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Economy of Japan vs Tonga compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Japan has a GDP of $4.03T compared to $591M for Tonga, ranking 4/197 and 191/197 by economy size, respectively.

Japan has $9.51T in government debt (236.1% of GDP), compared to $256M (37% of GDP) in Tonga.

Japan vs Tonga GDP by year

Japan
Tonga
1x
Year GDP, current $
Japan Tonga
2024 $4,027,597,523,551 -
2023 $4,213,167,237,906 $591,139,749
2022 $4,262,463,317,797 $556,514,555
2021 $5,039,148,168,861 $519,306,353
2020 $5,054,068,005,376 $506,571,468
2019 $5,117,993,853,017 $506,031,239
2018 $5,040,880,939,325 $493,530,783
2017 $4,930,837,369,151 $459,976,850
2016 $5,003,677,627,544 $420,828,262
2015 $4,444,930,651,964 $437,525,514
2014 $4,896,994,405,353 $440,997,738
2013 $5,212,328,181,166 $451,788,498
2012 $6,272,362,996,105 $471,122,971
2011 $6,233,147,172,341 $414,143,828
2010 $5,759,071,769,013 $366,887,375
2009 $5,289,493,117,994 $312,415,028
2008 $5,106,679,115,127 $344,438,844
2007 $4,579,750,920,355 $298,519,623
2006 $4,601,663,122,650 $292,232,703
2005 $4,831,467,035,390 $261,823,805
2004 $4,893,116,005,657 $230,678,011
2003 $4,519,561,645,254 $202,246,591
2002 $4,182,846,045,874 $182,764,281
2001 $4,374,711,694,091 $181,117,230
2000 $4,968,359,075,957 $204,848,488
1999 $4,635,982,224,064 $199,208,718
1998 $4,098,362,709,531 $191,504,893
1997 $4,492,448,605,639 $214,991,452
1996 $4,923,391,533,852 $222,100,576
1995 $5,545,563,663,890 $208,871,666
1994 $4,998,797,547,741 $195,990,986
1993 $4,536,940,479,038 $138,489,884
1992 $3,980,702,922,118 $137,066,291
1991 $3,648,065,760,649 $132,201,141
1990 $3,185,904,656,664 $113,563,822
1989 $3,109,455,047,824 $106,344,855
1988 $3,125,724,434,401 $106,657,267
1987 $2,580,748,422,781 $81,667,133
1986 $2,120,083,812,110 $68,195,856
1985 $1,427,019,759,717 $60,058,663
1984 $1,345,824,500,837 $64,248,355
1983 $1,270,859,919,743 $60,863,964
1982 $1,158,731,426,906 $62,068,161
1981 $1,245,221,410,764 $62,242,013
1980 $1,129,377,244,854 $53,260,077
1979 $1,077,910,077,676 $44,667,002
1978 $1,035,611,588,217 $41,567,472
1977 $737,069,290,928 $34,139,388
1976 $598,883,902,156 $30,036,417
1975 $532,861,438,885 $32,506,742
1974 $490,035,789,970 -
1973 $441,460,582,536 -
1972 $324,933,841,269 -
1971 $245,364,056,622 -
1970 $217,223,652,719 -
1969 $184,298,841,305 -
1968 $156,897,496,759 -
1967 $132,475,614,227 -
1966 $113,046,784,179 -
1965 $97,338,107,606 -
1964 $87,490,590,818 -
1963 $74,379,284,603 -
1962 $64,987,857,542 -
1961 $57,266,758,180 -
1960 $47,419,238,274 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Japan vs Tonga by year

