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Economy of Tonga vs Tuvalu compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Tonga has a GDP of $591M compared to $62.3M for Tuvalu, ranking 191/197 and 196/197 by economy size, respectively.

Tonga has $256M in government debt (37% of GDP), compared to $4.15M (6.96% of GDP) in Tuvalu.

Tonga vs Tuvalu GDP by year

Tonga
Tuvalu
1x
Year GDP, current $
Tonga Tuvalu
2023 $591,139,749 $62,280,312
2022 $556,514,555 $59,065,982
2021 $519,306,353 $60,196,406
2020 $506,571,468 $51,746,594
2019 $506,031,239 $54,123,199
2018 $493,530,783 $48,015,260
2017 $459,976,850 $45,276,595
2016 $420,828,262 $41,629,064
2015 $437,525,514 $36,811,936
2014 $440,997,738 $38,760,983
2013 $451,788,498 $38,615,891
2012 $471,122,971 $39,345,579
2011 $414,143,828 $39,196,957
2010 $366,887,375 $32,105,408
2009 $312,415,028 $28,076,984
2008 $344,438,844 $31,874,435
2007 $298,519,623 $28,450,169
2006 $292,232,703 $24,096,875
2005 $261,823,805 $22,909,980
2004 $230,678,011 $22,798,275
2003 $202,246,591 $19,456,338
2002 $182,764,281 $16,842,673
2001 $181,117,230 $13,964,732
2000 $204,848,488 $15,073,976
1999 $199,208,718 $14,800,503
1998 $191,504,893 $13,795,146
1997 $214,991,452 $13,734,210
1996 $222,100,576 $13,338,597
1995 $208,871,666 $11,922,614
1994 $195,990,986 $11,772,611
1993 $138,489,884 $10,414,400
1992 $137,066,291 $10,535,028
1991 $132,201,141 $10,127,314
1990 $113,563,822 $9,542,901
1989 $106,344,855 $8,454,523
1988 $106,657,267 $7,011,059
1987 $81,667,133 $5,020,513
1986 $68,195,856 $4,574,706
1985 $60,058,663 $3,862,852
1984 $64,248,355 $4,481,978
1983 $60,863,964 $4,152,550
1982 $62,068,161 $4,118,945
1981 $62,242,013 $4,773,018
1980 $53,260,077 $4,206,128
1979 $44,667,002 $4,065,659
1978 $41,567,472 $3,798,782
1977 $34,139,388 $3,669,420
1976 $30,036,417 $3,919,072
1975 $32,506,742 $4,014,748
1974 - $4,122,329
1973 - $3,411,915
1972 - $2,968,458
1971 - $2,716,990
1970 - $2,585,956

