Skip to content

Economy of Tonga vs Vietnam compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Tonga has a GDP of $591M compared to $476B for Vietnam, ranking 191/197 and 33/197 by economy size, respectively.

Tonga has $256M in government debt (37% of GDP), compared to $149B (31.3% of GDP) in Vietnam.

Tonga vs Vietnam GDP by year

Tonga
Vietnam
1x
Year GDP, current $
Tonga Vietnam
2024 - $476,388,230,307
2023 $591,139,749 $433,857,681,378
2022 $556,514,555 $413,445,230,669
2021 $519,306,353 $366,474,752,771
2020 $506,571,468 $346,615,738,538
2019 $506,031,239 $334,365,270,497
2018 $493,530,783 $310,106,478,395
2017 $459,976,850 $281,353,605,987
2016 $420,828,262 $257,096,001,178
2015 $437,525,514 $239,258,328,382
2014 $440,997,738 $233,451,469,643
2013 $451,788,498 $213,708,811,665
2012 $471,122,971 $195,590,661,129
2011 $414,143,828 $172,595,049,184
2010 $366,887,375 $147,201,173,197
2009 $312,415,028 $106,014,659,565
2008 $344,438,844 $99,130,304,099
2007 $298,519,623 $77,414,425,532
2006 $292,232,703 $66,371,664,817
2005 $261,823,805 $57,633,255,738
2004 $230,678,011 $45,427,854,693
2003 $202,246,591 $39,552,513,232
2002 $182,764,281 $35,064,105,501
2001 $181,117,230 $32,685,198,809
2000 $204,848,488 $31,172,518,403
1999 $199,208,718 $28,683,659,007
1998 $191,504,893 $27,209,602,050
1997 $214,991,452 $26,843,700,442
1996 $222,100,576 $24,657,470,575
1995 $208,871,666 $20,736,164,459
1994 $195,990,986 $16,286,433,533
1993 $138,489,884 $13,180,953,598
1992 $137,066,291 $9,866,990,236
1991 $132,201,141 $9,613,369,520
1990 $113,563,822 $6,471,740,806
1989 $106,344,855 $6,293,304,975
1988 $106,657,267 $25,423,812,649
1987 $81,667,133 $36,658,108,850
1986 $68,195,856 $26,336,616,250
1985 $60,058,663 $14,094,687,821
1984 $64,248,355 -
1983 $60,863,964 -
1982 $62,068,161 -
1981 $62,242,013 -
1980 $53,260,077 -
1979 $44,667,002 -
1978 $41,567,472 -
1977 $34,139,388 -
1976 $30,036,417 -
1975 $32,506,742 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1975–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Tonga vs Vietnam by year

Tonga
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vietnam
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Tonga Vietnam
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $4,717 $16,386
2023 $5,652 $7,803 $4,323 $15,034
2022 $5,298 $7,296 $4,148 $13,905
2021 $4,923 $6,929 $3,704 $12,049
2020 $4,792 $6,676 $3,534 $11,609
2019 $4,789 $6,473 $3,441 $11,029
2018 $4,675 $6,393 $3,222 $10,010
2017 $4,366 $6,229 $2,956 $9,170
2016 $3,988 $5,920 $2,735 $8,375
2015 $4,124 $5,472 $2,578 $7,672
2014 $4,137 $5,336 $2,546 $7,297
2013 $4,219 $5,120 $2,360 $6,758
2012 $4,384 $4,996 $2,185 $6,377
2011 $3,850 $4,855 $1,951 $5,786
2010 $3,416 $4,465 $1,683 $5,389
2009 $2,914 $4,384 $1,226 $5,061
2008 $3,218 $4,600 $1,164 $4,844
2007 $2,797 $4,316 $926 $4,581
2006 $2,750 $4,327 $808 $4,237
2005 $2,478 $4,315 $711 $3,894
2004 $2,195 $4,235 $565 $3,543
2003 $1,936 $4,231 $497 $3,240
2002 $1,759 $4,171 $445 $3,002
2001 $1,754 $3,955 $419 $2,809
2000 $1,995 $3,834 $404 $2,614
1999 $1,952 $3,636 $376 $2,421
1998 $1,889 $3,527 $361 $2,308
1997 $2,136 $3,434 $362 $2,189
1996 $2,215 $3,410 $337 $2,019
1995 $2,084 $3,347 $287.8 $1,841
1994 $1,957 $3,088 $229.9 $1,674
1993 $1,383 $2,882 $189.4 $1,534
1992 $1,370 $2,716 $144.5 $1,413
1991 $1,323 $2,652 $143.7 $1,298
1990 $1,139 $2,416 $98.8 $1,210
1989 $1,070 - $98.1 -
1988 $1,078 - $405 -
1987 $830 - $595 -
1986 $696 - $436 -
1985 $613 - $238.6 -
1984 $656 - - -
1983 $621 - - -
1982 $633 - - -
1981 $636 - - -
1980 $545 - - -
1979 $458 - - -
1978 $428 - - -
1977 $353 - - -
1976 $315 - - -
1975 $349 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1975–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Tonga's GDP per capita is $5,652, ranking 115/197, compared to $4,717 in Vietnam, ranking 122/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Tonga ranks 144th at $7,803, while Vietnam ranks 108th at $16,386.

