Introduction
Background
The Tongan Empire lasted from about 950 to the 1300s. 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
Area
total : 747 sq km
land: 717 sq km
water: 30 sq km
Climate
tropical; modified by trade winds; warm season (December to May), cool season (May to December)
Natural resources
arable land, fish
People and Society
Population
total: 104,889
Ethnic groups
Tongan 96.5%, other (European, Fijian, Samoan, Indian, Chinese, other Pacific Islander, other Asian, other) 3.5% (2021 est.)
Languages
Tongan only 85%, Tongan and other language 13.9%, Tongan not used at home 1.1% (2021 est.)
Religions
Protestant 63.9% (Free Wesleyan Church 34.2%, Free Church of Tonga 11.3%, Church of Tonga 6.8%, Seventh Day Adventist 2.5%, Assembly of God 2.5%, Tokaikolo/Maamafo'ou 1.5%, Constitutional Church of Tonga 1.2%, other Protestant 4%), Church of Jesus Christ 19.7%, Roman Catholic 13.7%, other 2.1%, none 0.6%, no answer 0.1% (2021 est.)
Population growth rate
-0.34% (2024 est.)
Government
Government type
constitutional monarchy
Capital
name: Nuku'alofa
Executive branch
chief of state: King TUPOU VI (since 18 March 2012)
head of government: Prime Minister Siaosi SOVALENI (since 27 December 2021)
Legislative branch
description: unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fale Alea (30 seats statutory, 28 current); 17 people's representatives directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, and 9 indirectly elected by hereditary leaders; members serve 4-year terms)
Economy
Economic overview
upper middle-income Pacific island economy; enormous diaspora and remittance reliance; key tourism and agricultural sectors; major fish exporter; rapidly growing Chinese infrastructure investments; rising methamphetamine hub
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$700.437 million (2022 est.)
$714.816 million (2021 est.)
$734.406 million (2020 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$6,600 (2022 est.)
$6,700 (2021 est.)
$7,000 (2020 est.)
Agricultural products
coconuts, pumpkins/squash, cassava, sweet potatoes, vegetables, yams, taro, root vegetables, plantains, lemons/limes (2022)
Industries
tourism, construction, fishing
Exports
$59.926 million (2022 est.)
$57.534 million (2021 est.)
$99.78 million (2020 est.)
Exports - partners
US 31%, Australia 19%, NZ 12%, Hong Kong 8%, Belgium 8% (2022)
Exports - commodities
fish, scrap copper, processed crustaceans, vegetables, perfume plants (2022)
Imports
$332.743 million (2022 est.)
$299.094 million (2021 est.)
$314.803 million (2020 est.)
Imports - partners
Fiji 28%, China 23%, NZ 21%, Australia 6%, US 5% (2022)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, plastic products, poultry, sheep and goat meat, cars (2022)
Exchange rates
pa'anga (TOP) per US dollar -
Page last updated: Wednesday, July 24, 2024
