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Economy of Tonga vs Trinidad and Tobago compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Tonga has a GDP of $591M compared to $25.6B for Trinidad and Tobago, ranking 191/197 and 115/197 by economy size, respectively.

Tonga has $256M in government debt (37% of GDP), compared to $16.5B (64.2% of GDP) in Trinidad and Tobago.

Tonga vs Trinidad and Tobago GDP by year

Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
1x
Year GDP, current $
Tonga Trinidad
2024 - $25,633,544,529
2023 $591,139,749 $25,036,993,423
2022 $556,514,555 $28,341,164,301
2021 $519,306,353 $24,222,963,263
2020 $506,571,468 $20,888,515,184
2019 $506,031,239 $23,477,745,792
2018 $493,530,783 $23,883,058,083
2017 $459,976,850 $23,830,750,901
2016 $420,828,262 $23,624,322,193
2015 $437,525,514 $26,841,141,793
2014 $440,997,738 $29,474,180,005
2013 $451,788,498 $28,560,537,057
2012 $471,122,971 $27,147,349,937
2011 $414,143,828 $25,433,007,437
2010 $366,887,375 $22,157,920,592
2009 $312,415,028 $19,172,165,226
2008 $344,438,844 $27,871,587,350
2007 $298,519,623 $21,641,620,050
2006 $292,232,703 $18,369,361,094
2005 $261,823,805 $15,982,389,018
2004 $230,678,011 $13,280,291,990
2003 $202,246,591 $11,305,459,802
2002 $182,764,281 $9,008,298,229
2001 $181,117,230 $8,824,849,191
2000 $204,848,488 $8,154,342,116
1999 $199,208,718 $6,808,982,521
1998 $191,504,893 $6,043,686,654
1997 $214,991,452 $5,737,771,523
1996 $222,100,576 $5,759,570,336
1995 $208,871,666 $5,329,217,747
1994 $195,990,986 $4,947,181,646
1993 $138,489,884 $4,669,491,134
1992 $137,066,291 $5,439,552,941
1991 $132,201,141 $5,307,905,882
1990 $113,563,822 $5,068,000,000
1989 $106,344,855 $4,323,058,824
1988 $106,657,267 $4,496,910,569
1987 $81,667,133 $4,797,777,778
1986 $68,195,856 $4,794,444,444
1985 $60,058,663 $7,375,918,367
1984 $64,248,355 $7,757,083,333
1983 $60,863,964 $7,763,750,000
1982 $62,068,161 $8,140,416,667
1981 $62,242,013 $6,992,083,333
1980 $53,260,077 $6,235,833,333
1979 $44,667,002 $4,602,416,625
1978 $41,567,472 $3,562,333,458
1977 $34,139,388 $3,138,666,667
1976 $30,036,417 $2,500,424,955
1975 $32,506,742 $2,442,669,825
1974 - $2,042,001,071
1973 - $1,308,785,431
1972 - $1,083,391,758
1971 - $896,765,215
1970 - $821,850,000
1969 - $779,200,000
1968 - $758,899,950
1967 - $761,981,912
1966 - $723,739,857
1965 - $736,573,159
1964 - $711,897,520
1963 - $678,239,329
1962 - $619,322,810
1961 - $584,964,621
1960 - $535,673,252

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

GeoRank.org/economy/tonga/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

GDP per capita in Tonga vs Trinidad and Tobago by year

Tonga
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Trinidad and Tobago
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Tonga Trinidad
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $18,733 $36,329
2023 $5,652 $7,803 $18,308 $34,623
2022 $5,298 $7,296 $20,751 $32,979
2021 $4,923 $6,929 $17,713 $30,482
2020 $4,792 $6,676 $15,284 $26,731
2019 $4,789 $6,473 $17,213 $29,316
2018 $4,675 $6,393 $17,571 $28,673
2017 $4,366 $6,229 $17,566 $28,484
2016 $3,988 $5,920 $17,449 $28,232
2015 $4,124 $5,472 $19,887 $29,825
2014 $4,137 $5,336 $21,908 $32,027
2013 $4,219 $5,120 $21,305 $31,746
2012 $4,384 $4,996 $20,332 $31,883
2011 $3,850 $4,855 $19,151 $31,078
2010 $3,416 $4,465 $16,815 $30,778
2009 $2,914 $4,384 $14,634 $29,602
2008 $3,218 $4,600 $21,299 $30,807
2007 $2,797 $4,316 $16,607 $29,355
2006 $2,750 $4,327 $14,153 $27,393
2005 $2,478 $4,315 $12,346 $23,536
2004 $2,195 $4,235 $9,871 $20,674
2003 $1,936 $4,231 $8,445 $18,743
2002 $1,759 $4,171 $6,763 $16,141
2001 $1,754 $3,955 $6,657 $14,797
2000 $1,995 $3,834 $6,179 $13,953
1999 $1,952 $3,636 $5,179 $12,812
1998 $1,889 $3,527 $4,613 $11,735
1997 $2,136 $3,434 $4,394 $10,769
1996 $2,215 $3,410 $4,427 $9,883
1995 $2,084 $3,347 $4,115 $9,099
1994 $1,957 $3,088 $3,840 $8,631
1993 $1,383 $2,882 $3,647 $8,209
1992 $1,370 $2,716 $4,277 $8,129
1991 $1,323 $2,652 $4,205 $7,274
1990 $1,139 $2,416 $4,047 $6,878
1989 $1,070 - $3,482 -
1988 $1,078 - $3,656 -
1987 $830 - $3,941 -
1986 $696 - $3,985 -
1985 $613 - $6,212 -
1984 $656 - $6,613 -
1983 $621 - $6,690 -
1982 $633 - $7,091 -
1981 $636 - $6,160 -
1980 $545 - $5,559 -
1979 $458 - $4,155 -
1978 $428 - $3,258 -
1977 $353 - $2,907 -
1976 $315 - $2,345 -
1975 $349 - $2,319 -
1974 - - $1,962 -
1973 - - $1,273 -
1972 - - $1,067 -
1971 - - $894 -
1970 - - $829 -
1969 - - $795 -
1968 - - $783 -
1967 - - $797 -
1966 - - $768 -
1965 - - $793 -
1964 - - $780 -
1963 - - $756 -
1962 - - $704 -
1961 - - $678 -
1960 - - $634 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/tonga/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

