Skip to content

Economy of Solomon Islands vs Zambia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Solomon Islands has a GDP of $1.58B compared to $25.3B for Zambia, ranking 182/197 and 116/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Solomon Islands has $350M in government debt (22.1% of GDP), compared to $29.1B (114.9% of GDP) in Zambia.

Solomon Islands vs Zambia GDP by year

Solomon Islands
Zambia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Solomon Islands Zambia
2024 $1,583,964,704 $25,303,185,342
2023 $1,506,124,566 $27,577,956,471
2022 $1,466,670,930 $29,163,782,140
2021 $1,558,312,104 $22,096,416,932
2020 $1,536,143,428 $18,137,764,931
2019 $1,619,150,564 $23,308,667,781
2018 $1,615,473,250 $26,311,507,274
2017 $1,469,790,526 $25,873,601,261
2016 $1,379,486,291 $20,958,412,538
2015 $1,307,908,814 $21,251,216,799
2014 $1,335,576,763 $27,141,023,558
2013 $1,285,905,958 $28,037,239,463
2012 $1,185,217,634 $25,503,060,420
2011 $1,063,898,227 $23,459,515,276
2010 $898,128,551 $20,265,559,484
2009 $805,557,289 $15,328,342,304
2008 $776,335,523 $17,910,858,638
2007 $695,291,218 $14,056,957,976
2006 $617,257,458 $12,756,858,899
2005 $552,881,357 $8,331,870,169
2004 $468,000,121 $6,221,110,219
2003 $417,666,639 $4,901,869,764
2002 $346,406,739 $4,193,850,445
2001 $409,508,553 $4,094,441,301
2000 $419,842,674 $3,600,632,111
1999 $488,024,514 $3,404,284,891
1998 $457,579,840 $3,537,741,942
1997 $526,554,006 $4,303,288,480
1996 $510,586,430 $3,597,220,962
1995 $469,443,202 $3,806,983,413
1994 $402,837,005 $3,656,806,166
1993 $300,746,361 $3,273,505,344
1992 $269,034,596 $3,182,810,841
1991 $227,540,473 $3,376,806,697
1990 $214,877,667 $3,288,381,797
1989 $172,882,411 $3,994,673,161
1988 $176,494,394 $3,728,878,149
1987 $155,128,542 $2,265,250,972
1986 $147,620,048 $1,664,413,508
1985 $165,524,943 $2,252,454,500
1984 $181,570,474 $2,719,518,933
1983 $181,220,399 $3,321,048,451
1982 $192,902,019 $3,871,117,093
1981 $193,750,541 $4,008,126,497
1980 $182,852,107 $3,884,530,854
1979 $151,276,496 $3,353,445,378
1978 $111,027,427 $2,811,032,473
1977 $93,145,283 $2,515,296,940
1976 $83,100,834 $2,742,859,263
1975 $74,620,320 $2,442,672,141
1974 $84,539,332 $2,910,981,262
1973 $55,272,109 $2,434,255,237
1972 $40,606,712 $1,872,416,680
1971 $50,056,883 $1,653,259,341
1970 - $1,788,779,285
1969 $28,606,411 $1,926,399,230
1968 $28,084,253 $1,573,739,371
1967 $25,203,524 $1,340,639,464
1966 - $1,238,999,505
1965 - $1,061,199,576
1964 - $822,639,671
1963 - $704,339,719
1962 - $679,279,729
1961 - $682,359,727
1960 - $698,739,721

