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Photo: Haanofonua derivative work: Massimo Telò · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Tonga places highest on Gender Development Index (top 3% worldwide) and lowest on Adjusted Net Savings (bottom 9%).
Tonga in the Nations Inquiry Country Index
At a glance
Population
104,597
people
since 1950
Land area
720
km²
since 1961
GDP per person
7,413
international $, PPP
since 1990
Life expectancy
72.89
years at birth
since 1950
Human development
0.769
HDI, 0–1
since 1990
Unemployment
2.008
% of the labour force
since 1991
The newest published figure for each, the year it describes and who published it, with a line showing how it has moved.
01The country
About Tonga
Key facts about Tonga
- Capital
- Nukuʻalofa
- Official languages
- English, Tongan
- Currency
- Tongan paʻanga (TOP)
- ISO code
- TON · TO
- Domain · dialling
- .to · +676
As Wikidata records them. Official languages are the least consistent — some countries list only a national language, others every regional one. Sources and licences.
02Country Index 2026
Where it stands, topic by topic
Strongest first. Each position is Tonga’s place among the countries with a standing on that topic, built from a few key statistics chosen to measure different things.
46thof 198
From 2 of 3 key statistics
joint60thof 182
From 2 of 4 key statistics
joint71stof 191
From 2 of 3 key statistics
89thof 201
From 2 of 4 key statistics
joint104thof 194
From 2 of 3 key statistics
joint103rdof 182
From 4 of 4 key statistics
joint134thof 193
From 3 of 5 key statistics
joint124thof 161
From 3 of 3 key statistics
145thof 178
From 2 of 3 key statistics
No standing — Tonga holds too few of this subject’s key statistics to be placed on it.
No standing — Tonga holds too few of this subject’s key statistics to be placed on it.
No standing — Tonga holds too few of this subject’s key statistics to be placed on it.
Each standing is built from a few key statistics chosen to measure different things. Select a subject for Tonga’s readings on it, or see every statistic held for Tonga in the table further down this page.
03Highs and lows
Where Tonga stands out
The two ends of its own record: every statistic on which Tonga sits within ten places of the best or worst in the world, plus its strongest and weakest readings overall. Each is turned into a percentile — its place among every country measured — which is what lets a hunger score and a press-freedom rank be compared at all.
Where Tonga does best6
In the top third of all countries measured. 2 are within ten places of the best in the world, in a field of at least 50 countries — marked with that place.
- 1stDeaths in Organized Violencetop 35%
Position · derived 59th of 59 · 1 = worst · 0 · 2025
world median 0
- 6thGender Development Indextop 3%
Position · derived 6th of 184 · 0.998 · 2023
world median 0.971 (better) · ▲ 27 pts since 2013
Position · derived 14th of 211 · 1.255 · 2024
world median 0.04 (better) · ▲ 19 pts since 2014
Position · derived 149th of 162 · 1 = worst · 2.177 · 2024
world median 13.8 (better)
- Unemployment Ratetop 9%
Position · derived 166th of 182 · 1 = worst · 2.008 · 2025
world median 5.084 (better)
Position · derived 19th of 195 · 17.79 · 2023
world median 13.34 (better) · ▲ 6 pts since 2013
Where Tonga struggles most5
In the bottom third of all countries measured.
- Adjusted Net Savingsbottom 9%
Position · derived 107th of 118 · -3.347 · 2021
world median 8.389 (worse) · ▼ 50 pts since 2011
- Labour Force Participation Ratebottom 13%
Position · derived 158th of 182 · 49.81 · 2025
world median 61.66 (worse) · ▼ 10 pts since 2015
- Women, Business and the Lawbottom 14%
Position · derived 162nd of 190 · 58.75 · 2024
world median 81.25 (worse) · ▼ 7 pts since 2014
- Violent Discipline of Childrenbottom 17%
Position · derived 16th of 90 · 1 = worst · 86.6 · 2025
world median 75.8 (worse)
- Employment-to-Population Ratiobottom 19%
Position · derived 147th of 182 · 48.81 · 2025
world median 57.72 (worse) · ▼ 18 pts since 2015
A band is a place among the countries each publisher scores, so Tonga can move because other countries moved. See the Country Index for the full method.
04Over time
Which way it is moving
The published rank in widely quoted reports, edition by edition — each end with the size of that year’s field — and the statistics, not already named above, on which it has gained or lost the most ground.
