2017 Edition

Background

The UK established a protectorate over the Solomon Islands in the 1890s. Some of the bitterest fighting of World War II occurred on this archipelago. Self-government was achieved in 1976 and independence two years later. Ethnic violence, government malfeasance, endemic crime, and a narrow economic base have undermined stability and civil society. In June 2003, then Prime Minister Sir Allan KEMAKEZA sought the assistance of Australia in reestablishing law and order; the following month, an Australian-led multinational force arrived to restore peace and disarm ethnic militias. The Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) has generally been effective in restoring law and order and rebuilding government institutions.

Area

28,896 sq km 27,986 sq km 910 sq km

land

27,986 sq km

total

28,896 sq km

water

910 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Maryland

Climate

tropical monsoon; few temperature and weather extremes

Coastline

5,313 km

Elevation

NA lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Popomanaseu 2,335 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point

Mount Popomanaseu 2,335 m

mean elevation

NA

Environment - current issues

deforestation; soil erosion; many of the surrounding coral reefs are dead or dying

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling none of the selected agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates

8 00 S, 159 00 E

Geography - note

strategic location on sea routes between the South Pacific Ocean, the Solomon Sea, and the Coral Sea; on 2 April 2007 an undersea earthquake measuring 8.1 on the Richter scale occurred 345 km WNW of the capital Honiara; the resulting tsunami devastated coastal areas of Western and Choiseul provinces with dozens of deaths and thousands dislocated; the provincial capital of Gizo was especially hard hit

Irrigated land

0 sq km NA (2012)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

3.9% arable land 0.7%; permanent crops 2.9%; permanent pasture 0.3% 78.9% 17.2% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

3.9%

forest

78.9%

other

17.2% (2011 est.)

Location

Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Papua New Guinea

Map references

Oceania

Maritime claims

measured from claimed archipelagic baselines 12 nm 200 nm 200 nm

continental shelf

200 nm

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

tropical cyclones, but rarely destructive; geologically active region with frequent earthquakes, tremors, and volcanic activity; tsunamis Tinakula (851 m) has frequent eruption activity, while an eruption of Savo (485 m) could affect the capital Honiara on nearby Guadalcanal

volcanism

Tinakula (851 m) has frequent eruption activity, while an eruption of Savo (485 m) could affect the capital Honiara on nearby Guadalcanal

Natural resources

fish, forests, gold, bauxite, phosphates, lead, zinc, nickel

Population - distribution

most of the population lives along the coastal regions; about one in five live in urban areas, and of these some two-thirds reside in Honiara, the largest town and chief port

Terrain

mostly rugged mountains with some low coral atolls

Age structure

34.59% (male 115,329/female 108,645) 19.99% (male 66,608/female 62,843) 36.5% (male 120,339/female 116,048) 4.65% (male 15,316/female 14,828) 4.27% (male 13,096/female 14,529) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

34.59% (male 115,329/female 108,645)

15-24 years

19.99% (male 66,608/female 62,843)

25-54 years

36.5% (male 120,339/female 116,048)

55-64 years

4.65% (male 15,316/female 14,828)

65 years and over

4.27% (male 13,096/female 14,529) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

24.9 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

11.5% (2007)

Death rate

3.8 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Dependency ratios

75.4 69.4 16.6 (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

6

potential support ratio

16.6 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

75.4

youth dependency ratio

69.4

Drinking water source

urban: 93.2% of population rural: 77.2% of population total: 80.8% of population urban: 6.8% of population rural: 22.8% of population total: 19.2% of population (2015 est.)

rural

22.8% of population

total

19.2% of population (2015 est.)

urban

6.8% of population

Education expenditures

10% of GDP (2010)

Ethnic groups

Melanesian 95.3%, Polynesian 3.1%, Micronesian 1.2%, other 0.3% (2009 est.)