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

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

GDP per capita in Solomon Islands vs Zambia by year

Solomon Islands
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zambia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Solomon Islands Zambia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,934 $2,675 $1,187 $4,215
2023 $1,883 $2,597 $1,331 $4,077
2022 $1,878 $2,496 $1,447 $3,841
2021 $2,043 $2,450 $1,127 $3,503
2020 $2,063 $2,405 $952 $3,157
2019 $2,224 $2,512 $1,259 $3,361
2018 $2,278 $2,494 $1,464 $3,442
2017 $2,144 $2,454 $1,483 $3,392
2016 $2,083 $2,421 $1,239 $3,313
2015 $2,045 $2,354 $1,296 $3,337
2014 $2,165 $2,377 $1,707 $3,441
2013 $2,161 $2,394 $1,821 $3,477
2012 $2,066 $2,320 $1,710 $3,324
2011 $1,924 $2,306 $1,625 $3,228
2010 $1,685 $2,182 $1,451 $3,098
2009 $1,555 $2,021 $1,136 $2,872
2008 $1,526 $1,989 $1,376 $2,708
2007 $1,390 $1,869 $1,119 $2,555
2006 $1,256 $1,786 $1,052 $2,378
2005 $1,144 $1,693 $711 $2,213
2004 $986 $1,556 $549 $2,068
2003 $896 $1,433 $446 $1,942
2002 $757 $1,344 $394 $1,837
2001 $912 $1,387 $397 $1,785
2000 $953 $1,503 $359 $1,709
1999 $1,134 $1,754 $350 $1,654
1998 $1,092 $1,785 $373 $1,601
1997 $1,292 $1,793 $466 $1,631
1996 $1,289 $1,830 $400 $1,585
1995 $1,220 $1,820 $433 $1,501
1994 $1,078 $1,668 $426 $1,464
1993 $829 $1,556 $391 $1,607
1992 $764 $1,505 $389 $1,505
1991 $666 $1,346 $423 $1,534
1990 $648 $1,266 $422 $1,522
1989 $538 - $526 -
1988 $567 - $504 -
1987 $515 - $315 -
1986 $506 - $238.2 -
1985 $586 - $332 -
1984 $665 - $413 -
1983 $686 - $520 -
1982 $756 - $627 -
1981 $786 - $670 -
1980 $768 - $669 -
1979 $658 - $595 -
1978 $500 - $514 -
1977 $434 - $474 -
1976 $401 - $533 -
1975 $372 - $490 -
1974 $433 - $601 -
1973 $291.3 - $518 -
1972 $219.5 - $410 -
1971 $277.1 - $372 -
1970 - - $414 -
1969 $165.9 - $459 -
1968 $166.9 - $387 -
1967 $153.5 - $341 -
1966 - - $325 -
1965 - - $287.4 -
1964 - - $230 -
1963 - - $203.2 -
1962 - - $202.3 -
1961 - - $209.7 -
1960 - - $221.6 -

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

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

The Solomon Islands' GDP per capita is $1,934, ranking 157/197, compared to $1,187 in Zambia, ranking 169/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Solomon Islands ranks 183rd at $2,675, while Zambia ranks 166th at $4,215.

Economic indicators

Solomon Islands Zambia
Gross domestic product
$1.58B
2024
$25.3B
2024
GDP rank
182/197
2024
116/197
2024
GDP growth
3%
2023-2024
3.82%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,934
2024
$1,187
2024
GDP per capita rank
157/197
2024
169/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,675
2024
$4,215
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
183/197
2024
166/197
2024
Government debt
$350M
2024
$29.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
22.1%
2024
114.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$427
2024
$1,365
2024
Government debt per person rank
169/185
2024
134/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,776
2026
$1,349
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$7.77B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
29.2%
2012
39.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2012
1.5%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
35.8%
2024
25.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.32%
2023-2024
15%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
14.3%
2025
Unemployment rate
0.69%
2013
5.86%
2023
Population
863951
22697916

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Solomon Islands
Spending

Debt
Zambia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Solomon Islands Zambia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 35.8% 22.1% 25.5% 114.9%
2023 40.1% 20.3% 27.4% 129.1%
2022 40.8% 15.5% 28.2% 99.5%
2021 37.8% 15.9% 30.5% 111%
2020 40.4% 12.8% 34% 140%
2019 35.6% 7.82% 29.8% 103.3%
2018 34.8% 7.95% 27.7% 81.2%
2017 40.4% 8.77% 25% 66.6%
2016 39.6% 7.54% 23.9% 61.2%
2015 41.5% 7.88% 27.6% 61.9%
2014 39.8% 10.1% 24.3% 33.9%
2013 41.8% 11.6% 24% 25.9%
2012 29.4% 13.3% 21.9% 24.9%
2011 27% 18.3% 19.5% 20.8%
2010 23.9% 22.9% 18.1% 18.9%
2009 24.8% 18.9% 17.8% 20.5%
2008 27% 28.9% 19.5% 19.2%
2007 23.7% 33% 19.9% 21.9%
2006 19.9% 42.3% 19.7% 25%
2005 17% 44.7% 22.5% 75.7%
2004 14.7% 58.2% 23.3% 129.9%
2003 14.9% 61.3% 27.3% 159.5%
2002 16.7% 65.7% 27.6% 180.2%
2001 18.1% 52.8% 28% 210.2%
2000 18.7% 44.3% 21.4% 261%
1999 18.7% 42% - -
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/zambia | CC BY

In 2024, the Solomon Islands' government spending was $567M, accounting for 35.8% of its GDP, while Zambia spent $6.45B, or 25.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 22.1% in the Solomon Islands and 114.9% in Zambia, ranking 173/185 and 13/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Solomon Islands

