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Economy of Kenya vs Tonga compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Kenya has a GDP of $120B compared to $591M for Tonga, ranking 64/197 and 191/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kenya has $81B in government debt (67.3% of GDP), compared to $256M (37% of GDP) in Tonga.

Kenya vs Tonga GDP by year

Kenya
Tonga
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kenya Tonga
2024 $120,339,557,906 -
2023 $107,500,884,685 $591,139,749
2022 $114,448,978,153 $556,514,555
2021 $109,703,658,905 $519,306,353
2020 $100,657,505,751 $506,571,468
2019 $100,378,436,207 $506,031,239
2018 $92,202,979,985 $493,530,783
2017 $82,036,510,877 $459,976,850
2016 $74,815,144,164 $420,828,262
2015 $70,120,446,897 $437,525,514
2014 $68,285,796,514 $440,997,738
2013 $61,671,440,408 $451,788,498
2012 $56,396,704,672 $471,122,971
2011 $46,869,473,151 $414,143,828
2010 $45,405,615,064 $366,887,375
2009 $42,347,217,913 $312,415,028
2008 $35,895,153,328 $344,438,844
2007 $31,958,195,182 $298,519,623
2006 $25,825,512,284 $292,232,703
2005 $18,737,895,513 $261,823,805
2004 $16,095,337,094 $230,678,011
2003 $14,904,517,650 $202,246,591
2002 $13,147,736,899 $182,764,281
2001 $12,986,007,426 $181,117,230
2000 $12,705,350,098 $204,848,488
1999 $12,896,010,459 $199,208,718
1998 $14,093,998,844 $191,504,893
1997 $13,115,764,358 $214,991,452
1996 $12,045,865,396 $222,100,576
1995 $9,046,320,255 $208,871,666
1994 $7,148,148,564 $195,990,986
1993 $5,751,786,643 $138,489,884
1992 $8,209,120,763 $137,066,291
1991 $8,151,488,783 $132,201,141
1990 $8,572,359,038 $113,563,822
1989 $8,283,114,514 $106,344,855
1988 $8,355,380,879 $106,657,267
1987 $7,970,820,369 $81,667,133
1986 $7,239,126,568 $68,195,856
1985 $6,135,034,214 $60,058,663
1984 $6,191,437,070 $64,248,355
1983 $5,979,198,314 $60,863,964
1982 $6,431,579,357 $62,068,161
1981 $6,854,491,706 $62,242,013
1980 $7,265,315,820 $53,260,077
1979 $6,234,391,113 $44,667,002
1978 $5,303,735,111 $41,567,472
1977 $4,494,378,764 $34,139,388
1976 $3,474,542,392 $30,036,417
1975 $3,259,345,083 $32,506,742
1974 $2,969,958,812 -
1973 $2,509,001,324 -
1972 $2,107,279,157 -
1971 $1,778,391,289 -
1970 $1,603,447,359 -
1969 $1,458,379,417 -
1968 $1,353,295,459 -
1967 $1,232,559,507 -
1966 $1,164,519,674 -
1965 $997,919,321 -
1964 $998,759,334 -
1963 $926,589,349 -
1962 $868,111,401 -
1961 $792,959,473 -
1960 $791,265,459 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Kenya vs Tonga by year

Kenya
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tonga
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kenya Tonga
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,132 $6,644 - -
2023 $1,943 $6,317 $5,652 $7,803
2022 $2,110 $5,883 $5,298 $7,296
2021 $2,061 $5,339 $4,923 $6,929
2020 $1,928 $4,793 $4,792 $6,676
2019 $1,960 $4,687 $4,789 $6,473
2018 $1,836 $4,412 $4,675 $6,393
2017 $1,667 $4,177 $4,366 $6,229
2016 $1,554 $3,917 $3,988 $5,920
2015 $1,489 $3,678 $4,124 $5,472
2014 $1,483 $3,359 $4,137 $5,336
2013 $1,371 $3,106 $4,219 $5,120
2012 $1,285 $2,847 $4,384 $4,996
2011 $1,096 $2,750 $3,850 $4,855
2010 $1,092 $2,635 $3,416 $4,465
2009 $1,048 $2,480 $2,914 $4,384
2008 $916 $2,459 $3,218 $4,600
2007 $840 $2,481 $2,797 $4,316
2006 $700 $2,330 $2,750 $4,327
2005 $523 $2,189 $2,478 $4,315
2004 $464 $2,066 $2,195 $4,235
2003 $443 $1,975 $1,936 $4,231
2002 $403 $1,940 $1,759 $4,171
2001 $411 $1,961 $1,754 $3,955
2000 $415 $1,907 $1,995 $3,834
1999 $434 $1,910 $1,952 $3,636
1998 $488 $1,895 $1,889 $3,527
1997 $467 $1,865 $2,136 $3,434
1996 $441 $1,875 $2,215 $3,410
1995 $340 $1,818 $2,084 $3,347
1994 $276.4 $1,754 $1,957 $3,088
1993 $229 $1,723 $1,383 $2,882
1992 $337 $1,728 $1,370 $2,716
1991 $345 $1,756 $1,323 $2,652
1990 $374 $1,729 $1,139 $2,416
1989 $374 - $1,070 -
1988 $391 - $1,078 -
1987 $387 - $830 -
1986 $364 - $696 -
1985 $320 - $613 -
1984 $334 - $656 -
1983 $335 - $621 -
1982 $374 - $633 -
1981 $413 - $636 -
1980 $454 - $545 -
1979 $403 - $458 -
1978 $355 - $428 -
1977 $311 - $353 -
1976 $248.9 - $315 -
1975 $241.2 - $349 -
1974 $227.2 - - -
1973 $198.6 - - -
1972 $172.6 - - -
1971 $150.9 - - -
1970 $141 - - -
1969 $133.3 - - -
1968 $128.7 - - -
1967 $121.9 - - -
1966 $119.8 - - -
1965 $106.9 - - -
1964 $111.3 - - -
1963 $107.4 - - -
1962 $104.6 - - -
1961 $99.3 - - -
1960 $102.8 - - -

