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Economy of Jamaica vs Tonga compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Jamaica has a GDP of $22.7B compared to $679M for Tonga, ranking 125/197 and 191/197 by economy size, respectively.

Jamaica has $15.4B in government debt (67.7% of GDP), compared to $186M (27.4% of GDP) in Tonga.

Jamaica vs Tonga GDP by year

Jamaica
Tonga
1x
Year GDP, current $
Jamaica Tonga
2025 $22,704,903,218 $679,218,219
2024 $22,014,429,051 $647,488,244
2023 $21,418,797,833 $591,139,734
2022 $18,813,516,805 $556,514,556
2021 $15,963,885,376 $519,306,339
2020 $15,000,214,216 $506,571,487
2019 $17,026,269,263 $506,031,248
2018 $16,855,447,986 $493,530,767
2017 $15,783,583,237 $459,976,847
2016 $14,898,999,754 $420,828,255
2015 $14,963,589,916 $437,525,539
2014 $13,899,217,680 $440,997,735
2013 $14,264,205,153 $451,788,498
2012 $14,807,086,556 $471,122,971
2011 $14,444,661,522 $414,143,828
2010 $13,220,549,908 $366,887,375
2009 $12,120,458,115 $312,415,028
2008 $13,709,401,520 $344,438,844
2007 $12,799,600,047 $298,519,623
2006 $11,930,179,090 $292,232,703
2005 $11,243,865,778 $261,823,805
2004 $10,174,664,854 $230,678,011
2003 $9,430,234,811 $202,246,591
2002 $9,719,009,495 $182,764,281
2001 $9,194,727,831 $181,117,230
2000 $9,005,064,475 $204,848,488
1999 $8,887,057,997 $199,208,718
1998 $8,787,195,622 $191,504,893
1997 $8,400,041,724 $214,991,452
1996 $7,393,891,921 $222,100,576
1995 $6,577,520,643 $208,871,666
1994 $5,452,558,947 $195,990,986
1993 $5,440,075,676 $138,489,884
1992 $3,535,460,090 $137,066,291
1991 $4,106,207,649 $132,201,141
1990 $4,592,208,087 $113,563,822
1989 $4,404,937,853 $106,344,855
1988 $3,828,342,820 $106,657,267
1987 $3,287,007,322 $81,667,133
1986 $2,754,549,582 $68,195,856
1985 $2,100,239,019 $60,058,663
1984 $2,373,564,549 $64,248,355
1983 $3,619,262,277 $60,863,964
1982 $3,293,496,312 $62,068,161
1981 $2,979,027,966 $62,242,013
1980 $2,679,379,372 $53,260,077
1979 $2,425,064,229 $44,667,002
1978 $2,644,527,822 $41,567,472
1977 $3,249,733,140 $34,139,388
1976 $2,966,042,856 $30,036,417
1975 $2,860,442,750 $32,506,742
1974 $2,375,122,375 -
1973 $1,905,917,553 -
1972 $1,875,146,587 -
1971 $1,539,861,816 -
1970 $1,404,720,442 -
1969 $1,191,239,047 -
1968 $1,083,839,133 -
1967 $1,148,014,311 -
1966 $1,096,759,561 -
1965 $972,159,611 -
1964 $897,949,001 -
1963 $826,706,669 -
1962 $777,727,689 -
1961 $748,043,501 -
1960 $699,064,380 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Jamaica vs Tonga by year

