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Economy of Tonga vs United States compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Tonga has a GDP of $591M compared to $28.8T for the United States, ranking 191/197 and 1/197 by economy size, respectively.

Tonga has $256M in government debt (37% of GDP), compared to $35.2T (122.3% of GDP) in the United States.

Tonga vs United States GDP by year

Tonga
United States
1x
Year GDP, current $
Tonga United States
2024 - $28,750,956,130,731
2023 $591,139,749 $27,292,170,793,214
2022 $556,514,555 $25,604,848,907,611
2021 $519,306,353 $23,315,080,560,000
2020 $506,571,468 $21,060,473,613,000
2019 $506,031,239 $21,380,976,119,000
2018 $493,530,783 $20,533,057,312,000
2017 $459,976,850 $19,477,336,549,000
2016 $420,828,262 $18,695,110,842,000
2015 $437,525,514 $18,206,020,741,000
2014 $440,997,738 $17,550,680,174,000
2013 $451,788,498 $16,843,190,993,000
2012 $471,122,971 $16,253,972,230,000
2011 $414,143,828 $15,599,728,123,000
2010 $366,887,375 $15,048,964,444,000
2009 $312,415,028 $14,478,064,934,000
2008 $344,438,844 $14,769,857,911,000
2007 $298,519,623 $14,474,226,905,000
2006 $292,232,703 $13,815,586,948,000
2005 $261,823,805 $13,039,199,193,000
2004 $230,678,011 $12,217,193,198,000
2003 $202,246,591 $11,456,442,041,000
2002 $182,764,281 $10,929,112,955,000
2001 $181,117,230 $10,581,929,774,000
2000 $204,848,488 $10,250,947,997,000
1999 $199,208,718 $9,631,174,489,000
1998 $191,504,893 $9,062,818,202,000
1997 $214,991,452 $8,577,554,457,000
1996 $222,100,576 $8,073,122,000,000
1995 $208,871,666 $7,639,749,000,000
1994 $195,990,986 $7,287,236,000,000
1993 $138,489,884 $6,858,559,000,000
1992 $137,066,291 $6,520,327,000,000
1991 $132,201,141 $6,158,129,000,000
1990 $113,563,822 $5,963,144,000,000
1989 $106,344,855 $5,641,580,000,000
1988 $106,657,267 $5,236,438,000,000
1987 $81,667,133 $4,855,215,000,000
1986 $68,195,856 $4,579,631,000,000
1985 $60,058,663 $4,338,979,000,000
1984 $64,248,355 $4,037,613,000,000
1983 $60,863,964 $3,634,038,000,000
1982 $62,068,161 $3,343,789,000,000
1981 $62,242,013 $3,207,041,000,000
1980 $53,260,077 $2,857,307,000,000
1979 $44,667,002 $2,627,333,000,000
1978 $41,567,472 $2,351,599,000,000
1977 $34,139,388 $2,081,826,000,000
1976 $30,036,417 $1,873,412,000,000
1975 $32,506,742 $1,684,904,000,000
1974 - $1,545,243,000,000
1973 - $1,425,376,000,000
1972 - $1,279,110,000,000
1971 - $1,164,850,000,000
1970 - $1,073,303,000,000
1969 - $1,017,438,172,414
1968 - $940,225,000,000
1967 - $859,620,034,483
1966 - $813,032,758,621
1965 - $741,904,862,069
1964 - $684,144,620,690
1963 - $637,058,551,724
1962 - $603,639,413,793
1961 - $561,940,310,345
1960 - $541,988,586,207

