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Economy of New Zealand vs Tonga compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

New Zealand has a GDP of $260B compared to $591M for Tonga, ranking 52/197 and 191/197 by economy size, respectively.

New Zealand has $131B in government debt (50.2% of GDP), compared to $256M (37% of GDP) in Tonga.

New Zealand vs Tonga GDP by year

New Zealand
Tonga
1x
Year GDP, current $
New Zealand Tonga
2024 $260,172,385,098 -
2023 $255,194,972,673 $591,139,749
2022 $249,509,991,440 $556,514,555
2021 $253,977,931,815 $519,306,353
2020 $213,029,554,654 $506,571,468
2019 $213,006,341,102 $506,031,239
2018 $211,985,631,173 $493,530,783
2017 $206,745,969,246 $459,976,850
2016 $189,100,085,275 $420,828,262
2015 $178,224,167,088 $437,525,514
2014 $201,518,402,787 $440,997,738
2013 $191,012,364,177 $451,788,498
2012 $176,560,711,239 $471,122,971
2011 $168,484,908,960 $414,143,828
2010 $146,887,902,524 $366,887,375
2009 $121,663,439,315 $312,415,028
2008 $133,437,126,590 $344,438,844
2007 $137,188,946,866 $298,519,623
2006 $111,538,810,713 $292,232,703
2005 $114,720,129,550 $261,823,805
2004 $103,905,210,084 $230,678,011
2003 $88,250,885,550 $202,246,591
2002 $66,627,729,311 $182,764,281
2001 $53,872,425,917 $181,117,230
2000 $52,623,281,957 $204,848,488
1999 $58,762,260,626 $199,208,718
1998 $56,227,169,851 $191,504,893
1997 $66,075,143,415 $214,991,452
1996 $70,140,835,299 $222,100,576
1995 $63,918,703,507 $208,871,666
1994 $55,314,732,279 $195,990,986
1993 $46,775,620,817 $138,489,884
1992 $41,649,829,860 $137,066,291
1991 $42,745,329,732 $132,201,141
1990 $45,495,129,385 $113,563,822
1989 $43,920,222,525 $106,344,855
1988 $45,176,811,594 $106,657,267
1987 $40,376,354,070 $81,667,133
1986 $30,604,668,357 $68,195,856
1985 $24,679,795,396 $60,058,663
1984 $21,665,975,319 $64,248,355
1983 $24,309,279,706 $60,863,964
1982 $24,164,603,059 $62,068,161
1981 $24,417,617,184 $62,242,013
1980 $23,244,547,385 $53,260,077
1979 $20,731,243,113 $44,667,002
1978 $18,530,518,395 $41,567,472
1977 $15,446,825,318 $34,139,388
1976 $13,604,832,424 $30,036,417
1975 $12,861,983,284 $32,506,742
1974 $13,940,981,798 -
1973 $12,802,281,898 -
1972 $9,567,331,065 -
1971 $7,911,136,757 -
1970 $6,495,605,331 -
1969 $5,814,357,709 -
1968 $5,228,045,415 -
1967 $6,016,017,227 -
1966 $5,917,437,693 -
1965 $5,706,251,400 -
1964 $7,340,766,415 -
1963 $6,699,741,645 -
1962 $6,133,158,532 -
1961 $5,721,994,864 -
1960 $5,536,098,360 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/new-zealand/tonga | CC BY