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report Office
69th
of 141 · 1990
92nd
of 193 · 2023
Ranked in 34 of 34 editions
Gender Inequality Index
UNDP Human Development Report Office
79th
of 79 · 1990
115th
of 172 · 2023
Ranked in 34 of 34 editions
Government AI Readiness Index
Oxford Insights
115th
of 172 · 2020
156th
of 195 · 2025
Ranked in 5 of 6 editions
Gaining ground
Where Tonga has climbed against the rest of the world, in percentile points.
- Internal Displacements by Disaster+37 pts since 2014
- Access to Electricity+32 pts since 2014
Losing ground
Where Tonga has slipped against the rest of the world, in percentile points.
- Food Production Index-78 pts since 2012
- Crop Production Index-71 pts since 2012
- Livestock Production Index-53 pts since 2012
05In context
Tonga and its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place in the world ranking of 174, not within the region.
Shares a land border with
Tonga has no land border with another country.
Placed either side in the Country Index 2026
Across Polynesia
Every country in the sub-region, by its position in the world (of 174 placed).
- 64
Samoa - 87
Tonga - —
American Samoanot placed - —
Cook Islandsnot placed - —
French Polynesianot placed - —
Niuenot placed - —
Tuvalunot placed
06The evidence
Every statistic we hold for Tonga
Grouped by topic. Each row gives the newest edition’s rank or position, the published value and the year the numbers describe — select a row for the world median, the best in the world and the trend.
Governance & Institutions14
Agriculture Orientation Index97th of 132position · derived0.17Agriculture orientation index (1.0 = spending matches sector size)2024
Lower middle · bottom 25% of 132 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Agriculture orientation index (1.0 = spending matches sector size)
Tonga 0.17 · world median 0.305 (worse)
Best in the world 5.38 (Singapore)
▼ -8 percentile points since 2014
Civic Space Ratings42nd of 198position · derived80.03Civic space score (0–100)2025
Upper middle · top 21% of 198 countries measured
CIVICUS · Civic space score (0–100)
Tonga 80.03 · world median 50.46 (better)
Best in the world 100 (Kiribati)
No earlier reading to compare
Completeness of Birth Registrationbottom 47%97.7Children under 5 whose birth is registered (%)2025
Middle · bottom 47% of 185 countries measured
UNICEF · Children under 5 whose birth is registered (%)
Tonga 97.7 · world median 98.4 (worse)
Best in the world 100 (53 countries tied)
No earlier reading to compare
Country Policy and Institutional Assessment22nd of 78position · derived3.483IDA Resource Allocation Index (1 = low to 6 = high)2025
Upper middle · top 27% of 78 countries measured
World Bank Group · IDA Resource Allocation Index (1 = low to 6 = high)
Tonga 3.483 · world median 3.246 (better)
Best in the world 4.225 (Rwanda)
No real change since 2015
Debt Service on External Debt27th of 109position · derived · 1 = worst22.82Total debt service (% of exports of goods, services and primary income)2024
Lower middle · bottom 24% of 109 countries measured
World Bank Group · Total debt service (% of exports of goods, services and primary income)
Tonga 22.82 · world median 12.93 (worse)
Best in the world 0.285 (Iran)
▼ -36 percentile points since 2014
Government AI Readiness Index156th of 195rank23.11AI readiness score (0–100)2025
Lower middle · bottom 20% of 195 countries measured
Oxford Insights · AI readiness score (0–100)
Tonga 23.11 · world median 40.19 (worse)
Best in the world 88.36 (United States)
▼ -13 percentile points since 2020
Government Effectiveness108th of 209position · derived-0.037Governance estimate (−2.5 weak to 2.5 strong)2024
Middle · bottom 49% of 209 countries measured
World Bank Group · Governance estimate (−2.5 weak to 2.5 strong)
Tonga -0.037 · world median 0.01 (worse)
Best in the world 2.28 (Singapore)
No real change since 2014
Public Sector Wage Bill13th of 168position · derived14.62Public sector wage bill (% of GDP)2022
Top fifth · top 7% of 168 countries measured
World Bank Group · Public sector wage bill (% of GDP)
Tonga 14.62 · world median 7.975
Highest 42.65 (Nauru)
▲ +13 percentile points since 2012
Regulatory Quality113th of 209position · derived-0.194Regulatory Quality (−2.5 to 2.5)2024
Middle · bottom 46% of 209 countries measured
World Bank Group · Regulatory Quality (−2.5 to 2.5)
Tonga -0.194 · world median -0.09 (worse)
Best in the world 2.132 (Singapore)
No real change since 2014
Rule of Law56th of 211position · derived0.694Rule of Law estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)2024
Upper middle · top 26% of 211 countries measured
World Bank Group · Rule of Law estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)
Tonga 0.694 · world median -0.1 (better)
Best in the world 2.021 (Finland)
▲ +18 percentile points since 2014
