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Tonga

2017 Edition — sovereign

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Communications
Broadcast media [time series]
1 state-owned TV station and 3 privately owned TV stations; satellite and cable TV services are available; 1 state-owned and 3 privately owned radio stations; Radio Australia broadcasts available via satellite (2015)
Internet country code [time series]
.to
Internet users [time series]
total: 42,552 | percent of population: 40.0% (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 191
Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]
general assessment: competition between Tonga Telecommunications Corporation (TCC) and Digicel Tonga Limited is accelerating expansion of telecommunications; both parties provide high speed Internet, mobile telephone networks, and international telecom services; Digicel also holds a telecommunication license after its acquisition of TonFon (a subsidiary of former Shoreline Communications Tonga); submarine cable infrastructure, managed by Tonga Cable Limited, has also been brought to the country by Asian Development Bank and World Bank aid | domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 85 telephones per 100 persons; fully automatic switched network | international: country code - 676; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2016)
Telephones - fixed lines [time series]
total subscriptions: 11,000 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 10 (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 195
Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]
total: 80,000 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 75 (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 197
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: $135.4 million | expenditures: $135.4 million (2016 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]
0% of GDP (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 44
Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]
7.9% (31 December 2016 est.) | 8.09% (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 107
Current account balance [time series]
$-53 million (2016 est.) | $-78.3 million (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 69
Debt - external [time series]
$198.2 million (31 December 2016 est.) | $173.3 million (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 188
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. Tourism is the second-largest source of hard currency earnings following remittances. Tonga had 53,800 visitors in 2015. 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. The government is emphasizing the development of the private sector, encouraging investment, and is committing increased funds for health care 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 - | 2.2157 (2016 est.) | 2.216 (2015 est.) | 2.106 (2014 est.) | 1.847 (2013 est.) | 1.72 (2012 est.)
Exports [time series]
$19.4 million (2016 est.) | $18.1 million (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 212
Exports - commodities [time series]
squash, fish, vanilla beans, root crops
Exports - partners [time series]
Hong Kong 25.6%, Japan 15.1%, NZ 14.3%, US 13.5%, Australia 10%, Philippines 9.4% (2016)
Fiscal year [time series]
1 July - 30 June
GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]
$413 million (2016 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]
$560 million (2016 est.) | $536 million (2015 est.) | $512 million (2014 est.) | note: data are in 2016 dollars | country comparison to the world: 211
GDP - composition, by end use [time series]
household consumption: 101.1% | government consumption: 20.1% | investment in fixed capital: 25.8% | investment in inventories: -3.5% | exports of goods and services: 18.2% | imports of goods and services: -61.7% (2016 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin [time series]
agriculture: 19.6% | industry: 20.4% | services: 60% (2016 est.)
Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]
$5,400 (2016 est.) | $5,200 (2015 est.) | $5,000 (2014 est.) | note: data are in 2016 dollars | country comparison to the world: 168
Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]
3.1% (2016 est.) | 3.5% (2015 est.) | 2.9% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 81
Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]
lowest 10%: NA% | highest 10%: NA%
Imports [time series]
$266.6 million (2016 est.) | $261.7 million (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 202
Imports - commodities [time series]
foodstuffs, machinery and transport equipment, fuels, chemicals
Imports - partners [time series]
NZ 35.3%, Fiji 12.1%, Singapore 9.3%, China 8.4%, US 8%, Australia 7.6%, Japan 4.3% (2016)
Industrial production growth rate [time series]
7.9% (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 19
Industries [time series]
tourism, construction, fishing
Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]
2.6% (2016 est.) | -1.1% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 133
Labor force [time series]
33,800 (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 202
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: 115
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]
$176.5 million (31 December 2016 est.) | $156.1 million (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 160
Stock of broad money [time series]
$227.7 million (31 December 2016 est.) | $203.9 million (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 191
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home [time series]
$117.2 million (31 December 2016 est.) | $110.2 million (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 130
Stock of domestic credit [time series]
$135.2 million (31 December 2016 est.) | $128.4 million (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 187
Stock of narrow money [time series]
$112.8 million (31 December 2016 est.) | $101.8 million (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 188
Taxes and other revenues [time series]
33.6% of GDP (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 63
Unemployment rate [time series]
1.1% (2011 est.) | 1.1% (2006) | country comparison to the world: 8
Energy
Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]
200,000 Mt (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 205
Crude oil - exports [time series]
0 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 197
Crude oil - imports [time series]
0 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 196
Crude oil - production [time series]
0 bbl/day (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 200
Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]
0 bbl (1 January 2017 es) | country comparison to the world: 200
Electricity - consumption [time series]
46.5 million kWh (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 205
Electricity - exports [time series]
0 kWh (2016) | country comparison to the world: 203
Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]
82.4% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 81
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 208
Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 191
Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]
17.6% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 37
Electricity - imports [time series]
0 kWh (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 208
Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]
17,000 kW (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 207
Electricity - production [time series]
50 million kWh (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 207
Electricity access [time series]
population without electricity: 5,325 | electrification - total population: 96% | electrification - urban areas: 100% | electrification - rural areas: 83% (2012)
