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Economy of China vs Tonga compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

China has a GDP of $18.7T compared to $591M for Tonga, ranking 2/197 and 191/197 by economy size, respectively.

China has $16.6T in government debt (88.3% of GDP), compared to $256M (37% of GDP) in Tonga.

China vs Tonga GDP by year

China
Tonga
1x
Year GDP, current $
China Tonga
2024 $18,743,803,170,827 -
2023 $18,270,356,654,533 $591,139,749
2022 $18,316,765,021,690 $556,514,555
2021 $18,201,698,719,564 $519,306,353
2020 $14,996,414,166,715 $506,571,468
2019 $14,560,167,101,283 $506,031,239
2018 $14,147,765,772,964 $493,530,783
2017 $12,537,559,062,283 $459,976,850
2016 $11,456,024,084,962 $420,828,262
2015 $11,280,814,787,469 $437,525,514
2014 $10,674,533,168,257 $440,997,738
2013 $9,743,124,247,267 $451,788,498
2012 $8,673,664,713,189 $471,122,971
2011 $7,671,757,207,851 $414,143,828
2010 $6,192,564,874,453 $366,887,375
2009 $5,189,577,094,998 $312,415,028
2008 $4,667,346,414,522 $344,438,844
2007 $3,604,055,822,572 $298,519,623
2006 $2,791,498,472,804 $292,232,703
2005 $2,317,551,298,052 $261,823,805
2004 $1,984,196,551,300 $230,678,011
2003 $1,683,903,309,844 $202,246,591
2002 $1,489,821,682,051 $182,764,281
2001 $1,355,036,590,252 $181,117,230
2000 $1,223,754,919,971 $204,848,488
1999 $1,103,843,203,576 $199,208,718
1998 $1,037,134,141,760 $191,504,893
1997 $967,753,570,435 $214,991,452
1996 $868,523,936,530 $222,100,576
1995 $738,190,896,228 $208,871,666
1994 $566,929,539,493 $195,990,986
1993 $446,557,291,212 $138,489,884
1992 $428,502,354,788 $137,066,291
1991 $384,510,452,962 $132,201,141
1990 $361,560,229,446 $113,563,822
1989 $348,380,566,802 $106,344,855
1988 $312,888,888,889 $106,657,267
1987 $273,455,156,951 $81,667,133
1986 $301,310,144,928 $68,195,856
1985 $310,064,625,850 $60,058,663
1984 $260,442,857,143 $64,248,355
1983 $231,130,268,199 $60,863,964
1982 $205,480,916,031 $62,068,161
1981 $196,218,253,968 $62,242,013
1980 $191,487,500,000 $53,260,077
1979 $178,573,913,043 $44,667,002
1978 $149,788,617,886 $41,567,472
1977 $175,226,595,860 $34,139,388
1976 $154,196,810,059 $30,036,417
1975 $163,687,619,736 $32,506,742
1974 $144,418,433,058 -
1973 $138,764,340,892 -
1972 $113,871,930,714 -
1971 $99,959,013,880 -
1970 $92,752,930,873 -
1969 $79,847,786,729 -
1968 $70,980,323,819 -
1967 $73,011,350,596 -
1966 $76,854,053,259 -
1965 $70,565,994,356 -
1964 $59,821,862,703 -
1963 $50,812,227,919 -
1962 $47,310,737,754 -
1961 $50,162,299,350 -
1960 $59,846,235,025 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in China vs Tonga by year

China
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tonga
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
China Tonga
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $13,303 $27,105 - -
2023 $12,951 $25,179 $5,652 $7,803
2022 $12,971 $23,032 $5,298 $7,296
2021 $12,887 $20,843 $4,923 $6,929
2020 $10,627 $18,267 $4,792 $6,676
2019 $10,343 $17,601 $4,789 $6,473
2018 $10,086 $16,298 $4,675 $6,393
2017 $8,980 $15,022 $4,366 $6,229
2016 $8,255 $14,157 $3,988 $5,920
2015 $8,175 $13,463 $4,124 $5,472
2014 $7,781 $12,942 $4,137 $5,336
2013 $7,147 $12,228 $4,219 $5,120
2012 $6,405 $11,420 $4,384 $4,996
2011 $5,704 $10,457 $3,850 $4,855
2010 $4,629 $9,411 $3,416 $4,465
2009 $3,898 $8,448 $2,914 $4,384
2008 $3,523 $7,713 $3,218 $4,600
2007 $2,735 $6,935 $2,797 $4,316
2006 $2,129 $5,946 $2,750 $4,327
2005 $1,778 $5,148 $2,478 $4,315
2004 $1,531 $4,505 $2,195 $4,235
2003 $1,307 $4,007 $1,936 $4,231
2002 $1,164 $3,591 $1,759 $4,171
2001 $1,065 $3,258 $1,754 $3,955
2000 $969 $2,964 $1,995 $3,834
1999 $881 $2,690 $1,952 $3,636
1998 $835 $2,483 $1,889 $3,527
1997 $787 $2,297 $2,136 $3,434
1996 $713 $2,088 $2,215 $3,410
1995 $613 $1,884 $2,084 $3,347
1994 $476 $1,680 $1,957 $3,088
1993 $379 $1,471 $1,383 $2,882
1992 $368 $1,276 $1,370 $2,716
1991 $334 $1,105 $1,323 $2,652
1990 $319 $991 $1,139 $2,416
1989 $311 - $1,070 -
1988 $284 - $1,078 -
1987 $252.3 - $830 -
1986 $282.4 - $696 -
1985 $295 - $613 -
1984 $251.2 - $656 -
1983 $225.9 - $621 -
1982 $203.7 - $633 -
1981 $197.4 - $636 -
1980 $195.1 - $545 -
1979 $184.3 - $458 -
1978 $156.7 - $428 -
1977 $185.7 - $353 -
1976 $165.7 - $315 -
1975 $178.6 - $349 -
1974 $160.4 - - -
1973 $157.3 - - -
1972 $132.1 - - -
1971 $118.8 - - -
1970 $113.3 - - -
1969 $100.3 - - -
1968 $91.6 - - -
1967 $96.8 - - -
1966 $104.5 - - -
1965 $98.7 - - -
1964 $85.7 - - -
1963 $74.5 - - -
1962 $71.1 - - -
1961 $76 - - -
1960 $89.7 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

