024
14/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$19.9M
2024
$31.5B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$33M
2024
$45.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$52.9M
2024
$77.2B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.64%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.7%
2012
19.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19.5%
2024
26.6%
2023

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/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1967–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–1998, 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.