Economic indicators

Tonga Vietnam
Gross domestic product
$591M
2023
$476B
2024
GDP rank
191/197
2023
33/197
2024
GDP growth
2.79%
2022-2023
7.09%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,652
2023
$4,717
2024
GDP per capita rank
115/197
2023
122/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,803
2023
$16,386
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
144/197
2023
108/197
2024
Government debt
$256M
2023
$149B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
37%
2024
31.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,445
2023
$1,475
2024
Government debt per person rank
111/185
2023
132/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,886
2026
$4,020
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$205B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
5
2025
Income share by richest 10%
22%
2021
28.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
4%
2021
2.6%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
51.3%
2024
19.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.18%
2023-2024
3.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.5%
2023
Unemployment rate
1.65%
2023
1.53%
2024
Population
103309
102365351

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Tonga
Spending

Debt
Vietnam
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Tonga Vietnam
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 51.3% 37% 19.1% 31.3%
2023 48.2% 43.3% 18.8% 34.3%
2022 44.4% 43.2% 18.2% 34.9%
2021 44.6% 43% 20.1% 39.2%
2020 37.9% 42.6% 21.3% 41.3%
2019 39.9% 42.8% 19.8% 41%
2018 39.6% 45.8% 20.5% 43.8%
2017 39.7% 44.7% 21.5% 46.6%
2016 37.2% 49.4% 22.2% 47.9%
2015 37.4% 51.1% 24.2% 46.1%
2014 31.5% 47.4% 22.8% 43.6%
2013 34.3% 48.9% 24.5% 41.4%
2012 32% 60% 23.5% 38.3%
2011 32.6% 51.9% 21.2% 36.2%
2010 28.4% 44.7% 23.7% 37.3%
2009 23.9% 39.7% 25% 36.2%
2008 24% 34% 21.4% 31%
2007 23.2% 37.8% 22.3% 32.2%
2006 25.6% 39.6% 20.5% 30.2%
2005 19.8% 43.3% 20.6% 28.7%
2004 19.3% 52.2% 19.4% 29.4%
2003 20% 56.2% 22.2% 29.8%
2002 21.3% 60.7% 19.7% 27.7%
2001 19.1% 53.4% 19.2% 25.4%
2000 20% 43.6% 17.8% 24.8%
1999 18.8% 38.4% 16.7% -
1998 - - 16% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Tonga's government spending was $285M, accounting for 51.3% of its GDP, while Vietnam spent $91.1B, or 19.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 37% in Tonga and 31.3% in Vietnam, ranking 142/185 and 156/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Tonga

Vietnam
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Tonga Vietnam
2024 4.17% -1.54%
2023 6.14% -1.72%
2022 -0.1% 0.67%
2021 -0.87% -1.43%
2020 5.25% -2.86%
2019 3.28% -0.4%
2018 2.92% -1.02%
2017 3.58% -1.96%
2016 1.47% -3.16%
2015 -2.75% -4.98%
2014 6.38% -5.02%
2013 -1.3% -5.96%
2012 -1.74% -5.46%
2011 -6.02% -0.9%
2010 -1.22% -2.25%
2009 6.85% -4.82%
2008 2.14% -0.45%
2007 5.39% -1.74%
2006 1.34% 0.2%
2005 4.23% -0.95%
2004 4.23% -0.15%
2003 2.37% -2.56%
2002 2.59% -1.85%
2001 2.23% -2.19%
2000 1.35% -1.61%
1999 1.55% -1.25%
1998 - -0.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/tonga/vietnam | 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 Vietnam's deficit of $7.45B, or 1.72% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Tonga recorded a fiscal deficit in 7 of those years, while Vietnam ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Tonga posted an annual surplus equal to 1.97% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.15% of GDP for Vietnam.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Tonga