Jamaica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tonga
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Jamaica Tonga
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $8,003 - $6,547 -
2024 $7,754 $12,890 $6,215 -
2023 $7,542 $12,651 $5,652 $7,803
2022 $6,626 $11,888 $5,298 $7,296
2021 $5,626 $10,431 $4,923 $6,929
2020 $5,299 $9,764 $4,792 $6,676
2019 $6,031 $10,845 $4,789 $6,473
2018 $5,977 $10,753 $4,675 $6,393
2017 $5,605 $10,466 $4,366 $6,229
2016 $5,302 $9,948 $3,988 $5,920
2015 $5,339 $9,476 $4,124 $5,472
2014 $4,975 $9,210 $4,137 $5,336
2013 $5,124 $9,101 $4,219 $5,120
2012 $5,341 $8,831 $4,384 $4,996
2011 $5,233 $8,809 $3,850 $4,855
2010 $4,810 $8,521 $3,416 $4,465
2009 $4,428 $8,580 $2,914 $4,384
2008 $5,030 $8,952 $3,218 $4,600
2007 $4,716 $8,893 $2,797 $4,316
2006 $4,417 $8,577 $2,750 $4,327
2005 $4,184 $8,127 $2,478 $4,315
2004 $3,808 $7,854 $2,195 $4,235
2003 $3,550 $7,593 $1,936 $4,231
2002 $3,681 $7,226 $1,759 $4,171
2001 $3,504 $7,019 $1,754 $3,955
2000 $3,453 $6,816 $1,995 $3,834
1999 $3,432 $6,653 $1,952 $3,636
1998 $3,419 $6,543 $1,889 $3,527
1997 $3,297 $6,682 $2,136 $3,434
1996 $2,929 $6,706 $2,215 $3,410
1995 $2,631 $6,657 $2,084 $3,347
1994 $2,203 $6,435 $1,957 $3,088
1993 $2,221 $6,279 $1,383 $2,882
1992 $1,458 $5,664 $1,370 $2,716
1991 $1,710 $5,485 $1,323 $2,652
1990 $1,930 $5,106 $1,139 $2,416
1989 $1,865 - $1,070 -
1988 $1,632 - $1,078 -
1987 $1,411 - $830 -
1986 $1,191 - $696 -
1985 $917 - $613 -
1984 $1,048 - $656 -
1983 $1,619 - $621 -
1982 $1,494 - $633 -
1981 $1,370 - $636 -
1980 $1,249 - $545 -
1979 $1,144 - $458 -
1978 $1,262 - $428 -
1977 $1,569 - $353 -
1976 $1,450 - $315 -
1975 $1,417 - $349 -
1974 $1,193 - - -
1973 $972 - - -
1972 $971 - - -
1971 $809 - - -
1970 $748 - - -
1969 $642 - - -
1968 $591 - - -
1967 $633 - - -
1966 $612 - - -
1965 $549 - - -
1964 $514 - - -
1963 $480 - - -
1962 $458 - - -
1961 $447 - - -
1960 $424 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Jamaica's GDP per capita is $8,003, ranking 98/197, compared to $6,547 in Tonga, ranking 110/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Jamaica ranks 121st at $12,890, while Tonga ranks 144th at $7,803.

Economic indicators

Jamaica Tonga
Gross domestic product
$22.7B
2025
$679M
2025
GDP rank
125/197
2025
191/197
2025
GDP growth
0.08%
2024-2025
2.8%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$8,003
2025
$6,547
2025
GDP per capita rank
98/197
2025
110/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,890
2024
$7,803
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
121/197
2024
144/197
2023
Government debt
$15.4B
2025
$186M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
67.7%
2025
27.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$5,419
2025
$1,793
2025
Government debt per person rank
80/185
2025
123/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$8,390
2026
$4,104
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$11.6B
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
29.6%
2021
22%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2021
4%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2025
46.8%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
4%
2024-2025
5.59%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
5.75%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.02%
2023
1.65%
2023
Population
2834177
103283

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Jamaica
Spending

Debt
Tonga
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Jamaica Tonga
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 33.8% 67.7% 46.8% 27.4%
2024 30.1% 62.5% 44.3% 31.9%
2023 27.7% 66.5% 41.5% 37.2%
2022 27.1% 70.2% 41.3% 40.2%
2021 27.6% 86.3% 44.5% 43%
2020 30.1% 101.3% 37.1% 41.7%
2019 27.5% 87.7% 39% 41.8%
2018 27.5% 88.3% 39.3% 45.5%
2017 26.9% 95.1% 39.7% 44.7%
2016 26.5% 106.9% 37.2% 49.4%
2015 25.9% 115.9% 37.4% 51.1%
2014 26.1% 134.4% 31.5% 47.4%
2013 26.3% 135.2% 34.3% 48.9%
2012 29.1% 140.3% 32% 60%
2011 31.2% 135.9% 32.6% 51.9%
2010 32.3% 137.8% 28.4% 44.7%
2009 37.7% 138.3% 23.9% 39.7%
2008 33.9% 123.8% 24% 34%
2007 30.6% 111.6% 23.2% 37.8%
2006 30.1% 114.2% 25.6% 39.6%
2005 28.6% 121.5% 19.8% 43.3%
2004 30.7% 116.9% 19.3% 52.2%
2003 31.1% 120.1% 20% 56.2%
2002 30.1% 115.4% 21.3% 60.7%
2001 27.8% 105.3% 19.1% 53.4%
2000 25.7% 89.5% 20% 43.6%
1999 27.9% 80.7% 18.8% 38.4%
1998 27.9% 75.6% - -
1997 27.6% 74.4% - -
1996 27.4% 70.2% - -
1995 22.1% 85.2% - -
1994 19.9% 90.4% - -
1993 19.6% 106.2% - -
1992 18.2% 100.4% - -
1991 19.9% 175.1% - -
1990 22.6% 128.8% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Jamaica's government spending was $7.68B, accounting for 33.8% of its GDP, while Tonga spent $318M, or 46.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 67.7% in Jamaica and 27.4% in Tonga, ranking 62/185 and 162/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Jamaica

