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Economy of East Timor vs Tonga compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

East Timor has a GDP of $1.87B compared to $591M for Tonga, ranking 181/197 and 191/197 by economy size, respectively.

East Timor has $249M in government debt (13.3% of GDP), compared to $256M (37% of GDP) in Tonga.

East Timor vs Tonga GDP by year

East Timor
Tonga
1x
Year GDP, current $
East Timor Tonga
2024 $1,865,608,515 -
2023 $2,079,767,170 $591,139,749
2022 $3,208,599,889 $556,514,555
2021 $3,625,024,341 $519,306,353
2020 $2,162,619,241 $506,571,468
2019 $2,032,550,389 $506,031,239
2018 $1,555,988,614 $493,530,783
2017 $1,584,878,440 $459,976,850
2016 $1,640,464,612 $420,828,262
2015 $1,590,282,371 $437,525,514
2014 $1,447,535,183 $440,997,738
2013 $1,395,727,421 $451,788,498
2012 $1,160,555,040 $471,122,971
2011 $1,042,534,598 $414,143,828
2010 $881,909,347 $366,887,375
2009 $726,937,836 $312,415,028
2008 $648,523,571 $344,438,844
2007 $542,795,447 $298,519,623
2006 $453,792,415 $292,232,703
2005 $462,267,954 $261,823,805
2004 $440,771,962 $230,678,011
2003 $490,439,116 $202,246,591
2002 $469,455,491 $182,764,281
2001 $477,359,253 $181,117,230
2000 $366,924,277 $204,848,488
1999 $225,357,600 $199,208,718
1998 $325,729,800 $191,504,893
1997 $319,972,700 $214,991,452
1996 $306,956,900 $222,100,576
1995 $262,819,900 $208,871,666
1994 $239,040,500 $195,990,986
1993 $216,914,400 $138,489,884
1992 $187,891,500 $137,066,291
1991 $147,713,000 $132,201,141
1990 $128,210,142 $113,563,822
1989 - $106,344,855
1988 - $106,657,267
1987 - $81,667,133
1986 - $68,195,856
1985 - $60,058,663
1984 - $64,248,355
1983 - $60,863,964
1982 - $62,068,161
1981 - $62,242,013
1980 - $53,260,077
1979 - $44,667,002
1978 - $41,567,472
1977 - $34,139,388
1976 - $30,036,417
1975 - $32,506,742

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1975–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/tonga | CC BY

GDP per capita in East Timor vs Tonga by year

East Timor
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tonga
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
East Timor Tonga
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,332 $4,423 - -
2023 $1,502 $4,807 $5,652 $7,803
2022 $2,343 $5,730 $5,298 $7,296
2021 $2,685 $6,825 $4,923 $6,929
2020 $1,631 $6,132 $4,792 $6,676
2019 $1,562 $4,557 $4,789 $6,473
2018 $1,219 $3,561 $4,675 $6,393
2017 $1,266 $3,463 $4,366 $6,229
2016 $1,336 $3,391 $3,988 $5,920
2015 $1,320 $3,108 $4,124 $5,472
2014 $1,225 $2,860 $4,137 $5,336
2013 $1,205 $2,566 $4,219 $5,120
2012 $1,023 $2,386 $4,384 $4,996
2011 $939 $2,066 $3,850 $4,855
2010 $813 $1,955 $3,416 $4,465
2009 $687 $1,810 $2,914 $4,384
2008 $628 $1,675 $3,218 $4,600
2007 $540 $1,516 $2,797 $4,316
2006 $465 $1,377 $2,750 $4,327
2005 $487 $1,435 $2,478 $4,315
2004 $474 $1,379 $2,195 $4,235
2003 $535 $1,355 $1,936 $4,231
2002 $534 $1,417 $1,759 $4,171
2001 $588 $1,619 $1,754 $3,955
2000 $492 $1,483 $1,995 $3,834
1999 $270 $819 $1,952 $3,636
1998 $346 $1,108 $1,889 $3,527
1997 $349 $1,149 $2,136 $3,434
1996 $344 $1,116 $2,215 $3,410
1995 $303 $1,043 $2,084 $3,347
1994 $283.1 $985 $1,957 $3,088
1993 $264.1 $925 $1,383 $2,882
1992 $235.1 $843 $1,370 $2,716
1991 $189.8 $766 $1,323 $2,652
1990 $168.6 $685 $1,139 $2,416
1989 - - $1,070 -
1988 - - $1,078 -
1987 - - $830 -
1986 - - $696 -
1985 - - $613 -
1984 - - $656 -
1983 - - $621 -
1982 - - $633 -
1981 - - $636 -
1980 - - $545 -
1979 - - $458 -
1978 - - $428 -
1977 - - $353 -
1976 - - $315 -
1975 - - $349 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1975–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/tonga | CC BY