Statistical Performance Indicators123rd of 188position · derived63.2SPI overall score (0–100)2024
Lower middle · bottom 35% of 188 countries measured
World Bank Group · SPI overall score (0–100)
Tonga 63.2 · world median 69.3 (worse)
Best in the world 94.14 (Norway)
▲ +5 percentile points since 2020
Voice and Accountability52nd of 208position · derived0.821Voice and Accountability estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)2024
Upper middle · top 25% of 208 countries measured
World Bank Group · Voice and Accountability estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)
Tonga 0.821 · world median -0.02 (better)
Best in the world 1.929 (Norway)
▲ +13 percentile points since 2014
Women, Business and the Law162nd of 190position · derived58.75WBL Index (0–100, where 100 is full legal parity)2024
Bottom fifth · bottom 14% of 190 countries measured
World Bank Group · WBL Index (0–100, where 100 is full legal parity)
Tonga 58.75 · world median 81.25 (worse)
Best in the world 100 (14 countries tied)
▼ -7 percentile points since 2014
Economy & Innovation14
Adjusted Net Savings107th of 118position · derived-3.347Adjusted net savings, including particulate emission damage (% of GNI)2021
Bottom fifth · bottom 9% of 118 countries measured
World Bank Group · Adjusted net savings, including particulate emission damage (% of GNI)
Tonga -3.347 · world median 8.389 (worse)
Best in the world 32.18 (Bangladesh)
▼ -50 percentile points since 2011
Agricultural Land65th of 209position · derived48.61Agricultural land (% of land area)2023
Upper middle · top 31% of 209 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Agricultural land (% of land area)
Tonga 48.61 · world median 37.96
Highest 86.48 (Côte d’Ivoire)
▲ +6 percentile points since 2013
Crop Production Index144th of 195position · derived97.18Crop production index (2014–2016 = 100)2022
Lower middle · bottom 26% of 195 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Crop production index (2014–2016 = 100)
Tonga 97.18 · world median 106.23 (worse)
Best in the world 189.93 (Senegal)
▼ -71 percentile points since 2012
Fertilizer Consumption per Hectare172nd of 188position · derived4.55Fertilizer consumption (kg per hectare of arable land)2023
Bottom fifth · bottom 10% of 191 countries measured · 191 share 188 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Fertilizer consumption (kg per hectare of arable land)
Tonga 4.55 · world median 87.36
Highest 2,926 (Malaysia)
▼ -4 percentile points since 2013
Food Production Index155th of 195position · derived97.78Food production index (2014–2016 = 100)2022
Lower middle · bottom 21% of 195 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Food production index (2014–2016 = 100)
Tonga 97.78 · world median 106.08 (worse)
Best in the world 177.49 (Senegal)
▼ -78 percentile points since 2012
GDP Growth112th of 186position · derived2.8GDP growth (annual %)2025
Middle · bottom 40% of 186 countries measured
World Bank Group · GDP growth (annual %)
Tonga 2.8 · world median 3.396 (worse)
Best in the world 19.34 (Guyana)
▲ +15 percentile points since 2015
GDP per Capita (PPP)134th of 185position · derived7,413GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)2025
Lower middle · bottom 28% of 185 countries measured
World Bank Group · GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)
Tonga 7,413 · world median 17,265 (worse)
Best in the world 139,593 (Singapore)
No real change since 2015
Gross Savings (% of GDP)97th of 146position · derived18.54Gross savings (% of GDP)2024
Lower middle · bottom 34% of 146 countries measured
World Bank Group · Gross savings (% of GDP)
Tonga 18.54 · world median 22.06
Highest 47.82 (Macau)
▲ +5 percentile points since 2014
Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index64th of 169position · derived0.682IHDI (0–1)2023
Upper middle · top 38% of 169 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · IHDI (0–1)
Tonga 0.682 · world median 0.609 (better)
Best in the world 0.923 (Iceland)
No real change since 2019
Liner Shipping Connectivity Index114th of 175rank28.14LSCI (index, average Q1 2023 = 100)2026
Lower middle · bottom 34% of 167 countries measured · 167 share 175 positions
UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) · LSCI (index, average Q1 2023 = 100)
Tonga 28.14 · world median 56.21 (worse)
Best in the world 1,319 (China)
▲ +3 percentile points since 2016
Livestock Density47th of 188position · derived1.05Livestock units per hectare of agricultural land2023
Upper middle · top 25% of 188 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Livestock units per hectare of agricultural land
Tonga 1.05 · world median 0.535
Highest 43.97 (Singapore)
No real change since 2013
Livestock Production Index133rd of 194position · derived100.86Livestock production index (2014–2016 = 100)2022
