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Economy of Qatar vs Tonga compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Qatar has a GDP of $219B compared to $591M for Tonga, ranking 56/197 and 191/197 by economy size, respectively.

Qatar has $90.2B in government debt (41.2% of GDP), compared to $256M (37% of GDP) in Tonga.

Qatar vs Tonga GDP by year

Qatar
Tonga
1x
Year GDP, current $
Qatar Tonga
2024 $219,162,637,363 -
2023 $217,308,516,484 $591,139,749
2022 $235,709,340,659 $556,514,555
2021 $179,732,142,857 $519,306,353
2020 $144,411,538,462 $506,571,468
2019 $176,371,428,571 $506,031,239
2018 $183,335,164,835 $493,530,783
2017 $161,099,175,824 $459,976,850
2016 $151,732,142,857 $420,828,262
2015 $161,739,835,165 $437,525,514
2014 $206,224,725,275 $440,997,738
2013 $198,727,747,253 $451,788,498
2012 $186,833,516,484 $471,122,971
2011 $167,775,274,725 $414,143,828
2010 $123,627,197,802 $366,887,375
2009 $97,798,351,648 $312,415,028
2008 $115,270,054,945 $344,438,844
2007 $79,712,087,912 $298,519,623
2006 $60,882,142,857 $292,232,703
2005 $44,530,494,505 $261,823,805
2004 $31,734,065,934 $230,678,011
2003 $23,533,791,209 $202,246,591
2002 $19,363,736,264 $182,764,281
2001 $17,538,461,538 $181,117,230
2000 $17,759,890,110 $204,848,488
1999 $12,393,131,868 $199,208,718
1998 $10,255,495,027 $191,504,893
1997 $11,297,802,115 $214,991,452
1996 $9,059,340,385 $222,100,576
1995 $8,137,911,978 $208,871,666
1994 $7,374,450,769 $195,990,986
1993 $7,156,593,654 $138,489,884
1992 $7,646,153,984 $137,066,291
1991 $6,883,516,484 $132,201,141
1990 $7,360,439,423 $113,563,822
1989 $6,487,912,088 $106,344,855
1988 $6,038,187,033 $106,657,267
1987 $5,446,428,681 $81,667,133
1986 $5,053,021,951 $68,195,856
1985 $6,153,296,456 $60,058,663
1984 $6,704,395,824 $64,248,355
1983 $6,467,582,308 $60,863,964
1982 $7,596,703,214 $62,068,161
1981 $8,661,263,764 $62,242,013
1980 $7,829,165,262 $53,260,077
1979 $5,632,962,997 $44,667,002
1978 $4,052,000,413 $41,567,472
1977 $3,617,564,638 $34,139,388
1976 $3,284,273,987 $30,036,417
1975 $2,512,773,166 $32,506,742
1974 $2,401,403,227 -
1973 $793,885,560 -
1972 $510,262,500 -
1971 $387,703,106 -
1970 $301,791,302 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Qatar vs Tonga by year

Qatar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tonga
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Qatar Tonga
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $76,689 $126,046 - -
2023 $81,817 $129,368 $5,652 $7,803
2022 $88,701 $122,921 $5,298 $7,296
2021 $71,752 $116,833 $4,923 $6,929
2020 $51,684 $82,149 $4,792 $6,676
2019 $66,841 $107,503 $4,789 $6,473
2018 $71,040 $110,033 $4,675 $6,393
2017 $63,280 $99,358 $4,366 $6,229
2016 $61,254 $89,935 $3,988 $5,920
2015 $68,985 $102,546 $4,124 $5,472
2014 $95,841 $148,389 $4,137 $5,336
2013 $103,697 $169,203 $4,219 $5,120
2012 $108,470 $180,939 $4,384 $4,996
2011 $103,262 $174,620 $3,850 $4,855
2010 $76,463 $151,646 $3,416 $4,465
2009 $60,786 $125,898 $2,914 $4,384
2008 $80,781 $126,015 $3,218 $4,600
2007 $65,954 $124,056 $2,797 $4,316
2006 $62,582 $127,181 $2,750 $4,327
2005 $53,950 $115,250 $2,478 $4,315
2004 $41,036 $110,958 $2,195 $4,235
2003 $31,602 $94,120 $1,936 $4,231
2002 $27,227 $93,177 $1,759 $4,171
2001 $25,871 $89,805 $1,754 $3,955
2000 $27,535 $88,849 $1,995 $3,834
1999 $20,234 $84,690 $1,952 $3,636
1998 $17,665 $84,486 $1,889 $3,527
1997 $20,523 $79,219 $2,136 $3,434
1996 $17,125 $62,331 $2,215 $3,410
1995 $15,823 $60,321 $2,084 $3,347
1994 $14,765 $59,415 $1,957 $3,088
1993 $14,770 $59,125 $1,383 $2,882
1992 $16,280 $60,387 $1,370 $2,716
1991 $15,133 $54,759 $1,323 $2,652
1990 $16,722 $55,659 $1,139 $2,416
1989 $15,243 - $1,070 -
1988 $14,682 - $1,078 -
1987 $13,719 - $830 -
1986 $13,213 - $696 -
1985 $16,815 - $613 -
1984 $19,272 - $656 -
1983 $19,616 - $621 -
1982 $24,385 - $633 -
1981 $29,505 - $636 -
1980 $28,375 - $545 -
1979 $21,777 - $458 -
1978 $16,757 - $428 -
1977 $16,058 - $353 -
1976 $15,710 - $315 -
1975 $13,014 - $349 -
1974 $13,540 - - -
1973 $4,905 - - -
1972 $3,483 - - -
1971 $2,952 - - -
1970 $2,594 - - -