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

GeoRank.org/economy/tonga/united-states | CC BY

GDP per capita in Tonga vs United States by year

Tonga
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United States
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Tonga United States
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $84,534 $85,810
2023 $5,652 $7,803 $81,490 $82,305
2022 $5,298 $7,296 $76,829 $77,861
2021 $4,923 $6,929 $70,249 $71,307
2020 $4,792 $6,676 $63,526 $64,402
2019 $4,789 $6,473 $65,120 $65,228
2018 $4,675 $6,393 $62,823 $62,876
2017 $4,366 $6,229 $59,908 $60,048
2016 $3,988 $5,920 $57,867 $57,977
2015 $4,124 $5,472 $56,763 $56,849
2014 $4,137 $5,336 $55,124 $55,153
2013 $4,219 $5,120 $53,291 $53,297
2012 $4,384 $4,996 $51,784 $51,708
2011 $3,850 $4,855 $50,066 $50,025
2010 $3,416 $4,465 $48,651 $48,643
2009 $2,914 $4,384 $47,195 $47,195
2008 $3,218 $4,600 $48,570 $48,570
2007 $2,797 $4,316 $48,050 $48,050
2006 $2,750 $4,327 $46,302 $46,302
2005 $2,478 $4,315 $44,123 $44,123
2004 $2,195 $4,235 $41,725 $41,725
2003 $1,936 $4,231 $39,490 $39,490
2002 $1,759 $4,171 $37,998 $37,998
2001 $1,754 $3,955 $37,134 $37,134
2000 $1,995 $3,834 $36,330 $36,330
1999 $1,952 $3,636 $34,484 $34,515
1998 $1,889 $3,527 $32,823 $32,854
1997 $2,136 $3,434 $31,430 $31,459
1996 $2,215 $3,410 $29,937 $29,968
1995 $2,084 $3,347 $28,661 $28,691
1994 $1,957 $3,088 $27,662 $27,695
1993 $1,383 $2,882 $26,353 $26,387
1992 $1,370 $2,716 $25,381 $25,419
1991 $1,323 $2,652 $24,293 $24,342
1990 $1,139 $2,416 $23,840 $23,889
1989 $1,070 - $22,857 -
1988 $1,078 - $21,417 -
1987 $830 - $20,039 -
1986 $696 - $19,071 -
1985 $613 - $18,237 -
1984 $656 - $17,121 -
1983 $621 - $15,544 -
1982 $633 - $14,434 -
1981 $636 - $13,976 -
1980 $545 - $12,613 -
1979 $458 - $11,674 -
1978 $428 - $10,565 -
1977 $353 - $9,453 -
1976 $315 - $8,592 -
1975 $349 - $7,801 -
1974 - - $7,226 -
1973 - - $6,726 -
1972 - - $6,094 -
1971 - - $5,609 -
1970 - - $5,234 -
1969 - - $5,020 -
1968 - - $4,685 -
1967 - - $4,326 -
1966 - - $4,136 -
1965 - - $3,818 -
1964 - - $3,565 -
1963 - - $3,366 -
1962 - - $3,236 -
1961 - - $3,059 -
1960 - - $3,000 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/tonga/united-states | CC BY

Tonga's GDP per capita is $5,652, ranking 115/197, compared to $84,534 in the United States, ranking 10/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Tonga ranks 144th at $7,803, while the United States ranks 12th at $85,810.

Economic indicators

Tonga United States
Gross domestic product
$591M
2023
$28.8T
2024
GDP rank
191/197
2023
1/197
2024
GDP growth
2.79%
2022-2023
2.79%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,652
2023
$84,534
2024
GDP per capita rank
115/197
2023
10/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,803
2023
$85,810
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
144/197
2023
12/197
2024
Government debt
$256M
2023
$35.2T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
37%
2024
122.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,445
2023
$103,404
2024
Government debt per person rank
111/185
2023
2/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,886
2026
$53,202
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$62.2T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
23,831,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
902
2025
Income share by richest 10%
22%
2021
30.4%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
4%
2021
1.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
51.3%
2024
37.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.18%
2023-2024
2.95%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.65%
2023
4.02%
2024
Population
103309
344023146

