Skip to content

Economy of Maldives vs Tonga compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Maldives has a GDP of $7.06B compared to $591M for Tonga, ranking 159/197 and 191/197 by economy size, respectively.

Maldives has $9.41B in government debt (133.3% of GDP), compared to $256M (37% of GDP) in Tonga.

Maldives vs Tonga GDP by year

Maldives
Tonga
1x
Year GDP, current $
Maldives Tonga
2024 $7,061,608,267 -
2023 $6,621,008,704 $591,139,749
2022 $6,177,123,352 $556,514,555
2021 $5,252,457,370 $519,306,353
2020 $3,712,604,583 $506,571,468
2019 $5,726,094,799 $506,031,239
2018 $5,404,344,163 $493,530,783
2017 $4,816,426,257 $459,976,850
2016 $4,409,942,624 $420,828,262
2015 $4,129,505,319 $437,525,514
2014 $3,697,353,039 $440,997,738
2013 $3,295,009,238 $451,788,498
2012 $2,886,163,997 $471,122,971
2011 $2,774,350,240 $414,143,828
2010 $2,588,176,055 $366,887,375
2009 $2,345,294,875 $312,415,028
2008 $2,271,646,188 $344,438,844
2007 $1,868,383,461 $298,519,623
2006 $1,575,200,391 $292,232,703
2005 $1,163,362,438 $261,823,805
2004 $1,226,829,563 $230,678,011
2003 $1,052,121,055 $202,246,591
2002 $897,031,250 $182,764,281
2001 $870,031,677 $181,117,230
2000 $624,337,145 $204,848,488
1999 $589,239,754 $199,208,718
1998 $540,096,398 $191,504,893
1997 $508,223,602 $214,991,452
1996 $450,382,328 $222,100,576
1995 $398,988,955 $208,871,666
1994 $356,014,932 $195,990,986
1993 $322,417,837 $138,489,884
1992 $284,875,809 $137,066,291
1991 $244,396,762 $132,201,141
1990 $215,043,970 $113,563,822
1989 $189,514,434 $106,344,855
1988 $168,514,513 $106,657,267
1987 $141,223,029 $81,667,133
1986 $141,882,254 $68,195,856
1985 $127,190,758 $60,058,663
1984 $109,503,546 $64,248,355
1983 $57,829,787 $60,863,964
1982 $47,911,340 $62,068,161
1981 $44,781,457 $62,242,013
1980 $42,463,576 $53,260,077
1979 $38,523,364 $44,667,002
1978 $24,369,109 $41,567,472
1977 $20,853,789 $34,139,388
1976 $22,399,467 $30,036,417
1975 $24,540,878 $32,506,742
1974 $39,120,171 -
1973 $30,862,042 -
1972 $25,177,138 -
1971 $21,566,404 -
1970 $19,328,038 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Maldives vs Tonga by year

Maldives
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tonga
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Maldives Tonga
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $13,379 $26,183 - -
2023 $12,588 $24,786 $5,652 $7,803
2022 $11,786 $22,881 $5,298 $7,296
2021 $10,176 $19,053 $4,923 $6,929
2020 $7,394 $13,425 $4,792 $6,676
2019 $11,740 $23,077 $4,789 $6,473
2018 $11,423 $21,899 $4,675 $6,393
2017 $10,510 $19,768 $4,366 $6,229
2016 $9,948 $18,770 $3,988 $5,920
2015 $9,645 $17,875 $4,124 $5,472
2014 $8,939 $16,723 $4,137 $5,336
2013 $8,236 $15,264 $4,219 $5,120
2012 $7,461 $13,989 $4,384 $4,996
2011 $7,425 $13,726 $3,850 $4,855
2010 $7,174 $12,797 $3,416 $4,465
2009 $6,734 $12,266 $2,914 $4,384
2008 $6,757 $13,779 $3,218 $4,600
2007 $5,758 $12,852 $2,797 $4,316
2006 $5,019 $12,075 $2,750 $4,327
2005 $3,797 $9,704 $2,478 $4,315
2004 $4,070 $10,770 $2,195 $4,235
2003 $3,549 $10,065 $1,936 $4,231
2002 $3,076 $8,823 $1,759 $4,171
2001 $3,034 $8,236 $1,754 $3,955
2000 $2,214 $8,526 $1,995 $3,834
1999 $2,124 $8,162 $1,952 $3,636
1998 $1,980 $7,710 $1,889 $3,527
1997 $1,898 $7,226 $2,136 $3,434
1996 $1,717 $6,687 $2,215 $3,410
1995 $1,555 $6,223 $2,084 $3,347
1994 $1,419 $5,520 $1,957 $3,088
1993 $1,317 $5,138 $1,383 $2,882
1992 $1,194 $4,881 $1,370 $2,716
1991 $1,054 $4,604 $1,323 $2,652
1990 $957 $4,528 $1,139 $2,416
1989 $870 - $1,070 -
1988 $799 - $1,078 -
1987 $692 - $830 -
1986 $720 - $696 -
1985 $669 - $613 -
1984 $594 - $656 -
1983 $323 - $621 -
1982 $274.8 - $633 -
1981 $264.1 - $636 -
1980 $257.6 - $545 -
1979 $240.2 - $458 -
1978 $156.1 - $428 -
1977 $137.3 - $353 -
1976 $151.8 - $315 -
1975 $171.4 - $349 -
1974 $281.5 - - -
1973 $228.7 - - -
1972 $192.2 - - -
1971 $169.8 - - -
1970 $156.9 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Maldives' GDP per capita is $13,379, ranking 75/197, compared to $5,652 in Tonga, ranking 115/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Maldives ranks 81st at $26,183, while Tonga ranks 144th at $7,803.

