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Economy of Tonga vs Uganda compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Tonga has a GDP of $591M compared to $53.9B for Uganda, ranking 191/197 and 89/197 by economy size, respectively.

Tonga has $256M in government debt (37% of GDP), compared to $27.8B (51.5% of GDP) in Uganda.

Tonga vs Uganda GDP by year

Tonga
Uganda
1x
Year GDP, current $
Tonga Uganda
2024 - $53,911,907,086
2023 $591,139,749 $48,768,955,863
2022 $556,514,555 $45,565,333,211
2021 $519,306,353 $40,529,788,749
2020 $506,571,468 $37,600,368,242
2019 $506,031,239 $35,353,061,003
2018 $493,530,783 $32,927,025,620
2017 $459,976,850 $30,744,473,841
2016 $420,828,262 $29,203,988,696
2015 $437,525,514 $32,387,183,730
2014 $440,997,738 $32,612,397,257
2013 $451,788,498 $28,915,786,517
2012 $471,122,971 $27,305,915,911
2011 $414,143,828 $27,871,725,241
2010 $366,887,375 $26,673,441,431
2009 $312,415,028 $25,127,805,567
2008 $344,438,844 $14,440,404,132
2007 $298,519,623 $11,902,564,495
2006 $292,232,703 $9,977,647,683
2005 $261,823,805 $9,239,221,763
2004 $230,678,011 $7,939,487,548
2003 $202,246,591 $6,606,884,275
2002 $182,764,281 $6,178,563,591
2001 $181,117,230 $5,840,503,869
2000 $204,848,488 $6,193,246,837
1999 $199,208,718 $5,998,563,258
1998 $191,504,893 $6,584,815,847
1997 $214,991,452 $6,269,333,313
1996 $222,100,576 $6,044,585,327
1995 $208,871,666 $5,755,818,842
1994 $195,990,986 $3,990,430,447
1993 $138,489,884 $3,220,439,044
1992 $137,066,291 $2,857,457,762
1991 $132,201,141 $3,321,729,160
1990 $113,563,822 $4,304,399,310
1989 $106,344,855 $5,276,480,799
1988 $106,657,267 $6,508,931,652
1987 $81,667,133 $6,269,522,042
1986 $68,195,856 $3,923,244,050
1985 $60,058,663 $3,519,695,444
1984 $64,248,355 $3,615,647,477
1983 $60,863,964 $2,240,333,333
1982 $62,068,161 $2,177,500,000
1981 $62,242,013 $1,337,300,000
1980 $53,260,077 $1,244,610,000
1979 $44,667,002 $2,139,025,000
1978 $41,567,472 $2,420,260,870
1977 $34,139,388 $2,936,470,588
1976 $30,036,417 $2,447,300,000
1975 $32,506,742 $2,359,555,556
1974 - $2,098,944,967
1973 - $1,701,829,789
1972 - $1,490,970,181
1971 - $1,417,191,656
1970 - $1,259,554,809
1969 - $1,168,556,629
1968 - $1,037,379,252
1967 - $967,240,655
1966 - $925,381,492
1965 - $884,502,310
1964 - $589,247,687
1963 - $516,315,231
1962 - $449,158,233
1961 - $441,667,335
1960 - $423,145,605

