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Economy of Papua New Guinea vs Tonga compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Papua New Guinea has a GDP of $32.5B compared to $679M for Tonga, ranking 111/197 and 191/197 by economy size, respectively.

Papua New Guinea has $16.9B in government debt (52.1% of GDP), compared to $186M (27.4% of GDP) in Tonga.

Papua New Guinea vs Tonga GDP by year

Papua New Guinea
Tonga
1x
Year GDP, current $
Papua New Guinea Tonga
2025 $32,498,658,654 $679,218,219
2024 $30,803,971,189 $647,488,244
2023 $30,816,328,066 $591,139,734
2022 $31,653,230,962 $556,514,556
2021 $26,113,409,478 $519,306,339
2020 $23,848,447,850 $506,571,487
2019 $24,750,626,030 $506,031,248
2018 $24,109,780,708 $493,530,767
2017 $22,742,699,138 $459,976,847
2016 $20,758,876,953 $420,828,255
2015 $21,723,437,010 $437,525,539
2014 $23,210,823,987 $440,997,735
2013 $21,261,338,065 $451,788,498
2012 $21,295,168,666 $471,122,971
2011 $17,985,138,066 $414,143,828
2010 $14,250,786,675 $366,887,375
2009 $11,619,456,449 $312,415,028
2008 $11,670,892,801 $344,438,844
2007 $9,545,028,944 $298,519,623
2006 $8,354,911,041 $292,232,703
2005 $4,865,892,972 $261,823,805
2004 $3,927,157,867 $230,678,011
2003 $3,536,411,824 $202,246,591
2002 $2,999,511,040 $182,764,281
2001 $3,081,024,212 $181,117,230
2000 $3,521,339,699 $204,848,488
1999 $3,477,038,204 $199,208,718
1998 $3,789,443,015 $191,504,893
1997 $4,936,615,299 $214,991,452
1996 $5,155,311,077 $222,100,576
1995 $4,636,057,476 $208,871,666
1994 $5,502,786,070 $195,990,986
1993 $4,974,550,286 $138,489,884
1992 $4,377,980,510 $137,066,291
1991 $3,787,394,958 $132,201,141
1990 $3,219,729,083 $113,563,822
1989 $3,546,472,566 $106,344,855
1988 $3,656,177,881 $106,657,267
1987 $3,143,851,794 $81,667,133
1986 $2,647,995,602 $68,195,856
1985 $2,423,339,172 $60,058,663
1984 $2,552,662,617 $64,248,355
1983 $2,562,351,551 $60,863,964
1982 $2,368,719,683 $62,068,161
1981 $2,498,190,847 $62,242,013
1980 $2,545,808,456 $53,260,077
1979 $2,293,760,511 $44,667,002
1978 $1,947,878,831 $41,567,472
1977 $1,640,746,619 $34,139,388
1976 $1,511,843,235 $30,036,417
1975 $1,356,603,608 $32,506,742
1974 $1,467,417,672 -
1973 $1,299,079,410 -
1972 $858,761,926 -
1971 $717,750,278 -
1970 $645,568,215 -
1969 $551,263,864 -
1968 $485,184,190 -
1967 $441,728,183 -
1966 $390,992,063 -
1965 $344,176,055 -
1964 $305,312,049 -
1963 $275,968,044 -
1962 $261,184,042 -
1961 $244,832,039 -
1960 $230,496,037 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/papua-new-guinea/tonga | CC BY

GDP per capita in Papua New Guinea vs Tonga by year

Papua New Guinea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tonga
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Papua New Guinea Tonga
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $3,020 - $6,547 -
2024 $2,912 $4,875 $6,215 -
2023 $2,966 $4,668 $5,652 $7,803
2022 $3,102 $4,420 $5,298 $7,296
2021 $2,608 $3,977 $4,923 $6,929
2020 $2,430 $3,900 $4,792 $6,676
2019 $2,576 $4,060 $4,789 $6,473
2018 $2,566 $3,910 $4,675 $6,393
2017 $2,478 $3,923 $4,366 $6,229
2016 $2,316 $3,813 $3,988 $5,920
2015 $2,485 $3,670 $4,124 $5,472
2014 $2,723 $3,500 $4,137 $5,336
2013 $2,561 $3,110 $4,219 $5,120
2012 $2,635 $3,026 $4,384 $4,996
2011 $2,288 $2,919 $3,850 $4,855
2010 $1,867 $2,912 $3,416 $4,465
2009 $1,569 $2,692 $2,914 $4,384
2008 $1,625 $2,583 $3,218 $4,600
2007 $1,371 $2,622 $2,797 $4,316
2006 $1,238 $2,444 $2,750 $4,327
2005 $744 $2,322 $2,478 $4,315
2004 $621 $2,187 $2,195 $4,235
2003 $577 $2,142 $1,936 $4,231
2002 $506 $2,125 $1,759 $4,171
2001 $538 $2,168 $1,754 $3,955
2000 $636 $2,196 $1,995 $3,834
1999 $650 $2,280 $1,952 $3,636
1998 $733 $2,285 $1,889 $3,527
1997 $990 $2,432 $2,136 $3,434
1996 $1,071 $2,578 $2,215 $3,410
1995 $998 $2,436 $2,084 $3,347
1994 $1,228 $2,558 $1,957 $3,088
1993 $1,151 $2,451 $1,383 $2,882
1992 $1,051 $2,100 $1,370 $2,716
1991 $942 $1,869 $1,323 $2,652
1990 $826 $1,703 $1,139 $2,416
1989 $934 - $1,070 -
1988 $985 - $1,078 -
1987 $865 - $830 -
1986 $745 - $696 -
1985 $697 - $613 -
1984 $750 - $656 -
1983 $769 - $621 -
1982 $726 - $633 -
1981 $781 - $636 -
1980 $813 - $545 -
1979 $748 - $458 -
1978 $648 - $428 -
1977 $558 - $353 -
1976 $525 - $315 -
1975 $482 - $349 -
1974 $533 - - -
1973 $483 - - -
1972 $327 - - -
1971 $279.7 - - -
1970 $257.6 - - -
1969 $225.3 - - -
1968 $202.9 - - -
1967 $189 - - -
1966 $171.1 - - -
1965 $153.9 - - -
1964 $139.5 - - -
1963 $128.9 - - -
1962 $124.7 - - -
1961 $119.7 - - -
1960 $115.5 - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/papua-new-guinea/tonga | CC BY

