Solomon Islands is one of the least developed nations in the Pacific.  As at September 2009, it lacks significant social infrastructure and services and a stable system of government. Unemployment is rising in the Solomon Islands, particularly among the youth, which is worsened by a high population growth and increasing levels of HIV/AIDS infection. Both the forestry and fisheries industries have been unsustainably exploited with the revenues being distributed unequally. According to the Asian Development Bank, tension and conflict in Solomon Islands is largely due to inequality of resource distribution and lack of access to opportunities and social services.

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The Solomon Islands has experienced ethnic challenges and economic difficulties following the coup in 2000.

The delivery of public services collapsed, the economy stagnated and an influx on migration to urban areas caused additional pressure to infrastructure.

The country has one of the highest malaria rates in the world and is vulnerable to a number of natural hazards including earthquakes, flooding, landslides and drought.