GDP per capita in New Zealand vs Tonga by year

New Zealand
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tonga
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
New Zealand Tonga
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $49,205 $55,551 - -
2023 $49,076 $54,697 $5,652 $7,803
2022 $49,100 $54,034 $5,298 $7,296
2021 $49,950 $48,249 $4,923 $6,929
2020 $41,998 $45,513 $4,792 $6,676
2019 $42,856 $45,278 $4,789 $6,473
2018 $43,257 $42,527 $4,675 $6,393
2017 $42,950 $42,244 $4,366 $6,229
2016 $40,114 $39,989 $3,988 $5,920
2015 $38,665 $37,513 $4,124 $5,472
2014 $44,618 $37,331 $4,137 $5,336
2013 $43,000 $36,263 $4,219 $5,120
2012 $40,054 $33,055 $4,384 $4,996
2011 $38,432 $32,739 $3,850 $4,855
2010 $33,762 $31,305 $3,416 $4,465
2009 $28,277 $30,746 $2,914 $4,384
2008 $31,325 $29,896 $3,218 $4,600
2007 $32,480 $29,331 $2,797 $4,316
2006 $26,655 $27,732 $2,750 $4,327
2005 $27,751 $25,677 $2,478 $4,315
2004 $25,420 $25,124 $2,195 $4,235
2003 $21,914 $23,996 $1,936 $4,231
2002 $16,874 $23,306 $1,759 $4,171
2001 $13,883 $22,511 $1,754 $3,955
2000 $13,641 $21,500 $1,995 $3,834
1999 $15,322 $20,579 $1,952 $3,636
1998 $14,738 $19,323 $1,889 $3,527
1997 $17,474 $19,100 $2,136 $3,434
1996 $18,794 $18,392 $2,215 $3,410
1995 $17,400 $17,864 $2,084 $3,347
1994 $15,280 $17,108 $1,957 $3,088
1993 $13,094 $15,900 $1,383 $2,882
1992 $11,793 $14,877 $1,370 $2,716
1991 $12,230 $14,501 $1,323 $2,652
1990 $13,663 $14,812 $1,139 $2,416
1989 $13,312 - $1,070 -
1988 $13,759 - $1,078 -
1987 $12,331 - $830 -
1986 $9,428 - $696 -
1985 $7,601 - $613 -
1984 $6,714 - $656 -
1983 $7,598 - $621 -
1982 $7,656 - $633 -
1981 $7,814 - $636 -
1980 $7,467 - $545 -
1979 $6,668 - $458 -
1978 $5,937 - $428 -
1977 $4,951 - $353 -
1976 $4,374 - $315 -
1975 $4,172 - $349 -
1974 $4,611 - - -
1973 $4,323 - - -
1972 $3,295 - - -
1971 $2,773 - - -
1970 $2,311 - - -
1969 $2,097 - - -
1968 $1,902 - - -
1967 $2,208 - - -
1966 $2,211 - - -
1965 $2,171 - - -
1964 $2,839 - - -
1963 $2,646 - - -
1962 $2,471 - - -
1961 $2,365 - - -
1960 $2,334 - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/new-zealand/tonga | CC BY

New Zealand's GDP per capita is $49,205, ranking 26/197, compared to $5,652 in Tonga, ranking 115/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), New Zealand ranks 38th at $55,551, while Tonga ranks 144th at $7,803.

Economic indicators

New Zealand Tonga
Gross domestic product
$260B
2024
$591M
2023
GDP rank
52/197
2024
191/197
2023
GDP growth
1.29%
2023-2024
2.79%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$49,205
2024
$5,652
2023
GDP per capita rank
26/197
2024
115/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$55,551
2024
$7,803
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
38/197
2024
144/197
2023
Government debt
$131B
2024
$256M
2023
Debt-to-GDP ratio
50.2%
2024
37%
2024
Government debt per person
$24,722
2024
$2,445
2023
Government debt per person rank
28/185
2024
111/185
2023
Average annual personal income after taxes
$37,758
2026
$3,886
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$92.9B
2024
n/a
Number of billionaires
5
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10% n/a
22%
2021
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
4%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
41.9%
2024
51.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.92%
2023-2024
3.18%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2.25%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
4.76%
2024
1.65%
2023
Population
5374272
103309

Spending and national debt comparison by year

New Zealand
Spending

Debt
Tonga
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
New Zealand Tonga
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 41.9% 50.2% 51.3% 37%
2023 41.2% 46.9% 48.2% 43.3%
2022 41.8% 46.9% 44.4% 43.2%
2021 41.9% 47.5% 44.6% 43%
2020 42% 43.2% 37.9% 42.6%
2019 38.8% 31.8% 39.9% 42.8%
2018 36.1% 28.1% 39.6% 45.8%
2017 35.6% 31.1% 39.7% 44.7%
2016 36.4% 33.3% 37.2% 49.4%
2015 37.2% 34.2% 37.4% 51.1%
2014 37.7% 34.2% 31.5% 47.4%
2013 38.6% 34.5% 34.3% 48.9%
2012 39.7% 35.7% 32% 60%
2011 42.4% 34.7% 32.6% 51.9%
2010 42.9% 29.6% 28.4% 44.7%
2009 40.3% 24.3% 23.9% 39.7%
2008 38.5% 19% 24% 34%
2007 37.1% 16.3% 23.2% 37.8%
2006 37.9% 18.4% 25.6% 39.6%
2005 37.1% 20.8% 19.8% 43.3%
2004 36.2% 22.5% 19.3% 52.2%
2003 36.7% 24.7% 20% 56.2%
2002 36.8% 26.4% 21.3% 60.7%
2001 37.2% 28.2% 19.1% 53.4%
2000 38.3% 30% 20% 43.6%
1999 39.3% 32% 18.8% 38.4%
1998 40.1% 34.5% - -
1997 39.3% 34.6% - -
1996 39.9% 37.3% - -
1995 41.6% 43.5% - -
1994 42.8% 48.9% - -
1993 46.8% 54.6% - -
1992 52.5% 58.7% - -
1991 53% 58% - -
1990 49.6% 55.5% - -
1989 47.8% 54.9% - -
1988 46.1% 54.7% - -
1987 46.1% 62.9% - -
1986 46.9% 68.5% - -
1985 46.2% 64.1% - -
1984 40.7% 62.8% - -
1983 41.4% 59.6% - -
1982 39.9% 51.5% - -
1981 39.1% 50.5% - -
1980 38% 52.2% - -
1979 38.4% 52% - -
1978 36.6% 50% - -
1977 30% 44.6% - -
1976 31.6% 47.6% - -
1975 30.1% 41.4% - -
1974 27.3% 39.6% - -
1973 27.1% 44% - -
1972 26.4% 46% - -
1971 26.8% 71.3% - -
1970 24.8% 76.5% - -
1969 25.9% 85.8% - -
1968 26.2% 86.5% - -
1967 26% 59.7% - -
1966 25% 58.2% - -
1965 24.9% 59.6% - -
1964 19.4% 61.8% - -
1963 19.4% 64.5% - -
1962 21.6% 65% - -
1961 21.1% 64.6% - -
1960 25.3% 68.1% - -

