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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

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 [time series]

.to

Internet users [time series]

total: 40,400 | percent of population: 37.9% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 191

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2001)

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 | 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)

Telephones - fixed lines [time series]

total subscriptions: 12,000 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 11 (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 195

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

total: 68,000 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 64 (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 197

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

3 (2004)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

squash, coconuts, copra, bananas, vanilla beans, cocoa, coffee, sweet potatoes, cassava, taro and kava

Budget [time series]

revenues: $162.4 million | expenditures: $108.3 million (2014 est.)

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

12.4% of GDP (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 4

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

8.89% (31 December 2014 est.) | 9.26% (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 99

Current account balance [time series]

-$14 million (2014 est.) | -$7 million (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 69

Debt - external [time series]

$215 million (31 December 2014 est.) | $198.9 million (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 189

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Tonga has a small, open, island economy and is the last constitutional monarchy among the Pacific Island countries. 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 overseas Tongans 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, encouraging investment, and is committing increased funds for health and education. Tonga's English-speaking and educated workforce offer a viable labor market, and the tropical climate provides fertile soil. Renewable energy and deep sea mining also offer opportunities for investment. Tonga has a reasonably sound basic infrastructure and well developed social services. The government faces high unemployment among the young, moderate inflation, pressures for democratic reform, and rising civil service expenditures.

Exchange rates [time series]

pa'anga (TOP) per US dollar - | 1.8468 (2014 est.) | 1.847 (2013 est.) | 1.72 (2012 est.) | 1.729 (2011 est.) | 1.906 (2010 est.)

Exports [time series]

$38.8 million (2014 est.) | $35.8 million (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 204

Exports - commodities [time series]

squash, fish, vanilla beans, root crops

Exports - partners [time series]

NZ 16.7%, US 15.6%, Fiji 11.2%, Japan 10.3%, Samoa 9.5%, South Korea 9%, Australia 7.9%, American Samoa 6%, Belgium 5.6% (2014)

Fiscal year [time series]

1 July - 30 June

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$438 million (2014 est.)

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

$502 million (2014 est.) | $490.6 million (2013 est.) | $492.1 million (2012 est.) | note: data are in 2014 US dollars | country comparison to the world: 213

GDP - composition, by end use [time series]

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

agriculture: 20.5% | industry: 18.8% | services: 60.7% (2014 est.)

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

$4,900 (2014 est.) | $4,800 (2013 est.) | $4,800 (2012 est.) | note: data are in 2014 US dollars | country comparison to the world: 169

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

2.3% (2014 est.) | -0.3% (2013 est.) | -1.1% (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 140

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

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

Imports [time series]

$152.7 million (2014 est.) | $187.7 million (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 210

Imports - commodities [time series]

foodstuffs, machinery and transport equipment, fuels, chemicals

Imports - partners [time series]

Fiji 35%, NZ 20.5%, China 10.8%, US 9.1%, Japan 5%, Australia 4.3% (2014)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

0.8% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 143

Industries [time series]

tourism, construction, fishing

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

1.4% (2014 est.) | 1.5% (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 81

Labor force [time series]

33,800 (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 203

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 27.5% | industry: 27.5% | services: 2,006% (2006 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$NA

Population below poverty line [time series]

24% (FY03/04 est.)

Public debt [time series]

45.1% of GDP (2013) | 46.5% of GDP (2012) | country comparison to the world: 86

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$166.5 million (31 December 2015 est.) | $158.8 million (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 162

Stock of broad money [time series]

$198.4 million (31 December 2014 est.) | $195.1 million (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 190

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home [time series]

$73.97 million (31 December 2014 est.) | $70.97 million (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 118

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$121.2 million (31 December 2014 est.) | $120.2 million (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 179

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$95.17 million (31 December 2014 est.) | $94.1 million (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 187

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

37.1% of GDP (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 55

Unemployment rate [time series]

1.1% (2011 est.) | 1.1% (2006) | country comparison to the world: 6

Energy

Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]

188,800 Mt (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 196

Crude oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 196

Crude oil - imports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 133

Crude oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 197

Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]

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

Electricity - consumption [time series]

44.64 million kWh (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 208

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2013) | country comparison to the world: 203

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

100% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 31

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 207

Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 190

Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 132

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 208

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

14,000 kW (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 206

Electricity - production [time series]

48 million kWh (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 208

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 199

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 191

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 140

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 135

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 198

Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]

1,200 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 198

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 135

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

1,202 bbl/day (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 193

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 135

Geography

Area [time series]

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

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]

agricultural land: 43.1% | arable land 22.2%; permanent crops 15.3%; permanent pasture 5.6% | forest: 12.5% | other: 44.4% (2011 est.)