Health expenditures

5.1% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Hospital bed density

1.3 beds/1,000 population (2012)

Infant mortality rate

14.7 deaths/1,000 live births 16.8 deaths/1,000 live births 12.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

12.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

16.8 deaths/1,000 live births

total

14.7 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Melanesian pidgin (in much of the country is lingua franca), English (official but spoken by only 1%-2% of the population), 120 indigenous languages

Life expectancy at birth

75.6 years 72.9 years 78.3 years (2017 est.)

female

78.3 years (2017 est.)

male

72.9 years

total population

75.6 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 84.1% 88.9% 79.2% (2009 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

79.2% (2009 est.)

male

88.9%

total population

84.1%

Major urban areas - population

HONIARA (capital) 73,000 (2014)

Maternal mortality rate

114 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

22.5 years 22.3 years 22.8 years (2017 est.)

female

22.8 years (2017 est.)

male

22.3 years

total

22.5 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

21.6 years median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2006/07 est.)

note

median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2006/07 est.)

Nationality

Solomon Islander(s) Solomon Islander

adjective

Solomon Islander

noun

Solomon Islander(s)

Net migration rate

-1.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

22.5% (2016)

Physicians density

0.2 physicians/1,000 population (2011)

Population

647,581 (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

most of the population lives along the coastal regions; about one in five live in urban areas, and of these some two-thirds reside in Honiara, the largest town and chief port

Population growth rate

1.94% (2017 est.)

Religions

Protestant 73.4% (Church of Melanesia 31.9%, South Sea Evangelical 17.1%, Seventh Day Adventist 11.7%, United Church 10.1%, Christian Fellowship Church 2.5%), Roman Catholic 19.6%, other Christian 2.9%, other 4%, none 0.03%, unspecified 0.1% (2009 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 81.4% of population rural: 15% of population total: 29.8% of population urban: 18.6% of population rural: 85% of population total: 70.2% of population (2015 est.)

rural

85% of population

total

70.2% of population (2015 est.)

urban

18.6% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

9 years 10 years 9 years (2007)

female

9 years (2007)

male

10 years

total

9 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.92 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.06 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.06 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.04 male(s)/female

55-64 years

1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.92 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1.04 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

3.16 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Urbanization

23.2% of total population (2017) 3.79% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

3.79% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

23.2% of total population (2017)

Administrative divisions

9 provinces and 1 city*; Central, Choiseul, Guadalcanal, Honiara*, Isabel, Makira and Ulawa, Malaita, Rennell and Bellona, Temotu, Western

Capital

Honiara 9 26 S, 159 57 E UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

9 26 S, 159 57 E

name

Honiara

time difference

UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

no at least one parent must be a citizen of the Solomon Islands no 7 years

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

at least one parent must be a citizen of the Solomon Islands

dual citizenship recognized

no

residency requirement for naturalization

7 years

Constitution

adopted 31 May 1978, effective 7 July 1978; new constitution drafted in 2014 (2016)

Country name

none Solomon Islands none Solomon Islands British Solomon Islands Spanish explorer Alvaro de MENDANA named the isles in 1568 after the wealthy biblical King SOLOMON in the mistaken belief that the islands contained great riches

conventional long form

none

conventional short form

Solomon Islands

etymology

Spanish explorer Alvaro de MENDANA named the isles in 1568 after the wealthy biblical King SOLOMON in the mistaken belief that the islands contained great riches

former

British Solomon Islands

local long form

none

local short form

Solomon Islands

Diplomatic representation from the US

the US does not have an embassy in the Solomon Islands; the US Ambassador to Papua New Guinea is accredited to the Solomon Islands

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Robert SISILO (since 21 July 2017) 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400L, New York, NY 10017 [1] (212) 599-6192, 6193 [1] (212) 661-8925

chancery

800 Second Avenue, Suite 400L, New York, NY 10017

chief of mission

Ambassador Robert SISILO (since 21 July 2017)

