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Economy of Gambia vs Tonga compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Gambia has a GDP of $2.4B compared to $591M for Tonga, ranking 174/197 and 191/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Gambia has $1.92B in government debt (80% of GDP), compared to $256M (37% of GDP) in Tonga.

Gambia vs Tonga GDP by year

Gambia
Tonga
1x
Year GDP, current $
Gambia Tonga
2024 $2,404,888,749 -
2023 $2,382,262,185 $591,139,749
2022 $2,204,734,528 $556,514,555
2021 $2,014,158,842 $519,306,353
2020 $1,812,170,891 $506,571,468
2019 $1,813,609,692 $506,031,239
2018 $1,670,671,328 $493,530,783
2017 $1,504,909,463 $459,976,850
2016 $1,484,578,886 $420,828,262
2015 $1,378,176,609 $437,525,514
2014 $1,229,461,721 $440,997,738
2013 $1,375,609,453 $451,788,498
2012 $1,415,004,738 $471,122,971
2011 $1,409,693,597 $414,143,828
2010 $1,543,294,927 $366,887,375
2009 $1,450,142,509 $312,415,028
2008 $1,561,766,956 $344,438,844
2007 $1,279,703,047 $298,519,623
2006 $1,054,112,488 $292,232,703
2005 $1,027,701,068 $261,823,805
2004 $961,900,651 $230,678,011
2003 $487,038,685 $202,246,591
2002 $578,235,309 $182,764,281
2001 $687,410,645 $181,117,230
2000 $782,913,872 $204,848,488
1999 $814,724,032 $199,208,718
1998 $840,285,265 $191,504,893
1997 $803,633,342 $214,991,452
1996 $848,239,446 $222,100,576
1995 $785,999,865 $208,871,666
1994 $746,493,952 $195,990,986
1993 $755,040,974 $138,489,884
1992 $714,254,256 $137,066,291
1991 $690,311,081 $132,201,141
1990 $317,083,695 $113,563,822
1989 $284,120,329 $106,344,855
1988 $266,672,212 $106,657,267
1987 $220,626,484 $81,667,133
1986 $185,646,987 $68,195,856
1985 $225,726,359 $60,058,663
1984 $177,340,880 $64,248,355
1983 $213,448,585 $60,863,964
1982 $216,050,552 $62,068,161
1981 $218,767,743 $62,242,013
1980 $241,083,090 $53,260,077
1979 $207,112,628 $44,667,002
1978 $171,833,086 $41,567,472
1977 $138,093,099 $34,139,388
1976 $112,190,829 $30,036,417
1975 $115,179,719 $32,506,742
1974 $95,796,022 -
1973 $75,187,749 -
1972 $59,160,569 -
1971 $55,728,663 -
1970 $52,296,084 -
1969 $45,168,072 -
1968 $41,160,066 -
1967 $46,695,007 -
1966 $44,212,081 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1966–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Gambia vs Tonga by year

Gambia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tonga
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Gambia Tonga
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $871 $3,476 - -
2023 $883 $3,289 $5,652 $7,803
2022 $836 $3,067 $5,298 $7,296
2021 $782 $2,778 $4,923 $6,929
2020 $720 $2,531 $4,792 $6,676
2019 $738 $2,422 $4,789 $6,473
2018 $696 $2,277 $4,675 $6,393
2017 $643 $2,039 $4,366 $6,229
2016 $650 $2,013 $3,988 $5,920
2015 $620 $1,990 $4,124 $5,472
2014 $568 $1,934 $4,137 $5,336
2013 $654 $2,007 $4,219 $5,120
2012 $693 $2,065 $4,384 $4,996
2011 $711 $2,064 $3,850 $4,855
2010 $801 $2,267 $3,416 $4,465
2009 $775 $2,177 $2,914 $4,384
2008 $859 $2,088 $3,218 $4,600
2007 $725 $1,985 $2,797 $4,316
2006 $615 $1,931 $2,750 $4,327
2005 $616 $1,938 $2,478 $4,315
2004 $593 $1,979 $2,195 $4,235
2003 $309 $1,850 $1,936 $4,231
2002 $377 $1,744 $1,759 $4,171
2001 $460 $1,823 $1,754 $3,955
2000 $538 $1,731 $1,995 $3,834
1999 $575 $1,649 $1,952 $3,636
1998 $610 $1,572 $1,889 $3,527
1997 $600 $1,544 $2,136 $3,434
1996 $652 $1,489 $2,215 $3,410
1995 $622 $1,472 $2,084 $3,347
1994 $608 $1,473 $1,957 $3,088
1993 $635 $1,487 $1,383 $2,882
1992 $623 $1,462 $1,370 $2,716
1991 $628 $1,440 $1,323 $2,652
1990 $301 $1,409 $1,139 $2,416
1989 $280.9 - $1,070 -
1988 $274.9 - $1,078 -
1987 $237 - $830 -
1986 $207.7 - $696 -
1985 $262.8 - $613 -
1984 $214.8 - $656 -
1983 $268.6 - $621 -
1982 $282.1 - $633 -
1981 $296 - $636 -
1980 $338 - $545 -
1979 $300 - $458 -
1978 $257.6 - $428 -
1977 $213.8 - $353 -
1976 $179.3 - $315 -
1975 $189.8 - $349 -
1974 $162.6 - - -
1973 $131.4 - - -
1972 $106.5 - - -
1971 $103.3 - - -
1970 $99.8 - - -
1969 $88.7 - - -
1968 $83.1 - - -
1967 $97 - - -
1966 $94.4 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1966–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

