rp21 situational analysis - Pacific Health Voices

Situational analysis of drug and alcohol issues and responses in the Pacific
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12. Solomon Islands
Population
595 613 (July 2009 est.)
Age 0–14 years: 39.5%
15–64 years: 57.1%
65 years and over: 3.5% (2009 est.)
Gender
Literacy
Unemployment
Total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Definition: Not available
Total population: Not available
Male: Not available
Female: Not available
Not available
Employment by sector Agriculture: 75%
Industry: 5%
Services: 20% (2000 est.)
Currency
Solomon Islands dollar (SB$)
Exchange rate Per US dollar: 7.3447 (2006)
Source:
12.1 Introduction
The Solomon Islands is an archipelago in
the South Pacific. The Islands achieved selfgovernment
in 1976 and independence in
1978. 693 The islands are both mountainous
islands and coral atolls covering about
28 000 square kilometres. Internal conflict
lasting from 1999 to 2003 had a crippling
effect on economic activity, including on
export industries such as mining, palm oil
and fisheries. Economic recovery has been
aided by the presence of the Regional Assistance
Mission Solomon Islands (RAMSI),
which aims to normalise law and order and
moves towards addressing the serious fiscal
situation. 694
693 Profile on the Solomon Islands in CIA, The World Factbook, available at: (accessed April 2009).
694 AusAID, Aid program in the Solomon Islands, available at: (accessed April 2009).