Papua New Guinea's GDP per capita is $3,020, ranking 147/197, compared to $6,547 in Tonga, ranking 110/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Papua New Guinea ranks 159th at $4,875, while Tonga ranks 144th at $7,803.

Economic indicators

Papua New Guinea Tonga
Gross domestic product
$32.5B
2025
$679M
2025
GDP rank
111/197
2025
191/197
2025
GDP growth
5.64%
2024-2025
2.8%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$3,020
2025
$6,547
2025
GDP per capita rank
147/197
2025
110/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,875
2024
$7,803
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
159/197
2024
144/197
2023
Government debt
$16.9B
2025
$186M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
52.1%
2025
27.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,575
2025
$1,793
2025
Government debt per person rank
129/185
2025
123/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,615
2026
$4,104
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$1.68B
2017
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
31%
2009
22%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2009
4%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.7%
2025
46.8%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
4.42%
2024-2025
5.59%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
2.69%
2022
1.65%
2023
Population
11045681
103283

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Papua New Guinea
Spending

Debt
Tonga
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Papua New Guinea Tonga
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 19.7% 52.1% 46.8% 27.4%
2024 20.9% 53.3% 44.3% 31.9%
2023 22.3% 53.9% 41.5% 37.2%
2022 21.9% 48.2% 41.3% 40.2%
2021 22% 52.6% 44.5% 43%
2020 23.5% 48.7% 37.1% 41.7%
2019 21.3% 38.2% 39% 41.8%
2018 20.3% 36.7% 39.3% 45.5%
2017 18.4% 32.5% 39.7% 44.7%
2016 20.9% 33.7% 37.2% 49.4%
2015 22.8% 29.9% 37.4% 51.1%
2014 27.1% 26.9% 31.5% 47.4%
2013 27.6% 24.9% 34.3% 48.9%
2012 22.4% 19.1% 32% 60%
2011 19.7% 16.3% 32.6% 51.9%
2010 18.4% 17.3% 28.4% 44.7%
2009 24.7% 21.7% 23.9% 39.7%
2008 19.8% 21.6% 24% 34%
2007 18% 22.2% 23.2% 37.8%
2006 19.4% 26% 25.6% 39.6%
2005 20.6% 31.6% 19.8% 43.3%
2004 19.4% 37.2% 19.3% 52.2%
2003 18.7% 40.4% 20% 56.2%
2002 20.8% 48.4% 21.3% 60.7%
2001 21.6% 47.7% 19.1% 53.4%
2000 20.5% 42.3% 20% 43.6%
1999 21.4% 41.8% 18.8% 38.4%
1998 20% 45.7% - -
1997 20.6% 43.9% - -
1996 17.6% 37.8% - -
1995 17.1% 36.6% - -
1994 19.3% 40.1% - -
1993 23.5% 30% - -
1992 22.8% 30.4% - -
1991 22.4% - - -
1990 24.5% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1992–1993, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/papua-new-guinea/tonga | CC BY

In 2025, Papua New Guinea's government spending was $6.4B, accounting for 19.7% of its GDP, while Tonga spent $318M, or 46.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 52.1% in Papua New Guinea and 27.4% in Tonga, ranking 99/185 and 162/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Papua New Guinea

