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Economy of Tonga vs Yemen compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Tonga has a GDP of $591M compared to $21.6B for Yemen, ranking 191/197 and 125/197 by economy size, respectively.

Tonga has $256M in government debt (37% of GDP), compared to $18.8B (70.9% of GDP) in Yemen.

Tonga vs Yemen GDP by year

Tonga
Yemen
1x
Year GDP, current $
Tonga Yemen
2023 $591,139,749 -
2022 $556,514,555 -
2021 $519,306,353 -
2020 $506,571,468 -
2019 $506,031,239 -
2018 $493,530,783 $21,606,160,663
2017 $459,976,850 $26,842,229,045
2016 $420,828,262 $31,317,825,274
2015 $437,525,514 $42,444,490,074
2014 $440,997,738 $43,228,585,321
2013 $451,788,498 $40,415,233,436
2012 $471,122,971 $35,401,331,610
2011 $414,143,828 $32,726,417,878
2010 $366,887,375 $30,906,749,533
2009 $312,415,028 $25,130,278,213
2008 $344,438,844 $26,910,855,807
2007 $298,519,623 $21,650,528,674
2006 $292,232,703 $19,063,143,370
2005 $261,823,805 $16,731,566,717
2004 $230,678,011 $13,867,634,371
2003 $202,246,591 $11,777,532,662
2002 $182,764,281 $10,693,430,511
2001 $181,117,230 $9,852,990,693
2000 $204,848,488 $9,679,316,770
1999 $199,208,718 $7,639,325,296
1998 $191,504,893 $6,322,175,566
1997 $214,991,452 $6,838,298,531
1996 $222,100,576 $6,496,163,616
1995 $208,871,666 $12,796,345,679
1994 $195,990,986 $28,019,483,764
1993 $138,489,884 $21,736,802,664
1992 $137,066,291 $17,959,367,194
1991 $132,201,141 $14,665,445,462
1990 $113,563,822 $12,643,821,569
1989 $106,344,855 -
1988 $106,657,267 -
1987 $81,667,133 -
1986 $68,195,856 -
1985 $60,058,663 -
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 (1975–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Tonga vs Yemen by year

Tonga
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Yemen
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Tonga Yemen
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2023 $5,652 $7,803 - -
2022 $5,298 $7,296 - -
2021 $4,923 $6,929 - -
2020 $4,792 $6,676 - -
2019 $4,789 $6,473 - -
2018 $4,675 $6,393 $634 -
2017 $4,366 $6,229 $811 -
2016 $3,988 $5,920 $975 -
2015 $4,124 $5,472 $1,362 -
2014 $4,137 $5,336 $1,430 -
2013 $4,219 $5,120 $1,379 $3,164
2012 $4,384 $4,996 $1,245 $3,005
2011 $3,850 $4,855 $1,186 $3,113
2010 $3,416 $4,465 $1,155 $3,603
2009 $2,914 $4,384 $969 $3,411
2008 $3,218 $4,600 $1,072 $3,370
2007 $2,797 $4,316 $890 $3,294
2006 $2,750 $4,327 $810 $3,205
2005 $2,478 $4,315 $734 $3,113
2004 $2,195 $4,235 $628 $2,949
2003 $1,936 $4,231 $549 $2,844
2002 $1,759 $4,171 $513 $2,768
2001 $1,754 $3,955 $487 $2,702
2000 $1,995 $3,834 $493 $2,624
1999 $1,952 $3,636 $401 $2,492
1998 $1,889 $3,527 $343 $2,442
1997 $2,136 $3,434 $383 $2,351
1996 $2,215 $3,410 $375 $2,268
1995 $2,084 $3,347 $764 $2,201
1994 $1,957 $3,088 $1,735 $2,115
1993 $1,383 $2,882 $1,397 $2,013
1992 $1,370 $2,716 $1,198 $1,963
1991 $1,323 $2,652 $1,016 $1,843
1990 $1,139 $2,416 $910 $1,742
1989 $1,070 - - -
1988 $1,078 - - -
1987 $830 - - -
1986 $696 - - -
1985 $613 - - -
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 (1975–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Tonga's GDP per capita is $5,652, ranking 115/197, compared to $634 in Yemen, ranking 191/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Tonga ranks 144th at $7,803, while Yemen ranks 178th at $3,164.