Vietnam
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Tonga Vietnam
2024 3.18% 3.6%
2023 6.35% 3.3%
2022 11% 3.2%
2021 5.64% 1.8%
2020 -0.35% 3.2%
2019 1.18% 2.8%
2018 5.03% 3.5%
2017 7.52% 3.5%
2016 2.58% 2.7%
2015 -1.05% 0.6%
2014 2.51% 4.1%
2013 0.78% 6.6%
2012 1.15% 9.1%
2011 6.27% 18.7%
2010 3.53% 9.1%
2009 1.43% 6.7%
2008 10.4% 23.3%
2007 5.84% 8.4%
2006 6.15% 7.7%
2005 8.67% 8.3%
2004 11% 7.8%
2003 11.6% 3.1%
2002 10.4% 3.8%
2001 8.29% -0.4%
2000 6.33% -1.8%
1999 4.46% 4.1%
1998 3.27% 8.1%
1997 2.12% 3.1%

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/vietnam | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Tonga has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.19%, compared with 5.64% in Vietnam. In 2024, inflation was 3.18% in Tonga and 3.6% in Vietnam.

Top exports between countries

Tonga
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $11K
Machinery & equipment $2K
Vietnam
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Tonga Vietnam
Current account balance
-$43.5M
2024
$28B
2024
Current account balance ranking
83/190
2024
18/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-7.93%
2023
+5.89%
2024
Goods imports
$232M
2024
$362B
2024
Goods exports
$10.8M
2024
$406B
2024
Service imports
$161M
2024
$36.2B
2024
Service exports
$93.6M
2024
$23.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
64.9%
2023
83.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
14.7%
2023
90.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Tonga Vietnam
Economic freedom 58.9 64.4
Economic freedom ranking 107/197 73/197
Property rights 71.1 47.3
Government integrity 45.1 39.2
Judicial effectiveness 64.9 31.3
Tax burden 85.6 80.9
Government spending 31 89.5
Fiscal health 97.3 96.9
Business freedom 59.2 70
Labor freedom 55.9 54.7
Monetary freedom 61 73.2
Trade freedom 75.4 79.8
Investment freedom 40 60
Financial freedom 20 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Tonga
Vietnam
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Tonga Vietnam
2026 58.9 64.4
2025 58.5 65.2
2024 59.2 62.8
2023 60 61.8
2022 60.8 60.6
2021 57.5 61.7
2020 58.8 58.8
2019 57.7 55.3
2018 63.1 53.1
2017 63 52.4
2016 59.6 54
2015 59.3 51.7
2014 58.2 50.8
2013 56 51
2012 57 51.3
2011 55.8 51.6
2010 53.4 49.8
2009 54.1 51
2008 - 50.4
2007 - 49.8
2006 - 50.5
2005 - 48.1
2004 - 46.1
2003 - 46.2
2002 - 45.6
2001 - 44.3
2000 - 43.7
1999 - 42.7
1998 - 40.4
1997 - 38.6
1996 - 40.2
1995 - 41.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Tonga is 58.9, ranking 107/197, compared to 64.4 for Vietnam, ranking 73/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Tonga Vietnam
Services, % of GDP
50%
2023
42.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
14.9%
2023
37.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
19%
2023
11.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$619M
2023
$454B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,400
2023
$15,850
2024
Total reserves including gold
$377M
2024
$83.1B
2024
Total reserves ranking
163/177
2024
30/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$13.3M
2024
-$19.6B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$12.1M
2024
$20.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.25M
2024
$600M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
2.76%
2023
7.29%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.6%
2021
4.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.9%
2023
30.6%
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/vietnam | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1975–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2024, 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. TradeMap (2021–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.