Solomon Islands

Country Profile

Full name: Solomon Islands
Capital: Honiara
Population: 566,842 (July 2007 est.)
Population under 14 years: 40.7%
Infant mortality rate: 19.07 per thousand live births
Major language: English (official), Melanesian dialects
Major religion: Christianity
Life expectancy: 62 years (men) and 63 years (women)
Main exports: Timber, fish, palm oil and kernels, copra
(Source: CIA World Factbook (updated 2008), Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade)

Solomon Islands is an independent country consisting of an archipelago of 992 islands to the north-east of Australia. Its capital, Honiara, is only three hours flying time from Brisbane. The population of Solomon Islands is predominantly Melanesian although there are smaller Polynesian, Micronesian, Chinese and European communities.

Save the Children Australia has been active in the Solomon Islands since 1986 and has developed various programs to address the issues that hinder the development of children and young people. Many children don’t attend school or leave school early. Some are involved in substance abuse – marijuana or kwaso (home brewed alcohol) and are often engaged in criminal activities such as stealing, leading them to be in conflict with the law. Others are sexually exploited leading to exposure to HIV infection, sexually transmitted diseases and teenage pregnancy. Over the decades, the organisation has built a strong reputation as a highly respected development agency that is well regarded by both the government and the young people of Solomon Islands.

Our Programs in Solomon Islands:

Click on the links below to read more about our work in Solomon Islands: