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Economy of Tonga vs United Arab Emirates compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Tonga has a GDP of $591M compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 191/197 and 27/197 by economy size, respectively.

Tonga has $256M in government debt (37% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.9% of GDP) in the United Arab Emirates.

Tonga vs United Arab Emirates GDP by year

Tonga
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year GDP, current $
Tonga UAE
2024 - $552,324,846,835
2023 $591,139,749 $522,622,191,967
2022 $556,514,555 $511,403,403,676
2021 $519,306,353 $422,441,388,700
2020 $506,571,468 $357,161,878,829
2019 $506,031,239 $433,926,208,305
2018 $493,530,783 $440,560,108,918
2017 $459,976,850 $403,365,010,211
2016 $420,828,262 $381,717,086,453
2015 $437,525,514 $381,973,042,886
2014 $440,997,738 $424,935,874,745
2013 $451,788,498 $409,632,675,289
2012 $471,122,971 $392,793,464,942
2011 $414,143,828 $368,881,143,635
2010 $366,887,375 $307,736,419,333
2009 $312,415,028 $253,547,358,747
2008 $344,438,844 $315,474,615,739
2007 $298,519,623 $257,916,133,424
2006 $292,232,703 $222,116,541,865
2005 $261,823,805 $180,617,467,965
2004 $230,678,011 $147,824,370,320
2003 $202,246,591 $124,346,358,067
2002 $182,764,281 $109,816,201,498
2001 $181,117,230 $103,311,640,572
2000 $204,848,488 $104,337,372,362
1999 $199,208,718 $84,445,473,111
1998 $191,504,893 $75,674,336,283
1997 $214,991,452 $78,839,008,445
1996 $222,100,576 $73,571,233,996
1995 $208,871,666 $65,743,666,576
1994 $195,990,986 $59,305,093,980
1993 $138,489,884 $55,625,170,253
1992 $137,066,291 $54,239,171,888
1991 $132,201,141 $51,552,165,622
1990 $113,563,822 $50,701,443,748
1989 $106,344,855 $41,464,995,914
1988 $106,657,267 $36,275,674,203
1987 $81,667,133 $36,384,908,744
1986 $68,195,856 $33,943,612,095
1985 $60,058,663 $40,603,650,232
1984 $64,248,355 $41,807,954,236
1983 $60,863,964 $42,803,323,345
1982 $62,068,161 $46,622,718,605
1981 $62,242,013 $49,333,424,135
1980 $53,260,077 $43,599,160,050
1979 $44,667,002 $31,225,659,621
1978 $41,567,472 $23,775,764,225
1977 $34,139,388 $24,871,775,165
1976 $30,036,417 $19,213,158,779
1975 $32,506,742 $14,720,728,249
1974 - $11,651,505,689
1973 - $4,231,243,616
1972 - $1,415,086,929
1971 - $939,893,600
1970 - $685,986,701

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/tonga/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

GDP per capita in Tonga vs United Arab Emirates by year

Tonga
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Arab Emirates
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Tonga UAE
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $50,274 $79,229
2023 $5,652 $7,803 $49,851 $77,955
2022 $5,298 $7,296 $50,760 $75,072
2021 $4,923 $6,929 $44,119 $68,580
2020 $4,792 $6,676 $37,992 $66,791
2019 $4,789 $6,473 $45,939 $79,816
2018 $4,675 $6,393 $47,135 $77,446
2017 $4,366 $6,229 $43,734 $70,282
2016 $3,988 $5,920 $42,721 $69,987
2015 $4,124 $5,472 $44,910 $73,986
2014 $4,137 $5,336 $52,725 $87,478
2013 $4,219 $5,120 $53,247 $87,526
2012 $4,384 $4,996 $53,142 $89,198
2011 $3,850 $4,855 $51,922 $89,665
2010 $3,416 $4,465 $44,795 $85,120
2009 $2,914 $4,384 $37,803 $84,780
2008 $3,218 $4,600 $50,054 $94,628
2007 $2,797 $4,316 $45,855 $100,813
2006 $2,750 $4,327 $44,343 $106,814
2005 $2,478 $4,315 $38,719 $101,301
2004 $2,195 $4,235 $33,377 $98,661
2003 $1,936 $4,231 $29,660 $92,636
2002 $1,759 $4,171 $27,754 $88,467
2001 $1,754 $3,955 $27,745 $90,370
2000 $1,995 $3,834 $29,866 $92,899
1999 $1,952 $3,636 $25,856 $87,658
1998 $1,889 $3,527 $24,889 $90,229
1997 $2,136 $3,434 $27,983 $96,009
1996 $2,215 $3,410 $28,323 $94,620
1995 $2,084 $3,347 $27,003 $93,702
1994 $1,957 $3,088 $25,473 $89,959
1993 $1,383 $2,882 $25,033 $86,330
1992 $1,370 $2,716 $25,648 $87,509
1991 $1,323 $2,652 $25,691 $87,250
1990 $1,139 $2,416 $26,710 $88,455
1989 $1,070 - $23,167 -
1988 $1,078 - $21,570 -
1987 $830 - $23,113 -
1986 $696 - $23,132 -
1985 $613 - $29,468 -
1984 $656 - $32,012 -
1983 $621 - $34,650 -
1982 $633 - $39,972 -
1981 $636 - $44,854 -
1980 $545 - $42,925 -
1979 $458 - $34,238 -
1978 $428 - $29,379 -
1977 $353 - $35,020 -
1976 $315 - $31,197 -
1975 $349 - $27,117 -
1974 - - $23,823 -
1973 - - $9,696 -
1972 - - $3,675 -
1971 - - $2,805 -
1970 - - $2,394 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/tonga/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Tonga's GDP per capita is $5,652, ranking 115/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 24/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Tonga ranks 144th at $7,803, while the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229.