Lower middle · bottom 32% of 194 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Livestock production index (2014–2016 = 100)
Tonga 100.86 · world median 107.06 (worse)
Best in the world 190.08 (Malawi)
▼ -53 percentile points since 2012
Net Official Development Assistance Received8th of 130position · derived20.35Net ODA received (% of GNI)2023
Top fifth · top 5% of 130 countries measured
OECD Development Assistance Committee · Net ODA received (% of GNI)
Tonga 20.35 · world median 2.579
Highest 101.78 (Tuvalu)
▲ +4 percentile points since 2013
Total Natural Resources Rents (% of GDP)160th of 180position · derived0.041Natural resources rents (% of GDP)2021
Bottom fifth · bottom 19% of 197 countries measured · 197 share 180 positions
World Bank Group · Natural resources rents (% of GDP)
Tonga 0.041 · world median 1.708
Highest 61.03 (Libya)
No real change since 2011
Work & Labour16
Average Weekly Hours Worked167th of 182position · derived30.74Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person2025
Bottom fifth · bottom 8% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person
Tonga 30.74 · world median 38.89
Highest 54.7 (Bhutan)
▼ -12 percentile points since 2015
Employment in Agriculture73rd of 182position · derived23.61Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)2025
Upper middle · top 40% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)
Tonga 23.61 · world median 14.38
Highest 85.34 (Burundi)
▼ -7 percentile points since 2015
Employment in Industry51st of 182position · derived23.34Employment in industry (% of total employment)2025
Upper middle · top 28% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Employment in industry (% of total employment)
Tonga 23.34 · world median 18.88
Highest 39.44 (Oman)
▼ -9 percentile points since 2015
Employment in Services110th of 182position · derived53.05Employment in services (% of total employment)2025
Lower middle · bottom 40% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Employment in services (% of total employment)
Tonga 53.05 · world median 59.51
Highest 92.17 (Djibouti)
▲ +16 percentile points since 2015
Employment-to-Population Ratio147th of 182position · derived48.81Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)2025
Bottom fifth · bottom 19% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)
Tonga 48.81 · world median 57.72 (worse)
Best in the world 86.9 (Qatar)
▼ -18 percentile points since 2015
Female Labour Force Participation Rate141st of 182position · derived42.35Women aged 15+ in the labour force (%)2025
Lower middle · bottom 23% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Women aged 15+ in the labour force (%)
Tonga 42.35 · world median 53.36 (worse)
Best in the world 82.91 (Madagascar)
No real change since 2015
Firms with a Female Top Manager25th of 179position · derived30.18Firms with a female top manager (%)2025
Top fifth · top 13% of 179 countries measured
World Bank Group · Firms with a female top manager (%)
Tonga 30.18 · world median 19.16 (better)
Best in the world 62.9 (Kiribati)
No earlier reading to compare
GDP per Person Employed118th of 168position · derived23,337GDP per person employed (constant 2021 international $)2025
Lower middle · bottom 30% of 168 countries measured
World Bank Group · GDP per person employed (constant 2021 international $)
Tonga 23,337 · world median 47,384 (worse)
Best in the world 262,554 (Luxembourg)
▲ +2 percentile points since 2015
Informal Employment Rate41st of 97position · derived · 1 = worst52.86Informal employment (% of total employment)2025
Middle · bottom 42% of 97 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Informal employment (% of total employment)
Tonga 52.86 · world median 36.83 (worse)
Best in the world 0.857 (Hungary)
No earlier reading to compare
Labour Force Participation Rate158th of 182position · derived49.81Population aged 15+ in the labour force (%)2025
Bottom fifth · bottom 13% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Population aged 15+ in the labour force (%)
Tonga 49.81 · world median 61.66 (worse)
Best in the world 87.01 (Qatar)
▼ -10 percentile points since 2015
Labour Productivity per Hour Worked116th of 182position · derived14.73Output per hour worked (constant 2021 international $ at PPP)2025
Lower middle · bottom 36% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Output per hour worked (constant 2021 international $ at PPP)
Tonga 14.73 · world median 22.16 (worse)
Best in the world 164.65 (Ireland)
▲ +4 percentile points since 2015
Self-Employment Rate72nd of 182position · derived41.79Self-employed (% of total employment)2025
Upper middle · top 39% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Self-employed (% of total employment)
Tonga 41.79 · world median 31.84
Highest 91.56 (Chad)
▼ -9 percentile points since 2015
Unemployment Rate166th of 182position · derived · 1 = worst2.008Unemployment (% of labour force)2025