China's GDP per capita is $13,303, ranking 76/197, compared to $5,652 in Tonga, ranking 115/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), China ranks 77th at $27,105, while Tonga ranks 144th at $7,803.

Economic indicators

China Tonga
Gross domestic product
$18.7T
2024
$591M
2023
GDP rank
2/197
2024
191/197
2023
GDP growth
4.98%
2023-2024
2.79%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$13,303
2024
$5,652
2023
GDP per capita rank
76/197
2024
115/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,105
2024
$7,803
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
77/197
2024
144/197
2023
Government debt
$16.6T
2024
$256M
2023
Debt-to-GDP ratio
88.3%
2024
37%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,749
2024
$2,445
2023
Government debt per person rank
47/185
2024
111/185
2023
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,826
2026
$3,886
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$11.8T
2024
n/a
Number of millionaires
6,327,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
450
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
28.4%
2022
22%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2022
4%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
32.9%
2024
51.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.2%
2023-2024
3.18%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.1%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.11%
2021
1.65%
2023
Population
1402578808
103309

Spending and national debt comparison by year

China
Spending

Debt
Tonga
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
China Tonga
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 32.9% 88.3% 51.3% 37%
2023 32.7% 82% 48.2% 43.3%
2022 32.6% 75.5% 44.4% 43.2%
2021 31.9% 70.1% 44.6% 43%
2020 34.8% 69% 37.9% 42.6%
2019 33.6% 59.4% 39.9% 42.8%
2018 32.6% 55.6% 39.6% 45.8%
2017 32% 53.9% 39.7% 44.7%
2016 31.7% 49.7% 37.2% 49.4%
2015 31% 40.8% 37.4% 51.1%
2014 28.4% 39.3% 31.5% 47.4%
2013 28.1% 36.4% 34.3% 48.9%
2012 27.7% 33.8% 32% 60%
2011 26.6% 33.2% 32.6% 51.9%
2010 24.7% 33.3% 28.4% 44.7%
2009 25.2% 34% 23.9% 39.7%
2008 22.2% 26.7% 24% 34%
2007 17.9% 28.7% 23.2% 37.8%
2006 18.1% 25.2% 25.6% 39.6%
2005 18% 25.9% 19.8% 43.3%
2004 17.6% 26% 19.3% 52.2%
2003 18% 26.4% 20% 56.2%
2002 18.2% 25.6% 21.3% 60.7%
2001 17.2% 24.3% 19.1% 53.4%
2000 16.1% 22.7% 20% 43.6%
1999 14.9% 21.6% 18.8% 38.4%
1998 12.6% 20.4% - -
1997 11.5% 20.4% - -
1996 11% 21.2% - -
1995 11.1% 21.4% - -
1994 12.4% - - -
1993 13.4% - - -
1992 14.6% - - -
1991 16.5% - - -
1990 18.2% - - -
1989 18.6% - - -
1988 20.9% 4.46% - -
1987 23.4% 3.6% - -
1986 25.6% 3.24% - -
1985 25.8% 3.31% - -
1984 26.9% 0.97% - -
1983 28.3% - - -
1982 27.9% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, China's government spending was $6.18T, accounting for 32.9% of its GDP, while Tonga spent $285M, or 51.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 88.3% in China and 37% in Tonga, ranking 34/185 and 142/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
China