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Tonga vs Tuvalu by year

Tonga
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tuvalu
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Tonga Tuvalu
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2023 $5,652 $7,803 $6,345 $6,151
2022 $5,298 $7,296 $5,911 $5,661
2021 $4,923 $6,929 $5,905 $5,353
2020 $4,792 $6,676 $4,976 $5,122
2019 $4,789 $6,473 $5,115 $5,210
2018 $4,675 $6,393 $4,466 $4,432
2017 $4,366 $6,229 $4,166 $4,227
2016 $3,988 $5,920 $3,809 $4,031
2015 $4,124 $5,472 $3,358 $3,776
2014 $4,137 $5,336 $3,529 $3,419
2013 $4,219 $5,120 $3,510 $3,277
2012 $4,384 $4,996 $3,598 $3,170
2011 $3,850 $4,855 $3,636 $3,176
2010 $3,416 $4,465 $3,025 $2,945
2009 $2,914 $4,384 $2,684 $3,082
2008 $3,218 $4,600 $3,088 $3,291
2007 $2,797 $4,316 $2,794 $3,034
2006 $2,750 $4,327 $2,396 $2,787
2005 $2,478 $4,315 $2,305 $2,728
2004 $2,195 $4,235 $2,323 $2,765
2003 $1,936 $4,231 $2,007 $2,770
2002 $1,759 $4,171 $1,750 $2,915
2001 $1,754 $3,955 $1,457 $2,596
2000 $1,995 $3,834 $1,579 $2,597
1999 $1,952 $3,636 $1,559 $2,543
1998 $1,889 $3,527 $1,460 $2,560
1997 $2,136 $3,434 $1,461 $2,204
1996 $2,215 $3,410 $1,428 $1,982
1995 $2,084 $3,347 $1,285 $2,083
1994 $1,957 $3,088 $1,279 $2,165
1993 $1,383 $2,882 $1,141 $1,939
1992 $1,370 $2,716 $1,166 $1,837
1991 $1,323 $2,652 $1,134 $1,769
1990 $1,139 $2,416 $1,085 $1,676
1989 $1,070 - $976 -
1988 $1,078 - $823 -
1987 $830 - $600 -
1986 $696 - $557 -
1985 $613 - $480 -
1984 $656 - $567 -
1983 $621 - $533 -
1982 $633 - $537 -
1981 $636 - $634 -
1980 $545 - $571 -
1979 $458 - $566 -
1978 $428 - $546 -
1977 $353 - $549 -
1976 $315 - $612 -
1975 $349 - $656 -
1974 - - $708 -
1973 - - $601 -
1972 - - $522 -
1971 - - $478 -
1970 - - $457 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Tonga's GDP per capita is $5,652, ranking 115/197, compared to $6,345 in Tuvalu, ranking 110/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Tonga ranks 144th at $7,803, while Tuvalu ranks 152nd at $6,151.

Economic indicators

Tonga Tuvalu
Gross domestic product
$591M
2023
$62.3M
2023
GDP rank
191/197
2023
196/197
2023
GDP growth
2.79%
2022-2023
3.85%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$5,652
2023
$6,345
2023
GDP per capita rank
115/197
2023
110/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,803
2023
$6,151
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
144/197
2023
152/197
2023
Government debt
$256M
2023
$4.15M
2023
Debt-to-GDP ratio
37%
2024
6.96%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,445
2023
$423
2023
Government debt per person rank
111/185
2023
171/185
2023
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,886
2026
$4,233
2026
Income share by richest 10%
22%
2021
30.8%
2010
Income share by poorest 10%
4%
2021
2.7%
2010
Government expenditure, % of GDP
51.3%
2024
118.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.18%
2023-2024
1.2%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
1.65%
2023
7.32%
2022
Population
103309
9341

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Tonga
Spending

Debt
Tuvalu
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Tonga Tuvalu
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 51.3% 37% 118.4% 6.96%
2023 48.2% 43.3% 138.8% 6.67%
2022 44.4% 43.2% 115.3% 6.33%
2021 44.6% 43% 113.8% 11.3%
2020 37.9% 42.6% 119.5% 12.1%
2019 39.9% 42.8% 113.6% 11.6%
2018 39.6% 45.8% 125.6% 11.8%
2017 39.7% 44.7% 106.4% 12%
2016 37.2% 49.4% 119.6% 11.5%
2015 37.4% 51.1% 116.9% 14.4%
2014 31.5% 47.4% 96.8% 16.4%
2013 34.3% 48.9% 80.2% 17.8%
2012 32% 60% 76.8% 19.3%
2011 32.6% 51.9% 77.2% 19.1%
2010 28.4% 44.7% 93.9% 21.1%
2009 23.9% 39.7% 100% 20.6%
2008 24% 34% 85.8% 19.8%
2007 23.2% 37.8% 88.6% 32.4%
2006 25.6% 39.6% 98.5% 37.5%
2005 19.8% 43.3% 82.1% 37.4%
2004 19.3% 52.2% 74.1% -
2003 20% 56.2% - -
2002 21.3% 60.7% - -
2001 19.1% 53.4% - -
2000 20% 43.6% - -
1999 18.8% 38.4% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1999–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2023, Tonga's government spending was $285M, accounting for 51.3% of its GDP, while Tuvalu spent $86.4M, or 118.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 37% in Tonga and 6.96% in Tuvalu, ranking 142/185 and 182/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Tonga