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Tonga
Spending

Debt
United States
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Tonga United States
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 51.3% 37% 37.9% 122.3%
2023 48.2% 43.3% 37.7% 119.8%
2022 44.4% 43.2% 36.8% 119.1%
2021 44.6% 43% 43.2% 125%
2020 37.9% 42.6% 44.7% 132.5%
2019 39.9% 42.8% 35.8% 108.8%
2018 39.6% 45.8% 35.3% 107.6%
2017 39.7% 44.7% 35.2% 106.4%
2016 37.2% 49.4% 35.3% 107.4%
2015 37.4% 51.1% 35% 105.4%
2014 31.5% 47.4% 35.3% 104.9%
2013 34.3% 48.9% 35.8% 105%
2012 32% 60% 37.2% 103.7%
2011 32.6% 51.9% 38.8% 100%
2010 28.4% 44.7% 39.8% 95.6%
2009 23.9% 39.7% 41.4% 87.1%
2008 24% 34% 37.1% 73.8%
2007 23.2% 37.8% 34.6% 64.9%
2006 25.6% 39.6% 33.7% 64.5%
2005 19.8% 43.3% 33.9% 65.8%
2004 19.3% 52.2% 33.7% 66.4%
2003 20% 56.2% 34% 59%
2002 21.3% 60.7% 33.7% 55.9%
2001 19.1% 53.4% 32.8% 53.5%
2000 20% 43.6% 31.7% 54.5%
1999 18.8% 38.4% 32.2% 60.5%
1998 - - 32.8% 64.2%
1997 - - 33.7% 67.4%
1996 - - 34.7% 69.9%
1995 - - 35.5% 70.7%
1994 - - 35.5% 71.1%
1993 - - 36.4% 71.9%
1992 - - 36.7% 70.3%
1991 - - 35.7% 67.9%
1990 - - 34.5% 63.1%
1989 - - 33.7% 61.6%
1988 - - 33.7% 61.3%
1987 - - 34.3% 60.6%
1986 - - 34.8% 58.9%
1985 - - 34.5% 55.4%
1984 - - 34.3% 50.6%
1983 - - 35.7% 48.9%
1982 - - 35.8% 45.9%
1981 - - 33.9% 41.1%
1980 - - 33.7% 41.9%
1979 - - 32% 41.2%
1978 - - 32.6% 42.5%
1977 - - 33.4% 43.6%
1976 - - 34.2% 44.8%
1975 - - 35.2% 44.6%
1974 - - 32.9% 41.4%
1973 - - 31.9% 42.6%
1972 - - 32.8% 45.4%
1971 - - 32.3% 47%
1970 - - 31.5% 46.4%
1969 - - 29.3% 45.9%
1968 - - 29.1% 48.5%
1967 - - 28.3% 50.4%
1966 - - 26.3% 50.6%
1965 - - 25.4% 53.7%
1964 - - 25.6% 56.7%
1963 - - 26% 58.8%
1962 - - 26% 60.2%
1961 - - 25.9% 62.3%
1960 - - 24.9% 61.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1999–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/tonga/united-states | CC BY

In 2024, Tonga's government spending was $285M, accounting for 51.3% of its GDP, while the United States spent $10.9T, or 37.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 37% in Tonga and 122.3% in the United States, ranking 142/185 and 12/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Tonga

United States
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Tonga United States
2024 4.17% -8.03%
2023 6.14% -7.8%
2022 -0.1% -3.72%
2021 -0.87% -11.4%
2020 5.25% -14.1%
2019 3.28% -5.81%
2018 2.92% -5.33%
2017 3.58% -4.79%
2016 1.47% -4.36%
2015 -2.75% -3.53%
2014 6.38% -4.03%
2013 -1.3% -4.56%
2012 -1.74% -8.11%
2011 -6.02% -9.72%
2010 -1.22% -11%
2009 6.85% -13.2%
2008 2.14% -6.61%
2007 5.39% -2.91%
2006 1.34% -2.04%
2005 4.23% -3.07%
2004 4.23% -4.24%
2003 2.37% -4.77%
2002 2.59% -3.82%
2001 2.23% -0.54%
2000 1.35% 3.62%
1999 1.55% 2.71%
1998 - 2.18%
1997 - 0.88%
1996 - -0.46%
1995 - -1.7%
1994 - -2.05%
1993 - -3.35%
1992 - -3.98%
1991 - -2.72%
1990 - -1.64%
1989 - -0.8%
1988 - -1.06%
1987 - -1.53%
1986 - -2.81%
1985 - -2.63%
1984 - -2.97%
1983 - -4.26%
1982 - -3.78%
1981 - -1.58%
1980 - -2.17%
1979 - -0.79%
1978 - -1.7%
1977 - -2.57%
1976 - -3.63%
1975 - -5.4%
1974 - -1.27%
1973 - -0.86%
1972 - -1.86%
1971 - -2.63%
1970 - -1.21%
1969 - 2.11%
1968 - 1.23%
1967 - 0.47%
1966 - 2.07%
1965 - 2.38%
1964 - 2.18%
1963 - 2.87%
1962 - 2.32%
1961 - 2.28%
1960 - 3.2%
1959 - -9.06%
1958 - -8.68%
1957 - -6.72%
1956 - -6.02%
1955 - -7.4%
1954 - -5.55%
1953 - -5.76%
1952 - -5.41%
1951 - -6.93%
1950 - -8.22%
1949 - -7.94%
1948 - -4.16%
1947 - -3.99%
1946 - -6.45%
1945 - -14.1%
1944 - -13.4%
1943 - -19.3%
1942 - -16.3%
1941 - -10.2%
1940 - -9.73%
1939 - -11.9%
1938 - -10.4%
1937 - -9.22%
1936 - -12.1%
1935 - -13.3%
1934 - -14.9%
1933 - -14.3%
1932 - -12.7%
1931 - -9.76%
1930 - -5.46%
1929 - -4.58%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1999–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/tonga/united-states | 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 States' deficit of $2.13T, or 7.8% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Tonga recorded a fiscal deficit in 7 of those years, while the United States ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Tonga posted an annual surplus equal to 1.97% of GDP, compared to deficit of 5.33% of GDP for the United States.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Tonga

