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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

2 state-owned television stations and 2 privately-owned stations; satellite and cable TV services are available; 2 state-owned and 3 privately-owned radio stations; Radio Australia broadcasts obtainable via a satellite feed (2009)

Internet country code [time series]

.to

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

20,847 (2010) country comparison to the world: 110

Internet users [time series]

8,400 (2009) country comparison to the world: 202

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

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 (TTI) domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 70 telephones per 100 persons; fully automatic switched network international: country code - 676; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2009)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

31,000 (2010) country comparison to the world: 179

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

54,300 (2010) country comparison to the world: 198

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

squash, coconuts, copra, bananas, vanilla beans, cocoa, coffee, ginger, black pepper; fish

Budget [time series]

revenues: $104.9 million expenditures: $104.9 million (2010 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]

0% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 45

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

11.53% (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 12.13% (31 December 2009 est.)

Current account balance [time series]

-$23 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 67

Debt - external [time series]

$104.5 million (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 184 $80.7 million (2004)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

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, a continuing upturn in inflation, pressures for democratic reform, and rising civil service expenditures are major issues facing the government.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

37.2 million kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 206

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2009)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

40 million kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 206

Exchange rates [time series]

pa'anga (TOP) per US dollar - NA (2007) 2.0277 (2006) 1.96 (2005) 1.9716 (2004) 2.142 (2003)

Exports [time series]

$22 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 204

Exports - commodities [time series]

squash, fish, vanilla beans, root crops

Exports - partners [time series]

Hong Kong 26.8%, US 17.9%, Fiji 10.7%, Samoa 9%, NZ 7.9%, Japan 6.1%, American Samoa 5.7% (2010)

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$363 million (2010 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$751 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 208 $749.1 million (2009 est.) $750.9 million (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 20.4% industry: 17.9% services: 61.7% (2010 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$6,100 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 $6,200 (2009 est.) $6,300 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

0.3% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 183 -0.3% (2009 est.) 1.3% (2008 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports [time series]

$139 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 207

Imports - commodities [time series]

foodstuffs, machinery and transport equipment, fuels, chemicals

Imports - partners [time series]

Fiji 31.6%, NZ 22.3%, Japan 11%, US 10.8%, Australia 5.6%, China 5.1% (2010)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

1% (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 147

Industries [time series]

tourism, construction, fishing

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

3.6% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 1.4% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

26.3% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 47

Labor force [time series]

39,960 (2007) country comparison to the world: 193

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 31.8% industry: 30.6% services: 2,003% (2003 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$NA

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 137

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 188

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 189

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 131

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 196

Oil - consumption [time series]

1,000 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 203

Oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 204

Oil - imports [time series]

1,202 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 190

Oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 141

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 197

Population below poverty line [time series]

24% (FY03/04)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$40.83 million (FY04/05) country comparison to the world: 173

Stock of broad money [time series]

$171.8 million (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 186 $153.5 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$165.8 million (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 180 $150.2 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$54.37 million (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 186 $44.54 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

28.9% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 97

Unemployment rate [time series]

13% (FY03/04 est.) country comparison to the world: 135

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 747 sq km country comparison to the world: 190 land: 717 sq km water: 30 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

four times the size of Washington, DC

Climate [time series]

tropical; modified by trade winds; warm season (December to May), cool season (May to December)

Coastline [time series]

419 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed elevation on Kao Island 1,033 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

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

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

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

Geographic coordinates [time series]

20 00 S, 175 00 W

Geography - note [time series]

archipelago of 169 islands (36 inhabited)

Irrigated land [time series]

Land boundaries [time series]

0 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 20% permanent crops: 14.67% other: 65.33% (2005)

Location [time series]

Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

Map references [time series]

Oceania

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Natural hazards [time series]

cyclones (October to April); earthquakes and volcanic activity on Fonuafo'ou volcanism: the Tonga Islands experience 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

Natural resources [time series]

fish, fertile soil

Terrain [time series]

most islands have limestone base formed from uplifted coral formation; others have limestone overlying volcanic base

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

3 island groups; Ha'apai, Tongatapu, Vava'u

Capital [time series]

name: Nuku'alofa geographic coordinates: 21 08 S, 175 12 W time difference: UTC+13 (18 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution [time series]

