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Economy of Singapore vs Tonga compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Singapore has a GDP of $547B compared to $591M for Tonga, ranking 28/197 and 191/197 by economy size, respectively.

Singapore has $950B in government debt (173.5% of GDP), compared to $256M (37% of GDP) in Tonga.

Singapore vs Tonga GDP by year

Singapore
Tonga
1x
Year GDP, current $
Singapore Tonga
2024 $547,386,645,892 -
2023 $505,439,514,078 $591,139,749
2022 $509,017,841,147 $556,514,555
2021 $436,591,382,250 $519,306,353
2020 $349,165,858,545 $506,571,468
2019 $376,161,998,830 $506,031,239
2018 $377,123,710,561 $493,530,783
2017 $343,673,334,902 $459,976,850
2016 $319,646,468,521 $420,828,262
2015 $307,998,545,269 $437,525,514
2014 $314,863,580,758 $440,997,738
2013 $307,576,360,585 $451,788,498
2012 $295,092,888,077 $471,122,971
2011 $279,356,499,090 $414,143,828
2010 $239,807,980,591 $366,887,375
2009 $194,150,283,772 $312,415,028
2008 $193,617,323,539 $344,438,844
2007 $180,941,701,358 $298,519,623
2006 $148,627,286,361 $292,232,703
2005 $127,807,848,728 $261,823,805
2004 $115,033,593,101 $230,678,011
2003 $97,646,401,096 $202,246,591
2002 $92,538,372,870 $182,764,281
2001 $89,793,790,670 $181,117,230
2000 $96,076,539,926 $204,848,488
1999 $86,286,849,755 $199,208,718
1998 $85,728,207,782 $191,504,893
1997 $100,123,787,215 $214,991,452
1996 $96,293,086,513 $222,100,576
1995 $87,812,540,788 $208,871,666
1994 $73,688,724,431 $195,990,986
1993 $60,603,815,716 $138,489,884
1992 $52,131,320,033 $137,066,291
1991 $45,466,164,978 $132,201,141
1990 $36,144,336,769 $113,563,822
1989 $30,465,364,739 $106,344,855
1988 $25,371,462,488 $106,657,267
1987 $20,919,215,578 $81,667,133
1986 $18,586,746,057 $68,195,856
1985 $19,156,532,746 $60,058,663
1984 $19,749,361,098 $64,248,355
1983 $17,784,112,150 $60,863,964
1982 $16,084,252,378 $62,068,161
1981 $14,175,228,844 $62,242,013
1980 $11,896,256,783 $53,260,077
1979 $9,296,921,724 $44,667,002
1978 $7,517,176,355 $41,567,472
1977 $6,618,585,074 $34,139,388
1976 $6,327,077,974 $30,036,417
1975 $5,633,673,930 $32,506,742
1974 $5,221,534,956 -
1973 $3,696,213,333 -
1972 $2,721,440,981 -
1971 $2,263,785,444 -
1970 $1,920,574,150 -
1969 $1,659,893,768 -
1968 $1,425,706,091 -
1967 $1,238,035,816 -
1966 $1,096,425,608 -
1965 $974,644,096 -
1964 $894,153,311 -
1963 $917,608,012 -
1962 $826,239,212 -
1961 $764,629,788 -
1960 $704,751,700 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Singapore vs Tonga by year

Singapore
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tonga
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Singapore Tonga
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $90,674 $150,689 - -
2023 $85,412 $143,786 $5,652 $7,803
2022 $90,299 $143,095 $5,298 $7,296
2021 $80,056 $132,617 $4,923 $6,929
2020 $61,410 $101,518 $4,792 $6,676
2019 $65,952 $105,335 $4,789 $6,473
2018 $66,882 $103,963 $4,675 $6,393
2017 $61,236 $95,744 $4,366 $6,229
2016 $57,006 $89,902 $3,988 $5,920
2015 $55,646 $87,156 $4,124 $5,472
2014 $57,565 $84,555 $4,137 $5,336
2013 $56,967 $83,088 $4,219 $5,120
2012 $55,548 $82,108 $4,384 $4,996
2011 $53,891 $80,052 $3,850 $4,855
2010 $47,237 $75,401 $3,416 $4,465
2009 $38,927 $66,213 $2,914 $4,384
2008 $40,009 $67,735 $3,218 $4,600
2007 $39,433 $68,805 $2,797 $4,316
2006 $33,768 $64,061 $2,750 $4,327
2005 $29,961 $58,822 $2,478 $4,315
2004 $27,608 $54,384 $2,195 $4,235
2003 $23,730 $48,778 $1,936 $4,231
2002 $22,160 $45,083 $1,759 $4,171
2001 $21,700 $43,109 $1,754 $3,955
2000 $23,853 $43,781 $1,995 $3,834
1999 $21,797 $39,949 $1,952 $3,636
1998 $21,829 $37,560 $1,889 $3,527
1997 $26,376 $39,286 $2,136 $3,434
1996 $26,233 $36,873 $2,215 $3,410
1995 $24,915 $35,090 $2,084 $3,347
1994 $21,552 $33,058 $1,957 $3,088
1993 $18,290 $30,062 $1,383 $2,882
1992 $16,136 $27,022 $1,370 $2,716
1991 $14,502 $25,530 $1,323 $2,652
1990 $11,862 $23,815 $1,139 $2,416
1989 $10,395 - $1,070 -
1988 $8,914 - $1,078 -
1987 $7,539 - $830 -
1986 $6,800 - $696 -
1985 $7,002 - $613 -
1984 $7,228 - $656 -
1983 $6,633 - $621 -
1982 $6,078 - $633 -
1981 $5,597 - $636 -
1980 $4,928 - $545 -
1979 $3,901 - $458 -
1978 $3,194 - $428 -
1977 $2,846 - $353 -
1976 $2,759 - $315 -
1975 $2,490 - $349 -
1974 $2,342 - - -
1973 $1,685 - - -
1972 $1,264 - - -
1971 $1,071 - - -
1970 $926 - - -
1969 $813 - - -
1968 $709 - - -
1967 $626 - - -
1966 $567 - - -
1965 $517 - - -
1964 $486 - - -
1963 $511 - - -
1962 $472 - - -
1961 $449 - - -
1960 $428 - - -

