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Economy of Saint Lucia vs Tonga compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Saint Lucia has a GDP of $2.55B compared to $591M for Tonga, ranking 173/197 and 191/197 by economy size, respectively.

Saint Lucia has $1.97B in government debt (77.2% of GDP), compared to $256M (37% of GDP) in Tonga.

Saint Lucia vs Tonga GDP by year

Saint Lucia
Tonga
1x
Year GDP, current $
Saint Lucia Tonga
2024 $2,549,062,963 -
2023 $2,430,166,667 $591,139,749
2022 $2,342,714,815 $556,514,555
2021 $1,867,185,185 $519,306,353
2020 $1,499,274,074 $506,571,468
2019 $2,095,344,444 $506,031,239
2018 $2,060,955,556 $493,530,783
2017 $1,998,503,704 $459,976,850
2016 $1,868,544,444 $420,828,262
2015 $1,807,640,741 $437,525,514
2014 $1,749,185,185 $440,997,738
2013 $1,660,392,593 $451,788,498
2012 $1,598,207,407 $471,122,971
2011 $1,568,370,370 $414,143,828
2010 $1,482,385,185 $366,887,375
2009 $1,401,507,889 $312,415,028
2008 $1,437,731,111 $344,438,844
2007 $1,336,088,815 $298,519,623
2006 $1,268,319,185 $292,232,703
2005 $1,135,555,556 $261,823,805
2004 $1,066,666,667 $230,678,011
2003 $987,407,407 $202,246,591
2002 $900,000,000 $182,764,281
2001 $892,592,593 $181,117,230
2000 $932,592,593 $204,848,488
1999 $921,851,852 $199,208,718
1998 $877,407,407 $191,504,893
1997 $805,925,926 $214,991,452
1996 $788,888,889 $222,100,576
1995 $762,962,963 $208,871,666
1994 $713,703,704 $195,990,986
1993 $684,814,815 $138,489,884
1992 $674,074,074 $137,066,291
1991 $613,703,704 $132,201,141
1990 $579,629,630 $113,563,822
1989 $486,666,667 $106,344,855
1988 $429,629,630 $106,657,267
1987 $375,555,556 $81,667,133
1986 $340,000,000 $68,195,856
1985 $284,444,444 $60,058,663
1984 $251,481,481 $64,248,355
1983 $197,037,037 $60,863,964
1982 $183,333,333 $62,068,161
1981 $194,444,444 $62,242,013
1980 $170,370,370 $53,260,077
1979 - $44,667,002
1978 - $41,567,472
1977 - $34,139,388
1976 - $30,036,417
1975 - $32,506,742

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1975–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/saint-lucia/tonga | CC BY

GDP per capita in Saint Lucia vs Tonga by year

Saint Lucia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tonga
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Saint Lucia Tonga
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $14,182 $27,567 - -
2023 $13,555 $25,975 $5,652 $7,803
2022 $13,104 $24,599 $5,298 $7,296
2021 $10,459 $19,101 $4,923 $6,929
2020 $8,411 $14,912 $4,792 $6,676
2019 $11,794 $18,710 $4,789 $6,473
2018 $11,643 $17,433 $4,675 $6,393
2017 $11,333 $16,131 $4,366 $6,229
2016 $10,638 $15,307 $3,988 $5,920
2015 $10,335 $14,353 $4,124 $5,472
2014 $10,045 $14,403 $4,137 $5,336
2013 $9,577 $14,010 $4,219 $5,120
2012 $9,260 $13,443 $4,384 $4,996
2011 $9,129 $13,471 $3,850 $4,855
2010 $8,674 $12,718 $3,416 $4,465
2009 $8,251 $12,600 $2,914 $4,384
2008 $8,517 $12,969 $3,218 $4,600
2007 $7,964 $12,199 $2,797 $4,316
2006 $7,611 $11,758 $2,750 $4,327
2005 $6,863 $10,818 $2,478 $4,315
2004 $6,495 $10,610 $2,195 $4,235
2003 $6,059 $9,707 $1,936 $4,231
2002 $5,568 $9,205 $1,759 $4,171
2001 $5,570 $9,106 $1,754 $3,955
2000 $5,880 $9,314 $1,995 $3,834
1999 $5,883 $9,214 $1,952 $3,636
1998 $5,673 $8,965 $1,889 $3,527
1997 $5,282 $8,456 $2,136 $3,434
1996 $5,244 $8,490 $2,215 $3,410
1995 $5,148 $8,222 $2,084 $3,347
1994 $4,892 $8,041 $1,957 $3,088
1993 $4,765 $7,865 $1,383 $2,882
1992 $4,760 $7,753 $1,370 $2,716
1991 $4,399 $7,127 $1,323 $2,652
1990 $4,205 $6,951 $1,139 $2,416
1989 $3,565 - $1,070 -
1988 $3,182 - $1,078 -
1987 $2,819 - $830 -
1986 $2,591 - $696 -
1985 $2,202 - $613 -
1984 $1,979 - $656 -
1983 $1,576 - $621 -
1982 $1,489 - $633 -
1981 $1,605 - $636 -
1980 $1,428 - $545 -
1979 - - $458 -
1978 - - $428 -
1977 - - $353 -
1976 - - $315 -
1975 - - $349 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1975–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/saint-lucia/tonga | CC BY