Zambia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Solomon Islands Zambia
2024 -3.08% -3.32%
2023 -3.81% -5.48%
2022 -2.51% -7.82%
2021 -1.86% -8.13%
2020 -2.44% -13.8%
2019 -1.52% -9.41%
2018 1.49% -8.31%
2017 -2.27% -7.5%
2016 -3.56% -5.69%
2015 0.81% -8.88%
2014 2.13% -5.43%
2013 3.57% -6.4%
2012 4.63% -3.16%
2011 6.22% -1.78%
2010 6.02% -2.43%
2009 2.35% -2.06%
2008 1.94% -0.67%
2007 15.3% -1.04%
2006 13% 16.9%
2005 13.4% -2.37%
2004 17% -2.51%
2003 10.6% -5.31%
2002 -4.35% -4.5%
2001 -2.4% -5.89%
2000 -2.93% 1.16%
1999 -0.32% -
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/zambia | 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 Zambia's deficit of $840M, or 3.32% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, the Solomon Islands recorded a fiscal deficit in 11 of those years, while Zambia ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, the Solomon Islands posted an annual surplus equal to 2.71% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.15% of GDP for Zambia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Solomon Islands

Zambia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Solomon Islands Zambia
2024 4.32% 15%
2023 5.89% 10.9%
2022 5.52% 11%
2021 -0.12% 22%
2020 2.96% 15.7%
2019 1.63% 9.2%
2018 3.46% 7.5%
2017 0.49% 6.6%
2016 0.51% 17.9%
2015 -0.57% 10.1%
2014 5.17% 7.8%
2013 5.39% 7%
2012 5.91% 6.6%
2011 7.34% 8.7%
2010 1.05% 8.5%
2009 7.09% 13.4%
2008 17.3% 12.4%
2007 7.67% 10.7%
2006 11.2% 9%
2005 7.33% 18.3%
2004 6.99% 18%
2003 8.27% 21.4%
2002 10.9% 22.2%
2001 6.93% 21.4%
2000 7.89% 24.1%
1999 8.02% 23.9%
1998 12.4% 22.7%
1997 8.08% 21.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, the Solomon Islands has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.04%, compared with 14.4% in Zambia. In 2024, inflation was 4.32% in the Solomon Islands and 15% in Zambia.

Balance of trade

Solomon Islands Zambia
Current account balance
-$66.2M
2024
-$487M
2024
Current account balance ranking
87/190
2024
106/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.18%
2024
-1.93%
2024
Goods imports
$609M
2024
$10.1B
2024
Goods exports
$510M
2024
$11.4B
2024
Service imports
$248M
2024
$1.94B
2024
Service exports
$133M
2024
$1.38B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
70.8%
2024
27.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.6%
2024
35%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Solomon Islands Zambia
Economic freedom 53.7 51.9
Economic freedom ranking 137/197 152/197
Property rights 55.8 43.9
Government integrity 42.7 39.3
Judicial effectiveness 59.1 45
Tax burden 71.3 74.3
Government spending 54.6 78.1
Fiscal health 83.3 30.9
Business freedom 52.3 53.4
Labor freedom 60.4 48.8
Monetary freedom 76.5 66.6
Trade freedom 43.6 62.8
Investment freedom 15 40
Financial freedom 30 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Solomon Islands
Zambia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Solomon Islands Zambia
2026 53.7 51.9
2025 56.3 50.9
2024 55 48.4
2023 56.9 47.8
2022 56.5 48.7
2021 56.5 50.4
2020 52.9 53.5
2019 54.6 53.6
2018 57.5 54.3
2017 55 55.8
2016 47 58.8
2015 47 58.7
2014 46.2 60.4
2013 45 58.7
2012 46.2 58.3
2011 45.9 59.7
2010 42.9 58
2009 46 56.6
2008 - 56.2
2007 - 56.2
2006 - 56.8
2005 - 55
2004 - 54.9
2003 - 55.3
2002 - 59.6
2001 - 59.5
2000 - 62.8
1999 - 64.2
1998 - 62.7
1997 - 62.1
1996 - 59.6
1995 - 55.1

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Solomon Islands is 53.7, ranking 137/197, compared to 51.9 for Zambia, ranking 152/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Solomon Islands Zambia
Services, % of GDP
46.9%
2024
57.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
23.4%
2024
35.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
29.7%
2024
2.83%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.57B
2024
$25.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,680
2024
$3,850
2024
Total reserves including gold
$688M
2023
$4.09B
2024
Total reserves ranking
149/177
2023
106/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$19.9M
2024
-$1.32B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$33M
2024
$2.36B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$52.9M
2024
$311M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.64%
2024
16.9%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.7%
2012
60%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19.5%
2024
23.8%
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/zambia | 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 (1995–2026, 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)

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.