East Timor's GDP per capita is $1,332, ranking 167/197, compared to $5,652 in Tonga, ranking 115/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), East Timor ranks 163rd at $4,423, while Tonga ranks 144th at $7,803.

Economic indicators

East Timor Tonga
Gross domestic product
$1.87B
2024
$591M
2023
GDP rank
181/197
2024
191/197
2023
GDP growth
-9.1%
2023-2024
2.79%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$1,332
2024
$5,652
2023
GDP per capita rank
167/197
2024
115/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,423
2024
$7,803
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
163/197
2024
144/197
2023
Government debt
$249M
2024
$256M
2023
Debt-to-GDP ratio
13.3%
2024
37%
2024
Government debt per person
$177.5
2024
$2,445
2023
Government debt per person rank
182/185
2024
111/185
2023
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,440
2026
$3,886
2026
Income share by richest 10%
24%
2014
22%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
4%
2014
4%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
90.8%
2024
51.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.1%
2023-2024
3.18%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
1.54%
2022
1.65%
2023
Population
1441764
103309

Spending and national debt comparison by year

East Timor
Spending

Debt
Tonga
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
East Timor Tonga
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 90.8% 13.3% 51.3% 37%
2023 78.6% 12.4% 48.2% 43.3%
2022 59.9% 7.9% 44.4% 43.2%
2021 45.7% 6.53% 44.6% 43%
2020 61.7% 10.1% 37.9% 42.6%
2019 68.8% 9.51% 39.9% 42.8%
2018 85.5% 9.31% 39.6% 45.8%
2017 87.3% 6.71% 39.7% 44.7%
2016 112.2% 4.71% 37.2% 49.4%
2015 98.1% 2.95% 37.4% 51.1%
2014 111% 1.52% 31.5% 47.4%
2013 96.1% 0.46% 34.3% 48.9%
2012 129.3% 0.002% 32% 60%
2011 133.3% 0% 32.6% 51.9%
2010 121.3% 0% 28.4% 44.7%
2009 121.8% 0% 23.9% 39.7%
2008 122.4% 0% 24% 34%
2007 75.8% 0% 23.2% 37.8%
2006 59.8% 0% 25.6% 39.6%
2005 58.3% 0% 19.8% 43.3%
2004 74.2% 0% 19.3% 52.2%
2003 80.1% 0% 20% 56.2%
2002 93.5% 0% 21.3% 60.7%
2001 95.7% 0% 19.1% 53.4%
2000 - - 20% 43.6%
1999 - - 18.8% 38.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1999–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/tonga | CC BY

In 2024, East Timor's government spending was $1.69B, accounting for 90.8% of its GDP, while Tonga spent $285M, or 51.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 13.3% in East Timor and 37% in Tonga, ranking 178/185 and 142/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
East Timor

Tonga
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
East Timor Tonga
2024 -43.5% 4.17%
2023 -34.7% 6.14%
2022 -29.5% -0.1%
2021 -20.1% -0.87%
2020 -18.9% 5.25%
2019 -25.4% 3.28%
2018 -26.9% 2.92%
2017 -33.8% 3.58%
2016 -55.7% 1.47%
2015 -33.2% -2.75%
2014 -37.5% 6.38%
2013 -14.4% -1.3%
2012 -38.7% -1.74%
2011 -25.4% -6.02%
2010 -19.8% -1.22%
2009 -17.2% 6.85%
2008 -18.6% 2.14%
2007 -29.9% 5.39%
2006 41% 1.34%
2005 -10.5% 4.23%
2004 -7.48% 4.23%
2003 -8.24% 2.37%
2002 -7.64% 2.59%
2001 3.24% 2.23%
2000 - 1.35%
1999 - 1.55%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1999–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/tonga | CC BY

In 2023, East Timor's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $722M, equivalent to 34.7% of GDP. This compares to Tonga's surplus of $36.3M, or 6.14% of GDP.