Top fifth · top 9% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Unemployment (% of labour force)
Tonga 2.008 · world median 5.084 (better)
Best in the world 0.13 (Qatar)
No real change since 2015
Vulnerable Employment78th of 182position · derived · 1 = worst33.7Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)2025
Middle · bottom 43% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)
Tonga 33.7 · world median 28.67 (worse)
Best in the world 0.456 (Qatar)
▲ +4 percentile points since 2015
Youth Unemployment Rate150th of 182position · derived · 1 = worst6.029Unemployment, ages 15-24 (% of youth labour force)2025
Top fifth · top 18% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Unemployment, ages 15-24 (% of youth labour force)
Tonga 6.029 · world median 12.83 (better)
Best in the world 0.457 (Niger)
▼ -3 percentile points since 2015
Education & Knowledge9
Adult Literacy Rate19th of 172position · derived99.48Adults 15+ who can read and write (%)2024
Top fifth · top 11% of 172 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · Adults 15+ who can read and write (%)
Tonga 99.48 · world median 93.99 (better)
Best in the world 100 (3 countries tied)
No earlier reading to compare
Expected Years of Schooling19th of 195position · derived17.79Expected years of schooling2023
Top fifth · top 9% of 195 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · Expected years of schooling
Tonga 17.79 · world median 13.34 (better)
Best in the world 21.69 (Monaco)
▲ +6 percentile points since 2013
Mean Years of Schooling71st of 193position · derived10.91Mean years of schooling (adults 25+)2023
Upper middle · top 36% of 193 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · Mean years of schooling (adults 25+)
Tonga 10.91 · world median 9.933 (better)
Best in the world 14.3 (Germany)
▼ -8 percentile points since 2013
Pre-Primary Net Enrolment Rate86th of 120position · derived41.61Net enrolment rate, pre-primary (%)2024
Lower middle · bottom 29% of 120 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · Net enrolment rate, pre-primary (%)
Tonga 41.61 · world median 65.93 (worse)
Best in the world 99.85 (Moldova)
▲ +15 percentile points since 2020
Primary Completion Rate74th of 165position · derived98.42Primary completion rate (%)2025
Middle · top 45% of 165 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · Primary completion rate (%)
Tonga 98.42 · world median 97.43 (better)
Best in the world 100 (5 countries tied)
▼ -7 percentile points since 2015
Secondary School Enrolment57th of 109position · derived92.43Gross secondary enrolment ratio (%)2024
Middle · bottom 48% of 109 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · Gross secondary enrolment ratio (%)
Tonga 92.43 · world median 93.19 (worse)
Best in the world 158.55 (Monaco)
▼ -8 percentile points since 2014
Upper Secondary Attainment70th of 95position · derived41.55Adults 25+ who completed upper secondary or higher (%)2023
Lower middle · bottom 27% of 95 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · Adults 25+ who completed upper secondary or higher (%)
Tonga 41.55 · world median 65.76 (worse)
Best in the world 97.89 (Belarus)
▼ -31 percentile points since 2018
Upper Secondary Completion Rate48th of 164position · derived86.21Upper secondary completion rate (%)2025
Upper middle · top 29% of 164 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · Upper secondary completion rate (%)
Tonga 86.21 · world median 64.87 (better)
Best in the world 99.27 (South Korea)
▼ -2 percentile points since 2015
Youth Literacy Ratetop 22%99.7215–24 year-olds who can read and write (%)2024
Upper middle · top 22% of 174 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · 15–24 year-olds who can read and write (%)
Tonga 99.72 · world median 98.22 (better)
Best in the world 100 (6 countries tied)
No earlier reading to compare
Health & Wellbeing14
Births Attended by Skilled Health Staff51st of 86position · derived98.3Births attended by skilled health staff (%)2019
Middle · bottom 40% of 86 countries measured
UNICEF · Births attended by skilled health staff (%)
Tonga 98.3 · world median 98.8 (worse)
Best in the world 100 (11 countries tied)
▲ +10 percentile points since 2009
Children with Functional Difficultiesbottom 31%9.8Children aged 5-17 with a functional difficulty (%)2024
Lower middle · bottom 31% of 62 countries measured
UNICEF · Children aged 5-17 with a functional difficulty (%)
Tonga 9.8 · world median 13
Highest 35.2 (Afghanistan)
No earlier reading to compare
Exclusive Breastfeeding Under Six Months76th of 136position · derived39.57Infants under 6 months exclusively breastfed (%)2024
Middle · bottom 44% of 136 countries measured
UNICEF · Infants under 6 months exclusively breastfed (%)
Tonga 39.57 · world median 40.74 (worse)
Best in the world 83.3 (Burundi)
