Moving to Solomon Islands from Malawi

moving to

What to Expect

Considering a move from Malawi to Solomon Islands? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from Malawi to Solomon Islands. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Honiara averages 86°F vs 75°F in Lilongwe, making it significantly warmer.

Planning this move? Get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes from vetted international movers. Get free quotes ↓

Get free moving quotes to Solomon Islands

We've teamed up with a vetted network of international movers to help MyLifeElsewhere readers plan their move with confidence. Tell us about your move and get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes in under 2 minutes.

  • ✅ Up to 5 quotes from screened movers
  • ✅ Licensed and insured providers only
  • ✅ 100% free — you choose who contacts you

Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Solomon Islands compared to Malawi.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2012

per 100,000 people per year

MW
1.8
SB
3.7
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

MW
20.2
SB
11.2

Malawi generally does better on safety, though Solomon Islands leads in road traffic deaths.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

MW
$125
SB
$153
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

MW
0.5
SB
1.9

Malawi generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Solomon Islands leads in doctors per 10,000 people.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

MW
43.0
SB
57.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

MW
0.2t
SB
0.4t

Malawi performs better than Solomon Islands across all environment metrics.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

MW
0.1
SB
0.1
Internet access The World Factbook, 2021

share of households with internet

MW
24.0%
SB
36.0%

Malawi generally does better on infrastructure, though Solomon Islands leads in internet access.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

MW
5.0%
SB
1.6%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

MW
$1,700
SB
$2,700

Solomon Islands performs significantly better than Malawi across all employment & economy metrics.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

MW
72.4 yrs
SB
76.7 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

MW
33.4
SB
20.0

Solomon Islands performs significantly better than Malawi across all family life metrics.

Data: The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Lilongwe Rain: 50.7 in/yr (1289 mm)
75° / 54°F

Avg. annual high / low

Honiara Rain: 129.5 in/yr (3290 mm)
86° / 74°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Lilongwe Honiara
Jan–Mar 78°/61°F (25°/16°C) 87°/75°F (30°/24°C)
Apr–Jun 72°/53°F (22°/11°C) 86°/74°F (30°/23°C)
Jul–Sep 72°/45°F (22°/7°C) 85°/72°F (29°/22°C)
Oct–Dec 80°/57°F (27°/14°C) 87°/74°F (30°/23°C)
View all months
Month Lilongwe Honiara
Jan 78°/61°F (25.5°/16.1°C) 87°/75°F (30.6°/23.8°C)
Feb 78°/62°F (25.6°/16.5°C) 87°/75°F (30.4°/23.8°C)
Mar 77°/61°F (24.8°/16.0°C) 87°/74°F (30.4°/23.6°C)
Apr 74°/59°F (23.5°/14.9°C) 87°/74°F (30.3°/23.5°C)
May 72°/53°F (22.1°/11.6°C) 86°/74°F (30.2°/23.2°C)
Jun 69°/46°F (20.4°/7.9°C) 86°/73°F (29.9°/22.9°C)
Jul 69°/44°F (20.3°/6.5°C) 85°/72°F (29.3°/22.5°C)
Aug 71°/44°F (21.9°/6.6°C) 85°/72°F (29.4°/22.3°C)
Sep 77°/48°F (25.1°/8.7°C) 85°/73°F (29.6°/22.6°C)
Oct 81°/53°F (27.2°/11.7°C) 86°/73°F (30.1°/22.8°C)
Nov 81°/58°F (27.2°/14.2°C) 87°/74°F (30.5°/23.2°C)
Dec 79°/61°F (26.1°/15.9°C) 87°/74°F (30.7°/23.6°C)

Data: Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services, Solomon Islands Meteorological Service Solomon Islands Meteorological Service

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Malawi and Solomon Islands. To live, work, or study long-term in Solomon Islands, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Solomon Islands's immigration authority.

Malawi passport

Malawi passport holder visiting Solomon Islands

Visa Required
Malawi passport holders need a visa to enter Solomon Islands.
Solomon Islands passport

Solomon Islands passport holder visiting Malawi

Visa Online (e-Visa)
Solomon Islands passport holders need to apply for an e-Visa before travelling to Malawi.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Solomon Islands?

Connectivity is usually fine (Solomon Islands: 0.1 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Solomon Islands offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Solomon Islands safe for expats?

Malawi generally does better on safety, though Solomon Islands leads in road traffic deaths. The homicide rate in Solomon Islands is 3.7 per 100,000 people, compared to 1.8 in Malawi.

How is healthcare in Solomon Islands compared to Malawi?

Malawi generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Solomon Islands leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 1.9 doctors per 10,000 people in Solomon Islands, compared to 0.5 in Malawi. Solomon Islands scores 47 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Malawi: 48).

What's the weather like in Solomon Islands compared to Malawi?

The average high temperature in Honiara is 86°F, compared to 75°F in Lilongwe. Honiara receives around 129.5 in of rainfall per year, while Lilongwe gets 50.7 in.

What language do they speak in Solomon Islands?

The official language in Solomon Islands is English. In Malawi, the official languages are Chewa and English.

Share this

At a Glance

MW SB
Population 20,794,353 702,694
Currency Malawian Kwacha (MWK) Solomon Islands Dollar (SBD)
Languages Chewa, English English
Driving side Left Left
Calling code +265 +677
Time zones 1 1