Economic indicators

Tonga UAE
Gross domestic product
$591M
2023
$552B
2024
GDP rank
191/197
2023
27/197
2024
GDP growth
2.79%
2022-2023
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,652
2023
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
115/197
2023
24/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,803
2023
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
144/197
2023
16/197
2024
Government debt
$256M
2023
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
37%
2024
34.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,445
2023
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
111/185
2023
36/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,886
2026
$40,522
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.05T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
339,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
22%
2021
20.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
4%
2021
2.8%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
51.3%
2024
21.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.18%
2023-2024
1.7%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.65%
2023
1.88%
2024
Population
103309
11686438

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Tonga
Spending

Debt
United Arab Emirates
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Tonga UAE
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 51.3% 37% 21.4% 34.9%
2023 48.2% 43.3% 22.7% 31.9%
2022 44.4% 43.2% 22.7% 31.5%
2021 44.6% 43% 25.9% 35.7%
2020 37.9% 42.6% 30.5% 30.1%
2019 39.9% 42.8% 27.4% 25.8%
2018 39.6% 45.8% 25.9% 20.7%
2017 39.7% 44.7% 27.2% 21.2%
2016 37.2% 49.4% 31.7% 18.6%
2015 37.4% 51.1% 26.4% 15.6%
2014 31.5% 47.4% 31.4% 13.5%
2013 34.3% 48.9% 28.9% 15.3%
2012 32% 60% 27.8% 20.2%
2011 32.6% 51.9% 29.6% 20.4%
2010 28.4% 44.7% 30.4% 18.3%
2009 23.9% 39.7% 35% 21.1%
2008 24% 34% 22% 8.95%
2007 23.2% 37.8% 17.7% 8.89%
2006 25.6% 39.6% 15.6% 5.05%
2005 19.8% 43.3% 15.7% 4.48%
2004 19.3% 52.2% 17.7% 4.08%
2003 20% 56.2% 20% 3.33%
2002 21.3% 60.7% 21.3% 3.43%
2001 19.1% 53.4% 25.2% 2.69%
2000 20% 43.6% 21.8% 3.12%
1999 18.8% 38.4% 24.3% 4.73%
1998 - - 25.8% 4.18%
1997 - - 22.6% 2.86%
1996 - - 27.6% 3.48%
1995 - - 26.1% 5.06%
1994 - - 30.1% 5.58%
1993 - - 31.5% 6.01%
1992 - - 29.6% 5.31%
1991 - - 36% 4.97%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/tonga/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

In 2024, Tonga's government spending was $285M, accounting for 51.3% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 21.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 37% in Tonga and 34.9% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 142/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Tonga

