Australia and Oceania
Page last updated: April 24, 2024
The first humans arrived in Tonga around 1000 B.C. The islands’ politics were probably highly centralized under the Tu’i Tonga, or Tongan king, by A.D. 950, and by 1200, the Tu’i Tonga had expanded his influence throughout Polynesia and into Melanesia and Micronesia. The Tongan Empire began to decline in the 1300s, descending into civil wars, a military defeat to Samoa, and internal political strife that saw successive leaders assassinated. By the mid-1500s, some Tu’i Tongans were ethnic Samoan and day-to-day administration of Tonga was transferred to a new position occupied by ethnic Tongans.
Dutch sailors explored the islands in the 1600s and British Captain James COOK visited Tonga three times in the 1770s, naming them the Friendly Islands for the positive reception he thought he received, even though the Tongans he encountered were plotting ways to kill him. In 1799, Tonga fell into a new round of civil wars over succession. Wesleyan missionaries arrived in 1822, quickly converting the population. In the 1830s, a low-ranking chief from Ha’apai began to consolidate control over the islands and won the support of the missionaries by declaring that he would dedicate Tonga to God. The chief soon made alliances with leaders on most of the other islands and was crowned King George TUPOU I in 1845, establishing the only still-extant Polynesian monarchy. TUPOU I declared Tonga a constitutional monarchy in 1875 and his successor, King George TUPOU II, agreed to enter a protectorate agreement with the UK in 1900 after rival Tongan chiefs tried to overthrow him. As a protectorate, Tonga never completely lost its indigenous governance, but it did become more isolated and the social hierarchy became more stratified between a group of nobles and a large class of commoners. Today, about one third of parliamentary seats are reserved for nobles.
Queen Salote TUPOU III negotiated the end of the protectorate in 1965, which was achieved under King TUPOU IV, who in 1970 withdrew from the protectorate and joined the Commonwealth of Nations. A prodemocracy movement gained steam in the early 2000s, led by future Prime Minister ‘Akilisi POHIVA, and in 2006, riots broke out in Nuku’alofa to protest the lack of progress on prodemocracy legislation. To appease the activists, in 2008, King George TUPOU V announced he was relinquishing most of his powers leading up to parliamentary elections in 2010; he died in 2012 and was succeeded by his brother ‘Aho’eitu TUPOU VI. Tropical Cyclone Gita, the strongest-ever recorded storm to impact Tonga, hit the islands in February 2018 causing extensive damage.
Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
20 00 S, 175 00 W
Oceania
Total: 747 km²
Land: 717 km²
Water: 30 km²
Four times the size of Washington, DC
Area comparison map:
Total: 0 km
419 km
Territorial sea: 12 nm
Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Tropical; modified by trade winds; warm season (December to May), cool season (May to December)
Mostly flat islands with limestone bedrock formed from uplifted coral formation; others have limestone overlying volcanic rock
Highest point: Kao Volcano on Kao Island 1,046 m
Lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
Arable land, fish
Agricultural land: 43.1% (2018 est.)
Arable land: 22.2% (2018 est.)
Permanent crops: 15.3% (2018 est.)
Permanent pasture: 5.6% (2018 est.)
Forest: 12.5% (2018 est.)
Other: 44.4% (2018 est.)
0 km² (2022)
Over two-thirds of the population lives on the island of Tongatapu; only 45 of the nation's 171 islands are occupied
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
The western islands (making up the Tongan Volcanic Arch) are all of volcanic origin; the eastern islands are nonvolcanic and are composed of coral limestone and sand
105,221 (2023 est.)
Noun: Tongan(s)
Adjective: Tongan
Tongan 96.5%, other (European, Fijian, Samoan, Indian, Chinese, other Pacific Islander, other Asian, other) 3.5% (2021 est.)
Tongan only 85%, Tongan and other language 13.9%, Tongan not used at home 1.1% (2021 est.)
Note: data represent language use at home of persons aged 5 and older
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.)
0-14 years: 29.92% (male 15,989/female 15,491)
15-64 years: 62.79% (male 33,330/female 32,741)
65 years and over: 7.29% (2023 est.) (male 3,453/female 4,217)
2023 population pyramid:
Total dependency ratio: 68.6
Youth dependency ratio: 58.5
Elderly dependency ratio: 10.5
Potential support ratio: 9.5 (2021 est.)
