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Economy of Bhutan vs Tonga compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bhutan has a GDP of $3.01B compared to $591M for Tonga, ranking 170/197 and 191/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bhutan has $3.53B in government debt (110.4% of GDP), compared to $256M (37% of GDP) in Tonga.

Bhutan vs Tonga GDP by year

Bhutan
Tonga
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bhutan Tonga
2023 $3,012,896,789 $591,139,749
2022 $2,898,227,744 $556,514,555
2021 $2,768,802,960 $519,306,353
2020 $2,457,604,334 $506,571,468
2019 $2,735,683,570 $506,031,239
2018 $2,583,335,722 $493,530,783
2017 $2,591,358,009 $459,976,850
2016 $2,357,504,761 $420,828,262
2015 $2,187,815,803 $437,525,514
2014 $2,089,079,571 $440,997,738
2013 $1,943,696,952 $451,788,498
2012 $1,973,387,228 $471,122,971
2011 $1,977,728,659 $414,143,828
2010 $1,708,880,730 $366,887,375
2009 $1,331,343,798 $312,415,028
2008 $1,317,517,835 $344,438,844
2007 $1,255,767,964 $298,519,623
2006 $942,879,879 $292,232,703
2005 $860,391,000 $261,823,805
2004 $735,348,490 $230,678,011
2003 $651,935,430 $202,246,591
2002 $559,345,264 $182,764,281
2001 $496,110,226 $181,117,230
2000 $460,733,418 $204,848,488
1999 $399,311,200 $199,208,718
1998 $363,458,381 $191,504,893
1997 $352,229,077 $214,991,452
1996 $303,408,346 $222,100,576
1995 $290,490,984 $208,871,666
1994 $258,954,708 $195,990,986
1993 $225,973,693 $138,489,884
1992 $240,233,531 $137,066,291
1991 $240,294,286 $132,201,141
1990 $287,765,007 $113,563,822
1989 $264,798,626 $106,344,855
1988 $272,298,067 $106,657,267
1987 $242,742,766 $81,667,133
1986 $191,218,115 $68,195,856
1985 $163,288,815 $60,058,663
1984 $160,423,494 $64,248,355
1983 $156,704,290 $60,863,964
1982 $141,439,317 $62,068,161
1981 $139,174,178 $62,242,013
1980 $128,669,201 $53,260,077
1979 $105,377,995 $44,667,002
1978 $94,086,228 $41,567,472
1977 $97,884,434 $34,139,388
1976 $88,461,263 $30,036,417
1975 $86,820,762 $32,506,742
1974 $92,901,784 -
1973 $78,900,289 -
1972 $70,139,867 -
1971 $66,289,450 -
1970 $61,812,113 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/tonga | CC BY

GDP per capita in Bhutan vs Tonga by year

Bhutan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tonga
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bhutan Tonga
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2023 $3,831 $16,215 $5,652 $7,803
2022 $3,711 $15,064 $5,298 $7,296
2021 $3,571 $13,459 $4,923 $6,929
2020 $3,192 $12,475 $4,792 $6,676
2019 $3,577 $12,909 $4,789 $6,473
2018 $3,400 $11,970 $4,675 $6,393
2017 $3,435 $11,677 $4,366 $6,229
2016 $3,152 $11,273 $3,988 $5,920
2015 $2,954 $10,214 $4,124 $5,472
2014 $2,849 $9,323 $4,137 $5,336
2013 $2,680 $8,667 $4,219 $5,120
2012 $2,751 $8,577 $4,384 $4,996
2011 $2,788 $7,935 $3,850 $4,855
2010 $2,436 $7,246 $3,416 $4,465
2009 $1,918 $6,466 $2,914 $4,384
2008 $1,920 $6,035 $3,218 $4,600
2007 $1,850 $5,729 $2,797 $4,316
2006 $1,406 $4,860 $2,750 $4,327
2005 $1,300 $4,523 $2,478 $4,315
2004 $1,130 $4,173 $2,195 $4,235
2003 $1,022 $3,942 $1,936 $4,231
2002 $896 $3,663 $1,759 $4,171
2001 $812 $3,338 $1,754 $3,955
2000 $772 $3,113 $1,995 $3,834
1999 $685 $3,017 $1,952 $3,636
1998 $638 $2,819 $1,889 $3,527
1997 $630 $2,683 $2,136 $3,434
1996 $553 $2,548 $2,215 $3,410
1995 $530 $2,374 $2,084 $3,347
1994 $467 $2,146 $1,957 $3,088
1993 $407 $2,001 $1,383 $2,882
1992 $416 $1,840 $1,370 $2,716
1991 $401 $1,657 $1,323 $2,652
1990 $488 $1,638 $1,139 $2,416
1989 $462 - $1,070 -
1988 $489 - $1,078 -
1987 $449 - $830 -
1986 $365 - $696 -
1985 $321 - $613 -
1984 $326 - $656 -
1983 $328 - $621 -
1982 $306 - $633 -
1981 $311 - $636 -
1980 $296.9 - $545 -
1979 $251.4 - $458 -
1978 $232.2 - $428 -
1977 $249.9 - $353 -
1976 $233.7 - $315 -
1975 $237.4 - $349 -
1974 $262.8 - - -
1973 $230.9 - - -
1972 $212.4 - - -
1971 $207.7 - - -
1970 $200.3 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/tonga | CC BY