Saint Lucia's GDP per capita is $14,182, ranking 70/197, compared to $5,652 in Tonga, ranking 115/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Saint Lucia ranks 75th at $27,567, while Tonga ranks 144th at $7,803.

Economic indicators

Saint Lucia Tonga
Gross domestic product
$2.55B
2024
$591M
2023
GDP rank
173/197
2024
191/197
2023
GDP growth
3.89%
2023-2024
2.79%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$14,182
2024
$5,652
2023
GDP per capita rank
70/197
2024
115/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,567
2024
$7,803
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
75/197
2024
144/197
2023
Government debt
$1.97B
2024
$256M
2023
Debt-to-GDP ratio
77.2%
2024
37%
2024
Government debt per person
$10,952
2024
$2,445
2023
Government debt per person rank
52/185
2024
111/185
2023
Average annual personal income after taxes
$10,412
2026
$3,886
2026
Income share by richest 10%
34.1%
2015
22%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2015
4%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
24.5%
2024
51.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.11%
2023-2024
3.18%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
10.1%
2024
1.65%
2023
Population
180638
103309

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Saint Lucia
Spending

Debt
Tonga
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Saint Lucia Tonga
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 24.5% 77.2% 51.3% 37%
2023 25.6% 76.6% 48.2% 43.3%
2022 23% 74.4% 44.4% 43.2%
2021 27.4% 87% 44.6% 43%
2020 34.9% 100% 37.9% 42.6%
2019 25.1% 62.1% 39.9% 42.8%
2018 23.2% 60.5% 39.6% 45.8%
2017 23.3% 60.4% 39.7% 44.7%
2016 23% 61.3% 37.2% 49.4%
2015 23.7% 61.1% 37.4% 51.1%
2014 23.6% 62.4% 31.5% 47.4%
2013 25.4% 62.1% 34.3% 48.9%
2012 28% 60.8% 32% 60%
2011 27% 55.2% 32.6% 51.9%
2010 26% 53% 28.4% 44.7%
2009 24.5% 51% 23.9% 39.7%
2008 22.2% 46.7% 24% 34%
2007 22.6% 49.1% 23.2% 37.8%
2006 24.7% 48.6% 25.6% 39.6%
2005 26% 51.9% 19.8% 43.3%
2004 22.9% 49.6% 19.3% 52.2%
2003 22.9% 45.6% 20% 56.2%
2002 23.6% 48.8% 21.3% 60.7%
2001 22.1% 38.1% 19.1% 53.4%
2000 20.7% 32.5% 20% 43.6%
1999 20.9% 28.9% 18.8% 38.4%
1998 18.8% 29.4% - -
1997 19.5% 27.2% - -
1996 18.9% 24.1% - -
1995 19.2% 22.9% - -
1994 19.1% 23.8% - -
1993 21.8% 22.9% - -
1992 18.4% 22.2% - -
1991 18.4% 19.8% - -
1990 16.7% 17% - -
1989 19% 18.1% - -
1988 18.2% 18.6% - -
1987 19.9% 19.6% - -
1986 21.1% 17.2% - -
1985 20.4% 17.1% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/saint-lucia/tonga | CC BY

In 2024, Saint Lucia's government spending was $625M, accounting for 24.5% of its GDP, while Tonga spent $285M, or 51.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 77.2% in Saint Lucia and 37% in Tonga, ranking 46/185 and 142/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Saint Lucia