4 November 1875; revised 1 January 1967

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Kingdom of Tonga conventional short form: Tonga local long form: Pule'anga Tonga local short form: Tonga former: Friendly Islands

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

the US does not have an embassy in Tonga; the US ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tonga

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Sonatane Tu'akinamolahi TAUMOEPEAU-TUPOU chancery: 250 East 51st Street, New York, NY 10022 telephone: [1] (917) 369-1025 FAX: [1] (917) 369-1024 consulate(s) general: San Francisco

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: King George TUPOU V (since 11 September 2006) 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 theWorld Leaders website) 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

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

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

Government type [time series]

constitutional monarchy

Independence [time series]

4 June 1970 (from UK protectorate)

International law organization participation [time series]

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation [time series]

ACP, ADB, AOSIS, C, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the monarch); Court of Appeal (Chief Justice and high court justices from overseas chosen and approved by Privy Council)

Legal system [time series]

English common law

Legislative branch [time series]

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%; seats - Democratic Party 12, independents 5

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

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)

National holiday [time series]

National Day, 4 November (1875)

National symbol(s) [time series]

red cross on white field; arms equal length

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands [Samuela 'Akilisi POHIVA]; People's Democratic Party or PDP [Tesina FUKO]; Sustainable Nation-Building Party [Sione FONUA]; Tonga Democratic Labor Party [NA]; Tonga Human Rights and Democracy Movement or THRDM [Uliti UATA]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Human Rights and Democracy Movement Tonga or HRDMT [Rev. Simote VEA, chairman]; Public Servant's Association [Finau TUTONE]

Suffrage [time series]

21 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

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.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 24,460 females age 16-49: 24,041 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 20,956 females age 16-49: 20,577 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 1,196 female: 1,134 (2010 est.)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Tonga Defense Services (TDS): Land Force (Royal Guard), Maritime Force (includes Royal Marines, Air Wing) (2010)

Military expenditures [time series]

0.9% of GDP (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 136

Military service age and obligation [time series]

16 years of age for voluntary enlistment (with parental consent); no conscription (2010)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 37.2% (male 20,023/female 19,393) 15-64 years: 56.7% (male 30,125/female 29,959) 65 years and over: 6.1% (male 2,986/female 3,430) (2011 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

25.27 births/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 60

Death rate [time series]

4.9 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 189

Drinking water source [time series]

improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2008)

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

3.9% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 106

Ethnic groups [time series]

Polynesian, Europeans

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

Health expenditure (Health expenditures) [time series]

6.2% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 99

Hospital bed density [time series]

2.44 beds/1,000 population (2008) country comparison to the world: 88

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 13.65 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 125 male: 14.07 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.21 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Languages [time series]

Tongan (official), English (official)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 75.16 years country comparison to the world: 87 male: 73.79 years female: 76.58 years (2011 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: can read and write Tongan and/or English total population: 98.9% male: 98.8% female: 99% (1999 est.)

Median age [time series]

total: 21.4 years male: 21 years female: 21.8 years (2011 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Tongan(s) adjective: Tongan

Net migration rate [time series]

-17.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 218

Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]

56% (2000) country comparison to the world: 3

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

0.2912 physicians/1,000 population (2002) country comparison to the world: 140

Population [time series]

105,916 (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 192

Population growth rate [time series]

0.243% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 175

Religions [time series]

Christian (Free Wesleyan Church claims over 30,000 adherents)

Sanitation facility access [time series]

improved: urban: 98% of population rural: 96% of population total: 96% of population unimproved: urban: 2% of population rural: 4% of population total: 4% of population (2008)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 14 years (2007)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

3.65 children born/woman (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 43

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]

total: 11.9% country comparison to the world: 91 male: 9.9% female: 15.1% (2003)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 23% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 0.8% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

none

Transportation

Airports [time series]

6 (2010) country comparison to the world: 177

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (2010)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 10 country comparison to the world: 114 by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 6, carrier 1, liquefied gas 1, passenger/cargo 1 foreign-owned: 3 (Australia 1, Switzerland 1, UK 1) (2010)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Nuku'alofa, Neiafu, Pangai

Roadways [time series]

total: 680 km country comparison to the world: 188 paved: 184 km unpaved: 496 km (2000)