Tonga's GDP per capita is $5,652, ranking 115/197, compared to $18,733 in Trinidad and Tobago, ranking 61/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Tonga ranks 144th at $7,803, while Trinidad and Tobago ranks 62nd at $36,329.

Economic indicators

Tonga Trinidad
Gross domestic product
$591M
2023
$25.6B
2024
GDP rank
191/197
2023
115/197
2024
GDP growth
2.79%
2022-2023
2.51%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,652
2023
$18,733
2024
GDP per capita rank
115/197
2023
61/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,803
2023
$36,329
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
144/197
2023
62/197
2024
Government debt
$256M
2023
$16.5B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
37%
2024
64.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,445
2023
$12,028
2024
Government debt per person rank
111/185
2023
45/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,886
2026
$11,007
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$3.89B
2001
Income share by richest 10%
22%
2021
29.9%
1992
Income share by poorest 10%
4%
2021
2.1%
1992
Government expenditure, % of GDP
51.3%
2024
32.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.18%
2023-2024
0.53%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.5%
2020
Unemployment rate
1.65%
2023
4.01%
2024
Population
103309
1374840

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Tonga
Spending

Debt
Trinidad and Tobago
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Tonga Trinidad
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 51.3% 37% 32.3% 64.2%
2023 48.2% 43.3% 33.5% 62.2%
2022 44.4% 43.2% 27.2% 51.3%
2021 44.6% 43% 30.3% 58.4%
2020 37.9% 42.6% 36.2% 62.5%
2019 39.9% 42.8% 31.2% 46.2%
2018 39.6% 45.8% 30.2% 41.5%
2017 39.7% 44.7% 30.7% 39.8%
2016 37.2% 49.4% 31.9% 35.4%
2015 37.4% 51.1% 35% 27.1%
2014 31.5% 47.4% 32.8% 23.5%
2013 34.3% 48.9% 31.3% 21.6%
2012 32% 60% 29.5% 21.8%
2011 32.6% 51.9% 29.4% 26.4%
2010 28.4% 44.7% 30.4% 16.8%
2009 23.9% 39.7% 37% 20.7%
2008 24% 34% 26.7% 13.5%
2007 23.2% 37.8% 25.7% 16.2%
2006 25.6% 39.6% 31.6% 16.9%
2005 19.8% 43.3% 26.7% 19.8%
2004 19.3% 52.2% 22.5% 24.2%
2003 20% 56.2% 22.2% 30.2%
2002 21.3% 60.7% 24.4% 37%
2001 19.1% 53.4% 24.8% 36.6%
2000 20% 43.6% 23.1% 38.9%
1999 18.8% 38.4% 24.1% 42.2%
1998 - - 26.9% 42.8%
1997 - - 27.2% 46.1%
1996 - - 27.6% 47%
1995 - - 26.2% 50.1%
1994 - - 25.4% 52.6%
1993 - - 26.9% 58.8%
1992 - - 28.6% 49.2%
1991 - - 29.6% 49.5%
1990 - - 26.9% 47.7%
1989 - - 30.9% 51.9%
1988 - - 45.3% 65.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/tonga/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

In 2024, Tonga's government spending was $285M, accounting for 51.3% of its GDP, while Trinidad and Tobago spent $8.28B, or 32.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 37% in Tonga and 64.2% in Trinidad and Tobago, ranking 142/185 and 70/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Tonga