Tonga
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Saint Lucia Tonga
2024 -2.13% 4.17%
2023 -3.09% 6.14%
2022 -1.67% -0.1%
2021 -5.1% -0.87%
2020 -12% 5.25%
2019 -3.51% 3.28%
2018 -1.03% 2.92%
2017 -1.14% 3.58%
2016 -0.79% 1.47%
2015 -2.35% -2.75%
2014 -3.08% 6.38%
2013 -4.84% -1.3%
2012 -7.62% -1.74%
2011 -5.38% -6.02%
2010 -4.17% -1.22%
2009 -2.67% 6.85%
2008 -0.72% 2.14%
2007 -1.62% 5.39%
2006 -5.07% 1.34%
2005 -6.18% 4.23%
2004 -2.63% 4.23%
2003 -3.23% 2.37%
2002 -3.1% 2.59%
2001 -3.08% 2.23%
2000 -1.16% 1.35%
1999 1.62% 1.55%
1998 2.25% -
1997 -1.13% -
1996 -0.58% -
1995 -0.13% -
1994 -0.02% -
1993 -0.26% -
1992 -0.66% -
1991 -0.43% -
1990 0.29% -
1989 0.89% -
1988 2.02% -
1987 0.56% -
1986 -1.61% -
1985 -1.5% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/saint-lucia/tonga | CC BY

In 2023, Saint Lucia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $75.1M, equivalent to 3.09% of GDP. This compares to Tonga's surplus of $36.3M, or 6.14% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Saint Lucia recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Tonga ran a deficit in 7 years. On average, Saint Lucia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.35% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.97% of GDP for Tonga.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Saint Lucia

Tonga
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Saint Lucia Tonga
2024 -0.11% 3.18%
2023 4.07% 6.35%
2022 6.38% 11%
2021 2.41% 5.64%
2020 -1.76% -0.35%
2019 0.54% 1.18%
2018 1.94% 5.03%
2017 0.1% 7.52%
2016 -3.08% 2.58%
2015 -0.98% -1.05%
2014 3.52% 2.51%
2013 1.47% 0.78%
2012 4.18% 1.15%
2011 2.77% 6.27%
2010 3.25% 3.53%
2009 -0.16% 1.43%
2008 5.55% 10.4%
2007 2.82% 5.84%
2006 2.4% 6.15%
2005 3.9% 8.67%
2004 1.46% 11%
2003 1.03% 11.6%
2002 -0.26% 10.4%
2001 5.31% 8.29%
2000 3.71% 6.33%
1999 3.5% 4.46%
1998 3.2% 3.27%
1997 -0.006% 2.12%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/saint-lucia/tonga | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Saint Lucia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.04%, compared with 5.19% in Tonga. In 2024, inflation was -0.11% in Saint Lucia and 3.18% in Tonga.

Balance of trade

Saint Lucia Tonga
Current account balance
-$64.1M
2024
-$43.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
86/190
2024
83/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.52%
2024
-7.93%
2023
Goods imports
$848M
2024
$232M
2024
Goods exports
$137M
2024
$10.8M
2024
Service imports
$598M
2024
$161M
2024
Service exports
$1.46B
2024
$93.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
64.9%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
19%
2025
14.7%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Saint Lucia Tonga
Economic freedom 67.5 58.9
Economic freedom ranking 57/197 107/197
Property rights 64.3 71.1
Government integrity 59.7 45.1
Judicial effectiveness 77.3 64.9
Tax burden 77.7 85.6
Government spending 82.6 31
Fiscal health 80 97.3
Business freedom 71.9 59.2
Labor freedom 65.2 55.9
Monetary freedom 81 61
Trade freedom 60 75.4
Investment freedom 50 40
Financial freedom 40 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Saint Lucia
Tonga
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Saint Lucia Tonga
2026 67.5 58.9
2025 67 58.5
2024 62.2 59.2
2023 60.7 60
2022 64.3 60.8
2021 67.5 57.5
2020 68.2 58.8
2019 68.7 57.7
2018 67.6 63.1
2017 65 63
2016 70 59.6
2015 70.2 59.3
2014 70.7 58.2
2013 70.4 56
2012 71.3 57
2011 70.8 55.8
2010 70.5 53.4
2009 68.8 54.1

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

GeoRank.org/economy/saint-lucia/tonga | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Saint Lucia is 67.5, ranking 57/197, 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

Saint Lucia Tonga
Services, % of GDP
75.9%
2024
50%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
9.75%
2024
14.9%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.13%
2024
19%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$2.27B
2024
$619M
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$24,840
2024
$8,400
2023
Total reserves including gold
$406M
2024
$377M
2024
Total reserves ranking
162/177
2024
163/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$187M
2024
$13.3M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$187M
2024
-$12.1M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$350K
2024
$1.25M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.42%
2024
2.76%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
25%
2016
20.6%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
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/saint-lucia/tonga | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1975–2024, 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 (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.