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

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

GDP per capita in Tonga vs Uganda by year

Tonga
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Uganda
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Tonga Uganda
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $1,078 $3,273
2023 $5,652 $7,803 $1,002 $3,098
2022 $5,298 $7,296 $963 $2,919
2021 $4,923 $6,929 $883 $2,685
2020 $4,792 $6,676 $846 $2,532
2019 $4,789 $6,473 $822 $2,441
2018 $4,675 $6,393 $792 $2,312
2017 $4,366 $6,229 $765 $2,158
2016 $3,988 $5,920 $753 $2,165
2015 $4,124 $5,472 $863 $2,190
2014 $4,137 $5,336 $896 $2,134
2013 $4,219 $5,120 $818 $2,045
2012 $4,384 $4,996 $795 $2,032
2011 $3,850 $4,855 $836 $2,268
2010 $3,416 $4,465 $823 $2,092
2009 $2,914 $4,384 $799 $2,015
2008 $3,218 $4,600 $473 $1,931
2007 $2,797 $4,316 $401 $1,795
2006 $2,750 $4,327 $347 $1,660
2005 $2,478 $4,315 $330 $1,497
2004 $2,195 $4,235 $292.4 $1,405
2003 $1,936 $4,231 $250.7 $1,320
2002 $1,759 $4,171 $242 $1,255
2001 $1,754 $3,955 $236 $1,173
2000 $1,995 $3,834 $258.1 $1,124
1999 $1,952 $3,636 $257.9 $1,100
1998 $1,889 $3,527 $292.5 $1,037
1997 $2,136 $3,434 $286.8 $1,007
1996 $2,215 $3,410 $284.7 $969
1995 $2,084 $3,347 $278.5 $897
1994 $1,957 $3,088 $198.4 $809
1993 $1,383 $2,882 $165.6 $770
1992 $1,370 $2,716 $152.1 $719
1991 $1,323 $2,652 $183 $703
1990 $1,139 $2,416 $245 $666
1989 $1,070 - $310 -
1988 $1,078 - $395 -
1987 $830 - $393 -
1986 $696 - $253.6 -
1985 $613 - $234.3 -
1984 $656 - $247.5 -
1983 $621 - $157.5 -
1982 $633 - $157 -
1981 $636 - $98.6 -
1980 $545 - $93.8 -
1979 $458 - $164.5 -
1978 $428 - $190.7 -
1977 $353 - $237.6 -
1976 $315 - $203.3 -
1975 $349 - $201.2 -
1974 - - $183.7 -
1973 - - $152.7 -
1972 - - $137 -
1971 - - $133.5 -
1970 - - $122 -
1969 - - $116.7 -
1968 - - $106.9 -
1967 - - $102.8 -
1966 - - $101.4 -
1965 - - $100 -
1964 - - $68.6 -
1963 - - $62 -
1962 - - $55.5 -
1961 - - $56.2 -
1960 - - $55.4 -

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

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

Tonga's GDP per capita is $5,652, ranking 115/197, compared to $1,078 in Uganda, ranking 176/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Tonga ranks 144th at $7,803, while Uganda ranks 176th at $3,273.

Economic indicators

Tonga Uganda
Gross domestic product
$591M
2023
$53.9B
2024
GDP rank
191/197
2023
89/197
2024
GDP growth
2.79%
2022-2023
6.06%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,652
2023
$1,078
2024
GDP per capita rank
115/197
2023
176/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,803
2023
$3,273
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
144/197
2023
176/197
2024
Government debt
$256M
2023
$27.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
37%
2024
51.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,445
2023
$555
2024
Government debt per person rank
111/185
2023
163/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,886
2026
$1,466
2026
Income share by richest 10%
22%
2021
34.5%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
4%
2021
2.4%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
51.3%
2024
18.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.18%
2023-2024
3.3%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
9.75%
2024
Unemployment rate
1.65%
2023
3.42%
2021
Population
103309
53170946

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Tonga
Spending

Debt
Uganda
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Tonga Uganda
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 51.3% 37% 18.7% 51.5%
2023 48.2% 43.3% 19.3% 50.5%
2022 44.4% 43.2% 19.5% 50.2%
2021 44.6% 43% 22% 50.3%
2020 37.9% 42.6% 21.4% 46.3%
2019 39.9% 42.8% 18.3% 37.5%
2018 39.6% 45.8% 16.2% 34.9%
2017 39.7% 44.7% 16.3% 33.6%
2016 37.2% 49.4% 15.2% 31.3%
2015 37.4% 51.1% 14.9% 28%
2014 31.5% 47.4% 13.6% 24.8%
2013 34.3% 48.9% 13.3% 22.1%
2012 32% 60% 13.1% 19.5%
2011 32.6% 51.9% 13.2% 18%
2010 28.4% 44.7% 15.4% 18.4%
2009 23.9% 39.7% 11.8% 14.8%
2008 24% 34% 12.9% 15.7%
2007 23.2% 37.8% 13.2% 17%
2006 25.6% 39.6% 13.7% 27.8%
2005 19.8% 43.3% 14.5% 42.6%
2004 19.3% 52.2% 15.6% 49%
2003 20% 56.2% 16.5% 55.1%
2002 21.3% 60.7% 16.8% 54.7%
2001 19.1% 53.4% 16.2% 51.4%
2000 20% 43.6% 15.2% 48.5%
1999 18.8% 38.4% 14.7% 47.7%
1998 - - 14% 45.1%
1997 - - 13.9% 44.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Tonga's government spending was $285M, accounting for 51.3% of its GDP, while Uganda spent $10.1B, or 18.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 37% in Tonga and 51.5% in Uganda, ranking 142/185 and 103/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Tonga