Natural gas - consumption [time series]
0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 136
Natural gas - exports [time series]
0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 193
Natural gas - imports [time series]
0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 194
Natural gas - production [time series]
0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 201
Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]
0 cu m (1 January 2014 es) | country comparison to the world: 199
Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]
1,500 bbl/day (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 200
Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]
0 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 202
Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]
1,457 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 196
Refined petroleum products - production [time series]
0 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 201
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 [time series]
mean elevation: NA | elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m | highest point: Kao Volcano on Kao Island 1,046 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 171 islands (45 inhabited)
Irrigated land [time series]
0 sq km (2012)
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 (180 m) has shown frequent activity in recent years, while Niuafo'ou (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
Population distribution (Population - distribution) [time series]
over two-thirds of the population lives on the island of Tongatapu; only 45 of the nation's 171 islands are occupied
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) | daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in November; ends second Sunday in January
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 many times, last in 2014 (2016)
Country name [time series]
conventional long form: Kingdom of Tonga | conventional short form: Tonga | local long form: Pule'anga Fakatu'i 'o Tonga | local short form: Tonga | former: Friendly Islands | etymology: "tonga" means "south" in the Tongan language and refers to the country's geographic position in relation to central Polynesia
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 17 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); Heir Apparent Crown Prince Siaosi Manumataogo 'Alaivahamama'o 'Ahoeitu Konstantin Tuku'aho, son of the king (born 17 September 1985); 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: Interim Prime Minister 'Akilisi POHIVA (since 30 December 2014); note - King TUPOU VI dissolved the parliament on 26 August 2017 | 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 November 2014 (next to be held in November 2018) | 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 on 16 November 2017); note - King TUPOU VI dissolved the parliament on 26 September 2017 | election results: percent of vote - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 9, nobles' 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]
Official Birthday of King TUPOU VI, 4 July (1959); note - actual birthday of the monarch is 12 July 1959; 4 July (2015) is the day the king was crowned; Constitution Day (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] | Public Service Association or PSA [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 and Security
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: 33.87% (male 18,323/female 17,741) | 15-24 years: 19.65% (male 10,715/female 10,209) | 25-54 years: 34.3% (male 18,243/female 18,278) | 55-64 years: 5.76% (male 3,048/female 3,083) | 65 years and over: 6.42% (male 3,090/female 3,749) (2017 est.)
Birth rate [time series]
22.2 births/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 70
Children under the age of 5 years underweight [time series]
1.9% (2012)
Contraceptive prevalence rate [time series]
34.1% (2012)
Death rate [time series]
4.9 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 196
Dependency ratios [time series]
total dependency ratio: 74.2 | youth dependency ratio: 63.9 | elderly dependency ratio: 10.2 | potential support ratio: 9.8 (2015 est.)
Drinking water source [time series]
urban: 99.7% of population | rural: 99.6% of population | total: 99.6% of population | urban: 0.3% of population | rural: 0.4% of population | total: 0.4% of population (2015 est.)
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]
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]
NA
Health expenditure (Health expenditures) [time series]
5.2% of GDP (2014) | country comparison to the world: 133
Hospital bed density [time series]
2.6 beds/1,000 population (2010)
Infant mortality rate [time series]
total: 11.3 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 11.7 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 10.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 126
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: 76.4 years | male: 74.9 years | female: 78.1 years (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 87
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 infectious diseases [time series]
note: active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)
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: 68
Median age [time series]
total: 23 years | male: 22.5 years | female: 23.4 years (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 175
Mother's mean age at first birth [time series]
24.9 years | note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 (2012 est.)
Nationality [time series]
noun: Tongan(s) | adjective: Tongan
Net migration rate [time series]
-17.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 219
Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]
48.2% (2016) | country comparison to the world: 7
Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]
0.56 physicians/1,000 population (2010)
Population [time series]
106,479 (July 2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 193
Population distribution [time series]
over two-thirds of the population lives on the island of Tongatapu; only 45 of the nation's 171 islands are occupied
Population growth rate [time series]
-0.05% (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 203
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 0.9%, Anglican 0.8% and Full Gospel Church 0.2%), Mormon 16.8%, Roman Catholic 15.6%, other 1.1%, none 0.03%, unspecified 1.7% (2006 est.)
Sanitation facility access [time series]
urban: 97.6% of population | rural: 89% of population | total: 91% of population | urban: 2.4% of population | rural: 11% of population | total: 9% of population (2015 est.)
Sex ratio [time series]
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: 0.98 male(s)/female | 65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female | total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2016 est.)
Total fertility rate [time series]
3.1 children born/woman (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 51
Urbanization [time series]
urban population: 23.9% of total population (2017) | rate of urbanization: 1.3% annual rate of change (2015-20 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 | under 914 m: 1 (2013)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix [time series]
A3 (2016)
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: 123
National air transport system [time series]
number of registered air carriers: 1 | inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 1 | annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 75,416 | annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 0 mt-km (2015)
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: 191