Tonga
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Jamaica Tonga
2025 -3.77% 4.86%
2024 0.22% 3.6%
2023 0.04% 5.28%
2022 0.26% -0.09%
2021 0.84% -0.87%
2020 -2.87% 5.15%
2019 0.85% 3.2%
2018 1.1% 2.9%
2017 0.42% 3.58%
2016 -0.18% 1.47%
2015 -0.28% -2.75%
2014 -0.48% 6.38%
2013 0.12% -1.3%
2012 -3.97% -1.74%
2011 -6.24% -6.02%
2010 -6.17% -1.22%
2009 -10.8% 6.85%
2008 -7.32% 2.14%
2007 -3.7% 5.39%
2006 -4.74% 1.34%
2005 -3.22% 4.23%
2004 -4.56% 4.23%
2003 -5.42% 2.37%
2002 -6.55% 2.59%
2001 -4.77% 2.23%
2000 -0.78% 1.35%
1999 -3.41% 1.55%
1998 -5.73% -
1997 -6.39% -
1996 -5.25% -
1995 1.53% -
1994 2.4% -
1993 2.37% -
1992 2.83% -
1991 3.14% -
1990 2.06% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Jamaica's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $856M, equivalent to 3.77% of GDP. This compares to Tonga's surplus of $33M, or 4.86% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Jamaica recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while Tonga ran a deficit in 7 years. On average, Jamaica posted an annual deficit equal to 2.79% of GDP, compared to surplus of 2.1% of GDP for Tonga.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Jamaica

Tonga
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Jamaica Tonga
2025 4% 5.59%
2024 5.41% 3.18%
2023 6.47% 6.35%
2022 10.3% 11%
2021 5.86% 5.64%
2020 5.23% -0.35%
2019 3.91% 1.18%
2018 3.74% 5.03%
2017 4.38% 7.52%
2016 2.35% 2.58%
2015 3.69% -1.05%
2014 8.27% 2.51%
2013 9.34% 0.78%
2012 6.87% 1.15%
2011 7.56% 6.27%
2010 12.6% 3.53%
2009 9.59% 1.43%
2008 22% 10.4%
2007 9.24% 5.84%
2006 8.56% 6.15%
2005 15.1% 8.67%
2004 13.6% 11%
2003 10.1% 11.6%
2002 7.08% 10.4%
2001 6.8% 8.29%
2000 8.17% 6.33%
1999 5.95% 4.46%
1998 8.63% 3.27%
1997 9.66% 2.12%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Jamaica has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 8.08%, compared with 5.2% in Tonga. In 2025, inflation was 4% in Jamaica and 5.59% in Tonga.

Top exports between countries

Jamaica
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $3K
Tonga
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Jamaica Tonga
Current account balance
$679M
2024
-$43.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
53/190
2024
76/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.08%
2024
-6.72%
2024
Goods imports
$6.07B
2024
$232M
2024
Goods exports
$1.87B
2024
$10.8M
2024
Service imports
$3.46B
2024
$161M
2024
Service exports
$5.26B
2024
$93.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.1%
2019
60.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
38%
2019
16.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Jamaica Tonga
Economic freedom 68.2 58.9
Economic freedom ranking 48/197 107/197
Property rights 66.8 71.1
Government integrity 49.4 45.1
Judicial effectiveness 75.6 64.9
Tax burden 76.3 85.6
Government spending 76 31
Fiscal health 92.2 97.3
Business freedom 68.5 59.2
Labor freedom 59.2 55.9
Monetary freedom 74.2 61
Trade freedom 70.4 75.4
Investment freedom 60 40
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Jamaica
Tonga
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Jamaica Tonga
2026 68.2 58.9
2025 68.7 58.5
2024 68.1 59.2
2023 68.1 60
2022 67.4 60.8
2021 69 57.5
2020 68.5 58.8
2019 68.6 57.7
2018 69.1 63.1
2017 69.5 63
2016 67.5 59.6
2015 67.7 59.3
2014 66.7 58.2
2013 66.8 56
2012 65.1 57
2011 65.7 55.8
2010 65.5 53.4
2009 65.2 54.1
2008 65.7 -
2007 65.5 -
2006 66.4 -
2005 67 -
2004 66.7 -
2003 67 -
2002 61.7 -
2001 63.7 -
2000 65.5 -
1999 64.7 -
1998 67.1 -
1997 67.7 -
1996 66.7 -
1995 64.4 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Jamaica is 68.2, ranking 48/197, 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

Jamaica Tonga
Services, % of GDP
59.8%
2025
49.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
16.3%
2025
17.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.74%
2025
18.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$22.1B
2025
$709M
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$13,090
2025
$9,240
2025
Total reserves including gold
$6.3B
2025
$413M
2025
Total reserves ranking
92/177
2025
162/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$304M
2024
$13.3M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$305M
2024
-$12.1M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.07M
2024
$1.25M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
11.3%
2024
6.33%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
8.2%
2023
20.6%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.6%
2019
26.4%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. TradeMap (2022, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.