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

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

Qatar's GDP per capita is $76,689, ranking 11/197, compared to $5,652 in Tonga, ranking 115/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Qatar ranks 5th at $126,046, while Tonga ranks 144th at $7,803.

Economic indicators

Qatar Tonga
Gross domestic product
$219B
2024
$591M
2023
GDP rank
56/197
2024
191/197
2023
GDP growth
2.36%
2023-2024
2.79%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$76,689
2024
$5,652
2023
GDP per capita rank
11/197
2024
115/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$126,046
2024
$7,803
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
5/197
2024
144/197
2023
Government debt
$90.2B
2024
$256M
2023
Debt-to-GDP ratio
41.2%
2024
37%
2024
Government debt per person
$31,579
2024
$2,445
2023
Government debt per person rank
23/185
2024
111/185
2023
Average annual personal income after taxes
$35,660
2026
$3,886
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$170M
2024
n/a
Number of millionaires
26,163
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
2
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25.8%
2017
22%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2017
4%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
26%
2024
51.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.27%
2023-2024
3.18%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4.1%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
0.13%
2022
1.65%
2023
Population
2999260
103309

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Qatar
Spending

Debt
Tonga
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Qatar Tonga
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 26% 41.2% 51.3% 37%
2023 27.3% 43.7% 48.2% 43.3%
2022 24.3% 42.6% 44.4% 43.2%
2021 29.4% 58.4% 44.6% 43%
2020 34.7% 72.6% 37.9% 42.6%
2019 32.5% 62.1% 39.9% 42.8%
2018 28.9% 52.2% 39.6% 45.8%
2017 34.7% 51.6% 39.7% 44.7%
2016 40.1% 46.7% 37.2% 49.4%
2015 38.6% 35.5% 37.4% 51.1%
2014 32.3% 24.9% 31.5% 47.4%
2013 28.3% 30.9% 34.3% 48.9%
2012 31% 32.1% 32% 60%
2011 28.5% 33.5% 32.6% 51.9%
2010 32% 30.4% 28.4% 44.7%
2009 36.4% 36% 23.9% 39.7%
2008 23.5% 11.4% 24% 34%
2007 29.5% 9.37% 23.2% 37.8%
2006 29.5% 13.9% 25.6% 39.6%
2005 29% 19.1% 19.8% 43.3%
2004 29.9% 30.1% 19.3% 52.2%
2003 28.5% 38.8% 20% 56.2%
2002 31.6% 47.7% 21.3% 60.7%
2001 32.1% 59.2% 19.1% 53.4%
2000 29.8% 51.6% 20% 43.6%
1999 42.4% 81.8% 18.8% 38.4%
1998 55.1% 76.6% - -
1997 47.6% 54.4% - -
1996 55.2% 57.8% - -
1995 52.2% 50.2% - -
1994 59.8% 54.8% - -
1993 62.8% 46.3% - -
1992 54.2% 19.9% - -
1991 57.5% 21.8% - -
1990 50% 12.6% - -

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

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

In 2024, Qatar's government spending was $56.9B, accounting for 26% of its GDP, while Tonga spent $285M, or 51.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 41.2% in Qatar and 37% in Tonga, ranking 130/185 and 142/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Qatar