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

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

Kenya's GDP per capita is $2,132, ranking 154/197, compared to $5,652 in Tonga, ranking 115/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kenya ranks 149th at $6,644, while Tonga ranks 144th at $7,803.

Economic indicators

Kenya Tonga
Gross domestic product
$120B
2024
$591M
2023
GDP rank
64/197
2024
191/197
2023
GDP growth
4.72%
2023-2024
2.79%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$2,132
2024
$5,652
2023
GDP per capita rank
154/197
2024
115/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$6,644
2024
$7,803
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
149/197
2024
144/197
2023
Government debt
$81B
2024
$256M
2023
Debt-to-GDP ratio
67.3%
2024
37%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,436
2024
$2,445
2023
Government debt per person rank
133/185
2024
111/185
2023
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,229
2026
$3,886
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$15B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
30.1%
2022
22%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2022
4%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.3%
2024
51.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.49%
2023-2024
3.18%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
9.25%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.44%
2022
1.65%
2023
Population
58955623
103309

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kenya
Spending

Debt
Tonga
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kenya Tonga
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.3% 67.3% 51.3% 37%
2023 22.7% 73.4% 48.2% 43.3%
2022 23.2% 67.8% 44.4% 43.2%
2021 24% 68.2% 44.6% 43%
2020 24.8% 68% 37.9% 42.6%
2019 24.4% 59.1% 39.9% 42.8%
2018 24.5% 56.4% 39.6% 45.8%
2017 25.2% 53.9% 39.7% 44.7%
2016 25.4% 50.4% 37.2% 49.4%
2015 23.8% 45.8% 37.4% 51.1%
2014 23.4% 41.3% 31.5% 47.4%
2013 23.2% 39.8% 34.3% 48.9%
2012 22.1% 37.6% 32% 60%
2011 20.1% 35.7% 32.6% 51.9%
2010 21.5% 36.7% 28.4% 44.7%
2009 20.3% 36% 23.9% 39.7%
2008 18.9% 34.3% 24% 34%
2007 18.1% 34.2% 23.2% 37.8%
2006 17.3% 37.1% 25.6% 39.6%
2005 16.2% 37.4% 19.8% 43.3%
2004 15.4% 40.8% 19.3% 52.2%
2003 16% 43.8% 20% 56.2%
2002 15.7% 42% 21.3% 60.7%
2001 14.9% 41.3% 19.1% 53.4%
2000 14.1% 43.1% 20% 43.6%
1999 13.7% 38.4% 18.8% 38.4%
1998 15.3% 38.5% - -
1997 15.6% 36% - -
1996 15.2% 40.5% - -
1995 17.3% 52.1% - -
1994 18.8% 57% - -
1993 18.9% 61.6% - -
1992 17.6% 41.2% - -
1991 16.4% 43% - -
1990 17.2% 37.6% - -
1989 16.3% 33.4% - -
1988 15.9% 33.9% - -
1987 15.5% 36.3% - -
1986 15.3% 31.3% - -
1985 15.6% 28.8% - -
1984 14.9% 25.6% - -
1983 14.6% 26.1% - -
1982 16.2% 26.9% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Kenya's government spending was $28B, accounting for 23.3% of its GDP, while Tonga spent $285M, or 51.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 67.3% in Kenya and 37% in Tonga, ranking 64/185 and 142/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kenya

