Tonga

The population of Tonga is approximately 103.3K (2024).

The capital of Tonga is Nuku'alofa.

Tonga's GDP per capita is $6.1K (2023).

Life expectancy in Tonga is 73.07 years (2024).

Tonga covers 747 km² (288 sq mi).

Tonga has a moderate population density of 138 people per km², close to the global average of 60.

Tonga's population is shrinking at 0.4% per year — one of the few countries seeing sustained decline.

Based on GDP per capita, Tonga falls in the upper-middle GDP-per-person tier at $6.1K. Official World Bank income groups use Atlas-method GNI per capita, so this is a GDP-based comparison rather than an official income-group label.

Tonga reports a very low intentional homicide rate of 0.9 per 100,000 people — among the safest in the world by this measure.

Tonga has 2 official languages: English, Tongan.

Tonga uses the Tongan paʻanga (T$) as its sole official currency.

Tonga is an island nation and shares no land borders.

The best months to visit Tonga are May, June, July, August, September, based on climate data for the capital.

Current estimates show that Tonga has a population of 103,000 people. The nation currently ranks 191 of 215 globally and 13 of 19 within the Oceania region. This represents a slight decline from previous years, as the annual population growth rate is -0.4%.

The latest data indicates that Tonga has a GDP per capita of 6,138 USD, which ranks 130 of 212 globally. Within the Oceania region, it ranks 13 of 19, and in the Polynesian subregion, it holds the 4 of 5 position for this economic metric.

Education is highly valued in Tongan society, resulting in an adult literacy rate of 99.48%. This achievement is one of the highest in the world, ranking the country 19 of 170 globally. The high literacy rate reflects the success of the national education system and widespread Tongan-English bilingualism.

Recent data shows that life expectancy at birth in Tonga is 73.07 years. This places the nation at 122 of 215 in global rankings for longevity. Health outcomes are supported by a public healthcare system that provides services across the archipelago's inhabited islands, though urban centers offer more specialized care.

Approximately 67.4% of the Tongan population uses the internet, placing the country 140 of 212 in the global internet penetration rankings. While connectivity has improved significantly over the last decade, the geographical spread of the archipelago's 170 islands can still present logistical challenges for high-speed infrastructure in remote areas.

The latest reports indicate an unemployment rate of 2.01% for Tonga. This low figure ranks the country 170 of 186 globally when measured from the highest to the lowest unemployment levels. Many citizens are engaged in the informal economy, particularly in subsistence farming, fishing, and local trade within their communities.

The estimated 2026 population of Tonga is 103,334. This figure is projected from the official 2024 population of 104,175, reflecting a current annual decline of approximately 0.40%. The decrease is primarily attributed to high rates of emigration to larger nations in the Pacific region and North America.

Tonga currently holds a global population rank of 191 out of 215 countries and territories. Regionally, it is the 13th largest nation in Oceania and the 3rd largest in the Polynesia subregion. Its small population size is characteristic of many sovereign island states in the South Pacific.

The population of Tonga is currently shrinking, with a growth rate of -0.40% according to the latest official data. While the country maintains a high fertility rate of 3.1 births per woman, the number of people emigrating for work and education outweighs the natural population increase from births.

The current estimated population density for Tonga is 143.5 people per km² (371.7 per sq mi). This places Tonga 80th globally for density. Most residents live on the main island of Tongatapu, while many of the nation's 171 islands remain entirely uninhabited.

The latest fertility rate in Tonga is 3.1 children per woman, which ranks the country 54th highest in the world. This rate is well above the global average, though the resulting natural increase is countered by significant outward migration, leading to an overall decline in the resident population.

Only 21.2% of the Tongan population lives in urban areas, ranking the country 209th out of 215 for urbanization. Most residents live in small rural villages, with the capital, Nuku'alofa, serving as the primary urban center for commerce, government, and international transport.