FAX

[1] (212) 661-8925

telephone

[1] (212) 599-6192, 6193

Executive branch

Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Frank KABUI (since 7 July 2009) acting Prime Minister Manasseh SOGAVARE (since 9 December 2014) Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the advice of the National Parliament for up to 5 years (eligible for a second term); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually elected prime minister by the National Parliament; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister from among members of the National Parliament Manasseh SOGAVARE (independent) defeated in no-confidence vote on 6 November 2017; elections for a new prime minister will take place when parliament reconvenes

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister

chief of state

Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Frank KABUI (since 7 July 2009)

election results

Manasseh SOGAVARE (independent) defeated in no-confidence vote on 6 November 2017; elections for a new prime minister will take place when parliament reconvenes

elections/appointments

the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the advice of the National Parliament for up to 5 years (eligible for a second term); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually elected prime minister by the National Parliament; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister from among members of the National Parliament

head of government

acting Prime Minister Manasseh SOGAVARE (since 9 December 2014)

Flag description

divided diagonally by a thin yellow stripe from the lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is blue with five white five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern; the lower triangle is green; blue represents the ocean; green the land; and yellow sunshine; the five stars stand for the five main island groups of the Solomon Islands

Government type

parliamentary democracy (National Parliament) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm

Independence

7 July 1978 (from the UK)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

ACP, ADB, AOSIS, C, EITI (candidate country), ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Court of Appeal (consists of the court president, and ex officio members to include the High Court chief justice and its puisne judges); High Court (consists of the chief justice and puisne judges as prescribed by the National Parliament) Court of Appeal and High Court president, chief justices, and puisne judges appointed by the governor-general upon recommendation of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission, chaired by the chief justice to include 5 members, mostly judicial officials and legal professionals; all judges appointed until retirement at age 60 Magistrates' Courts; Customary Land Appeal Court; local courts

highest court(s)

Court of Appeal (consists of the court president, and ex officio members to include the High Court chief justice and its puisne judges); High Court (consists of the chief justice and puisne judges as prescribed by the National Parliament)

judge selection and term of office

Court of Appeal and High Court president, chief justices, and puisne judges appointed by the governor-general upon recommendation of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission, chaired by the chief justice to include 5 members, mostly judicial officials and legal professionals; all judges appointed until retirement at age 60

subordinate courts

Magistrates' Courts; Customary Land Appeal Court; local courts

Legal system

mixed legal system of English common law and customary law

Legislative branch

unicameral National Parliament (50 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms) last held on 19 November 2014 (next to be held in 2018) percent of vote by party - UDP 10.7%, DAP 7.8%, PAP 4.4%, other 20.8%, independent 56.3%; seats by party - DAP 7, UDP 5, PAP 3, KPSI 1, SIPFP 1, SIPRA 1, independent 32

description

unicameral National Parliament (50 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - UDP 10.7%, DAP 7.8%, PAP 4.4%, other 20.8%, independent 56.3%; seats by party - DAP 7, UDP 5, PAP 3, KPSI 1, SIPFP 1, SIPRA 1, independent 32

elections

last held on 19 November 2014 (next to be held in 2018)

National anthem

"God Save Our Solomon Islands" Panapasa BALEKANA and Matila BALEKANA/Panapasa BALEKANA adopted 1978

lyrics/music

Panapasa BALEKANA and Matila BALEKANA/Panapasa BALEKANA

name

"God Save Our Solomon Islands"

note

adopted 1978

National holiday

Independence Day, 7 July (1978)

National symbol(s)

national colors: blue, yellow, green, white

national colors

blue, yellow, green, white

Political parties and leaders

Democratic Alliance Party or DAP [Steve ABANA] Kadere Party of Solomon Islands or KPSI [Peter BOYERS] People's Alliance Party or PAP [Nathaniel WAENA] Solomon Islands People First Party or SIPFP [Dr. Jimmie RODGERS] Solomon Islands Party for Rural Advancement or SIPRA [Manasseh MAELANGA] United Democratic Party or UDP [Sir Thomas Ko CHAN] in general, Solomon Islands politics is characterized by fluid coalitions

note

in general, Solomon Islands politics is characterized by fluid coalitions

Political pressure groups and leaders

Isatabu Freedom Movement or IFM Malaita Eagle Force or MEF these rival armed ethnic factions crippled the Solomon Islands in a wave of violence from 1999 to 2003

note

these rival armed ethnic factions crippled the Solomon Islands in a wave of violence from 1999 to 2003

