Country Profile: Tonga

Tonga is a constitutional monarchy located in Oceania, comprising an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean. The country covers an area of 747 square kilometers and is populated by approximately 104,889 individuals (2024 est.). Its economy is characterized as upper middle-income, relying heavily on tourism, agriculture, and remittances from its extensive diaspora. Tonga's governance combines traditional monarchy with a parliamentary system that has seen gradual democratic reforms over the years.

Geography

Tonga is situated in the South Pacific Ocean, approximately two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand. The islands have a total area of 747 square kilometers, featuring mostly flat islands with a combination of limestone and volcanic terrain. The country's climate is tropical, influenced by trade winds, experiencing a warm season from December to May and a cooler season from May to December.

Area: 747 sq km
Coastline: 419 km
Natural Hazards: Cyclones (October to April), earthquakes and volcanic activity (notably on Fonuafo’ou).
Highest Point: Kao Volcano at 1,046 m.

People and Society

Tonga has a population of about 104,889 people, with a majority being ethnic Tongans (96.5%). The main language spoken is Tongan, with a significant majority using it at home. The country maintains a rich cultural and religious heritage, with 63.9% of the population identifying as Protestant. The demographics are relatively young, with a median age of 25.9 years.

Urban Population: 23.2% (2023)
Literacy Rate: 91.1% (2019)
Life Expectancy: 78 years (2024)
Dependency Ratio: 58.2 (2024)

Economy

Tonga's economy is classified as an upper middle-income economy with a reliance on remittances, tourism, and agriculture. The real GDP (PPP) for 2023 is estimated at $740.1 million, with a GDP growth rate of 2.1%. The agricultural sector, which contributes 17.5% to the GDP, focuses on products such as coconuts and root vegetables. The country is also a key exporter of fish.

GDP per Capita: $7,100 (2023 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 2.2% (2024 est.)
Remittances: 50% of GDP (2023 est.)
Inflation Rate: 3.2% (2024 est.)

Government

Tonga operates as a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system. The capital is Nuku'alofa, and the executive is headed by King TUPOU VI and Prime Minister Aisake Valu EKE. The Legislative Assembly comprises 30 members, with elections held every four years. The constitution, originally adopted in 1875, has undergone revisions to modernize governance.

Independence: June 4, 1970
Suffrage: Universal at age 21
Political Parties: Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands, Tonga People's Party.

Military and Security

Tonga's military, known as His Majesty's Armed Forces, includes the Tonga Royal Guard and the Tonga Navy. Military service is voluntary for individuals aged 18-25, with no conscription. The country's military expenditures accounted for 1.8% of GDP in 2024, and the military plays a crucial role in maritime security and humanitarian missions.

Active Personnel: Approximately 600 (2025 est.)
Military Expenditures: 1.8% of GDP (2024 est.)
Primary Missions: National sovereignty, maritime security, and humanitarian assistance.

Energy

Tonga has achieved 100% electricity access for its population. The country has an installed electricity generating capacity of 34,000 kW with a significant reliance on fossil fuels, accounting for 89% of the total capacity. Energy consumption per capita is approximately 23.272 million Btu for 2023.

Total Energy Consumption: 67.01 million kWh (2023 est.)
Refined Petroleum Consumption: 1,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Environment

Tonga faces various environmental challenges, including deforestation due to agricultural expansion and pollution impacting water quality. The islands have made commitments to multiple international environmental agreements, focusing on climate change and biodiversity conservation.

Carbon Dioxide Emissions: 174,000 metric tonnes (2023 est.)
Forest Coverage: 12.1% of land area (2023 est.)

Transportation

Tonga has six airports as of 2025 and a merchant marine comprising 29 vessels. The country’s infrastructure includes three key ports: Neiafu, Nuku Alofa, and Pangai.

Airports: 6 (2025)
Merchant Marine: 29 ships (2023)

Communications

Tonga's telecommunications infrastructure includes both fixed and mobile services, with 59% of the population using the internet. The country has various broadcast media outlets supporting both state and private entities.

Mobile Cellular Subscriptions: 64,000 (2021)
Internet Users: 59% of the population (2023 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	104,889	2024 estimate
Area	747 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$740.1 million	2023 estimate
GDP per Capita	$7,100	2023 estimate
Unemployment Rate	2.2%	2024 estimate
Birth Rate	19.7 births/1,000	2024 estimate
Life Expectancy	78 years	2024 estimate
Military Expenditures	1.8% of GDP	2024 estimate
Electricity Access	100%	2022 estimate
Urban Population	23.2%	2023