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

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

Singapore's GDP per capita is $90,674, ranking 7/197, compared to $5,652 in Tonga, ranking 115/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Singapore ranks 2nd at $150,689, while Tonga ranks 144th at $7,803.

Economic indicators

Singapore Tonga
Gross domestic product
$547B
2024
$591M
2023
GDP rank
28/197
2024
191/197
2023
GDP growth
4.39%
2023-2024
2.79%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$90,674
2024
$5,652
2023
GDP per capita rank
7/197
2024
115/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$150,689
2024
$7,803
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
2/197
2024
144/197
2023
Government debt
$950B
2024
$256M
2023
Debt-to-GDP ratio
173.5%
2024
37%
2024
Government debt per person
$157,326
2024
$2,445
2023
Government debt per person rank
1/185
2024
111/185
2023
Average annual personal income after taxes
$52,793
2026
$3,886
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$638B
2024
n/a
Number of millionaires
331,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
49
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
14.6%
2024
51.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.39%
2023-2024
3.18%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
2.74%
2024
1.65%
2023
Population
6125852
103309

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Singapore
Spending

Debt
Tonga
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Singapore Tonga
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 14.6% 173.5% 51.3% 37%
2023 14.8% 172.8% 48.2% 43.3%
2022 15% 154.3% 44.4% 43.2%
2021 15.6% 141.7% 44.6% 43%
2020 24.1% 148.2% 37.9% 42.6%
2019 14% 127.9% 39.9% 42.8%
2018 13.9% 109.4% 39.6% 45.8%
2017 13.6% 107.6% 39.7% 44.7%
2016 15.3% 106.3% 37.2% 49.4%
2015 14.4% 102.2% 37.4% 51.1%
2014 12.6% 97.7% 31.5% 47.4%
2013 10.9% 98.2% 34.3% 48.9%
2012 9.83% 106.7% 32% 60%
2011 9.66% 103.1% 32.6% 51.9%
2010 10.2% 98.7% 28.4% 44.7%
2009 15.9% 101.7% 23.9% 39.7%
2008 14% 97.9% 24% 34%
2007 9.01% 87.8% 23.2% 37.8%
2006 12.3% 86.5% 25.6% 39.6%
2005 12.4% 92.7% 19.8% 43.3%
2004 14.1% 95.7% 19.3% 52.2%
2003 15.6% 99.1% 20% 56.2%
2002 15.9% 96.3% 21.3% 60.7%
2001 18.2% 94.5% 19.1% 53.4%
2000 16.1% 82.3% 20% 43.6%
1999 15.9% 85.3% 18.8% 38.4%
1998 18.1% 84.6% - -
1997 14.5% 70.8% - -
1996 18.1% 71.3% - -
1995 13.8% 69.8% - -
1994 11.7% 70.7% - -
1993 14.5% 71.2% - -
1992 14.5% 79% - -
1991 15.9% 76.4% - -
1990 15.1% 73.5% - -

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

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

In 2024, Singapore's government spending was $79.7B, accounting for 14.6% of its GDP, while Tonga spent $285M, or 51.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 173.5% in Singapore and 37% in Tonga, ranking 4/185 and 142/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Singapore