Total: 25.4 years (2023 est.)
Male: 25 years
Female: 25.9 years
-0.3% (2023 est.)
20 births/1,000 population (2023 est.)
5 deaths/1,000 population (2023 est.)
-18.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2023 est.)
Over two-thirds of the population lives on the island of Tongatapu; only 45 of the nation's 171 islands are occupied
Urban population: 23.2% of total population (2023)
Rate of urbanization: 0.99% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Total population growth rate v. urban population growth rate, 2000-2030
23,000 NUKU'ALOFA (2018)
At birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female
Total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2023 est.)
24.9 years (2012 est.)
Note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-49
126 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)
Total: 12.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2023 est.)
Male: 13.1 deaths/1,000 live births
Female: 11.1 deaths/1,000 live births
Total population: 77.8 years (2023 est.)
Male: 76.1 years
Female: 79.5 years
2.7 children born/woman (2023 est.)
1.33 (2023 est.)
29.3% (2019)
Improved: urban: 99.8% of population
Rural: 99.6% of population
Total: 99.6% of population
Unimproved: urban: 0.2% of population
Rural: 0.4% of population
Total: 0.4% of population (2020 est.)
5.3% of GDP (2020)
0.95 physicians/1,000 population (2020)
Improved: urban: 99.4% of population
Rural: 98.8% of population
Total: 98.9% of population
Unimproved: urban: 0.6% of population
Rural: 1.2% of population
Total: 1.1% of population (2020 est.)
48.2% (2016)
Total: 0.31 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Beer: 0.03 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Wine: 0.17 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Spirits: 0.11 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Total: 31% (2020 est.)
Male: 46.7% (2020 est.)
Female: 15.3% (2020 est.)
0.8% (2019)
54.9% (2023 est.)
Women married by age 15: 0.4%
Women married by age 18: 10.1%
Men married by age 18: 2.8% (2019 est.)
6.6% of GDP (2021 est.)
Definition: can read and write Tongan and/or English
Total population: 99.4%
Male: 99.4%
Female: 99.5% (2021)
Total: 16 years
Male: 15 years
Female: 17 years (2020)
Deforestation from land being cleared for agriculture and settlement; soil exhaustion; water pollution due to salinization, sewage, and toxic chemicals from farming activities; coral reefs and marine populations threatened
Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution
Signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Tropical; modified by trade winds; warm season (December to May), cool season (May to December)
Agricultural land: 43.1% (2018 est.)
Arable land: 22.2% (2018 est.)
Permanent crops: 15.3% (2018 est.)
Permanent pasture: 5.6% (2018 est.)
Forest: 12.5% (2018 est.)
Other: 44.4% (2018 est.)
Urban population: 23.2% of total population (2023)
Rate of urbanization: 0.99% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Total population growth rate v. urban population growth rate, 2000-2030
0.03% of GDP (2018 est.)
0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Particulate matter emissions: 7.52 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 0.13 megatons (2016 est.)
Methane emissions: 0.12 megatons (2020 est.)
Municipal solid waste generated annually: 17,238 tons (2012 est.)
0 cubic meters (2017 est.)
