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Demographics
Demographics of the Solomon Islands
As of 2006 the majority 552,438 people on the Solomon Islands are ethnically
Melanesian (94.5%), Polynesian (3%) and Micronesian (1.2%) are the two other
significant groups.
There were 74 languages spoken in the Solomon Islands, although four of these
are extinct. On the central islands, Melanesian languages are spoken, on the
outliers Rennell and Bellona to the south, Tikopia, Anuta and Fatutaka to the
far east, Sikaiana to the north east, and Luaniua (Ontong Java Atoll, Lord Howe
Atoll) to the north, Polynesian languages. Immigrant populations of Gilbertese (i-Kiribati)
and Tuvaluans speak Micronesian languages. While English is the official
language, only 1-2% of the population speak English; the lingua franca is
Solomons Pijin.
Religion
The religion of Solomon Islands is about 97% Christian with following
denominations: Church of Melanesia 32.8%, Roman Catholic 19%, South Seas
Evangelical Church 17%, Seventh-day Adventist 11.2%, United Church 10.3%,
Christian Fellowship Church 2.4%, other Christian 4.4%. The remaining 2.9%
practice indigenous religious beliefs and other faiths such as Baha'i.
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