Economic indicators

Maldives Tonga
Gross domestic product
$7.06B
2024
$591M
2023
GDP rank
159/197
2024
191/197
2023
GDP growth
3.49%
2023-2024
2.79%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$13,379
2024
$5,652
2023
GDP per capita rank
75/197
2024
115/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$26,183
2024
$7,803
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
81/197
2024
144/197
2023
Government debt
$9.41B
2024
$256M
2023
Debt-to-GDP ratio
133.3%
2024
37%
2024
Government debt per person
$17,837
2024
$2,445
2023
Government debt per person rank
35/185
2024
111/185
2023
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,909
2026
$3,886
2026
Income share by richest 10%
23.3%
2019
22%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3.8%
2019
4%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
46.1%
2024
51.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.4%
2023-2024
3.18%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
4.56%
2019
1.65%
2023
Population
532057
103309

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Maldives
Spending

Debt
Tonga
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Maldives Tonga
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 46.1% 133.3% 51.3% 37%
2023 46.7% 122.4% 48.2% 43.3%
2022 42% 111.6% 44.4% 43.2%
2021 40.6% 123.4% 44.6% 43%
2020 50.4% 155.7% 37.9% 42.6%
2019 32.9% 77.2% 39.9% 42.8%
2018 31.9% 70.7% 39.6% 45.8%
2017 30.4% 63.8% 39.7% 44.7%
2016 37.3% 61.9% 37.2% 49.4%
2015 33.8% 54.8% 37.4% 51.1%
2014 29.1% 55.1% 31.5% 47.4%
2013 27% 55.9% 34.3% 48.9%
2012 29.8% 57.1% 32% 60%
2011 31.3% 51.9% 32.6% 51.9%
2010 33.2% 52.7% 28.4% 44.7%
2009 37% 48.4% 23.9% 39.7%
2008 35.6% 39% 24% 34%
2007 34.8% 35.8% 23.2% 37.8%
2006 35% 36.8% 25.6% 39.6%
2005 38.8% 43.2% 19.8% 43.3%
2004 24.1% 34.7% 19.3% 52.2%
2003 26.4% 37.6% 20% 56.2%
2002 29.6% 44.3% 21.3% 60.7%
2001 29.6% 41.8% 19.1% 53.4%
2000 29% 39% 20% 43.6%
1999 28% 38.9% 18.8% 38.4%
1998 25.9% 39.3% - -
1997 25.2% 38.1% - -
1996 27.3% 46.9% - -
1995 31.3% 52.2% - -
1994 30.7% 54.6% - -
1993 34.7% 55.7% - -
1992 36.1% 49% - -
1991 37.7% 46.7% - -
1990 33.3% 42.4% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Maldives' government spending was $3.25B, accounting for 46.1% of its GDP, while Tonga spent $285M, or 51.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 133.3% in Maldives and 37% in Tonga, ranking 10/185 and 142/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Maldives