United States
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Tonga United States
2024 3.18% 2.95%
2023 6.35% 4.12%
2022 11% 8%
2021 5.64% 4.7%
2020 -0.35% 1.23%
2019 1.18% 1.81%
2018 5.03% 2.44%
2017 7.52% 2.13%
2016 2.58% 1.26%
2015 -1.05% 0.12%
2014 2.51% 1.62%
2013 0.78% 1.46%
2012 1.15% 2.07%
2011 6.27% 3.16%
2010 3.53% 1.64%
2009 1.43% -0.36%
2008 10.4% 3.84%
2007 5.84% 2.85%
2006 6.15% 3.23%
2005 8.67% 3.39%
2004 11% 2.68%
2003 11.6% 2.27%
2002 10.4% 1.59%
2001 8.29% 2.83%
2000 6.33% 3.38%
1999 4.46% 2.19%
1998 3.27% 1.55%
1997 2.12% 2.34%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/tonga/united-states | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Tonga has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.19%, compared with 2.52% in the United States. In 2024, inflation was 3.18% in Tonga and 2.95% in the United States.

Top exports between countries

Tonga
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $416K
Animal & marine products $274K
Wood & paper products $9K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2K
United States
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $10.4M
Miscellaneous $3.17M
Machinery & equipment $2.82M
Wood & paper products $1.7M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.58M
Textiles & consumer goods $338K
Chemicals & pharma $219K
Raw materials & minerals $132K
Raw agricultural goods $95K
Precious metals & jewellery $81K

Balance of trade

Tonga United States
Current account balance
-$43.5M
2024
-$1.19T
2024
Current account balance ranking
83/190
2024
190/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-7.93%
2023
-4.12%
2024
Goods imports
$232M
2024
$3.3T
2024
Goods exports
$10.8M
2024
$2.08T
2024
Service imports
$161M
2024
$841B
2024
Service exports
$93.6M
2024
$1.15T
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
64.9%
2023
14.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
14.7%
2023
11.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Tonga United States
Economic freedom 58.9 72.8
Economic freedom ranking 107/197 27/197
Property rights 71.1 91.6
Government integrity 45.1 77.1
Judicial effectiveness 64.9 76.4
Tax burden 85.6 75.3
Government spending 31 57.9
Fiscal health 97.3 18.5
Business freedom 59.2 88.6
Labor freedom 55.9 76.3
Monetary freedom 61 84.2
Trade freedom 75.4 67.6
Investment freedom 40 80
Financial freedom 20 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Tonga
United States
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Tonga United States
2026 58.9 72.8
2025 58.5 70.2
2024 59.2 70.1
2023 60 70.6
2022 60.8 72.1
2021 57.5 74.8
2020 58.8 76.6
2019 57.7 76.8
2018 63.1 75.7
2017 63 75.1
2016 59.6 75.4
2015 59.3 76.2
2014 58.2 75.5
2013 56 76
2012 57 76.3
2011 55.8 77.8
2010 53.4 78
2009 54.1 80.7
2008 - 81
2007 - 81.2
2006 - 81.2
2005 - 79.9
2004 - 78.7
2003 - 78.2
2002 - 78.4
2001 - 79.1
2000 - 76.4
1999 - 75.5
1998 - 75.4
1997 - 75.6
1996 - 76.7
1995 - 76.7

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

GeoRank.org/economy/tonga/united-states | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Tonga is 58.9, ranking 107/197, compared to 72.8 for the United States, ranking 27/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Tonga United States
Services, % of GDP
50%
2023
79.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
14.9%
2023
17.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
19%
2023
0.85%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$619M
2023
$28.4T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,400
2023
$85,980
2024
Total reserves including gold
$377M
2024
$910B
2024
Total reserves ranking
163/177
2024
3/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$13.3M
2024
$25.1B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$12.1M
2024
$297B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.25M
2024
$322B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
2.76%
2023
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.6%
2021
15.1%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.9%
2023
21.8%
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/united-states | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1999–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  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.