Page last updated on January 28, 2014

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
20 00 S, 175 00 W
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Oceania
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 747 sq km
country comparison to the world: 190
land: 717 sq km
water: 30 sq km
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
four times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
419 km
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
tropical; modified by trade winds; warm season (December to May), cool season (May to December)
Terrain:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
most islands have limestone base formed from uplifted coral formation; others have limestone overlying volcanic base
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed elevation on Kao Island 1,033 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
fish, fertile soil
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 21.33%
permanent crops: 14.67%
other: 64% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Environment - international agreements:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
archipelago of 169 islands (36 inhabited)
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Tongan(s)
adjective: Tongan
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Polynesian, Europeans
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Tongan (official), English (official)
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Christian (Free Wesleyan Church claims over 30,000 adherents)
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
106,322 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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.)
population pyramid: "> Dependency ratios:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total dependency ratio: 75.7 %
youth dependency ratio: 65.4 %
elderly dependency ratio: 10.3 %
potential support ratio: 9.7 (2013)
Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 21.8 years
male: 21.3 years
female: 22.2 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.14% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
24.12 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.87 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-17.87 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 218
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 23% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 0.8% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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.)
Maternal mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
110 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 68
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 75.6 years
country comparison to the world: 90
male: 74.16 years
female: 77.09 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.46 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
Health expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.3% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 133
Physicians density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.56 physicians/1,000 population (2010)
Hospital bed density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.6 beds/1,000 population (2010)
Drinking water source:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
57.6% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 5
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.9% of GDP (2004)
country comparison to the world: 116
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: can read and write Tongan and/or English
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 99.1% (2006 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 14 years
male: 14 years
female: 14 years (2007)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 11.9%
country comparison to the world: 101
male: 9.9%
female: 15.1% (2003)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conventional long form: Kingdom of Tonga
conventional short form: Tonga
local long form: Pule'anga Tonga
local short form: Tonga
former: Friendly Islands
Government type:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
constitutional monarchy
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: Nuku'alofa
geographic coordinates: 21 08 S, 175 12 W
time difference: UTC+13 (18 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5 island divisions; 'Eua, Ha'apai, Ongo Niua, Tongatapu, Vava'u
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4 June 1970 (from UK protectorate)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
National Day, 4 November (1875)
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
adopted 4 November 1875; amended many times, last in 2013 (2013)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
English common law
International law organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands [Samuela 'Akilisi POHIVA]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Human Rights and Democracy Movement Tonga or HRDMT [Rev. Simote VEA, chairman]
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
the US does not have an embassy in Tonga; the US ambassador to Fiji, currently Ambassador Frankie A. REED, is accredited to Tonga
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
National symbol(s):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
red cross on white field; arms equal length
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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)
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$826 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$464.6 million (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.7% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$8,000 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP - composition, by end use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 20.7%
industry: 23.3%
services: 56% (2012 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
squash, coconuts, copra, bananas, vanilla beans, cocoa, coffee, ginger, black pepper; fish
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
tourism, construction, fishing
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.5% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
39,960 (2007)
country comparison to the world: 196
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 31.8%
industry: 30.6%
services: 2,003% (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
13% (FY03/04 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
24% (FY03/04)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $116.3 million
expenditures: $116.3 million (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
25% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1 July - 30 June
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.2% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
10.36% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
Stock of narrow money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$81.03 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185
Stock of broad money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$169.2 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187
Stock of domestic credit:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$125.5 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$NA
Current account balance:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$-48.5 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$8.4 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 212
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
squash, fish, vanilla beans, root crops
Exports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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)
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$121.9 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 209
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
foodstuffs, machinery and transport equipment, fuels, chemicals
Imports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Fiji 35.7%, NZ 24.4%, US 10.5%, China 10.2% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$152.4 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$198.6 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$61.43 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
pa'anga (TOP) per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
41 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
38.13 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012)
country comparison to the world: 136
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
12,000 kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 202
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl (1 January 2010 es)
country comparison to the world: 192
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1,221 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 196
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1,202 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 197
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 197
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
154,600 Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
30,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 175
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
56,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 201
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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)
Broadcast media:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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)
Internet country code:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.to
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5,367 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 144
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8,400 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 203
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 175
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 5
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m:
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 680 km
country comparison to the world: 189
paved: 184 km
unpaved: 496 km (2011)
Merchant marine:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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)
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Nuku'alofa, Neiafu, Pangai
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Tonga Defense Services (TDS): Land Force (Royal Guard), Maritime Force (includes Royal Marines, Air Wing) (2013)
Military service age and obligation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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)
Manpower available for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 24,460
females age 16-49: 24,041 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 20,956
females age 16-49: 20,577 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 1,196
female: 1,134 (2010 est.)