No earlier reading to compare
Gender Inequality Index115th of 172rank0.444GII (0 = full equality, 1 = maximum inequality)2023
Lower middle · bottom 33% of 172 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · GII (0 = full equality, 1 = maximum inequality)
Tonga 0.444 · world median 0.351 (worse)
Best in the world 0.003 (Denmark)
No real change since 2013
Global Multidimensional Poverty Index92nd of 109position · derived · 1 = worst0.003MPI (0–1)2025
Top fifth · top 16% of 109 countries measured
Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) · MPI (0–1)
Tonga 0.003 · world median 0.039 (better)
Best in the world 0 (Serbia)
No real change since 2021
Global Violent Deaths139th of 206position · derived · 1 = worst1.89Violent deaths per 100,000 people2021
Upper middle · top 34% of 209 countries measured · 209 share 206 positions
Small Arms Survey · Violent deaths per 100,000 people
Tonga 1.89 · world median 4.02 (better)
Best in the world 0 (4 countries tied)
▼ -8 percentile points since 2011
Human Capital Index99th of 172position · derived0.531HCI score (0–1)2020
Middle · bottom 43% of 172 countries measured
World Bank Group · HCI score (0–1)
Tonga 0.531 · world median 0.564 (worse)
Best in the world 0.879 (Singapore)
▲ +3 percentile points since 2017
Human Development Index92nd of 193rank0.769HDI score (0–1)2023
Middle · top 47% of 193 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · HDI score (0–1)
Tonga 0.769 · world median 0.762 (better)
Best in the world 0.972 (Iceland)
▲ +3 percentile points since 2013
Life Expectancy at Birth127th of 222position · derived72.89Years a newborn would live at current death rates2023
Middle · bottom 43% of 222 countries measured
UN DESA Population Division · Years a newborn would live at current death rates
Tonga 72.89 · world median 74.63 (worse)
Best in the world 86.37 (Monaco)
No real change since 2013
Maternal Mortality Ratio83rd of 195position · derived · 1 = worst66.78Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births2023
Middle · bottom 42% of 195 countries measured
UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG) · Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births
Tonga 66.78 · world median 46.65 (worse)
Best in the world 0.11 (Cook Islands)
No real change since 2013
Pesticide Use per Hectare136th of 178position · derived0.65Pesticide use (kg per hectare of cropland)2024
Lower middle · bottom 25% of 181 countries measured · 181 share 178 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Pesticide use (kg per hectare of cropland)
Tonga 0.65 · world median 1.73
Highest 37.72 (Antigua and Barbuda)
No real change since 2014
Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five149th of 162position · derived · 1 = worst2.177Children under 5 who are stunted (%)2024
Top fifth · top 8% of 162 countries measured
UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · Children under 5 who are stunted (%)
Tonga 2.177 · world median 13.8 (better)
Best in the world 0.518 (Latvia)
No earlier reading to compare
Under-Five Mortality Rate129th of 200position · derived · 1 = worst9.513Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births)2024
Upper middle · top 36% of 200 countries measured
UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME) · Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births)
Tonga 9.513 · world median 14.54 (better)
Best in the world 1.26 (San Marino)
No real change since 2014
Violent Discipline of Children16th of 90position · derived · 1 = worst86.6Children aged 1-14 experiencing violent discipline (%)2025
Bottom fifth · bottom 17% of 90 countries measured
UNICEF · Children aged 1-14 experiencing violent discipline (%)
Tonga 86.6 · world median 75.8 (worse)
Best in the world 37.6 (Qatar)
No earlier reading to compare
Development & Human Capital7
Access to Electricitytop 28%100Population with electricity access (%)2024
Upper middle · top 28% of 215 countries measured
World Bank Group · Population with electricity access (%)
Tonga 100 · world median 100
Best in the world 100 (122 countries tied)
▲ +32 percentile points since 2014
Arable Land per Person62nd of 206position · derived0.191Arable land (hectares per person)2023
Upper middle · top 30% of 206 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Arable land (hectares per person)
Tonga 0.191 · world median 0.109
Highest 1.459 (Kazakhstan)
▲ +10 percentile points since 2013
Child Marriage95th of 143position · derived · 1 = worst10.1Women 20–24 married before 18 (%)2025
Upper middle · top 35% of 145 countries measured · 145 share 143 positions
UNICEF · Women 20–24 married before 18 (%)
Tonga 10.1 · world median 17.1 (better)
Best in the world 0 (3 countries tied)
No earlier reading to compare
Coefficient of Human Inequality116th of 169position · derived · 1 = worst10.99Coefficient of Human Inequality (%)2023