Uganda
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Tonga Uganda
2024 4.17% -3.99%
2023 6.14% -4.87%
2022 -0.1% -5.45%
2021 -0.87% -7.76%
2020 5.25% -7.76%
2019 3.28% -4.82%
2018 2.92% -3.02%
2017 3.58% -3.83%
2016 1.47% -2.64%
2015 -2.75% -2.59%
2014 6.38% -2.74%
2013 -1.3% -3.19%
2012 -1.74% -2.39%
2011 -6.02% -2.04%
2010 -1.22% -4.64%
2009 6.85% -1.61%
2008 2.14% -1.99%
2007 5.39% -0.82%
2006 1.34% -0.64%
2005 4.23% -0.17%
2004 4.23% 0.34%
2003 2.37% -0.97%
2002 2.59% -2.07%
2001 2.23% -0.99%
2000 1.35% -0.62%
1999 1.55% -1.24%
1998 - -0.7%
1997 - -0.83%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/tonga/uganda | 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 Uganda's deficit of $2.38B, or 4.87% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Tonga recorded a fiscal deficit in 7 of those years, while Uganda ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Tonga posted an annual surplus equal to 1.97% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.74% of GDP for Uganda.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Tonga

Uganda
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Tonga Uganda
2024 3.18% 3.3%
2023 6.35% 5.4%
2022 11% 7.2%
2021 5.64% 2.2%
2020 -0.35% 2.8%
2019 1.18% 2.1%
2018 5.03% 2.5%
2017 7.52% 5.6%
2016 2.58% 5.2%
2015 -1.05% 3.7%
2014 2.51% 4.3%
2013 0.78% 5.5%
2012 1.15% 14%
2011 6.27% 18.7%
2010 3.53% 4%
2009 1.43% 13%
2008 10.4% 12%
2007 5.84% 6.1%
2006 6.15% 7.2%
2005 8.67% 8.6%
2004 11% 3.7%
2003 11.6% 8.7%
2002 10.4% -0.3%
2001 8.29% 1.9%
2000 6.33% 3.4%
1999 4.46% 5.8%
1998 3.27% 5.8%
1997 2.12% 7.7%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Tonga has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.19%, compared with 6.08% in Uganda. In 2024, inflation was 3.18% in Tonga and 3.3% in Uganda.

Balance of trade

Tonga Uganda
Current account balance
-$43.5M
2024
-$4.29B
2024
Current account balance ranking
83/190
2024
164/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-7.93%
2023
-7.96%
2024
Goods imports
$232M
2024
$11.7B
2024
Goods exports
$10.8M
2024
$8.67B
2024
Service imports
$161M
2024
$4.38B
2024
Service exports
$93.6M
2024
$2.39B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
64.9%
2023
25.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
14.7%
2023
16.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Tonga Uganda
Economic freedom 58.9 52.4
Economic freedom ranking 107/197 149/197
Property rights 71.1 42.2
Government integrity 45.1 25.1
Judicial effectiveness 64.9 29.4
Tax burden 85.6 73.4
Government spending 31 89
Fiscal health 97.3 58.3
Business freedom 59.2 50.2
Labor freedom 55.9 55.9
Monetary freedom 61 77.1
Trade freedom 75.4 58
Investment freedom 40 30
Financial freedom 20 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Tonga
Uganda
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Tonga Uganda
2026 58.9 52.4
2025 58.5 51.3
2024 59.2 50.7
2023 60 51.4
2022 60.8 54.2
2021 57.5 58.6
2020 58.8 59.5
2019 57.7 59.7
2018 63.1 62
2017 63 60.9
2016 59.6 59.3
2015 59.3 59.7
2014 58.2 59.9
2013 56 61.1
2012 57 61.9
2011 55.8 61.7
2010 53.4 62.2
2009 54.1 63.5
2008 - 63.8
2007 - 63.1
2006 - 63.9
2005 - 62.9
2004 - 64.1
2003 - 60.1
2002 - 61
2001 - 60.4
2000 - 58.2
1999 - 64.8
1998 - 64.7
1997 - 66.6
1996 - 66.2
1995 - 62.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Tonga is 58.9, ranking 107/197, compared to 52.4 for Uganda, ranking 149/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Tonga Uganda
Services, % of GDP
50%
2023
43.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
14.9%
2023
24.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
19%
2023
24.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$619M
2023
$50.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,400
2023
$3,190
2024
Total reserves including gold
$377M
2024
$3.36B
2018
Total reserves ranking
163/177
2024
114/177
2018
Net foreign direct investment
$13.3M
2024
-$3.26B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$12.1M
2024
$3.26B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.25M
2024
$400K
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
2.76%
2023
2.96%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.6%
2021
20.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.9%
2023
22.4%
2024

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/uganda | 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 (1997–2024, 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. 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.