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Tonga UAE
2024 4.17% 6.41%
2023 6.14% 5.82%
2022 -0.1% 9.8%
2021 -0.87% 3.96%
2020 5.25% -2.42%
2019 3.28% 2.5%
2018 2.92% 3.65%
2017 3.58% -0.16%
2016 1.47% -2.95%
2015 -2.75% -6.35%
2014 6.38% 1.74%
2013 -1.3% 7.99%
2012 -1.74% 8.59%
2011 -6.02% 5.05%
2010 -1.22% 0.52%
2009 6.85% -6.13%
2008 2.14% 17.6%
2007 5.39% 17.1%
2006 1.34% 20.2%
2005 4.23% 16%
2004 4.23% 6.4%
2003 2.37% 2.35%
2002 2.59% -1.24%
2001 2.23% 1.21%
2000 1.35% 10.7%
1999 1.55% 1.31%
1998 - 1%
1997 - 6.71%
1996 - 0.92%
1995 - 3.58%
1994 - -1.78%
1993 - -2.89%
1992 - 3.34%
1991 - 3.89%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/tonga/united-arab-emirates | 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 the United Arab Emirates' surplus of $30.4B, or 5.82% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Tonga recorded a fiscal deficit in 7 of those years, while the United Arab Emirates ran a deficit in 6 years. On average, Tonga posted an annual surplus equal to 1.97% of GDP, compared to surplus of 4.93% of GDP for the United Arab Emirates.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Tonga

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Tonga UAE
2024 3.18% 1.7%
2023 6.35% 1.6%
2022 11% 4.8%
2021 5.64% -0.1%
2020 -0.35% -2.1%
2019 1.18% -1.9%
2018 5.03% 3.1%
2017 7.52% 2%
2016 2.58% 1.6%
2015 -1.05% 4.1%
2014 2.51% 2.3%
2013 0.78% 1.1%
2012 1.15% 0.7%
2011 6.27% 0.9%
2010 3.53% 0.9%
2009 1.43% -4.7%
2008 10.4% 12.3%
2007 5.84% 11.1%
2006 6.15% 9.3%
2005 8.67% 6.2%
2004 11% 5%
2003 11.6% 3.1%
2002 10.4% 2.9%
2001 8.29% 2.8%
2000 6.33% 1.3%
1999 4.46% 2.1%
1998 3.27% 2%
1997 2.12% 3%

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/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Tonga has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.19%, compared with 2.75% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2024, inflation was 3.18% in Tonga and 1.7% in the United Arab Emirates.

Top exports between countries

Tonga
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $154K
UAE
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $148K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $116K
Raw materials & minerals $112K
Machinery & equipment $96K
Chemicals & pharma $32K
Miscellaneous $18K
Raw agricultural goods $7K
Wood & paper products $3K
Metals $1K

Balance of trade

Tonga UAE
Current account balance
-$43.5M
2024
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
83/190
2024
9/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-7.93%
2023
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$232M
2024
$400B
2024
Goods exports
$10.8M
2024
$467B
2024
Service imports
$161M
2024
$117B
2024
Service exports
$93.6M
2024
$181B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
64.9%
2023
92.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
14.7%
2023
106.8%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Tonga UAE
Economic freedom 58.9 71.9
Economic freedom ranking 107/197 29/197
Property rights 71.1 62.9
Government integrity 45.1 65.3
Judicial effectiveness 64.9 34.4
Tax burden 85.6 99.9
Government spending 31 85.1
Fiscal health 97.3 97.6
Business freedom 59.2 84.5
Labor freedom 55.9 63.2
Monetary freedom 61 81.2
Trade freedom 75.4 78.6
Investment freedom 40 50
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Tonga
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Tonga UAE
2026 58.9 71.9
2025 58.5 71.6
2024 59.2 71.1
2023 60 70.9
2022 60.8 70.2
2021 57.5 76.9
2020 58.8 76.2
2019 57.7 77.6
2018 63.1 77.6
2017 63 76.9
2016 59.6 72.6
2015 59.3 72.4
2014 58.2 71.4
2013 56 71.1
2012 57 69.3
2011 55.8 67.8
2010 53.4 67.3
2009 54.1 64.7
2008 - 62.6
2007 - 62.6
2006 - 62.2
2005 - 65.2
2004 - 67.2
2003 - 73.4
2002 - 73.6
2001 - 74.9
2000 - 74.2
1999 - 71.5
1998 - 72.2
1997 - 71.9
1996 - 71.6

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

GeoRank.org/economy/tonga/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Tonga is 58.9, ranking 107/197, compared to 71.9 for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 29/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Tonga UAE
Services, % of GDP
50%
2023
54.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
14.9%
2023
44.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
19%
2023
0.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$619M
2023
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,400
2023
$81,530
2024
Total reserves including gold
$377M
2024
$238B
2024
Total reserves ranking
163/177
2024
14/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$13.3M
2024
$31.5B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$12.1M
2024
$45.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.25M
2024
$77.2B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
2.76%
2023
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.6%
2021
19.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.9%
2023
26.6%
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/united-arab-emirates | 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 (1991–2024, 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. TradeMap (2022–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. 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.