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/new-zealand/tonga | CC BY

In 2024, New Zealand's government spending was $109B, accounting for 41.9% of its GDP, while Tonga spent $285M, or 51.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 50.2% in New Zealand and 37% in Tonga, ranking 107/185 and 142/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
New Zealand

Tonga
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
New Zealand Tonga
2024 -3.61% 4.17%
2023 -3.54% 6.14%
2022 -4.16% -0.1%
2021 -3.5% -0.87%
2020 -4.35% 5.25%
2019 -2.5% 3.28%
2018 1.27% 2.92%
2017 1.36% 3.58%
2016 0.98% 1.47%
2015 0.36% -2.75%
2014 -0.34% 6.38%
2013 -1.29% -1.3%
2012 -2.19% -1.74%
2011 -4.96% -6.02%
2010 -5.51% -1.22%
2009 -1.81% 6.85%
2008 1.47% 2.14%
2007 3.6% 5.39%
2006 4.62% 1.34%
2005 5.13% 4.23%
2004 4.49% 4.23%
2003 3.68% 2.37%
2002 2.55% 2.59%
2001 1.29% 2.23%
2000 0.17% 1.35%
1999 -1.11% 1.55%
1998 -0.48% -
1997 1.23% -
1996 2.58% -
1995 3.7% -
1994 1.99% -
1993 -1.53% -
1992 -6.27% -
1991 -6.14% -
1990 -2.74% -
1989 -2.16% -
1988 -1.88% -
1987 -3.43% -
1986 -5.33% -
1985 -6.97% -
1984 -8.68% -
1983 -6.64% -
1982 -6.26% -
1981 -6.02% -
1980 -4.9% -
1979 -6.55% -
1978 -3.41% -
1977 -1.09% -
1976 -2.07% -
1975 0.11% -
1974 0.03% -
1973 -0.07% -
1972 0.12% -
1971 0.09% -
1970 -0.05% -
1969 0.17% -
1968 0.03% -
1967 0.02% -
1966 0.09% -
1965 0.26% -
1964 -0.08% -
1963 -0.26% -
1962 0.02% -
1961 0.03% -
1960 0.05% -
1959 0.03% -
1958 -0.02% -
1957 0.32% -
1956 1.33% -
1955 0.73% -
1954 0.22% -
1953 0.43% -
1952 1.73% -
1951 1.17% -
1950 0.78% -
1949 0.53% -
1948 0.36% -
1947 1.07% -
1946 0.31% -
1945 0.32% -
1944 0.59% -
1943 1.24% -
1942 0.56% -
1941 0.64% -
1940 0.13% -
1939 0.34% -
1938 0.38% -
1937 0.23% -
1936 0.17% -
1935 1.19% -
1934 -0.55% -
1933 0.02% -
1932 -1.77% -
1931 -1.12% -
1930 0.09% -
1929 -0.37% -
1928 0.12% -
1927 0.4% -
1926 0.72% -
1925 0.78% -
1924 1.2% -
1923 0.95% -
1922 -0.2% -
1921 3.55% -
1920 1.51% -
1919 2.9% -
1918 4.35% -
1917 3.89% -
1916 1.46% -
1915 0.06% -
1914 0.45% -
1913 0.79% -
1912 0.89% -
1911 1.24% -
1910 0.36% -
1909 0.31% -
1908 1.26% -
1907 1.13% -
1906 0.97% -
1905 1.41% -
1904 1.42% -
1903 0.55% -
1902 0.63% -
1901 1.11% -
1900 1.59% -
1899 1.15% -
1898 1.38% -
1897 0.86% -
1896 0.65% -
1895 0.32% -
1894 0.76% -
1893 1.14% -
1892 0.09% -
1891 0.46% -
1890 0.05% -
1889 0.59% -
1888 -1.64% -
1887 -1.63% -
1886 -0.53% -
1885 -0.47% -
1884 -0.1% -
1883 0.38% -
1882 0.18% -
1881 -2.33% -
1880 -2.39% -
1879 -0.55% -
1878 -0.85% -
1877 -2.53% -
1876 -5.28% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1876–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/new-zealand/tonga | CC BY