Bhutan's GDP per capita is $3,831, ranking 132/197, compared to $5,652 in Tonga, ranking 115/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bhutan ranks 109th at $16,215, while Tonga ranks 144th at $7,803.

Economic indicators

Bhutan Tonga
Gross domestic product
$3.01B
2023
$591M
2023
GDP rank
170/197
2023
191/197
2023
GDP growth
4.63%
2022-2023
2.79%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$3,831
2023
$5,652
2023
GDP per capita rank
132/197
2023
115/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$16,215
2023
$7,803
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
109/197
2023
144/197
2023
Government debt
$3.53B
2023
$256M
2023
Debt-to-GDP ratio
110.4%
2024
37%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,485
2023
$2,445
2023
Government debt per person rank
87/185
2023
111/185
2023
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,506
2026
$3,886
2026
Income share by richest 10%
22.7%
2022
22%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3.6%
2022
4%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.1%
2024
51.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.3%
2023-2024
3.18%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2024
1.65%
2023
Population
803385
103309

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bhutan
Spending

Debt
Tonga
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bhutan Tonga
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 27.1% 110.4% 51.3% 37%
2023 28.8% 117.1% 48.2% 43.3%
2022 32.1% 119.9% 44.4% 43.2%
2021 36.6% 124.5% 44.6% 43%
2020 30.9% 116% 37.9% 42.6%
2019 24.2% 100.8% 39.9% 42.8%
2018 31.7% 103.4% 39.6% 45.8%
2017 30.6% 104.1% 39.7% 44.7%
2016 30.5% 103% 37.2% 49.4%
2015 27.5% 90.2% 37.4% 51.1%
2014 28.9% 89.8% 31.5% 47.4%
2013 32.5% 87.4% 34.3% 48.9%
2012 35.1% 71.5% 32% 60%
2011 36.1% 62.3% 32.6% 51.9%
2010 41.5% 55.8% 28.4% 44.7%
2009 39.3% 61% 23.9% 39.7%
2008 36.1% 60.6% 24% 34%
2007 33.2% 67.3% 23.2% 37.8%
2006 33.4% 80.1% 25.6% 39.6%
2005 36.4% 80.8% 19.8% 43.3%
2004 31% 76% 19.3% 52.2%
2003 34.7% 68.5% 20% 56.2%
2002 39.3% 57.7% 21.3% 60.7%
2001 50.3% 52.4% 19.1% 53.4%
2000 43% 44% 20% 43.6%
1999 40.2% 39.2% 18.8% 38.4%
1998 31.1% 36.4% - -
1997 37.8% 33% - -
1996 37.9% 36.8% - -
1995 38.6% 38.7% - -
1994 37.9% 53.2% - -
1993 35.2% 60.2% - -
1992 34.5% 35.6% - -
1991 30.8% 33.5% - -
1990 35.8% 27.4% - -
1989 46.8% 26.4% - -
1988 45.3% 24.7% - -
1987 47.5% 17.3% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1987–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/tonga | CC BY

In 2023, Bhutan's government spending was $869M, accounting for 27.1% of its GDP, while Tonga spent $285M, or 51.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 110.4% in Bhutan and 37% in Tonga, ranking 17/185 and 142/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bhutan