Tonga
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Singapore Tonga
2024 4.44% 4.17%
2023 3.47% 6.14%
2022 1.21% -0.1%
2021 1.13% -0.87%
2020 -6.73% 5.25%
2019 3.77% 3.28%
2018 3.68% 2.92%
2017 5.24% 3.58%
2016 3.25% 1.47%
2015 2.86% -2.75%
2014 4.6% 6.38%
2013 5.96% -1.3%
2012 7.34% -1.74%
2011 7.96% -6.02%
2010 5.68% -1.22%
2009 -0.09% 6.85%
2008 3.59% 2.14%
2007 7.12% 5.39%
2006 2.16% 1.34%
2005 2.56% 4.23%
2004 2.06% 4.23%
2003 0.68% 2.37%
2002 2.23% 2.59%
2001 1.2% 2.23%
2000 4.59% 1.35%
1999 5.2% 1.55%
1998 2.41% -
1997 5.66% -
1996 1.98% -
1995 4.8% -
1994 7.9% -
1993 4.36% -
1992 2.7% -
1991 0.68% -
1990 1.97% -

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

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

In 2023, Singapore's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $17.5B, equivalent to 3.47% of GDP. This compares to Tonga's surplus of $36.3M, or 6.14% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Singapore recorded a fiscal deficit in 2 of those years, while Tonga ran a deficit in 7 years. On average, Singapore posted an annual surplus equal to 3.23% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.97% of GDP for Tonga.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Singapore

Tonga
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Singapore Tonga
2024 2.39% 3.18%
2023 4.83% 6.35%
2022 6.13% 11%
2021 2.32% 5.64%
2020 -0.17% -0.35%
2019 0.57% 1.18%
2018 0.44% 5.03%
2017 0.58% 7.52%
2016 -0.53% 2.58%
2015 -0.52% -1.05%
2014 1.03% 2.51%
2013 2.36% 0.78%
2012 4.58% 1.15%
2011 5.25% 6.27%
2010 2.83% 3.53%
2009 0.59% 1.43%
2008 6.64% 10.4%
2007 2.11% 5.84%
2006 0.97% 6.15%
2005 0.43% 8.67%
2004 1.66% 11%
2003 0.51% 11.6%
2002 -0.39% 10.4%
2001 1% 8.29%
2000 1.36% 6.33%
1999 0.02% 4.46%
1998 -0.27% 3.27%
1997 2% 2.12%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Singapore has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.74%, compared with 5.19% in Tonga. In 2024, inflation was 2.39% in Singapore and 3.18% in Tonga.

Top exports between countries

Singapore
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.03M
Raw materials & minerals $878K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $669K
Chemicals & pharma $416K
Metals $297K
Miscellaneous $154K
Textiles & consumer goods $44K
Wood & paper products $25K
Precious metals & jewellery $2K
Tonga
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $362K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $30K
Metals $16K
Animal & marine products $1K

Balance of trade

Singapore Tonga
Current account balance
$96B
2024
-$43.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
8/190
2024
83/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+17.5%
2024
-7.93%
2023
Goods imports
$435B
2024
$232M
2024
Goods exports
$583B
2024
$10.8M
2024
Service imports
$351B
2024
$161M
2024
Service exports
$396B
2024
$93.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
143.6%
2024
64.9%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
178.8%
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.

Singapore Tonga
Economic freedom 84.4 58.9
Economic freedom ranking 1/197 107/197
Property rights 89.2 71.1
Government integrity 86.1 45.1
Judicial effectiveness 58.3 64.9
Tax burden 89.5 85.6
Government spending 93.4 31
Fiscal health 80 97.3
Business freedom 90.6 59.2
Labor freedom 77 55.9
Monetary freedom 83.5 61
Trade freedom 95 75.4
Investment freedom 90 40
Financial freedom 80 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Singapore
Tonga
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Singapore Tonga
2026 84.4 58.9
2025 84.1 58.5
2024 83.5 59.2
2023 83.9 60
2022 84.4 60.8
2021 89.7 57.5
2020 89.4 58.8
2019 89.4 57.7
2018 88.8 63.1
2017 88.6 63
2016 87.8 59.6
2015 89.4 59.3
2014 89.4 58.2
2013 88 56
2012 87.5 57
2011 87.2 55.8
2010 86.1 53.4
2009 87.1 54.1
2008 87.3 -
2007 87.1 -
2006 88 -
2005 88.6 -
2004 88.9 -
2003 88.2 -
2002 87.4 -
2001 87.8 -
2000 87.7 -
1999 86.9 -
1998 87 -
1997 87.3 -
1996 86.5 -
1995 86.3 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Singapore is 84.4, ranking 1/197, 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

Singapore Tonga
Services, % of GDP
73%
2024
50%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
21.4%
2024
14.9%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.03%
2024
19%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$451B
2024
$619M
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$126,190
2024
$8,400
2023
Total reserves including gold
$384B
2024
$377M
2024
Total reserves ranking
9/177
2024
163/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$96.7B
2024
$13.3M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$152B
2024
-$12.1M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$55.3B
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
22.2%
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/singapore/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) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  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.