Tonga
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
China Tonga
2024 -7.34% 4.17%
2023 -6.71% 6.14%
2022 -7.32% -0.1%
2021 -5.9% -0.87%
2020 -9.56% 5.25%
2019 -6% 3.28%
2018 -4.2% 2.92%
2017 -3.34% 3.58%
2016 -3.33% 1.47%
2015 -2.5% -2.75%
2014 -0.67% 6.38%
2013 -0.82% -1.3%
2012 -0.3% -1.74%
2011 -0.1% -6.02%
2010 -0.36% -1.22%
2009 -1.72% 6.85%
2008 -0.02% 2.14%
2007 0.06% 5.39%
2006 -1.13% 1.34%
2005 -1.38% 4.23%
2004 -1.49% 4.23%
2003 -2.36% 2.37%
2002 -2.84% 2.59%
2001 -2.56% 2.23%
2000 -2.81% 1.35%
1999 -2.3% 1.55%
1998 -1.08% -
1997 -0.73% -
1996 -0.73% -
1995 -0.94% -
1994 -1.68% -
1993 -0.89% -
1992 -1.22% -
1991 -1.04% -
1990 -0.72% -
1989 -0.91% -
1988 -2.22% -
1987 -2.08% -
1986 -1.82% -
1985 -0.45% -
1984 -1.44% -
1983 -1.61% -
1982 -1.33% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2023, China's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.23T, equivalent to 6.71% of GDP. This compares to Tonga's surplus of $36.3M, or 6.14% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, China recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Tonga ran a deficit in 7 years. On average, China posted an annual deficit equal to 2.79% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.97% of GDP for Tonga.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
China

Tonga
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
China Tonga
2024 0.2% 3.18%
2023 0.2% 6.35%
2022 2% 11%
2021 0.9% 5.64%
2020 2.5% -0.35%
2019 2.9% 1.18%
2018 2.1% 5.03%
2017 1.6% 7.52%
2016 2% 2.58%
2015 1.5% -1.05%
2014 2% 2.51%
2013 2.7% 0.78%
2012 2.6% 1.15%
2011 5.4% 6.27%
2010 3.3% 3.53%
2009 -0.7% 1.43%
2008 5.9% 10.4%
2007 4.7% 5.84%
2006 1.5% 6.15%
2005 1.8% 8.67%
2004 3.9% 11%
2003 1.1% 11.6%
2002 -0.8% 10.4%
2001 0.7% 8.29%
2000 0.4% 6.33%
1999 -1.4% 4.46%
1998 -0.8% 3.27%
1997 2.8% 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/china/tonga | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, China has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.82%, compared with 5.19% in Tonga. In 2024, inflation was 0.2% in China and 3.18% in Tonga.

Top exports between countries

China
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $20.3M
Machinery & equipment $19.5M
Chemicals & pharma $12.2M
Metals $9.58M
Wood & paper products $2.7M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.96M
Miscellaneous $1.75M
Raw materials & minerals $1.06M
Animal & marine products $637K
Raw agricultural goods $223K
Tonga
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $114K
Animal & marine products $49K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $5K

Balance of trade

China Tonga
Current account balance
$424B
2024
-$43.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
1/190
2024
83/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.26%
2024
-7.93%
2023
Goods imports
$2.64T
2024
$232M
2024
Goods exports
$3.41T
2024
$10.8M
2024
Service imports
$613B
2024
$161M
2024
Service exports
$384B
2024
$93.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.2%
2024
64.9%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
20%
2024
14.7%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

China Tonga
Economic freedom 48.3 58.9
Economic freedom ranking 170/197 107/197
Property rights 40.9 71.1
Government integrity 42.3 45.1
Judicial effectiveness 38.6 64.9
Tax burden 69.3 85.6
Government spending 67.8 31
Fiscal health 4.4 97.3
Business freedom 68.7 59.2
Labor freedom 57.9 55.9
Monetary freedom 76.1 61
Trade freedom 73.4 75.4
Investment freedom 20 40
Financial freedom 20 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

China
Tonga
1x
Year Economic freedom index
China Tonga
2026 48.3 58.9
2025 49 58.5
2024 48.5 59.2
2023 48.3 60
2022 48 60.8
2021 58.4 57.5
2020 59.5 58.8
2019 58.4 57.7
2018 57.8 63.1
2017 57.4 63
2016 52 59.6
2015 52.7 59.3
2014 52.5 58.2
2013 51.9 56
2012 51.2 57
2011 52 55.8
2010 51 53.4
2009 53.2 54.1
2008 53.1 -
2007 52 -
2006 53.6 -
2005 53.7 -
2004 52.5 -
2003 52.6 -
2002 52.8 -
2001 52.6 -
2000 56.4 -
1999 54.8 -
1998 53.1 -
1997 51.7 -
1996 51.3 -
1995 52 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for China is 48.3, ranking 170/197, 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

China Tonga
Services, % of GDP
56.7%
2024
50%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
36.5%
2024
14.9%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.78%
2024
19%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$19.3T
2024
$619M
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$26,920
2024
$8,400
2023
Total reserves including gold
$3.46T
2024
$377M
2024
Total reserves ranking
1/177
2024
163/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$154B
2024
$13.3M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6B
2024
-$12.1M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$172B
2024
$1.25M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.89%
2024
2.76%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
0%
2020
20.6%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
40.6%
2024
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/china/tonga | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, 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 (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.