Page last updated on January 28, 2014
Tonga - unique among Pacific nations - never completely lost its indigenous governance. The archipelagos of "The Friendly Islands" were united into a Polynesian kingdom in 1845. Tonga became a constitutional monarchy in 1875 and a British protectorate in 1900; it withdrew from the protectorate and joined the Commonwealth of Nations in 1970. Tonga remains the only monarchy in the Pacific.
Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
total: 747 sq km
country comparison to the world: 190
land: 717 sq km
water: 30 sq km
four times the size of Washington, DC
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
tropical; modified by trade winds; warm season (December to May), cool season (May to December)
most islands have limestone base formed from uplifted coral formation; others have limestone overlying volcanic base
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed elevation on Kao Island 1,033 m
arable land: 21.33%
permanent crops: 14.67%
other: 64% (2011)
cyclones (October to April); earthquakes and volcanic activity on Fonuafo'ou
volcanism: moderate volcanic activity; Fonualei (elev. 180 m) has shown frequent activity in recent years, while Niuafo'ou (elev. 260 m), which last erupted in 1985, has forced evacuations; other historically active volcanoes include Late and Tofua
deforestation results as more and more land is being cleared for agriculture and settlement; some damage to coral reefs from starfish and indiscriminate coral and shell collectors; overhunting threatens native sea turtle populations
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
archipelago of 169 islands (36 inhabited)
noun: Tongan(s)
adjective: Tongan
Tongan (official), English (official)
Christian (Free Wesleyan Church claims over 30,000 adherents)
106,322 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
0-14 years: 36.2% (male 19,545/female 18,927)
15-24 years: 19.2% (male 10,432/female 9,935)
25-54 years: 33% (male 17,549/female 17,562)
55-64 years: 5.4% (male 2,779/female 2,994)
65 years and over: 6.2% (male 3,034/female 3,565) (2013 est.)
total dependency ratio: 75.7 %
youth dependency ratio: 65.4 %
elderly dependency ratio: 10.3 %
potential support ratio: 9.7 (2013)
total: 21.8 years
male: 21.3 years
female: 22.2 years (2013 est.)
0.14% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184
24.12 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
4.87 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
-17.87 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 218
urban population: 23% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 0.8% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
110 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 68
total: 12.78 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 127
male: 13.2 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 12.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
total population: 75.6 years
country comparison to the world: 90
male: 74.16 years
female: 77.09 years (2013 est.)
3.46 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
5.3% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 133
0.56 physicians/1,000 population (2010)
2.6 beds/1,000 population (2010)
57.6% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 5
3.9% of GDP (2004)
country comparison to the world: 116
definition: can read and write Tongan and/or English
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 99.1% (2006 est.)
total: 14 years
male: 14 years
female: 14 years (2007)
total: 11.9%
country comparison to the world: 101
male: 9.9%
female: 15.1% (2003)
conventional long form: Kingdom of Tonga
conventional short form: Tonga
local long form: Pule'anga Tonga
local short form: Tonga
former: Friendly Islands
name: Nuku'alofa
geographic coordinates: 21 08 S, 175 12 W
time difference: UTC+13 (18 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
5 island divisions; 'Eua, Ha'apai, Ongo Niua, Tongatapu, Vava'u
4 June 1970 (from UK protectorate)
National Day, 4 November (1875)
adopted 4 November 1875; amended many times, last in 2013 (2013)
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
21 years of age; universal
chief of state: King TUPOU VI (since 18 March 2012); note - King George TUPOU V died on 18 March 2012 in Hong Kong; he was succeeded by his brother Crown Prince TUPOUTO'A Lavaka, who took the throne name TUPOU VI
head of government: Prime Minister Lord Siale'ataonga TU'IVAKANO (since 22 December 2010)
cabinet: Cabinet is nominated by the prime minister and appointed by the monarch
note: there is also a Privy Council that advises the monarch
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister and deputy prime minister elected by and from the members of parliament and appointed by the monarch
election results: Lord Siale'ataonga TU'IVAKANO elected by parliament on 21 December 2010 with 14 of 26 votes
unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fale Alea (26 seats - 9 for nobles elected from among the country's 29 nobles, 17 members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 25 November 2010 (next to be held in 2014)
election results: Peoples Representatives: percent of vote - independents 67.3%, Democratic Party 28.5%, other 4.2%; seats - Democratic Party 12, independents 5
highest court(s): Court of Appeal (consists of the court president and a number of judges determined by the monarch); note - appeals beyond the Court of Appeal are brought before the King in Privy Council, the monarch's advisory organ that has both judicial and legislative powers
judge selection and term of office: judge appointments and tenures made by the King in Privy Council, judge appointments subject to consent of the Legislative Assembly
subordinate courts: Supreme Court; Magistrate's Courts; Land Courts
Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands [Samuela 'Akilisi POHIVA]
Human Rights and Democracy Movement Tonga or HRDMT [Rev. Simote VEA, chairman]
ACP, ADB, AOSIS, C, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
chief of mission: Ambassador Mahe'uli'uli Sandhurst TUPOUNIUA (since 10 September 2013)
chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400B, New York, NY 10017
telephone: [1] (800) 345-6541
consulate(s) general: San Francisco
the US does not have an embassy in Tonga; the US ambassador to Fiji, currently Ambassador Frankie A. REED, is accredited to Tonga