Tonga
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bhutan Tonga
2024 -0.17% 4.17%
2023 -4.73% 6.14%
2022 -6.95% -0.1%
2021 -5.76% -0.87%
2020 -1.81% 5.25%
2019 -1.49% 3.28%
2018 -1.52% 2.92%
2017 -4.49% 3.58%
2016 -2.31% 1.47%
2015 -0.49% -2.75%
2014 2.46% 6.38%
2013 -4.55% -1.3%
2012 -2.1% -1.74%
2011 -3.02% -6.02%
2010 1.92% -1.22%
2009 -0.8% 6.85%
2008 -2.57% 2.14%
2007 0.79% 5.39%
2006 -0.07% 1.34%
2005 -6.96% 4.23%
2004 1.8% 4.23%
2003 -10.2% 2.37%
2002 -4.33% 2.59%
2001 -12.2% 2.23%
2000 -3.39% 1.35%
1999 -1.28% 1.55%
1998 1.28% -
1997 -1.92% -
1996 2.55% -
1995 -0.88% -
1994 -0.13% -
1993 4.71% -
1992 -3.47% -
1991 -0.48% -
1990 -7.21% -
1989 -10.1% -
1988 1.33% -
1987 -0.56% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1987–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/tonga | CC BY

In 2023, Bhutan's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $142M, equivalent to 4.73% of GDP. This compares to Tonga's surplus of $36.3M, or 6.14% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Bhutan recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Tonga ran a deficit in 7 years. On average, Bhutan posted an annual deficit equal to 2.96% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.97% of GDP for Tonga.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bhutan

Tonga
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bhutan Tonga
2024 4.3% 3.18%
2023 4.5% 6.35%
2022 5.9% 11%
2021 8.2% 5.64%
2020 3% -0.35%
2019 2.8% 1.18%
2018 3.6% 5.03%
2017 4.3% 7.52%
2016 3.3% 2.58%
2015 6.7% -1.05%
2014 9.6% 2.51%
2013 8.1% 0.78%
2012 10.1% 1.15%
2011 8.6% 6.27%
2010 4.8% 3.53%
2009 7.1% 1.43%
2008 6.3% 10.4%
2007 5.2% 5.84%
2006 4.9% 6.15%
2005 4.8% 8.67%
2004 3.3% 11%
2003 2.5% 11.6%
2002 2.9% 10.4%
2001 3.7% 8.29%
2000 7.2% 6.33%
1999 9.1% 4.46%
1998 7.6% 3.27%
1997 8.6% 2.12%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/tonga | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Bhutan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.75%, compared with 5.19% in Tonga. In 2024, inflation was 4.3% in Bhutan and 3.18% in Tonga.

Balance of trade

Bhutan Tonga
Current account balance
-$670M
2024
-$43.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
114/190
2024
83/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-32%
2023
-7.93%
2023
Goods imports
$1.29B
2024
$232M
2024
Goods exports
$656M
2024
$10.8M
2024
Service imports
$228M
2024
$161M
2024
Service exports
$288M
2024
$93.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.3%
2023
64.9%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.4%
2023
14.7%
2023

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Bhutan Tonga
Economic freedom 57.5 58.9
Economic freedom ranking 115/197 107/197
Property rights 69.2 71.1
Government integrity 72.2 45.1
Judicial effectiveness 61.8 64.9
Tax burden 83.4 85.6
Government spending 74.1 31
Fiscal health 25.8 97.3
Business freedom 67.8 59.2
Labor freedom 60.1 55.9
Monetary freedom 71.6 61
Trade freedom 63.4 75.4
Investment freedom 20 40
Financial freedom 20 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bhutan
Tonga
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bhutan Tonga
2026 57.5 58.9
2025 57.5 58.5
2024 55.4 59.2
2023 59 60
2022 59.3 60.8
2021 58.3 57.5
2020 62.1 58.8
2019 62.9 57.7
2018 61.8 63.1
2017 58.4 63
2016 59.5 59.6
2015 57.4 59.3
2014 56.7 58.2
2013 55 56
2012 56.6 57
2011 57.6 55.8
2010 57 53.4
2009 57.7 54.1

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2009–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/tonga | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Bhutan is 57.5, ranking 115/197, compared to 58.9 for Tonga, ranking 107/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bhutan Tonga
Services, % of GDP
52.8%
2023
50%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2023
14.9%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
15%
2023
19%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$2.93B
2023
$619M
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$15,320
2023
$8,400
2023
Total reserves including gold
$941M
2024
$377M
2024
Total reserves ranking
143/177
2024
163/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$22.8M
2024
$13.3M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.82M
2024
-$12.1M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$1.25M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.96%
2023
2.76%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.4%
2022
20.6%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
45.3%
2023
25.9%
2023

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/tonga | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2009–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1987–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.