Upper middle · top 32% of 169 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · Coefficient of Human Inequality (%)
Tonga 10.99 · world median 17.05 (better)
Best in the world 4.865 (Slovenia)
▼ -3 percentile points since 2019
Cost of Sending Remittances32nd of 93position · derived · 1 = worst4.097Average cost of sending $200 home (% of the amount)2023
Lower middle · bottom 34% of 93 countries measured
World Bank Group · Average cost of sending $200 home (% of the amount)
Tonga 4.097 · world median 3.225 (worse)
Best in the world -49.69 (Malawi)
▼ -9 percentile points since 2016
Gender Development Index6th of 184position · derived0.998Gender Development Index (1.000 = parity)2023
Top fifth · top 3% of 184 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · Gender Development Index (1.000 = parity)
Tonga 0.998 · world median 0.971 (better)
Best in the world 1 (2 countries tied)
▲ +27 percentile points since 2013
Organic Agricultural Area70th of 150position · derived0.92Organic share of agricultural land (%)2024
Middle · top 45% of 156 countries measured · 156 share 150 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Organic share of agricultural land (%)
Tonga 0.92 · world median 0.725 (better)
Best in the world 86.38 (Samoa)
▼ -32 percentile points since 2014
Environment & Sustainability6
Agricultural Emissions171st of 193position · derived83.85Farm-gate emissions (kt CO₂eq)2023
Bottom fifth · bottom 14% of 198 countries measured · 198 share 193 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Farm-gate emissions (kt CO₂eq)
Tonga 83.85 · world median 8,635
Highest 1,044,508 (India)
No real change since 2013
Ecological Footprint40th of 126position · derived · 1 = worst3.759Ecological Footprint (global hectares per person)2025
Lower middle · bottom 31% of 126 countries measured
Global Footprint Network · Ecological Footprint (global hectares per person)
Tonga 3.759 · world median 2.296 (worse)
Best in the world 0.514 (Yemen)
▼ -2 percentile points since 2015
Forest Area150th of 210position · derived12.43Forest area (% of land area)2023
Lower middle · bottom 30% of 213 countries measured · 213 share 210 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Forest area (% of land area)
Tonga 12.43 · world median 31.08
Highest 94.45 (Suriname)
No real change since 2013
Internal Displacements by Disaster142nd of 160position · derived · 1 = worst40New displacements by disaster (people)2024
Top fifth · top 11% of 160 countries measured
Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) · New displacements by disaster (people)
Tonga 40 · world median 4,750 (better)
Best in the world 1 (Serbia)
▲ +37 percentile points since 2014
Renewable Share of Electricity Generation138th of 190position · derived14.29Renewables (% of electricity generated)2024
Lower middle · bottom 29% of 193 countries measured · 193 share 190 positions
Ember · Renewables (% of electricity generated)
Tonga 14.29 · world median 31.14 (worse)
Best in the world 100 (7 countries tied)
▲ +21 percentile points since 2014
World Risk Index104th of 193position · derived · 1 = worst3.67WorldRiskIndex score (0–100, where 100 is the most at risk)2025
Middle · top 46% of 193 countries measured
Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV), Ruhr University Bochum · WorldRiskIndex score (0–100, where 100 is the most at risk)
Tonga 3.67 · world median 4.17 (better)
Best in the world 0.18 (Monaco)
▲ +4 percentile points since 2015
Peace & Security3
Deaths in Organized Violence59th of 59position · derived · 1 = worst0Deaths in organized violence (people)2025
Upper middle · top 35% of 196 countries measured · 196 share 59 positions
Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP) · Deaths in organized violence (people)
Tonga 0 · world median 0
Best in the world 0 (138 countries tied)
No real change since 2015
INFORM Risk Index120th of 191position · derived · 1 = worst3INFORM Risk score (0–10, where 10 is the highest risk)2025
Upper middle · top 37% of 191 countries measured
European Commission Joint Research Centre, with the Inter-Agency Standing Committee · INFORM Risk score (0–10, where 10 is the highest risk)
Tonga 3 · world median 3.7 (better)
Best in the world 0.7 (Singapore)
▲ +3 percentile points since 2016
Political Stability and Absence of Violence14th of 211position · derived1.255Political Stability estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)2024
Top fifth · top 6% of 211 countries measured
World Bank Group · Political Stability estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)
Tonga 1.255 · world median 0.04 (better)
Best in the world 1.582 (Liechtenstein)
▲ +19 percentile points since 2014
Not currently covered
The newest edition of these reports does not include Tonga. Usually the publisher does not cover it; sometimes it has dropped out of a ranking it used to appear in.