Trinidad and Tobago
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Tonga Trinidad
2024 4.17% -5.24%
2023 6.14% -1.24%
2022 -0.1% 0.92%
2021 -0.87% -8.1%
2020 5.25% -12.2%
2019 3.28% -3.74%
2018 2.92% -5.89%
2017 3.58% -10.4%
2016 1.47% -10.1%
2015 -2.75% -7.56%
2014 6.38% -4.31%
2013 -1.3% -2.67%
2012 -1.74% -1.26%
2011 -6.02% -0.67%
2010 -1.22% 0.13%
2009 6.85% -5.42%
2008 2.14% 5.39%
2007 5.39% 3.12%
2006 1.34% 1.56%
2005 4.23% 2.36%
2004 4.23% 1.84%
2003 2.37% 1.8%
2002 2.59% -0.2%
2001 2.23% 0.61%
2000 1.35% 0.17%
1999 1.55% -0.88%
1998 - -1.8%
1997 - 0.11%
1996 - -0.45%
1995 - 0.17%
1994 - -0.02%
1993 - 0.23%
1992 - -2.74%
1991 - -0.21%
1990 - -1.27%
1989 - -4.46%
1988 - -9.34%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/tonga/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

In 2023, Tonga's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $36.3M, equivalent to 6.14% of GDP. This compares to Trinidad and Tobago's deficit of $310M, or 1.24% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Tonga recorded a fiscal deficit in 7 of those years, while Trinidad and Tobago ran a deficit in 15 years. On average, Tonga posted an annual surplus equal to 1.97% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.27% of GDP for Trinidad and Tobago.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Tonga

Trinidad and Tobago
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Tonga Trinidad
2024 3.18% 0.53%
2023 6.35% 4.63%
2022 11% 5.83%
2021 5.64% 2.06%
2020 -0.35% 0.6%
2019 1.18% 1%
2018 5.03% 1.02%
2017 7.52% 1.88%
2016 2.58% 3.07%
2015 -1.05% 4.66%
2014 2.51% 5.68%
2013 0.78% 5.2%
2012 1.15% 9.26%
2011 6.27% 5.11%
2010 3.53% 10.5%
2009 1.43% 6.98%
2008 10.4% 12%
2007 5.84% 7.89%
2006 6.15% 8.33%
2005 8.67% 6.87%
2004 11% 3.72%
2003 11.6% 3.81%
2002 10.4% 4.15%
2001 8.29% 5.54%
2000 6.33% 3.56%
1999 4.46% 3.44%
1998 3.27% 5.61%
1997 2.12% 3.63%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/tonga/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Tonga has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.19%, compared with 4.88% in Trinidad and Tobago. In 2024, inflation was 3.18% in Tonga and 0.53% in Trinidad and Tobago.

Top exports between countries

Tonga
Export category Export value
Trinidad
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $18K

Balance of trade

Tonga Trinidad
Current account balance
-$43.5M
2024
$645M
2024
Current account balance ranking
83/190
2024
58/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-7.93%
2023
+2.52%
2024
Goods imports
$232M
2024
$7.54B
2024
Goods exports
$10.8M
2024
$10B
2024
Service imports
$161M
2024
$2.71B
2024
Service exports
$93.6M
2024
$1.26B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
64.9%
2023
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
14.7%
2023
45%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Tonga Trinidad
Economic freedom 58.9 62.4
Economic freedom ranking 107/197 87/197
Property rights 71.1 47.3
Government integrity 45.1 45.5
Judicial effectiveness 64.9 58.8
Tax burden 85.6 76.1
Government spending 31 71.1
Fiscal health 97.3 86.3
Business freedom 59.2 67.1
Labor freedom 55.9 57.2
Monetary freedom 61 81
Trade freedom 75.4 68.8
Investment freedom 40 50
Financial freedom 20 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Tonga Trinidad
2026 58.9 62.4
2025 58.5 63.6
2024 59.2 60.4
2023 60 59.5
2022 60.8 58.8
2021 57.5 59
2020 58.8 58.3
2019 57.7 57
2018 63.1 57.7
2017 63 61.2
2016 59.6 62.9
2015 59.3 64.1
2014 58.2 62.7
2013 56 62.3
2012 57 64.4
2011 55.8 66.5
2010 53.4 65.7
2009 54.1 68
2008 - 69.5
2007 - 70.6
2006 - 70.4
2005 - 71.5
2004 - 71.3
2003 - 68.8
2002 - 70.1
2001 - 71.8
2000 - 74.5
1999 - 72.4
1998 - 72
1997 - 71.3
1996 - 69.2

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

GeoRank.org/economy/tonga/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Tonga is 58.9, ranking 107/197, compared to 62.4 for Trinidad and Tobago, ranking 87/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Tonga Trinidad
Services, % of GDP
50%
2023
59.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
14.9%
2023
34.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
19%
2023
0.78%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$619M
2023
$27B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,400
2023
$36,580
2024
Total reserves including gold
$377M
2024
$5.6B
2024
Total reserves ranking
163/177
2024
94/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$13.3M
2024
$980M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$12.1M
2024
-$453M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.25M
2024
$527M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
2.76%
2023
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.6%
2021
20%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.9%
2023
19%
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/tonga/trinidad-and-tobago | 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 (1996–2026, 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 (1988–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  9. TradeMap (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.