Suffrage

21 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, rice, fruit; cattle, pigs; fish; timber

Budget

$428.2 million $453.4 million (2016 est.)

expenditures

$453.4 million (2016 est.)

revenues

$428.2 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-2.1% of GDP (2016 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

10.1% (31 December 2016 est.) 10.48% (31 December 2015 est.)

Current account balance

$-49 million (2016 est.) $-36.1 million (2015 est.)

Debt - external

$491.5 million (31 December 2013 est.) $207.4 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Economy - overview

The bulk of the population depends on agriculture, fishing, and forestry for at least part of its livelihood. Most manufactured goods and petroleum products must be imported. The islands are rich in undeveloped mineral resources such as lead, zinc, nickel, and gold. Prior to the arrival of The Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI), severe ethnic violence, the closure of key businesses, and an empty government treasury culminated in economic collapse. RAMSI's efforts to restore law and order and economic stability have led to modest growth as the economy rebuilds.

Exchange rates

Solomon Islands dollars (SBD) per US dollar - 7.94 (2016 est.) 7.94 (2015 est.) 7.9147 (2014 est.) 7.3754 (2013 est.) 7.36 (2012 est.)

Exports

$419.9 million (2015 est.) $420.7 million (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

timber, fish, copra, palm oil, cocoa

Exports - partners

China 62.4%, Italy 7%, UK 4.4% (2016)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

34.4% 7.6% 58% (2016 est.)

agriculture

34.4%

industry

7.6%

services

58% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$2,100 (2016 est.) $2,100 (2015 est.) $2,100 (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

3.3% (2016 est.) 2.5% (2015 est.) 2.3% (2014 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$1.233 billion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$1.257 billion (2016 est.) $1.202 billion (2015 est.) $1.16 billion (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

Gross national saving

14% of GDP (2016 est.) 14.5% of GDP (2015 est.) 10.6% of GDP (2014 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$425.7 million (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities

food, plant and equipment, manufactured goods, fuels, chemicals

Imports - partners

China 25.3%, Australia 15.5%, Singapore 9.6%, Malaysia 9.5%, Japan 5.2%, South Korea 5%, NZ 5%, Papua New Guinea 4.4% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

3.2% (2016 est.)

Industries

fish (tuna), mining, timber

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0.5% (2016 est.) -0.6% (2015 est.)

Labor force

202,500 (2007 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

75% 5% 20% (2000 est.)

agriculture

75%

industry

5%

services

20% (2000 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Public debt

9% of GDP (2016 est.) 10.5% of GDP (2015 est.)

Stock of broad money

$476.3 million (31 December 2016 est.) $427.4 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$50.1 million (31 December 2016 est.) $50.1 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$571.2 million (31 December 2016 est.) $536.6 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$150.7 million (31 December 2016 est.) $84.69 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$461 million (31 December 2016 est.) $405.7 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

36.2% of GDP (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

NA%

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

300,000 Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

83.7 million kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

97.3% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

5.4% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

37,000 kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

90 million kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity access

495,321 23% 62% 13% (2012)

electrification - rural areas

13% (2012)

electrification - total population

23%

electrification - urban areas

62%

population without electricity

495,321

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

1,600 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

1,554 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Broadcast media

Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) is the sole TV broadcaster with 1 station; multi-channel pay-TV is available; SIBC operates 2 national radio stations and 2 provincial stations; 2 local commercial radio stations; Radio Australia is available via satellite feed (2009)

Internet country code

.sb

Internet users

69,859 11.0% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

11.0% (July 2016 est.)

total

69,859

Telephone system

mobile-cellular telephone density is about 65 per 100 persons country code - 677; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2016)

domestic

mobile-cellular telephone density is about 65 per 100 persons

international

country code - 677; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2016)