Tonga
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Qatar Tonga
2024 0.69% 4.17%
2023 5.56% 6.14%
2022 10.4% -0.1%
2021 0.24% -0.87%
2020 -2.13% 5.25%
2019 1% 3.28%
2018 2.26% 2.92%
2017 -6.82% 3.58%
2016 -9.2% 1.47%
2015 18.4% -2.75%
2014 13.4% 6.38%
2013 19.3% -1.3%
2012 8.55% -1.74%
2011 5.24% -6.02%
2010 4.6% -1.22%
2009 14.1% 6.85%
2008 9.49% 2.14%
2007 10.3% 5.39%
2006 8.39% 1.34%
2005 9.8% 4.23%
2004 17.7% 4.23%
2003 6.71% 2.37%
2002 7.89% 2.59%
2001 4.48% 2.23%
2000 4.62% 1.35%
1999 -4.35% 1.55%
1998 -7% -
1997 -9.4% -
1996 -8.73% -
1995 -5.78% -
1994 -11.8% -
1993 -9.53% -
1992 -2.74% -
1991 -2.57% -
1990 3.23% -

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

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

In 2023, Qatar's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $12.1B, equivalent to 5.56% of GDP. This compares to Tonga's surplus of $36.3M, or 6.14% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Qatar recorded a fiscal deficit in 4 of those years, while Tonga ran a deficit in 7 years. On average, Qatar posted an annual surplus equal to 6.4% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.97% of GDP for Tonga.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Qatar

Tonga
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Qatar Tonga
2024 1.27% 3.18%
2023 3.03% 6.35%
2022 5% 11%
2021 2.3% 5.64%
2020 -2.54% -0.35%
2019 -0.67% 1.18%
2018 0.26% 5.03%
2017 0.39% 7.52%
2016 2.68% 2.58%
2015 1.81% -1.05%
2014 3.35% 2.51%
2013 3.22% 0.78%
2012 2.32% 1.15%
2011 1.14% 6.27%
2010 -2.43% 3.53%
2009 -4.86% 1.43%
2008 15.1% 10.4%
2007 13.8% 5.84%
2006 11.8% 6.15%
2005 8.81% 8.67%
2004 6.8% 11%
2003 2.26% 11.6%
2002 0.24% 10.4%
2001 1.47% 8.29%
2000 1.65% 6.33%
1999 2.18% 4.46%
1998 2.95% 3.27%
1997 4.83% 2.12%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Qatar has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.15%, compared with 5.19% in Tonga. In 2024, inflation was 1.27% in Qatar and 3.18% in Tonga.

Balance of trade

Qatar Tonga
Current account balance
$37.9B
2024
-$43.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
16/190
2024
83/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+17.3%
2024
-7.93%
2023
Goods imports
$32.6B
2024
$232M
2024
Goods exports
$95B
2024
$10.8M
2024
Service imports
$37.1B
2024
$161M
2024
Service exports
$30.2B
2024
$93.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.6%
2022
64.9%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
68.6%
2022
14.7%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Qatar Tonga
Economic freedom 70.2 58.9
Economic freedom ranking 37/197 107/197
Property rights 66.2 71.1
Government integrity 53.5 45.1
Judicial effectiveness 41.5 64.9
Tax burden 99.9 85.6
Government spending 79.9 31
Fiscal health 96.6 97.3
Business freedom 68 59.2
Labor freedom 58.5 55.9
Monetary freedom 76 61
Trade freedom 81.8 75.4
Investment freedom 60 40
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Qatar
Tonga
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Qatar Tonga
2026 70.2 58.9
2025 70.2 58.5
2024 68.8 59.2
2023 68.6 60
2022 67.7 60.8
2021 72 57.5
2020 72.3 58.8
2019 72.6 57.7
2018 72.6 63.1
2017 73.1 63
2016 70.7 59.6
2015 70.8 59.3
2014 71.2 58.2
2013 71.3 56
2012 71.3 57
2011 70.5 55.8
2010 69 53.4
2009 65.8 54.1
2008 62.2 -
2007 62.9 -
2006 62.4 -
2005 63.5 -
2004 66.5 -
2003 65.9 -
2002 61.9 -
2001 60 -
2000 62 -
1999 62 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1999–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Qatar is 70.2, ranking 37/197, 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

Qatar Tonga
Services, % of GDP
46.1%
2024
50%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
58.2%
2024
14.9%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.29%
2024
19%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$221B
2024
$619M
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$121,900
2024
$8,400
2023
Total reserves including gold
$54B
2024
$377M
2024
Total reserves ranking
40/177
2024
163/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$1.1B
2024
$13.3M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$460M
2024
-$12.1M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.56B
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
30.6%
2022
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/qatar/tonga | CC BY

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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 (1999–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. 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.