Over the past 23 years, East Timor recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Tonga ran a deficit in 7 years. On average, East Timor posted an annual deficit equal to 20.4% of GDP, compared to surplus of 2.02% of GDP for Tonga.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
East Timor

Tonga
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
East Timor Tonga
2024 2.1% 3.18%
2023 8.4% 6.35%
2022 7% 11%
2021 3.8% 5.64%
2020 0.5% -0.35%
2019 0.9% 1.18%
2018 2.3% 5.03%
2017 0.5% 7.52%
2016 -1.5% 2.58%
2015 0.6% -1.05%
2014 0.8% 2.51%
2013 9.5% 0.78%
2012 10.9% 1.15%
2011 13.2% 6.27%
2010 5.2% 3.53%
2009 -0.2% 1.43%
2008 7.4% 10.4%
2007 8.6% 5.84%
2006 5.2% 6.15%
2005 1.6% 8.67%
2004 2.2% 11%
2003 8% 11.6%
2002 4.1% 10.4%
2001 3.6% 8.29%
2000 - 6.33%
1999 - 4.46%
1998 - 3.27%
1997 - 2.12%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2001–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/tonga | CC BY

Over the past 24 years, East Timor has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.36%, compared with 5.38% in Tonga. In 2024, inflation was 2.1% in East Timor and 3.18% in Tonga.

Balance of trade

East Timor Tonga
Current account balance
-$587M
2024
-$43.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
108/190
2024
83/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-31.5%
2024
-7.93%
2023
Goods imports
$839M
2024
$232M
2024
Goods exports
$196M
2024
$10.8M
2024
Service imports
$432M
2024
$161M
2024
Service exports
$82.1M
2024
$93.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
84.9%
2024
64.9%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
10.6%
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.

East Timor Tonga
Economic freedom 47.9 58.9
Economic freedom ranking 173/197 107/197
Property rights 43.5 71.1
Government integrity 43.9 45.1
Judicial effectiveness 34.5 64.9
Tax burden 97.1 85.6
Government spending 0 31
Fiscal health 19.6 97.3
Business freedom 62.7 59.2
Labor freedom 56.5 55.9
Monetary freedom 72.2 61
Trade freedom 79.8 75.4
Investment freedom 45 40
Financial freedom 20 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

East Timor
Tonga
1x
Year Economic freedom index
East Timor Tonga
2026 47.9 58.9
2025 47.9 58.5
2024 50.2 59.2
2023 47.2 60
2022 46.3 60.8
2021 44.7 57.5
2020 45.9 58.8
2019 44.2 57.7
2018 48.1 63.1
2017 46.3 63
2016 45.8 59.6
2015 45.5 59.3
2014 43.2 58.2
2013 43.7 56
2012 43.3 57
2011 42.8 55.8
2010 45.8 53.4
2009 50.5 54.1

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

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/tonga | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for East Timor is 47.9, ranking 173/197, 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

East Timor Tonga
Services, % of GDP
71.6%
2024
50%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
11.8%
2024
14.9%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.2%
2024
19%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$2.31B
2024
$619M
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,040
2024
$8,400
2023
Total reserves including gold
$737M
2024
$377M
2024
Total reserves ranking
147/177
2024
163/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$211M
2024
$13.3M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$216M
2024
-$12.1M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$4.5M
2024
$1.25M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.23%
2024
2.76%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
41.8%
2014
20.6%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30.1%
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/east-timor/tonga | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1975–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1999–2024, 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. 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.