red with a bold red cross on a white rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner; the cross reflects the deep-rooted Christianity in Tonga; red represents the blood of Christ and his sacrifice; white signifies purity
red cross on white field; arms equal length
name: "Ko e fasi `o e tu"i `o e `Otu Tonga" (Song of the King of the Tonga Islands)
lyrics/music: Uelingatoni Ngu TUPOUMALOHI/Karl Gustavus SCHMITT
note: in use since 1875; the anthem is more commonly known as "Fasi Fakafonua" (National Song)
Tonga has a small, open, South Pacific island economy. It has a narrow export base in agricultural goods. Squash, vanilla beans, and yams are the main crops. Agricultural exports, including fish, make up two-thirds of total exports. The country must import a high proportion of its food, mainly from New Zealand. The country remains dependent on external aid and remittances from Tongan communities overseas to offset its trade deficit. Tourism is the second-largest source of hard currency earnings following remittances. Tonga had 39,000 visitors in 2006. The government is emphasizing the development of the private sector, especially the encouragement of investment, and is committing increased funds for health and education. Tonga has a reasonably sound basic infrastructure and well developed social services. High unemployment among the young, moderate inflation, pressures for democratic reform, and rising civil service expenditures are major issues facing the government.
$826 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
$464.6 million (2012 est.)
0.7% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167
$8,000 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
household consumption: 97.3%
government consumption: 17.4%
investment in fixed capital: 29.8%
investment in inventories: -0.9%
exports of goods and services: 18.3%
imports of goods and services: -61.9%
agriculture: 20.7%
industry: 23.3%
services: 56% (2012 est.)
squash, coconuts, copra, bananas, vanilla beans, cocoa, coffee, ginger, black pepper; fish
tourism, construction, fishing
0.5% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131
39,960 (2007)
country comparison to the world: 196
agriculture: 31.8%
industry: 30.6%
services: 2,003% (2003 est.)
13% (FY03/04 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
revenues: $116.3 million
expenditures: $116.3 million (2012 est.)
25% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127
0% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
1.2% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
10.36% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
$81.03 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185
$169.2 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187
$125.5 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
$-48.5 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
$8.4 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 212
squash, fish, vanilla beans, root crops
South Korea 18.5%, US 17%, NZ 15.6%, Fiji 10.2%, Japan 9.5%, Samoa 8.6%, American Samoa 5.4%, Australia 5.1% (2012)
$121.9 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 209
foodstuffs, machinery and transport equipment, fuels, chemicals
Fiji 35.7%, NZ 24.4%, US 10.5%, China 10.2% (2012)
$152.4 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163
$198.6 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187
$61.43 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
pa'anga (TOP) per US dollar -
41 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207
38.13 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207
0 kWh (2012)
country comparison to the world: 136
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
12,000 kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 202
100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127
0 bbl (1 January 2010 es)
country comparison to the world: 192
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
1,221 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 196
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
1,202 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 197
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135
0 cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 197
154,600 Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198
30,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 175
56,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 201
general assessment: competition between Tonga Telecommunications Corporation (TCC) and Shoreline Communications Tonga (SCT) is accelerating expansion of telecommunications; SCT granted approval to introduce high-speed digital service for telephone, Internet, and television while TCC has exclusive rights to operate the mobile-phone network; international telecom services are provided by government-owned Tonga Telecommunications International
domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 80 telephones per 100 persons; fully automatic switched network
international: country code - 676; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2011)
2 state-owned TV stations and 2 privately owned TV stations; satellite and cable TV services are available; 2 state-owned and 3 privately owned radio stations; Radio Australia broadcasts available via satellite (2009)
5,367 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 144
8,400 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 203
6 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 175
total: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2013)
total: 5
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m:
total: 680 km
country comparison to the world: 189
paved: 184 km
unpaved: 496 km (2011)
total: 7
country comparison to the world: 122
by type: cargo 4, carrier 1, passenger/cargo 2
foreign-owned: 2 (Australia 1, UK 1) (2010)
major seaport(s): Nuku'alofa, Neiafu, Pangai
Tonga Defense Services (TDS): Land Force (Royal Guard), Maritime Force (includes Royal Marines, Air Wing) (2013)
16 years of age for voluntary enlistment (with parental consent); no conscription; the king retains the right to call up "all those capable of bearing arms" in wartime (2012)
males age 16-49: 24,460
females age 16-49: 24,041 (2010 est.)
males age 16-49: 20,956
females age 16-49: 20,577 (2010 est.)
male: 1,196
female: 1,134 (2010 est.)