The Gambia's GDP per capita is $871, ranking 183/197, compared to $5,652 in Tonga, ranking 115/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Gambia ranks 172nd at $3,476, while Tonga ranks 144th at $7,803.

Economic indicators

Gambia Tonga
Gross domestic product
$2.4B
2024
$591M
2023
GDP rank
174/197
2024
191/197
2023
GDP growth
5.55%
2023-2024
2.79%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$871
2024
$5,652
2023
GDP per capita rank
183/197
2024
115/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,476
2024
$7,803
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
172/197
2024
144/197
2023
Government debt
$1.92B
2024
$256M
2023
Debt-to-GDP ratio
80%
2024
37%
2024
Government debt per person
$697
2024
$2,445
2023
Government debt per person rank
155/185
2024
111/185
2023
Average annual personal income after taxes
$741
2026
$3,886
2026
Income share by richest 10%
30.5%
2020
22%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2020
4%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
25.8%
2024
51.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
11.6%
2023-2024
3.18%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
17%
2023
n/a
Unemployment rate
6.48%
2023
1.65%
2023
Population
2902554
103309

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Gambia
Spending

Debt
Tonga
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Gambia Tonga
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 25.8% 80% 51.3% 37%
2023 24.9% 80.2% 48.2% 43.3%
2022 24.6% 83.9% 44.4% 43.2%
2021 21.5% 83.1% 44.6% 43%
2020 25.3% 85.9% 37.9% 42.6%
2019 23.9% 83% 39.9% 42.8%
2018 19% 83.6% 39.6% 45.8%
2017 23.6% 87% 39.7% 44.7%
2016 19.4% 80.7% 37.2% 49.4%
2015 19.6% 69.4% 37.4% 51.1%
2014 19% 71.1% 31.5% 47.4%
2013 17.2% 58.2% 34.3% 48.9%
2012 19.1% 49.5% 32% 60%
2011 16.5% 49.2% 32.6% 51.9%
2010 14.6% 42.9% 28.4% 44.7%
2009 14.4% 38.9% 23.9% 39.7%
2008 11.6% 39.5% 24% 34%
2007 11.2% 38% 23.2% 37.8%
2006 14% 87.3% 25.6% 39.6%
2005 12.9% 82.6% 19.8% 43.3%
2004 12.4% 81.3% 19.3% 52.2%
2003 9.3% 91.7% 20% 56.2%
2002 8.59% 93.9% 21.3% 60.7%
2001 9.68% 75.2% 19.1% 53.4%
2000 9.54% 73.3% 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/gambia/tonga | CC BY

In 2024, the Gambia's government spending was $621M, accounting for 25.8% of its GDP, while Tonga spent $285M, or 51.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 80% in the Gambia and 37% in Tonga, ranking 45/185 and 142/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Gambia