Tonga
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kenya Tonga
2024 -5.77% 4.17%
2023 -5.71% 6.14%
2022 -6.06% -0.1%
2021 -7.2% -0.87%
2020 -8.13% 5.25%
2019 -7.42% 3.28%
2018 -6.94% 2.92%
2017 -7.4% 3.58%
2016 -7.47% 1.47%
2015 -6.68% -2.75%
2014 -5.75% 6.38%
2013 -5.25% -1.3%
2012 -5.29% -1.74%
2011 -3.64% -6.02%
2010 -3.67% -1.22%
2009 -3.12% 6.85%
2008 -1.95% 2.14%
2007 -0.95% 5.39%
2006 -0.43% 1.34%
2005 -0.19% 4.23%
2004 0.5% 4.23%
2003 -0.73% 2.37%
2002 -1.29% 2.59%
2001 -0.53% 2.23%
2000 0.38% 1.35%
1999 0.84% 1.55%
1998 -0.03% -
1997 -0.91% -
1996 -0.49% -
1995 -0.23% -
1994 -4.14% -
1993 -8.57% -
1992 -8.28% -
1991 -6.56% -
1990 -3.28% -
1989 -2.39% -
1988 -1.97% -
1987 -2.27% -
1986 -2.98% -
1985 -3.05% -
1984 -2.55% -
1983 -2.17% -
1982 -3.07% -

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/kenya/tonga | CC BY

In 2023, Kenya's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $6.14B, equivalent to 5.71% of GDP. This compares to Tonga's surplus of $36.3M, or 6.14% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Kenya recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Tonga ran a deficit in 7 years. On average, Kenya posted an annual deficit equal to 3.76% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.97% of GDP for Tonga.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kenya

Tonga
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kenya Tonga
2024 4.49% 3.18%
2023 7.67% 6.35%
2022 7.66% 11%
2021 6.11% 5.64%
2020 5.41% -0.35%
2019 5.24% 1.18%
2018 4.69% 5.03%
2017 8.01% 7.52%
2016 6.3% 2.58%
2015 6.58% -1.05%
2014 6.88% 2.51%
2013 5.72% 0.78%
2012 9.38% 1.15%
2011 14% 6.27%
2010 3.96% 3.53%
2009 9.23% 1.43%
2008 26.2% 10.4%
2007 9.76% 5.84%
2006 14.5% 6.15%
2005 10.3% 8.67%
2004 11.6% 11%
2003 9.82% 11.6%
2002 1.96% 10.4%
2001 5.74% 8.29%
2000 9.98% 6.33%
1999 5.74% 4.46%
1998 6.72% 3.27%
1997 11.4% 2.12%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Kenya has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 8.39%, compared with 5.19% in Tonga. In 2024, inflation was 4.49% in Kenya and 3.18% in Tonga.

Top exports between countries

Kenya
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $1.05M
Raw agricultural goods $15K
Tonga
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Kenya Tonga
Current account balance
-$1.55B
2024
-$43.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
134/190
2024
83/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.29%
2024
-7.93%
2023
Goods imports
$22.2B
2024
$232M
2024
Goods exports
$12.5B
2024
$10.8M
2024
Service imports
$5.64B
2024
$161M
2024
Service exports
$8.04B
2024
$93.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.1%
2024
64.9%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.1%
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.

Kenya Tonga
Economic freedom 55.5 58.9
Economic freedom ranking 128/197 107/197
Property rights 40.2 71.1
Government integrity 32.7 45.1
Judicial effectiveness 47 64.9
Tax burden 76.3 85.6
Government spending 84.1 31
Fiscal health 36.2 97.3
Business freedom 61.5 59.2
Labor freedom 56.5 55.9
Monetary freedom 75.1 61
Trade freedom 52 75.4
Investment freedom 55 40
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kenya
Tonga
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kenya Tonga
2026 55.5 58.9
2025 54.8 58.5
2024 53.6 59.2
2023 52.5 60
2022 52.6 60.8
2021 54.9 57.5
2020 55.3 58.8
2019 55.1 57.7
2018 54.7 63.1
2017 53.5 63
2016 57.5 59.6
2015 55.6 59.3
2014 57.1 58.2
2013 55.9 56
2012 57.5 57
2011 57.4 55.8
2010 57.5 53.4
2009 58.7 54.1
2008 59.3 -
2007 59.6 -
2006 59.7 -
2005 57.9 -
2004 57.7 -
2003 58.6 -
2002 58.2 -
2001 57.6 -
2000 59.7 -
1999 58.2 -
1998 58.4 -
1997 60.1 -
1996 56.4 -
1995 54.5 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Kenya is 55.5, ranking 128/197, 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

Kenya Tonga
Services, % of GDP
55.3%
2024
50%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
16.5%
2024
14.9%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
22.5%
2024
19%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$118B
2024
$619M
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,540
2024
$8,400
2023
Total reserves including gold
$10.1B
2024
$377M
2024
Total reserves ranking
75/177
2024
163/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$45.8M
2024
$13.3M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$463M
2024
-$12.1M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$418M
2024
$1.25M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.79%
2024
2.76%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
39.8%
2022
20.6%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
16.8%
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/kenya/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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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)

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.