Japan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tonga
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Japan Tonga
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $32,487 $52,039 - -
2023 $33,836 $50,662 $5,652 $7,803
2022 $34,066 $47,192 $5,298 $7,296
2021 $40,095 $44,355 $4,923 $6,929
2020 $40,029 $42,426 $4,792 $6,676
2019 $40,416 $42,678 $4,789 $6,473
2018 $39,751 $42,142 $4,675 $6,393
2017 $38,834 $41,444 $4,366 $6,229
2016 $39,375 $40,597 $3,988 $5,920
2015 $34,961 $40,899 $4,124 $5,472
2014 $38,475 $39,555 $4,137 $5,336
2013 $40,899 $39,402 $4,219 $5,120
2012 $49,145 $37,606 $4,384 $4,996
2011 $48,760 $36,214 $3,850 $4,855
2010 $44,968 $35,336 $3,416 $4,465
2009 $41,309 $33,543 $2,914 $4,384
2008 $39,876 $35,274 $3,218 $4,600
2007 $35,779 $35,015 $2,797 $4,316
2006 $35,992 $33,632 $2,750 $4,327
2005 $37,813 $32,170 $2,478 $4,315
2004 $38,299 $30,832 $2,195 $4,235
2003 $35,387 $29,392 $1,936 $4,231
2002 $32,821 $28,624 $1,759 $4,171
2001 $34,406 $27,943 $1,754 $3,955
2000 $39,169 $27,288 $1,995 $3,834
1999 $36,610 $25,736 $1,952 $3,636
1998 $32,424 $25,508 $1,889 $3,527
1997 $35,638 $25,619 $2,136 $3,434
1996 $39,150 $24,999 $2,215 $3,410
1995 $44,198 $23,858 $2,084 $3,347
1994 $39,934 $22,823 $1,957 $3,088
1993 $36,345 $22,168 $1,383 $2,882
1992 $31,993 $21,825 $1,370 $2,716
1991 $29,428 $21,227 $1,323 $2,652
1990 $25,801 $19,912 $1,139 $2,416
1989 $25,266 - $1,070 -
1988 $25,500 - $1,078 -
1987 $21,142 - $830 -
1986 $17,452 - $696 -
1985 $11,809 - $613 -
1984 $11,207 - $656 -
1983 $10,652 - $621 -
1982 $9,780 - $633 -
1981 $10,583 - $636 -
1980 $9,669 - $545 -
1979 $9,301 - $458 -
1978 $9,012 - $428 -
1977 $6,473 - $353 -
1976 $5,310 - $315 -
1975 $4,776 - $349 -
1974 $4,448 - - -
1973 $4,061 - - -
1972 $3,031 - - -
1971 $2,321 - - -
1970 $2,101 - - -
1969 $1,803 - - -
1968 $1,553 - - -
1967 $1,326 - - -
1966 $1,144 - - -
1965 $994 - - -
1964 $903 - - -
1963 $776 - - -
1962 $685 - - -
1961 $609 - - -
1960 $509 - - -

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

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

Japan's GDP per capita is $32,487, ranking 38/197, compared to $5,652 in Tonga, ranking 115/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Japan ranks 41st at $52,039, while Tonga ranks 144th at $7,803.

Economic indicators

Japan Tonga
Gross domestic product
$4.03T
2024
$591M
2023
GDP rank
4/197
2024
191/197
2023
GDP growth
0.1%
2023-2024
2.79%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$32,487
2024
$5,652
2023
GDP per capita rank
38/197
2024
115/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$52,039
2024
$7,803
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
41/197
2024
144/197
2023
Government debt
$9.51T
2024
$256M
2023
Debt-to-GDP ratio
236.1%
2024
37%
2024
Government debt per person
$76,704
2024
$2,445
2023
Government debt per person rank
3/185
2024
111/185
2023
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,653
2026
$3,886
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$6.31T
2024
n/a
Number of millionaires
2,732,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
42
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
23.9%
2020
22%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.4%
2020
4%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
39.1%
2024
51.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.74%
2023-2024
3.18%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
0.75%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
2.54%
2024
1.65%
2023
Population
122677250
103309

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Japan
Spending

Debt
Tonga
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Japan Tonga
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 39.1% 236.1% 51.3% 37%
2023 39.2% 240.5% 48.2% 43.3%
2022 41.8% 248.2% 44.4% 43.2%
2021 42.5% 253.7% 44.6% 43%
2020 44.5% 258.4% 37.9% 42.6%
2019 37.3% 236.4% 39.9% 42.8%
2018 36.7% 232.4% 39.6% 45.8%
2017 36.7% 231.3% 39.7% 44.7%
2016 37.2% 232.4% 37.2% 49.4%
2015 37.3% 228.3% 37.4% 51.1%
2014 38.4% 233.3% 31.5% 47.4%
2013 38.8% 229.5% 34.3% 48.9%
2012 38.6% 226.1% 32% 60%
2011 38.6% 219.2% 32.6% 51.9%
2010 37.7% 205.9% 28.4% 44.7%
2009 38.7% 198.8% 23.9% 39.7%
2008 34.1% 180.9% 24% 34%
2007 33.1% 173% 23.2% 37.8%
2006 33.1% 174.1% 25.6% 39.6%
2005 33.5% 174.6% 19.8% 43.3%
2004 33.7% 169.5% 19.3% 52.2%
2003 35% 160% 20% 56.2%
2002 35.4% 154.1% 21.3% 60.7%
2001 35.2% 145.1% 19.1% 53.4%
2000 36% 135.6% 20% 43.6%
1999 35.6% 129.5% 18.8% 38.4%
1998 38.6% 116% - -
1997 33.1% 105% - -
1996 33.8% 98.1% - -
1995 33.4% 92.5% - -
1994 32.8% 84.4% - -
1993 32.1% 72.8% - -
1992 30.3% 66.8% - -
1991 29.3% 62.4% - -
1990 29.5% 63.2% - -
1989 29.2% 65.7% - -
1988 29.9% 71.9% - -
1987 30.6% 75.8% - -
1986 30.4% 74.1% - -
1985 30.4% 68.3% - -
1984 31.2% 65.6% - -
1983 31.8% 63.5% - -
1982 31.7% 57.7% - -
1981 31.5% 52.8% - -
1980 33.5% 47.8% - -
1979 33.2% 43.8% - -
1978 32.1% 39% - -
1977 30.4% 31.1% - -
1976 29.1% 26.1% - -
1975 28.5% 20.9% - -
1974 25.5% 16.7% - -
1973 23.3% 15.9% - -
1972 23.1% 16.3% - -
1971 21.8% 12.6% - -
1970 20.2% 11.2% - -
1969 19.8% 11.4% - -
1968 20.1% 11.8% - -
1967 19.9% 11.4% - -
1966 20.8% 11.2% - -
1965 20.4% 9.78% - -
1964 19.8% 8.53% - -
1963 20% 8.66% - -
1962 19.4% 9.01% - -
1961 18.2% 8.44% - -
1960 18.4% 10.4% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Japan's government spending was $1.57T, accounting for 39.1% of its GDP, while Tonga spent $285M, or 51.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 236.1% in Japan and 37% in Tonga, ranking 3/185 and 142/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Japan