Tonga
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Gambia Tonga
2024 -4.08% 4.17%
2023 -3.69% 6.14%
2022 -5.72% -0.1%
2021 -4.77% -0.87%
2020 -2.37% 5.25%
2019 -2.75% 3.28%
2018 -3.92% 2.92%
2017 -4.35% 3.58%
2016 -6.22% 1.47%
2015 -5.38% -2.75%
2014 -3.94% 6.38%
2013 -5.11% -1.3%
2012 -2.85% -1.74%
2011 -3.03% -6.02%
2010 -2.93% -1.22%
2009 -1.65% 6.85%
2008 -0.45% 2.14%
2007 0.27% 5.39%
2006 -3.19% 1.34%
2005 -3.33% 4.23%
2004 -1.77% 4.23%
2003 -1.73% 2.37%
2002 0.06% 2.59%
2001 -2.52% 2.23%
2000 -0.09% 1.35%
1999 - 1.55%

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

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

In 2023, the Gambia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $88M, equivalent to 3.69% of GDP. This compares to Tonga's surplus of $36.3M, or 6.14% of GDP.

Over the past 24 years, the Gambia recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Tonga ran a deficit in 7 years. On average, the Gambia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.98% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.99% of GDP for Tonga.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Gambia

Tonga
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Gambia Tonga
2024 11.6% 3.18%
2023 17% 6.35%
2022 11.5% 11%
2021 7.37% 5.64%
2020 5.93% -0.35%
2019 7.12% 1.18%
2018 6.52% 5.03%
2017 8.03% 7.52%
2016 7.23% 2.58%
2015 6.81% -1.05%
2014 5.95% 2.51%
2013 5.7% 0.78%
2012 4.25% 1.15%
2011 4.8% 6.27%
2010 5.05% 3.53%
2009 4.56% 1.43%
2008 4.44% 10.4%
2007 5.37% 5.84%
2006 2.06% 6.15%
2005 4.84% 8.67%
2004 14.2% 11%
2003 17% 11.6%
2002 8.61% 10.4%
2001 4.49% 8.29%
2000 0.84% 6.33%
1999 3.81% 4.46%
1998 1.11% 3.27%
1997 2.78% 2.12%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, the Gambia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.75%, compared with 5.19% in Tonga. In 2024, inflation was 11.6% in the Gambia and 3.18% in Tonga.

Balance of trade

Gambia Tonga
Current account balance
-$99.8M
2024
-$43.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
88/190
2024
83/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.15%
2024
-7.93%
2023
Goods imports
$1.39B
2024
$232M
2024
Goods exports
$363M
2024
$10.8M
2024
Service imports
$161M
2024
$161M
2024
Service exports
$485M
2024
$93.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.4%
2024
64.9%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
8.75%
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.

Gambia Tonga
Economic freedom 56.3 58.9
Economic freedom ranking 123/197 107/197
Property rights 55.4 71.1
Government integrity 40.5 45.1
Judicial effectiveness 45.8 64.9
Tax burden 79.2 85.6
Government spending 81.1 31
Fiscal health 54.8 97.3
Business freedom 50.1 59.2
Labor freedom 46.4 55.9
Monetary freedom 57.3 61
Trade freedom 64.8 75.4
Investment freedom 50 40
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Gambia
Tonga
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Gambia Tonga
2026 56.3 58.9
2025 56.8 58.5
2024 58.2 59.2
2023 57.9 60
2022 58 60.8
2021 58.8 57.5
2020 56.3 58.8
2019 52.4 57.7
2018 52.3 63.1
2017 53.4 63
2016 57.1 59.6
2015 57.5 59.3
2014 59.5 58.2
2013 58.8 56
2012 58.8 57
2011 57.4 55.8
2010 55.1 53.4
2009 55.8 54.1
2008 56.9 -
2007 57.7 -
2006 57.3 -
2005 56.5 -
2004 55.3 -
2003 56.3 -
2002 57.7 -
2001 56.6 -
2000 52.7 -
1999 52.1 -
1998 53.4 -
1997 52.9 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Gambia is 56.3, ranking 123/197, 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

Gambia Tonga
Services, % of GDP
56.8%
2024
50%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
15.3%
2024
14.9%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.4%
2024
19%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$2.43B
2024
$619M
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,430
2024
$8,400
2023
Total reserves including gold
$629M
2024
$377M
2024
Total reserves ranking
151/177
2024
163/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$232M
2024
$13.3M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$232M
2024
-$12.1M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$665K
2024
$1.25M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.25%
2024
2.76%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
53.4%
2020
20.6%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.9%
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/gambia/tonga | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1966–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1999–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, 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.