Countries
Solomon Islands
Map
This map is an approximation of actual country borders.
Solomon Islands is a double-chain archipelago of more than 900 coral atolls located in the south-west Pacific Ocean about 1800 kilometres north-east of Australia. Its total land area of 30 400 square kilometres is widely scattered over 1.3 million square kilometres (exclusive economic zone) of the Pacific, with most of its smaller islands uninhabited.
The population at the latest National Census in 2009 was 515 870. The growing population and its relatively young structure dominate concerns about future development. In 2009, estimated life expectancy at birth was 67 years. An estimated 93% of the total population are Melanesians, 4% are Polynesians and 3% are from other ethnic groups. According to the 2009 Census, the population is growing at a rate of 2.3% per annum. Most live in rural areas, with only 18% living in urban areas. The median age of the population is 19.7 years old. This demographic trend is creating increasing pressure on infrastructures and jobs, as well as raising growing environmental issues.
Country health information profile
Health information and intelligence platform (HIIP)
WHO Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS)
News and press releases
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Upgrading WHO's office in Solomon Islands
6 September 2012 -
WHO says very little radiation risk to the residents of Pacific island countries
18 March 2011 -
The war on malaria faces a daunting array of challenges
22 September 2009
Publications
In May 1953, the Solomon Islands (formerly British Solomon Islands Protectorate) was assigned to the Western Pacific Region at the Sixth World Health Assembly ''without prejudice to any questions regarding sovereignty'' as an area. On 7 July 1979, Solomon Islands became a self-governing, independent state within the British ommonwealth. It joined WHO on 4 April 1983 as a Member State.
It is covered by the WHO Representative Office in the South Pacific, and a WHO Country Liaison Officer was designated in March 1981.
WHO Country Office
Office address:
Ministry of Health Bldg. Chinatown Honiara,Solomon Islands
Postal address:
World Health Organization P.O. Box 22 Honiara, Solomon Islands
Telephone number:
(677) 23406, 20016
(677) 22053 (direct line)
(677) 94129 (mobile)
Fax number:
(677) 21344
Office hours:
08.00 - 12.00 13.00 - 16.30 (Monday to Friday)
Email:
who.sol@wpro.who.int
Website:
http://www.wpro.who.int/southpacific
Ministry of Health
Address:
Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Chinatown P.O. Box 349, Honiara, Solomon Islands
Telephone number:
+677 20 830Fax number:
+677 20 085
Email:
pshealth@pmc.gov.sb
Sources
- Western Pacific Country Health Information Profiles 2011 revision
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National health accounts: country information
Geneva, World Health Organization
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Health information and intelligence platform
Access data by country and year from the WHO Western Pacific Region and the Global Health Observatory data repositories
Statistics
| Estimated Population ('000s) ( 2009 ) | 515.87 |
|---|---|
| Percentage of Population 5-14 years old ( 2009 ) | 25.77 |
| Life expectancy at birth (years) ( 2009 ) | 67 |
| Under-five mortality rate (per 1000 livebirths) ( 2009 ) | 37 |
| Total health expenditure as % of GDP ( 2009 ) | 5.3 |
| General gov't expenditure on health as % of total general gov't expenditure ( 2009 ) | 16.8 |
| Human development index ( 2010 ) | 0.49 |
| Per capita GDP (US$) at current market prices ( 2008 ) | 1014 |
| Population below national poverty line | not available |
| Adult literacy rate (%) ( 2009 ) | 84.1 |
| Maternal mortality ratio (per 100 000 livebirths) ( 2007 ) | 103 |
| Proportion of population with sustainable access to improved water source ( 2007 ) | 84.2 |
| Proportion of population with access to improved sanitation ( 2006 ) | 32 |