- Account Ownership at a Financial Institution
- Agricultural Irrigated Land
- Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added (% of GDP) · last seen 2024
- Business Ready: Operational Efficiency
- Business Ready: Public Services
- Business Ready: Regulatory Framework
- Cereal Import Dependency Ratio · last seen 2021
- Cereal Yield
- Container Port Traffic · last seen 2019
- Corruption Perceptions Index
- Dietary Energy Supply
- Economic Complexity Index
- Exports of Goods and Services (% of GDP) · last seen 2024
- External Debt Stocks (% of GNI) · last seen 2023
- Fatal Occupational Injuries
- Female Genital Mutilation Prevalence
- Female Share of Senior and Middle Management · last seen 2023
- Gender Social Norms Index
- General Government Consumption · last seen 2024
- Gini Index · last seen 2021
- Global Innovation Index
- Global Militarisation Index
- Global Report on Food Crises
- GNI per Capita (PPP) · last seen 2024
- Government Funding per Primary Student · last seen 2004
- Government Spending on Education · last seen 2022
- Gross Capital Formation (% of GDP) · last seen 2024
- Household Consumption · last seen 2024
- ICT Goods Exports · last seen 2023
- Imports of Goods and Services (% of GDP) · last seen 2024
- Inbound Mobility Rate, Tertiary · last seen 2020
- Income Share Held by Lowest 20% · last seen 2021
- Industry Value Added including Construction (% of GDP) · last seen 2024
- INFORM Severity Index · last seen 2022
- Land Under Cereal Production
- Logistics Performance Index
- Manufacturing Value Added (% of GDP) · last seen 2024
- Open Data Inventory
- Out-of-School Rate, Primary · last seen 2022
- Physical Violence Index
- PISA Mathematics Performance
- PISA Reading Performance
- PISA Science Performance
- Planetary pressures-adjusted HDI
- Poverty Gap at $3.00 a Day · last seen 2021
- Poverty Headcount Ratio at $3.00 a Day · last seen 2021
- Poverty Headcount Ratio at $8.30 a Day · last seen 2021
- Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity · last seen 2022
- Prevalence of Undernourishment
- Prosperity Gap · last seen 2021
- Public Sector Employment
- Renewable Internal Freshwater Resources per Capita
- Research and Development Spending
- School Life Expectancy · last seen 2023
- Social Institutions and Gender Index
- Tertiary Enrolment Ratio · last seen 2023
- Trade (% of GDP) · last seen 2024
- Trade Union Density
- V-Dem Electoral Democracy Index
- Water Stress
- Water Withdrawal by Sector
- Working Poverty Rate
- World Energy Trilemma Index
- Youth Not in Education, Employment or Training · last seen 2023
07Keep reading
Explore further
08Method
Sources and how to read them
How to read this page
- The scores and ranks belong to their publishers. Nothing is adjusted, rescaled or re-ranked; each is reproduced from the edition named beside it. Where a row says position · derived, the publisher ranks nobody on that measure and the position is ours, made by ordering the published score.
- Each statistic shows its newest edition, which is not always the edition the Country Index uses: the index pins every source to one data year so its average compares like with like.
How a standing is built from percentiles, why Tonga can move because other countries moved, and why publishers measure between 120 and 215 countries each are set out in full in how a standing is made and what a standing cannot tell you.
Sources
- Statistics: 22 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
- Capital, languages, currency, codes: Wikidata, public domain (CC0).
- Map and land borders: Natural Earth, public domain. Borders are de facto — where administration actually changes — not claimed.
Photographs
The photograph of Tonga on this page comes from Wikimedia Commons and is shown in greyscale. The photographer and the licence are named beside each one.
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Tonga: country statistics, rankings and trends. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/tonga