Tuvalu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Tonga Tuvalu
2024 4.17% -8.23%
2023 6.14% 15.3%
2022 -0.1% -14.6%
2021 -0.87% -13.3%
2020 5.25% 13.7%
2019 3.28% -1.07%
2018 2.92% 30.3%
2017 3.58% 2.09%
2016 1.47% 27.5%
2015 -2.75% 14.7%
2014 6.38% 3.26%
2013 -1.3% 26%
2012 -1.74% 9.58%
2011 -6.02% -8.8%
2010 -1.22% -23.4%
2009 6.85% -13.5%
2008 2.14% -17.2%
2007 5.39% -18.6%
2006 1.34% -36.8%
2005 4.23% -12.8%
2004 4.23% -3.6%
2003 2.37% -
2002 2.59% -
2001 2.23% -
2000 1.35% -
1999 1.55% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1999–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/tonga/tuvalu | 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 Tuvalu's surplus of $9.55M, or 15.3% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Tonga recorded a fiscal deficit in 7 of those years, while Tuvalu ran a deficit in 11 years. On average, Tonga posted an annual surplus equal to 1.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.06% of GDP for Tuvalu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Tonga

Tuvalu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Tonga Tuvalu
2024 3.18% 1.2%
2023 6.35% 7.2%
2022 11% 12.2%
2021 5.64% 6.7%
2020 -0.35% 1.6%
2019 1.18% 3.5%
2018 5.03% 2.2%
2017 7.52% 4.1%
2016 2.58% 3.5%
2015 -1.05% 3.1%
2014 2.51% 1.1%
2013 0.78% 2%
2012 1.15% 1.4%
2011 6.27% 0.5%
2010 3.53% -1.9%
2009 1.43% -0.3%
2008 10.4% 10.4%
2007 5.84% 2.3%
2006 6.15% 4.2%
2005 8.67% 3.2%
2004 11% 2.4%
2003 11.6% 2.9%
2002 10.4% 5.1%
2001 8.29% 1.5%
2000 6.33% -
1999 4.46% -
1998 3.27% -
1997 2.12% -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2001–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 24 years, Tonga has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.38%, compared with 3.34% in Tuvalu. In 2024, inflation was 3.18% in Tonga and 1.2% in Tuvalu.

Balance of trade

Tonga Tuvalu
Current account balance
-$43.5M
2024
$2.71M
2022
Current account balance ranking
83/190
2024
77/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-7.93%
2023
+4.59%
2022
Goods imports
$232M
2024
$24.2M
2022
Goods exports
$10.8M
2024
$184K
2022
Service imports
$161M
2024
$33.1M
2022
Service exports
$93.6M
2024
$2.05M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
64.9%
2023
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
14.7%
2023
8.22%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Tonga Tuvalu
Economic freedom 58.9 60
Economic freedom ranking 107/197 99/197
Property rights 71.1 n/a
Government integrity 45.1 n/a
Judicial effectiveness 64.9 n/a
Tax burden 85.6 n/a
Government spending 31 n/a
Fiscal health 97.3 n/a
Business freedom 59.2 n/a
Labor freedom 55.9 n/a
Monetary freedom 61 n/a
Trade freedom 75.4 n/a
Investment freedom 40 n/a
Financial freedom 20 n/a

Other economic metrics

Tonga Tuvalu
Services, % of GDP
50%
2023
n/a
Industry, % of GDP
14.9%
2023
7.02%
2015
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
19%
2023
15.9%
2015
GNI, Atlas method
$619M
2023
$86M
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,400
2023
$8,320
2023
Total reserves including gold
$377M
2024
n/a
Total reserves ranking
163/177
2024
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
$13.3M
2024
$0
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$12.1M
2024
$258K
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.25M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
2.76%
2023
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.6%
2021
26.3%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.9%
2023
n/a

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/tuvalu | 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 (1999–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.