Tonga

Quick Facts

🇹🇴
Capital:
Nuku'alofa
Official Language(s):
English, Tongan
Currency:
Tongan paʻanga (T$)
Population:
105,697

Overview

Tonga, officially the Kingdom of Tonga, is an island country in Polynesia, part of Oceania. The country has 171 islands – of which 45 are inhabited. Its total surface area is about 750 km2 (290 sq mi), scattered over 700,000 km2 (270,000 sq mi) in the southern Pacific Ocean. As of 2021, according to Johnson's Tribune, Tonga has a population of 104,494, 70% of whom reside on the main island, Tongatapu. The country stretches approximately 800 km north-south. It is surrounded by Fiji and Wallis and Futuna (France) to the northwest, Samoa to the northeast, New Caledonia (France) and Vanuatu to the west, Niue to the east and Kermadec to the southwest. Tonga is about 1,800 km from New Zealand's North Island.

Institutional Framework

The strength of a country's institutions directly impacts its economic development and stability. Strong institutions reduce uncertainty, protect property rights, and enable efficient markets through:
  • Rule of law and contract enforcement
  • Control of corruption
  • Government effectiveness and regulatory quality

* Indicators normalized to 0-100 scale

Economic Structure

The composition of an economy reveals its strengths, vulnerabilities, and potential for growth. Understanding the balance between sectors (agriculture, industry, services) and their sophistication helps assess economic resilience and development opportunities.

Economic Health & Trade

Economic Scale & Power

An economy with $518,228,012.091B(2021) GDP, showing slow growth at 0.4%(2021). Emerging economy with development potential.

GDP Growth
0.4%(2021)
GDP PPP
$742,114,221.113

Economic Structure

Economic structure shows 50.7%(2021) in services, 17.9%(2021) in industry, and 15.1%(2021) in agriculture. Balanced economic structure.

Economic Health & Trade

Economic health indicators show 2.1%(2021) unemployment and 5.6%(2021) inflation. Trade profile with 11.1%(2021) exports and 55.1%(2021) imports as % of GDP.

Unemployment
2.1%(2021)
Inflation
5.6%(2021)
Exports/GDP
11.1%(2021)
Imports/GDP
55.1%(2021)

Innovation & Competitiveness

Innovation capacity determines a country's ability to compete in the global knowledge economy. Key indicators like R&D investment, patent applications, and high-tech exports reveal the potential for sustainable economic growth and value creation.

High-Tech Exports

N/A

% of manufactured exports

ICT Exports

N/A

% of total goods exports

Digital Adoption

57.5

% of population using internet

Mobile Connectivity

60.7

Subscriptions per 100 people

Manufacturing Value

5.7

% of GDP

International Position

A country's integration into global markets affects its economic opportunities and risks. Trade relationships, financial flows, and geographic advantages or constraints shape its development trajectory and resilience to external shocks.

Financial & Trade Geography

Trade Profile

Trade represents 66.17%(2021) of GDP, with a trade balance of -44.01%(2021).

FDI Inflows
0.05%(2021)
FDI Outflows
-0.01%(2021)

Financial Security

External Debt

45.14%(2021)

Foreign Reserves

$0.36B(2021)(13.9 months of imports)

Supply Chain & Technology

Technology Trade

ICT Imports
N/A
High-Tech Exports
N/A

Economic Structure

Manufacturing
5.70%(2021)
Services
50.65%(2021)

Trade Agreements & Dependencies

Trade Agreements

No major trade agreements

Critical Dependencies

    Growth Trajectory

    Understanding growth patterns helps predict future economic performance and development challenges. Key factors include productivity trends, investment levels, and structural transformation progress, which together determine long-term prosperity potential.

    Growth Potential Indicators

    Human Capital

    Education and workforce development

    47.1/100

    Trade Position

    International trade and competitiveness

    10.0/100

    Economic Structure

    Sectoral balance and sophistication

    27.3/100

    Demographics & Human Capital

    Demographics are fundamental to understanding a country's economic potential and challenges. The population structure influences everything from labor force availability to social security systems and public spending priorities.

    Demographics

    Population Overview

    Total population of 105,490(2021) with -0.2%(2021) annual growth. Median age is N/A with fertility rate at 3.237 births/woman(2021).

    Life Expectancy
    70.986 years(2021)
    Birth Rate
    23.045 per 1,000(2021)

    Age Structure

    Working-age population (57.9%(2021)) with youth at 35.7%(2021) and elderly at 6.4%(2021). Total dependency ratio: 72.6%(2021).

    Young Dependency
    61.5%(2021)
    Old Dependency
    11.1%(2021)

    Gender & Migration

    Population is 51.9%(2021) female and 48.1%(2021) male, with sex ratio of 1.081 males/female(2021) at birth. Net migration: -2,220(2021).

    Male Mortality
    230.48/1,000(2021)
    Female Mortality
    157.164/1,000(2021)

    Development Indicators

    Urban population growing at -0.2%(2021) annually, with 76.9%(2021) in rural areas. Literacy rate: 99.4%(2021).

    Urbanization
    23.1%(2021)
    Infant Mortality
    9.6 per 1,000(2021)

    Population Structure

    The population pyramid visualizes the age and gender distribution, revealing crucial insights about economic sustainability. A balanced pyramid with a strong working-age population (typically ages 15-64) indicates greater economic potential, as this group supports both the younger and older generations through:
    • Labor force participation and productivity
    • Tax contributions to support social services
    • Innovation and economic growth

    An aging population (top-heavy pyramid) or youth bulge (bottom-heavy) can create demographic pressures on social systems and economic stability.

    Source: World Bank Development Indicators

    Security Context

    Security considerations fundamentally affect economic development and investment attractiveness. Both geographic factors and military capabilities influence a country's stability and its ability to protect economic interests and maintain sustainable growth.

    Geographic & Resource Security

    Food & Agriculture

    Arable land comprises 27.8%(2021) of territory, with 48.6%(2021) total agricultural land. Cereal yield: N/A.

    Food Production Index
    97.52(2021)
    Cereal Production
    N/A

    Energy Security

    Net energy imports at N/A of consumption. Renewable energy makes up 100.0%(2021) of total. Electricity access: N/A.

    Resource Rents
    N/A

    Water Resources

    Fresh water resources of N/A per person. Annual precipitation: 12.431 mm(2021).

    Forest Area
    N/A

    Environmental Vulnerability

    N/A of population affected by climate disasters. Forest coverage at N/A providing natural buffer.

    Annual Rainfall
    12.431 mm(2021)

    Military & Security

    Military Capabilities

    Military expenditure at N/A of GDP. Armed forces personnel: N/A ( N/A of labor force).

    Arms Exports
    N/A
    Arms Imports
    N/A

    Strategic Status

    Military Alliances

    No major military alliances

    Nuclear Status

    Non-Nuclear State

    Security Environment

    Refugee population: 6,173(2021)Internally displaced: 6,731(2021)

    Strategic Geography

    Strategic Features