Tonga
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Maldives Tonga
2024 -13.9% 4.17%
2023 -13.2% 6.14%
2022 -11.2% -0.1%
2021 -14.2% -0.87%
2020 -23.7% 5.25%
2019 -6.54% 3.28%
2018 -5.17% 2.92%
2017 -3.02% 3.58%
2016 -9.93% 1.47%
2015 -6.52% -2.75%
2014 -2.42% 6.38%
2013 -3.49% -1.3%
2012 -6.91% -1.74%
2011 -8.13% -6.02%
2010 -13.6% -1.22%
2009 -17.9% 6.85%
2008 -9.92% 2.14%
2007 -3.16% 5.39%
2006 -4.52% 1.34%
2005 -7.81% 4.23%
2004 -2.26% 4.23%
2003 -3.45% 2.37%
2002 -3.97% 2.59%
2001 -3.97% 2.23%
2000 -3.89% 1.35%
1999 -3.03% 1.55%
1998 -2.25% -
1997 -1.46% -
1996 -2.01% -
1995 -5.66% -
1994 -4.82% -
1993 -13.9% -
1992 -12.6% -
1991 -10.2% -
1990 -12.8% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2023, Maldives' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $872M, equivalent to 13.2% of GDP. This compares to Tonga's surplus of $36.3M, or 6.14% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Maldives recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Tonga ran a deficit in 7 years. On average, Maldives posted an annual deficit equal to 7.67% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.97% of GDP for Tonga.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Maldives

Tonga
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Maldives Tonga
2024 1.4% 3.18%
2023 2.6% 6.35%
2022 2.6% 11%
2021 0.2% 5.64%
2020 -1.6% -0.35%
2019 1.3% 1.18%
2018 1.4% 5.03%
2017 2.3% 7.52%
2016 0.8% 2.58%
2015 1.4% -1.05%
2014 2.4% 2.51%
2013 4% 0.78%
2012 10.9% 1.15%
2011 11.3% 6.27%
2010 6.1% 3.53%
2009 4.5% 1.43%
2008 12% 10.4%
2007 6.8% 5.84%
2006 3.5% 6.15%
2005 2.5% 8.67%
2004 6.3% 11%
2003 -2.8% 11.6%
2002 0.9% 10.4%
2001 0.7% 8.29%
2000 -1.2% 6.33%
1999 3% 4.46%
1998 -1.4% 3.27%
1997 7.6% 2.12%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Maldives has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.2%, compared with 5.19% in Tonga. In 2024, inflation was 1.4% in Maldives and 3.18% in Tonga.

Balance of trade

Maldives Tonga
Current account balance
-$1.32B
2024
-$43.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
130/190
2024
83/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-18.7%
2024
-7.93%
2023
Goods imports
$3.46B
2024
$232M
2024
Goods exports
$383M
2024
$10.8M
2024
Service imports
$1.89B
2024
$161M
2024
Service exports
$5.03B
2024
$93.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
78.3%
2024
64.9%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
78.2%
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.

Maldives Tonga
Economic freedom 47.6 58.9
Economic freedom ranking 174/197 107/197
Property rights 52.2 71.1
Government integrity 41.9 45.1
Judicial effectiveness 39.3 64.9
Tax burden 89.9 85.6
Government spending 39.5 31
Fiscal health 0 97.3
Business freedom 49.7 59.2
Labor freedom 54.1 55.9
Monetary freedom 76.4 61
Trade freedom 62.8 75.4
Investment freedom 35 40
Financial freedom 30 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Maldives
Tonga
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Maldives Tonga
2026 47.6 58.9
2025 48.3 58.5
2024 47.8 59.2
2023 46.6 60
2022 47.3 60.8
2021 55.2 57.5
2020 56.5 58.8
2019 53.2 57.7
2018 51.1 63.1
2017 50.3 63
2016 53.9 59.6
2015 53.4 59.3
2014 51 58.2
2013 49 56
2012 49.2 57
2011 48.3 55.8
2010 49 53.4
2009 51.3 54.1

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Maldives is 47.6, ranking 174/197, 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

Maldives Tonga
Services, % of GDP
72.1%
2024
50%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
9.2%
2024
14.9%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.84%
2024
19%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$6.15B
2024
$619M
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$23,400
2024
$8,400
2023
Total reserves including gold
$674M
2024
$377M
2024
Total reserves ranking
150/177
2024
163/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$806M
2024
$13.3M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$806M
2024
-$12.1M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$1.25M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
7.95%
2024
2.76%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
15%
2020
20.6%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30.8%
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/maldives/tonga | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2009–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.