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
Constitutional monarchy
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
Etymology: composed of the words nuku, meaning "residence or abode," and alofa, meaning "love," to signify "abode of love"
5 island divisions; 'Eua, Ha'apai, Ongo Niua, Tongatapu, Vava'u
4 June 1970 (from UK protectorate status)
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)
History: adopted 4 November 1875, revised 1988, 2016
Amendments: proposed by the Legislative Assembly; passage requires approval by the Assembly in each of three readings, the unanimous approval of the Privy Council (a high-level advisory body to the monarch), the Cabinet, and assent to by the monarch; revised 1988; amended many times, last in 2013
English common law
Has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
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
21 years of age; universal
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)
Head of government: Prime Minister Siaosi SOVALENI (since 27 December 2021)
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 18 November 2021 (next to be held in November 2025)
Election results: Siaosi SOVALENI elected prime minister by the Legislative Assembly; Siaosi SOVALENI 16 votes, Aisake EKE 10
Note: a Privy Council advises the monarch
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)
Elections: last held on 18 November 2021 (next to be held in November 2025)
Election results: percent of vote - NA; seats by party - independent 11, nobles' representatives 9, DPFI 3, TPPI 3; composition as of February 2024 - men 26, women 2, percentage women 7.1%
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 and subject to consent of the Legislative Assembly
Subordinate courts: Supreme Court; Magistrates' Courts; Land Courts
Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands or DPFI or PTOA [Semisi SIKA]
People's Democratic Party or PDP [Tesina FUKO]
Tonga Democratic Labor Party (vacant)
Tonga Human Rights and Democracy Movement or HRDM ['Uliti UATA]
Tonga People's Party or PAK or TPPI (Paati ʻa e Kakai ʻo Tonga) [Pohiva TU'I'ONETOA] (split from Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands)
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
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, and white signifies purity
Red cross on white field, arms equal length; national colors: red, white
Coat of arms of the Kingdom of Tonga:
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)
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
$651.259 million (2021 est.)
$669.107 million (2020 est.)
$665.853 million (2019 est.)
Note: data in 2017 dollars
-2.67% (2021 est.)
0.49% (2020 est.)
0.71% (2019 est.)
Note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
$6,100 (2021 est.)
$6,400 (2020 est.)
$6,300 (2019 est.)
Note: data in 2017 dollars
$469.228 million (2021 est.)
Note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
10.97% (2022 est.)
5.64% (2021 est.)
-0.35% (2020 est.)
Note: annual % change based on consumer prices
Agriculture: 19.9% (2017 est.)
Industry: 20.3% (2017 est.)
Services: 59.8% (2017 est.)
Comparison rankings: services 129; industry 145; agriculture 49
Household consumption: 99.4% (2017 est.)
Government consumption: 21.9% (2017 est.)
Investment in fixed capital: 24.1% (2017 est.)
Investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.)
Exports of goods and services: 22.8% (2017 est.)
Imports of goods and services: -68.5% (2017 est.)
Coconuts, gourds, cassava, sweet potatoes, vegetables, yams, taro, roots/tubers, plantains, lemons/limes
Tourism, construction, fishing
1.23% (2021 est.)
Note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
38,000 (2022 est.)
Note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
2.43% (2022 est.)
2.11% (2021 est.)
2.73% (2020 est.)
Note: % of labor force seeking employment
Total: 11.1% (2021 est.)
Male: 7.5%
Female: 16.3%
22.5% (2010 est.)
33.5 (2015 est.)
Note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
Lowest 10%: 3.2%
Highest 10%: 26.8% (2015 est.)
Note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
46.22% of GDP (2021 est.)
39.31% of GDP (2020 est.)
37.18% of GDP (2019 est.)
Note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Revenues: $212 million (2019 est.)
Expenditures: $196 million (2019 est.)
0% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
49.41% of GDP (2016 est.)
51.8% of GDP (FY2016 est.)
51.18% of GDP (2015 est.)
Note: central government debt as a % of GDP
39.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
1 July - 30 June
-$31.432 million (2022 est.)
-$24.467 million (2021 est.)
-$25.78 million (2020 est.)
Note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
$59.622 million (2022 est.)
$58.152 million (2021 est.)
$99.78 million (2020 est.)
Note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
United States 22%, South Africa 18%, New Zealand 15%, Australia 13%, South Korea 11% (2021)
Natural gas, shellfish, various fruits and nuts, vegetables, cassava, coral and shells (2021)
$329.146 million (2022 est.)
$291.957 million (2021 est.)
$309.685 million (2020 est.)
Note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
New Zealand 36%, China 20%, Fiji 18%, Australia 6%, United States 6% (2021)
Refined petroleum, poultry meats, cars, mutton, goat meat, lumber, x-ray equipment, broadcasting equipment (2021)
$375.564 million (2022 est.)
$361.812 million (2021 est.)
$298.948 million (2020 est.)
Note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
$189.9 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$198.2 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Pa'anga (TOP) per US dollar -
Exchange rates:
2.328 (2022 est.)
2.265 (2021 est.)
2.3 (2020 est.)
