Quality of life comparison

compared to

If you lived in Solomon Islands instead of Laos, you would:

Health

live 8.5 years longer

In Laos, the average life expectancy is 68 years (66 years for men, 70 years for women) as of 2022. In Solomon Islands, that number is 77 years (74 years for men, 79 years for women) as of 2022.

be 4.2 times more likely to be obese

In Laos, 5.3% of adults are obese as of 2016. In Solomon Islands, that number is 22.5% of people as of 2016.

Economy

be 30.6% less likely to live below the poverty line

In Laos, 18.3% live below the poverty line as of 2018. In Solomon Islands, however, that number is 12.7% as of 2012.

make 67.9% less money

Laos has a GDP per capita of $8,400 as of 2023, while in Solomon Islands, the GDP per capita is $2,700 as of 2023.

be 31.4% more likely to be unemployed

In Laos, 1.2% of adults are unemployed as of 2023. In Solomon Islands, that number is 1.6% as of 2023.

Life

be 47.0% less likely to die during infancy

In Laos, approximately 37.8 children (per 1,000 live births) die before they reach the age of one as of 2022. In Solomon Islands, on the other hand, 20.0 children do as of 2022.

have 14.7% more children

In Laos, there are approximately 19.8 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Solomon Islands, there are 22.7 babies per 1,000 people as of 2022.

Basic Needs

be 24.0% less likely to have access to electricity

In Laos, approximately 100% of people have electricity access (98% in urban areas, and 93% in rural areas) as of 2022. In Solomon Islands, that number is 76% of people on average (79% in urban areas, and 75% in rural areas) as of 2022.

be 41.9% less likely to have internet access

In Laos, approximately 62.0% of the population has internet access as of 2021. In Solomon Islands, about 36.0% do as of 2021.

be 17.7% less likely to have access to improved drinking water

In Laos, approximately 89% of people have improved drinking water access (97% in urban areas, and 84% in rural areas) as of 2020. In Solomon Islands, that number is 73% of people on average (95% in urban areas, and 66% in rural areas) as of 2020.

Expenditures

spend 5.6 times more on education

Laos spends 2.3% of its total GDP on education as of 2020. Solomon Islands spends 12.8% of total GDP on education as of 2020.

spend 63.0% more on healthcare

Laos spends 2.7% of its total GDP on healthcare as of 2020. In Solomon Islands, that number is 4.4% of GDP as of 2020.

The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: The World Factbook.

Solomon Islands: At a glance

Solomon Islands is a sovereign country in Australia-Oceania, with a total land area of approximately 27,986 sq km. The UK established a protectorate over the Solomon Islands in the 1890s. Some of the most bitter fighting of World War II occurred on this archipelago. Self-government was achieved in 1976 and independence two years later. Ethnic violence, government malfeasance, and endemic crime 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.
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How big is Solomon Islands compared to Laos? See an in-depth size comparison.

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