Solomon Islands · Oceania
How many people die in the Solomon Islands every day?
In the Solomon Islands, about 11 people die every day, roughly one death every 2 hours. That is about 4,000 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 164th highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 64.7 years and the leading cause of death is cardiovascular disease. See every death on earth as it happens on the live death counter.
Deaths per day
11
Deaths per year
4,000
Life expectancy
64.7 years
Population
724,273
Death rate
5.5 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Solomon Islands
64.7
World avg
72.8
-8.1 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Solomon Islands
5.5
World avg
7.7
Deaths in the Solomon Islands by time period
| Per hour | 0.5 |
| Per day | 11 |
| Per week | 77 |
| Per month | 333 |
| Per year | 4,000 |
What people die of in the Solomon Islands
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in the Solomon Islands in 2023 was heart disease (ischaemic), which accounted for 20.4% of all deaths, about 3.3 a day. It was followed by stroke and diabetes.
Deaths from heart disease (ischaemic) have increased about 4-fold since 2000, from about 320 to 1,206 a year. Deaths from malaria have fallen by 57% since 2000, from about 463 to 199 a year.
WHO counts single causes, so heart disease and stroke appear as separate rows. Grouped together as cardiovascular disease, the category in the summary above, they are the largest killer.
| # | Cause | Deaths (2023) | Per day | Share | Since 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heart disease (ischaemic) | 1,206 | 3.3 | 20.4% | +277% |
| 2 | Stroke | 834 | 2.3 | 14.1% | +236% |
| 3 | Diabetes | 510 | 1.4 | 8.6% | +202% |
| 4 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 462 | 1.3 | 7.8% | +61% |
| 5 | COPD | 248 | under 1 | 4.2% | +86% |
| 6 | Malaria | 199 | under 1 | 3.4% | -57% |
| 7 | Tuberculosis | 194 | under 1 | 3.3% | -53% |
| 8 | Cirrhosis of the liver | 169 | under 1 | 2.9% | +122% |
| 9 | Kidney diseases | 129 | under 1 | 2.2% | n/a |
| 10 | Congenital anomalies | 112 | under 1 | 1.9% | +67% |
Deaths in the Solomon Islands since 2000
WHO estimates that about 5,913 people died in the Solomon Islands in 2023, 85% more than in 2000. Totals rise as populations grow and age, even when health improves. WHO’s modelled estimates can differ from the headline figures above, which come from a different source.
| 2000 | 3,204 deaths |
| 2010 | 3,890 deaths |
| 2019 | 5,215 deaths |
| 2023 | 5,913 deaths |
Life expectancy in the Solomon Islands since 1950
A baby born in the Solomon Islands in 1950 could expect to live about 41.4 years. By 2023 that had risen to 70.5, a gain of 29.1 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 41.4 years |
| 1980 | 63.7 years |
| 2000 | 67.1 years |
| 2010 | 68.7 years |
| 2019 | 70 years |
| 2023 | 70.5 years |
The Solomon Islands compared with similar countries in Oceania
Among the 3 countries in Oceania on this site, the Solomon Islands ranks 0th for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solomon Islands | 11 | 64.7 | Cardiovascular disease |
| New Zealand | 99 | 82.1 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Papua New Guinea | 197 | 65 | Lower respiratory infections |
| Australia | 466 | 83.3 | Cardiovascular disease |
Sources: WHO Global Health Estimates 2023 (deaths by cause and totals); UN World Population Prospects via Our World in Data (life expectancy). Figures are modelled estimates and are rounded.
Frequently asked questions
How many people die in the Solomon Islands every day?
In the Solomon Islands, about 11 people die every day, or roughly one death every 2 hours. That adds up to about 4,000 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in the Solomon Islands?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the Solomon Islands. Heart disease and stroke are the biggest killers in most countries, driven largely by high blood pressure, smoking, diet and inactivity. Counting single causes, WHO's estimates put heart disease (ischaemic) first in 2023, with 20.4% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in the Solomon Islands?
Life expectancy at birth in the Solomon Islands is 64.7 years, 8.1 years below the world average of 72.8. That ranks 150th of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in the Solomon Islands high?
The Solomon Islands records about 5.5 deaths per 1,000 people each year, below the world average of 7.7. Crude death rates are higher in countries with older populations, so a high rate does not always mean poor health care.