Telephones - fixed lines

7,405 1 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

1 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

7,405

Telephones - mobile cellular

416,572 66 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

66 (July 2016 est.)

total

416,572

Airports

36 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1 (2013)

total

1

Airports - with unpaved runways

24 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

10

total

35

under 914 m

24 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

H4 (2016)

Heliports

3 (2013)

National air transport system

373,738 3,691,584 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

3,691,584 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

373,738

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

3

number of registered air carriers

1

Ports and terminals

Honiara, Malloco Bay, Viru Harbor, Tulaghi

major seaport(s)

Honiara, Malloco Bay, Viru Harbor, Tulaghi

Roadways

1,390 km 34 km 1,356 km includes 920 km of private plantation roads (2011)

note

includes 920 km of private plantation roads (2011)

paved

34 km

total

1,390 km

unpaved

1,356 km

Military branches

no regular military forces; Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (2013)

Disputes - international

since 2003, the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands, consisting of police, military, and civilian advisors drawn from 15 countries, has assisted in reestablishing and maintaining civil and political order while reinforcing regional stability and security

Trafficking in persons

the Solomon Islands is a source and destination country for local adults and children and Southeast Asian men and women subjected to forced labor and forced prostitution; women from China, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines are recruited for legitimate work and upon arrival are forced into prostitution; men from Indonesia and Malaysia recruited to work in the Solomon Islands’ mining and logging industries may be subjected to forced labor; local children are forced into prostitution near foreign logging camps, on fishing vessels, at hotels, and entertainment venues; some local children are also sold by their parents for marriage to foreign workers or put up for “informal adoption” to pay off debts and then find themselves forced into domestic servitude or forced prostitution Tier 2 Watch List – the Solomon Islands does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; in 2014, the Solomon Islands was granted a waiver from an otherwise required downgrade to Tier 3 because its government has a written plan that, if implemented, would constitute making significant efforts to bring itself into compliance with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; the government gazetted implementing regulations for the 2012 immigration act prohibiting transnational trafficking, but the penalties are not sufficiently stringent because they allow the option of paying a fine; a new draft law to address these weaknesses awaits parliamentary review; no new trafficking investigations were conducted, even after labor inspections at logging and fishing companies, no existing cases led to prosecutions or convictions, and no funding was allocated for national anti-trafficking efforts; authorities did not identify or protect any victims and lack any procedures or shelters to do so; civil society and religious organizations provide most of the limited services available; a lack of understanding of the crime of trafficking remains a serious challenge (2015)

current situation

the Solomon Islands is a source and destination country for local adults and children and Southeast Asian men and women subjected to forced labor and forced prostitution; women from China, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines are recruited for legitimate work and upon arrival are forced into prostitution; men from Indonesia and Malaysia recruited to work in the Solomon Islands’ mining and logging industries may be subjected to forced labor; local children are forced into prostitution near foreign logging camps, on fishing vessels, at hotels, and entertainment venues; some local children are also sold by their parents for marriage to foreign workers or put up for “informal adoption” to pay off debts and then find themselves forced into domestic servitude or forced prostitution

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List – the Solomon Islands does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; in 2014, the Solomon Islands was granted a waiver from an otherwise required downgrade to Tier 3 because its government has a written plan that, if implemented, would constitute making significant efforts to bring itself into compliance with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; the government gazetted implementing regulations for the 2012 immigration act prohibiting transnational trafficking, but the penalties are not sufficiently stringent because they allow the option of paying a fine; a new draft law to address these weaknesses awaits parliamentary review; no new trafficking investigations were conducted, even after labor inspections at logging and fishing companies, no existing cases led to prosecutions or convictions, and no funding was allocated for national anti-trafficking efforts; authorities did not identify or protect any victims and lack any procedures or shelters to do so; civil society and religious organizations provide most of the limited services available; a lack of understanding of the crime of trafficking remains a serious challenge (2015)