Tonga
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Papua New Guinea Tonga
2025 -2.36% 4.86%
2024 -3.31% 3.6%
2023 -4.34% 5.28%
2022 -5.25% -0.09%
2021 -6.84% -0.87%
2020 -8.85% 5.15%
2019 -4.98% 3.2%
2018 -2.58% 2.9%
2017 -2.47% 3.58%
2016 -4.75% 1.47%
2015 -4.55% -2.75%
2014 -6.27% 6.38%
2013 -6.87% -1.3%
2012 -1.19% -1.74%
2011 2.22% -6.02%
2010 3.06% -1.22%
2009 -5.48% 6.85%
2008 2.73% 2.14%
2007 6.9% 5.39%
2006 5.34% 1.34%
2005 2.85% 4.23%
2004 2.03% 4.23%
2003 0.19% 2.37%
2002 -1.75% 2.59%
2001 -1.33% 2.23%
2000 0.3% 1.35%
1999 -1.94% 1.55%
1998 -0.16% -
1997 0.67% -
1996 2.05% -
1995 1.08% -
1994 -1.01% -
1993 -4.9% -
1992 -4.33% -
1991 -0.62% -
1990 -2.04% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/papua-new-guinea/tonga | CC BY

In 2025, Papua New Guinea's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $766M, equivalent to 2.36% of GDP. This compares to Tonga's surplus of $33M, or 4.86% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Papua New Guinea recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Tonga ran a deficit in 7 years. On average, Papua New Guinea posted an annual deficit equal to 1.83% of GDP, compared to surplus of 2.1% of GDP for Tonga.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Papua New Guinea

Tonga
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Papua New Guinea Tonga
2025 4.42% 5.59%
2024 0.6% 3.18%
2023 2.3% 6.35%
2022 5.25% 11%
2021 4.48% 5.64%
2020 4.87% -0.35%
2019 3.93% 1.18%
2018 4.37% 5.03%
2017 5.42% 7.52%
2016 6.67% 2.58%
2015 6% -1.05%
2014 5.22% 2.51%
2013 4.96% 0.78%
2012 4.54% 1.15%
2011 4.44% 6.27%
2010 6.01% 3.53%
2009 6.92% 1.43%
2008 10.8% 10.4%
2007 0.91% 5.84%
2006 2.37% 6.15%
2005 1.78% 8.67%
2004 2.16% 11%
2003 14.7% 11.6%
2002 11.8% 10.4%
2001 9.3% 8.29%
2000 15.6% 6.33%
1999 14.9% 4.46%
1998 13.6% 3.27%
1997 3.96% 2.12%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/papua-new-guinea/tonga | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Papua New Guinea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.29%, compared with 5.2% in Tonga. In 2025, inflation was 4.42% in Papua New Guinea and 5.59% in Tonga.

Top exports between countries

Papua New Guinea
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $200K
Machinery & equipment $130K
Miscellaneous $62K
Chemicals & pharma $1K
Tonga
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $87K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $42K
Raw agricultural goods $7K

Balance of trade

Papua New Guinea Tonga
Current account balance
$4.77B
2024
-$43.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
32/190
2024
76/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+15.5%
2024
-6.72%
2024
Goods imports
$4.69B
2024
$232M
2024
Goods exports
$13.4B
2024
$10.8M
2024
Service imports
$2.4B
2024
$161M
2024
Service exports
$75.2M
2024
$93.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
58.9%
2004
60.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
72.2%
2004
16.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Papua New Guinea Tonga
Economic freedom 54.3 58.9
Economic freedom ranking 134/197 107/197
Property rights 45 71.1
Government integrity 30.8 45.1
Judicial effectiveness 41.1 64.9
Tax burden 70.9 85.6
Government spending 86.1 31
Fiscal health 65.3 97.3
Business freedom 34.2 59.2
Labor freedom 65.1 55.9
Monetary freedom 77.4 61
Trade freedom 80.2 75.4
Investment freedom 25 40
Financial freedom 30 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Papua New Guinea
Tonga
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Papua New Guinea Tonga
2026 54.3 58.9
2025 52.5 58.5
2024 49.4 59.2
2023 51.7 60
2022 54.6 60.8
2021 58.9 57.5
2020 58.4 58.8
2019 58.4 57.7
2018 55.7 63.1
2017 50.9 63
2016 53.2 59.6
2015 53.1 59.3
2014 53.9 58.2
2013 53.6 56
2012 53.8 57
2011 52.6 55.8
2010 53.5 53.4
2009 54.8 54.1
2008 - -
2007 - -
2006 - -
2005 - -
2004 - -
2003 - -
2002 - -
2001 57.2 -
2000 55.8 -
1999 56.3 -
1998 55.2 -
1997 56.7 -
1996 58.6 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/papua-new-guinea/tonga | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Papua New Guinea is 54.3, ranking 134/197, 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

Papua New Guinea Tonga
Services, % of GDP
42%
2024
49.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
36.5%
2024
17.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
17%
2024
18.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$31.2B
2025
$709M
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,840
2025
$9,240
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.71B
2024
$413M
2025
Total reserves ranking
114/177
2024
162/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$968M
2024
$13.3M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$198M
2024
-$12.1M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$770M
2024
$1.25M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
20.4%
2024
6.33%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
39.9%
2009
20.6%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20%
2004
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/papua-new-guinea/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 (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1992–1993, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, 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.