Tonga
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Japan Tonga
2024 -1.53% 4.17%
2023 -2.26% 6.14%
2022 -4.21% -0.1%
2021 -6.13% -0.87%
2020 -9.08% 5.25%
2019 -3.04% 3.28%
2018 -2.47% 2.92%
2017 -3.1% 3.58%
2016 -3.6% 1.47%
2015 -3.68% -2.75%
2014 -5.62% 6.38%
2013 -7.61% -1.3%
2012 -8.2% -1.74%
2011 -8.99% -6.02%
2010 -9.08% -1.22%
2009 -9.69% 6.85%
2008 -4.11% 2.14%
2007 -2.9% 5.39%
2006 -3.03% 1.34%
2005 -4.44% 4.23%
2004 -5.31% 4.23%
2003 -7.43% 2.37%
2002 -7.34% 2.59%
2001 -6.2% 2.23%
2000 -7.28% 1.35%
1999 -6.75% 1.55%
1998 -10% -
1997 -3.53% -
1996 -4.87% -
1995 -4.3% -
1994 -3.76% -
1993 -2.39% -
1992 0.57% -
1991 1.67% -
1990 1.96% -
1989 1.23% -
1988 0.49% -
1987 -0.36% -
1986 -1.36% -
1985 -1.37% -
1984 -2.62% -
1983 -3.95% -
1982 -3.81% -
1981 -3.85% -
1980 -4.66% -
1979 -5% -
1978 -5.79% -
1977 -4.02% -
1976 -3.89% -
1975 -2.92% -
1974 0.38% -
1973 0.56% -
1972 -0.13% -
1971 1.21% -
1970 1.74% -
1969 1.26% -
1968 0.88% -
1967 0.8% -
1966 -0.34% -
1965 0.48% -
1964 0.85% -
1963 1.08% -
1962 1.49% -
1961 2.58% -
1960 1.85% -
1959 0.97% -
1958 -0.1% -
1957 1.27% -
1956 1.39% -
1955 -0.67% -
1954 0.7% -
1953 1.65% -
1952 2.22% -
1951 5.06% -
1950 6.99% -
1949 12.5% -
1948 7.53% -
1947 6.09% -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 0.32% -
1942 -0.13% -
1941 -0.19% -
1940 0.31% -
1939 0.11% -
1938 0.45% -
1937 0.71% -
1936 0.34% -
1935 0.26% -
1934 0.34% -
1933 0.28% -
1932 0.31% -
1931 0.23% -
1930 0.19% -
1929 0.5% -
1928 0.42% -
1927 0.58% -
1926 0.65% -
1925 0.75% -
1924 0.84% -
1923 0.87% -
1922 0.89% -
1921 1.43% -
1920 1.19% -
1919 1.21% -
1918 1.58% -
1917 1.54% -
1916 1.37% -
1915 1.41% -
1914 1.31% -
1913 1.21% -
1912 1.27% -
1911 1.21% -
1910 1.57% -
1909 1.51% -
1908 1.63% -
1907 1.77% -
1906 0.46% -
1905 -0.68% -
1904 -0.81% -
1903 0.19% -
1902 0.44% -
1901 0.21% -
1900 0.53% -
1899 0.2% -
1898 0.6% -
1897 0.33% -
1896 0.88% -
1895 0.28% -
1894 -0.24% -
1893 0.6% -
1892 0.63% -
1891 0.61% -
1890 0.74% -
1889 0.18% -
1888 0.13% -
1887 0.11% -
1886 0.03% -
1885 0.01% -
1884 0.001% -
1883 0.03% -
1882 0.001% -
1881 0.001% -
1880 0.004% -
1879 0.02% -
1878 0.02% -
1877 -0.29% -
1876 -0.42% -
1875 0.005% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1875–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2023, Japan's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $95.2B, equivalent to 2.26% of GDP. This compares to Tonga's surplus of $36.3M, or 6.14% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Japan recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Tonga ran a deficit in 7 years. On average, Japan posted an annual deficit equal to 5.66% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.97% of GDP for Tonga.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Japan

