This article is about the demographic features of the population of Solomon Islands, including population density, ethnicity, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects of the population. The Solomon Islanders comprise diverse cultures, languages, and customs. Of its, 94.5% are Melanesian, 3% Polynesian, and 1.2% Micronesian. In addition, small numbers of Europeans and Chinese are registered. About 120 vernaculars are spoken. Most people reside in small, widely dispersed settlements along the coasts. Sixty percent live in localities with fewer than 200 persons, and only 10% reside in urban areas. The capital city of Honiara is situated on Guadalcanal, the largest island. The other principal towns are Gizo, Auki, and Kirakira. Most Solomon Islanders are Christian, with the Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, South Seas Evangelical, and Seventh-day Adventist faiths predominating. About 5% of the population maintain traditional beliefs. The chief characteristics of the traditional Melanesian social structure are: The practice of subsistence economy; The recognition of bonds of kinship, with important obligations extending beyond the immediate family group; Generally egalitarian relationships, emphasising acquired rather than inherited status; and A strong attachment of the people to the land. Most Solomon Islanders maintain this traditional social structure and find their roots in village life. Vital statistics Births and deaths The World Factbook demographic statistics The following demographic statistics are from The World Factbook, unless otherwise indicated. Population 685,097 Age structure 0–14 years: 32.99% (male 116,397/female 109,604) 15–24 years: 19.82% (male 69,914/female 65,874) 25–54 years: 37.64% (male 131,201/female 126,681) 55–64 years: 5.04% (male 17,844/female 16,704) 65 years and over: 4.51% (male 14,461/female 16,417) (2020 est.) Population growth rate 1.84% Birth rate 23.6 births/1,000 population Death rate 3.8 deaths/1,000 population Net migration rate -1.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population Urbanisation Urban Population: 24.7% of total population Rate of Urbanization: 3.91% annual rate of change Sex ratio At Birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0–14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15–24 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 25–54 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 55–64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female Total Population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2020 est.) Maternal mortality rate 104 deaths/100,000 live births Life expectancy at birth Total population: 76.2 years Male: 73.5 years Female: 79 years (2020 est.) Total fertility rate 2.97 children born/woman (2020 est.) Health expenditure 5.2% of GDP Physicians density 0.2 physicians/1,000 population Hospital bed density 1.4 beds/1,000 population Nationality Solomon Islanders (noun) Solomon Islander (adjective) Ethnic groups Melanesian 95.3% Polynesian 3.1% Micronesian 1.2%, Other 0.3%