In 2023, New Zealand's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $9.03B, equivalent to 3.54% of GDP. This compares to Tonga's surplus of $36.3M, or 6.14% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, New Zealand recorded a fiscal deficit in 12 of those years, while Tonga ran a deficit in 7 years. On average, New Zealand posted an annual deficit equal to 0.17% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.97% of GDP for Tonga.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
New Zealand

Tonga
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
New Zealand Tonga
2024 2.92% 3.18%
2023 5.73% 6.35%
2022 7.17% 11%
2021 3.94% 5.64%
2020 1.71% -0.35%
2019 1.62% 1.18%
2018 1.6% 5.03%
2017 1.85% 7.52%
2016 0.65% 2.58%
2015 0.29% -1.05%
2014 1.23% 2.51%
2013 1.13% 0.78%
2012 1.06% 1.15%
2011 4.03% 6.27%
2010 2.3% 3.53%
2009 2.12% 1.43%
2008 3.96% 10.4%
2007 2.38% 5.84%
2006 3.37% 6.15%
2005 3.04% 8.67%
2004 2.29% 11%
2003 1.75% 11.6%
2002 2.68% 10.4%
2001 2.63% 8.29%
2000 2.62% 6.33%
1999 -0.11% 4.46%
1998 1.27% 3.27%
1997 1.19% 2.12%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/new-zealand/tonga | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, New Zealand has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.37%, compared with 5.19% in Tonga. In 2024, inflation was 2.92% in New Zealand and 3.18% in Tonga.

Top exports between countries

New Zealand
Export category Export value
Transport & tourism services $19.7M
Machinery & equipment $16.6M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $14.5M
Animal & marine products $12.4M
Wood & paper products $5.4M
Textiles & consumer goods $4.42M
Metals $3.94M
Chemicals & pharma $3.94M
Raw agricultural goods $3.03M
Raw materials & minerals $2.62M
Tonga
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $3.55M
Machinery & equipment $1.85M
Raw agricultural goods $1.37M
Animal & marine products $85K
Metals $46K
Textiles & consumer goods $20K
Raw materials & minerals $15K
Chemicals & pharma $7K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1K

Balance of trade

New Zealand Tonga
Current account balance
-$12.1B
2024
-$43.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
178/190
2024
83/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.65%
2024
-7.93%
2023
Goods imports
$47.3B
2024
$232M
2024
Goods exports
$43.3B
2024
$10.8M
2024
Service imports
$19.5B
2024
$161M
2024
Service exports
$18.9B
2024
$93.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
26.4%
2024
64.9%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.8%
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.

New Zealand Tonga
Economic freedom 77.8 58.9
Economic freedom ranking 13/197 107/197
Property rights 85.4 71.1
Government integrity 90 45.1
Judicial effectiveness 95.9 64.9
Tax burden 66.1 85.6
Government spending 48 31
Fiscal health 72.2 97.3
Business freedom 89.1 59.2
Labor freedom 68.6 55.9
Monetary freedom 77.4 61
Trade freedom 90.6 75.4
Investment freedom 70 40
Financial freedom 80 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

New Zealand
Tonga
1x
Year Economic freedom index
New Zealand Tonga
2026 77.8 58.9
2025 78.1 58.5
2024 77.8 59.2
2023 78.9 60
2022 80.6 60.8
2021 83.9 57.5
2020 84.1 58.8
2019 84.4 57.7
2018 84.2 63.1
2017 83.7 63
2016 81.6 59.6
2015 82.1 59.3
2014 81.2 58.2
2013 81.4 56
2012 82.1 57
2011 82.3 55.8
2010 82.1 53.4
2009 82 54.1
2008 80.7 -
2007 81.4 -
2006 82 -
2005 82.3 -
2004 81.5 -
2003 81.1 -
2002 80.7 -
2001 81.1 -
2000 80.9 -
1999 81.7 -
1998 79.2 -
1997 79 -
1996 78.1 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/new-zealand/tonga | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for New Zealand is 77.8, ranking 13/197, 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

New Zealand Tonga
Services, % of GDP
67.4%
2022
50%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
19.6%
2022
14.9%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.57%
2022
19%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$252B
2024
$619M
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$53,600
2024
$8,400
2023
Total reserves including gold
$22.1B
2024
$377M
2024
Total reserves ranking
59/177
2024
163/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$878M
2024
$13.3M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.76B
2024
-$12.1M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$882M
2024
$1.25M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
2.76%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
20.6%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.5%
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/new-zealand/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 (1876–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, 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)

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.