Tonga
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Japan Tonga
2024 2.74% 3.18%
2023 3.27% 6.35%
2022 2.5% 11%
2021 -0.23% 5.64%
2020 -0.02% -0.35%
2019 0.47% 1.18%
2018 0.99% 5.03%
2017 0.48% 7.52%
2016 -0.13% 2.58%
2015 0.8% -1.05%
2014 2.76% 2.51%
2013 0.34% 0.78%
2012 -0.04% 1.15%
2011 -0.27% 6.27%
2010 -0.73% 3.53%
2009 -1.35% 1.43%
2008 1.38% 10.4%
2007 0.06% 5.84%
2006 0.25% 6.15%
2005 -0.28% 8.67%
2004 -0.009% 11%
2003 -0.26% 11.6%
2002 -0.92% 10.4%
2001 -0.74% 8.29%
2000 -0.68% 6.33%
1999 -0.34% 4.46%
1998 0.66% 3.27%
1997 1.75% 2.12%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Japan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 0.44%, compared with 5.19% in Tonga. In 2024, inflation was 2.74% in Japan and 3.18% in Tonga.

Top exports between countries

Japan
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $16.8M
Miscellaneous $419K
Textiles & consumer goods $285K
Animal & marine products $82K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $66K
Chemicals & pharma $49K
Metals $46K
Raw materials & minerals $29K
Wood & paper products $7K
Tonga
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $2.6M
Machinery & equipment $864K
Raw agricultural goods $72K
Animal & marine products $38K
Chemicals & pharma $15K
Metals $10K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $9K
Precious metals & jewellery $5K

Balance of trade

Japan Tonga
Current account balance
$194B
2024
-$43.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
3/190
2024
83/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.82%
2024
-7.93%
2023
Goods imports
$719B
2024
$232M
2024
Goods exports
$694B
2024
$10.8M
2024
Service imports
$246B
2024
$161M
2024
Service exports
$228B
2024
$93.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
64.9%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
22.8%
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.

Japan Tonga
Economic freedom 70.3 58.9
Economic freedom ranking 36/197 107/197
Property rights 94.2 71.1
Government integrity 81.1 45.1
Judicial effectiveness 97.9 64.9
Tax burden 63 85.6
Government spending 52 31
Fiscal health 41.7 97.3
Business freedom 77.8 59.2
Labor freedom 65.9 55.9
Monetary freedom 74.3 61
Trade freedom 76.2 75.4
Investment freedom 60 40
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Japan
Tonga
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Japan Tonga
2026 70.3 58.9
2025 70.2 58.5
2024 67.5 59.2
2023 69.3 60
2022 69.9 60.8
2021 74.1 57.5
2020 73.3 58.8
2019 72.1 57.7
2018 72.3 63.1
2017 69.6 63
2016 73.1 59.6
2015 73.3 59.3
2014 72.4 58.2
2013 71.8 56
2012 71.6 57
2011 72.8 55.8
2010 72.9 53.4
2009 72.8 54.1
2008 73 -
2007 72.7 -
2006 73.3 -
2005 67.3 -
2004 64.3 -
2003 67.6 -
2002 66.7 -
2001 70.9 -
2000 70.7 -
1999 69.1 -
1998 70.2 -
1997 70.3 -
1996 72.6 -
1995 75 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Japan is 70.3, ranking 36/197, 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

Japan Tonga
Services, % of GDP
69.8%
2023
50%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
28.6%
2023
14.9%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.94%
2023
19%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$4.46T
2024
$619M
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$55,490
2024
$8,400
2023
Total reserves including gold
$1.23T
2024
$377M
2024
Total reserves ranking
2/177
2024
163/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$191B
2024
$13.3M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$16.2B
2024
-$12.1M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$203B
2024
$1.25M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
2.76%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2020
20.6%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.2%
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/japan/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) | Public Finances in Modern History (1875–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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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.