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: 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

Natural resources [time series]

fish, arable land

Terrain [time series]

mostly flat islands with limestone bedrock formed from uplifted coral formation; others have limestone overlying volcanic rock

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

5 island divisions; 'Eua, Ha'apai, Ongo Niua, 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)

Citizenship [time series]

citizenship by birth: no | citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Tonga; if a child is born out of wedlock, the mother must be a citizen of Tonga | dual citizenship recognized: yes | residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

Constitution [time series]

adopted 4 November 1875, revised 1988; amended several times, last in 2014 (2015)

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 Mahe'uli'uli Sandhurst TUPOUNIUA (since 10 September 2013) | chancery: 250 E. 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 TUPOU VI (since 18 March 2012); note - on 18 March 2012, King George TUPOU V died and his brother, Crown Prince TUPOUTO'A Lavaka, assumed the throne as TUPOU VI | head of government: Prime Minister 'Akilisi POHIVA (since 30 December 2014) | cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the prime minister and appointed by the monarch | elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister and deputy prime minister indirectly elected by the Legislative Assembly and appointed by the monarch; election last held on 21 December 2010 (next to be held in November 2014) | election results: 'Akilisi POHIVA (Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands) elected prime minister by parliament on 29 December 2014; vote - 15 of 26 votes | note: a Privy Council advises the monarch

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, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch [time series]

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

Legal system [time series]

English common law

Legislative branch [time series]

description: unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fale Alea (26 seats; 17 people's representatives directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 9 indirectly elected by hereditary leaders; members serve 3-year terms) | elections: last held on 27 November 2014 (next to be held in 2017) | election results: percent of vote - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 9, noble's representatives 9, independent 8

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; 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; national colors: red, white

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 | Tonga Human Rights and Democracy Movement or THRDM

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) (2013)

Military service age and obligation [time series]

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)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 35.06% (male 18,971/female 18,370) | 15-24 years: 19.44% (male 10,605/female 10,103) | 25-54 years: 33.6% (male 17,880/female 17,901) | 55-64 years: 5.61% (male 2,924/female 3,047) | 65 years and over: 6.29% (male 3,050/female 3,650) (2015 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

23 births/1,000 population (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 66

Death rate [time series]

4.85 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 192

Dependency ratios [time series]

total dependency ratio: 74.3% | youth dependency ratio: 64.1% | elderly dependency ratio: 10.2% | potential support ratio: 9.8% (2015 est.)

Drinking water source [time series]

Ethnic groups [time series]

Tongan 96.6%, part-Tongan 1.7%, other 1.7%, unspecified 0.03% (2006 est.)

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]

4.7% of GDP (2013) | country comparison to the world: 129

Hospital bed density [time series]

2.6 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 11.96 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 12.38 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 11.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 123

Languages [time series]

English and Tongan 87%, Tongan (official) 10.7%, English (official) 1.2%, other 1.1%, unspecified 0.03% (2006 est.)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 76.04 years | male: 74.53 years | female: 77.59 years (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 89

Literacy [time series]

definition: can read and write Tongan and/or English | total population: 99.4% | male: 99.3% | female: 99.4% (2015 est.)

Major urban areas - population [time series]

NUKU'ALOFA 25,000 (2014)

Maternal mortality ratio (Maternal mortality rate) [time series]

124 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 66

Median age [time series]

total: 22.3 years | male: 21.9 years | female: 22.8 years (2015 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Tongan(s) | adjective: Tongan

Net migration rate [time series]

-17.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 219

Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]

41.1% (2014) | country comparison to the world: 5

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

0.56 physicians/1,000 population (2010)

Population [time series]

106,501 (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 192

Population growth rate [time series]

0.03% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 190

Religions [time series]

Protestant 64.9% (includes Free Wesleyan Church 37.3%, Free Church of Tonga 11.4%, Church of Tonga 7.2%, Tokaikolo Christian Church 2.6%, Assembly of God 2.3% Seventh Day Adventist 2.2%, Constitutional Church of Tonga .9%, Anglican .8% and Full Gospel Church .2%), Mormon 16.8%, Roman Catholic 15.6%, other 1.1%, none 0.03%, unspecified 1.7% (2006 est.)

Sanitation facility access [time series]

Sex ratio [time series]

Total fertility rate [time series]

3.26 children born/woman (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 48

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 23.7% of total population (2015) | rate of urbanization: 0.71% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

none

Transportation

Airports [time series]

6 (2013) | country comparison to the world: 177

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 1 | 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 5 | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 | 914 to 1,523 m: 3 | 1 (2013)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 7 | by type: cargo 4, carrier 1, passenger/cargo 2 | foreign-owned: 2 (Australia 1, UK 1) (2010) | country comparison to the world: 122

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

major seaport(s): Nuku'alofa, Neiafu, Pangai

Roadways [time series]

total: 680 km | paved: 184 km | unpaved: 496 km (2011) | country comparison to the world: 190