2.289 (2019 est.)
2.237 (2018 est.)
Electrification - total population: 100% (2021)
Installed generating capacity: 26,000 kW (2020 est.)
Consumption: 54.448 million kWh (2019 est.)
Exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.)
Imports: 0 kWh (2019 est.)
Transmission/distribution losses: 5.9 million kWh (2019 est.)
Comparison rankings: installed generating capacity 203; transmission/distribution losses 13; imports 170; exports 162; consumption 201
Fossil fuels: 100% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Solar: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
Refined petroleum consumption: 1,200 bbl/day (2019 est.)
Crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 bbl/day (2018 est.)
Crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 bbl/day (2018 est.)
Crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
0 bbl/day (2017 est.)
0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
910 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
Consumption: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
Exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
Imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
Proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
171,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
From petroleum and other liquids: 171,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
22.841 million Btu/person (2019 est.)
Total subscriptions: 10,824 (2021 est.)
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 10 (2021 est.)
Total subscriptions: 64,328 (2021 est.)
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 61 (2021 est.)
General assessment: Tonga was only connected to the global submarine telecommunication network in the last decade; though this system is more stable than other technologies such as satellite and fixed infrastructure; the January 2022 eruption of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai severed Tonga’s connection to the submarine telecommunication network
(2023)
Domestic: fixed-line 10 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular teledensity 61 telephones per 100 (2021)
International: country code - 676; landing point for the Tonga Cable and the TDCE connecting to Fiji and 3 separate Tonga islands; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2020)
1 state-owned TV station and 3 privately owned TV stations; satellite and cable TV services are available; 1 state-owned and 5 privately owned radio stations; Radio Australia broadcasts available via satellite (2019)
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Total: 73,700 (2021 est.)
Percent of population: 67% (2021 est.)
Total: 5,000 (2020 est.)
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 5 (2020 est.)
Number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020)
Inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 1
A3
6 (2024)
Total: 680 km
Paved: 184 km
Unpaved: 496 km (2011)
Total: 29 (2023)
By type: container ship 1, general cargo 13, oil tanker 1, other 14
Major seaport(s): Nuku'alofa, Neiafu, Pangai
His Majesty's Armed Forces Tonga (aka Tonga Defense Services): Tonga Royal Guard, Land Force (Royal Tongan Marines), Tonga Navy, Air Wing
Ministry of Police and Fire Services: Tonga Police Force (2023)
1.6% of GDP (2023 est.)
1.6% of GDP (2022 est.)
1.5% of GDP (2021 est.)
2.1% of GDP (2020 est.)
2.4% of GDP (2019 est.)
Approximately 500-700 personnel (2023)
The Tonga military's inventory includes mostly light weapons and equipment from Australia, European countries (primarily the UK), and the US; nearly all of its military acquisitions in recent years have come from Australia (2023)
Voluntary military service for men and women 18-25; no conscription (2023)
The HMAF’s primary missions are protecting the King and Tonga’s sovereignty; the HMAF has contributed small numbers of personnel to multinational military operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Solomon Islands; it is a small force comprised of royal guards, marines, a few naval patrol boats, and a couple of aircraft for maritime patrolling, search and rescue, and training purposes
Tonga participated in World War I as part of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, but the Tonga Defense Force (TDF) was not established until 1939 at the beginning of World War II; in 1943, New Zealand helped train about 2,000 Tongan troops who saw action in the Solomon Islands; the TDF was disbanded at the end of the war, but was reactivated in 1946 as the Tonga Defense Services (TDS); in 2013, the name of the TDS was changed to His Majesty’s Armed Forces of Tonga (HMAF); Tongan troops deployed to Iraq from 2004-2008 and Afghanistan to support UK forces from 2010-2014
Tonga has a "shiprider" agreement with the US, which allows local maritime law enforcement officers to embark on US Coast Guard (USCG) and US Navy (USN) vessels, including to board and search vessels suspected of violating laws or regulations within Tonga's designated exclusive economic zone (EEZ) or on the high seas; "shiprider" agreements also enable USCG personnel and USN vessels with embarked USCG law enforcement personnel to work with host nations to protect critical regional resources (2024)