Economic indicators

Tonga Yemen
Gross domestic product
$591M
2023
$21.6B
2018
GDP rank
191/197
2023
125/197
2018
GDP growth
2.79%
2022-2023
0.75%
2017-2018
GDP per capita
$5,652
2023
$634
2018
GDP per capita rank
115/197
2023
191/197
2018
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,803
2023
$3,164
2013
GDP per capita PPP rank
144/197
2023
178/197
2013
Government debt
$256M
2023
$18.8B
2018
Debt-to-GDP ratio
37%
2024
70.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,445
2023
$551
2018
Government debt per person rank
111/185
2023
165/185
2018
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,886
2026
$1,127
2026
Income share by richest 10%
22%
2021
29.4%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
4%
2021
3%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
51.3%
2024
8.91%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.18%
2023-2024
33.9%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
1.65%
2023
13.5%
2014
Population
103309
43325643

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Tonga
Spending

Debt
Yemen
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Tonga Yemen
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 51.3% 37% 8.91% 70.9%
2023 48.2% 43.3% 11.8% 77.9%
2022 44.4% 43.2% 12.2% 65.3%
2021 44.6% 43% 8.22% 75.9%
2020 37.9% 42.6% 10.6% 87%
2019 39.9% 42.8% 13.2% 91.5%
2018 39.6% 45.8% 14.3% 86.9%
2017 39.7% 44.7% 8.39% 83.8%
2016 37.2% 49.4% 16.1% 76.5%
2015 37.4% 51.1% 19.4% 57.7%
2014 31.5% 47.4% 27.8% 48.9%
2013 34.3% 48.9% 30.8% 48.4%
2012 32% 60% 36.2% 47.6%
2011 32.6% 51.9% 29.8% 45.7%
2010 28.4% 44.7% 30.2% 42.4%
2009 23.9% 39.7% 35.2% 49.8%
2008 24% 34% 41.2% 36.4%
2007 23.2% 37.8% 40.3% 40.4%
2006 25.6% 39.6% 37.4% 40.8%
2005 19.8% 43.3% 36.8% 43.8%
2004 19.3% 52.2% 34.2% 52.1%
2003 20% 56.2% 35.3% 56.8%
2002 21.3% 60.7% 30.8% 57.8%
2001 19.1% 53.4% 30.5% 60.6%
2000 20% 43.6% 31.7% 60.8%
1999 18.8% 38.4% 28.2% 96.1%
1998 - - 34.3% 110.6%
1997 - - 34.2% 74.2%
1996 - - 30.7% 114.9%
1995 - - 24.1% 84.1%
1994 - - 25.2% 73.3%
1993 - - 25.8% 76.7%
1992 - - 24.6% 78%
1991 - - 24.7% 82.7%
1990 - - 26.6% 91.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2023, Tonga's government spending was $285M, accounting for 51.3% of its GDP, while Yemen spent $3.08B, or 8.91% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 37% in Tonga and 70.9% in Yemen, ranking 142/185 and 55/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Tonga

Yemen
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Tonga Yemen
2024 4.17% -2.48%
2023 6.14% -5.63%
2022 -0.1% -2.15%
2021 -0.87% -0.89%
2020 5.25% -4.3%
2019 3.28% -5.89%
2018 2.92% -7.85%
2017 3.58% -4.9%
2016 1.47% -8.51%
2015 -2.75% -8.75%
2014 6.38% -4.14%
2013 -1.3% -6.9%
2012 -1.74% -6.32%
2011 -6.02% -4.51%
2010 -1.22% -4.06%
2009 6.85% -10.2%
2008 2.14% -4.53%
2007 5.39% -7.18%
2006 1.34% 1.19%
2005 4.23% -1.82%
2004 4.23% -2.15%
2003 2.37% -4.2%
2002 2.59% -0.56%
2001 2.23% 2.79%
2000 1.35% 6.09%
1999 1.55% 0.06%
1998 - -7.77%
1997 - -1.5%
1996 - -0.92%
1995 - -5.74%
1994 - -14%
1993 - -12.8%
1992 - -10.9%
1991 - -5.76%
1990 - -10.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2018, Tonga's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $14.4M, equivalent to 2.92% of GDP. This compares to Yemen's deficit of $1.7B, or 7.85% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Tonga recorded a fiscal deficit in 5 of those years, while Yemen ran a deficit in 16 years. On average, Tonga posted an annual surplus equal to 1.78% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.82% of GDP for Yemen.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Tonga

Yemen
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Tonga Yemen
2024 3.18% 33.9%
2023 6.35% 0.9%
2022 11% 29.5%
2021 5.64% 31.5%
2020 -0.35% 21.7%
2019 1.18% 15.7%
2018 5.03% 33.6%
2017 7.52% 30.4%
2016 2.58% 21.3%
2015 -1.05% 22%
2014 2.51% 8.2%
2013 0.78% 11%
2012 1.15% 9.9%
2011 6.27% 19.5%
2010 3.53% 11.2%
2009 1.43% 3.7%
2008 10.4% 19%
2007 5.84% 7.9%
2006 6.15% 10.8%
2005 8.67% 9.9%
2004 11% 12.5%
2003 11.6% 10.8%
2002 10.4% 12.2%
2001 8.29% 11.9%
2000 6.33% 11%
1999 4.46% 7.9%
1998 3.27% 11.5%
1997 2.12% 4.6%

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/yemen | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Tonga has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.19%, compared with 15.5% in Yemen. In 2024, inflation was 3.18% in Tonga and 33.9% in Yemen.

Balance of trade

Tonga Yemen
Current account balance
-$43.5M
2024
-$2.42B
2016
Current account balance ranking
83/190
2024
148/190
2016
Current account balance, % of GDP
-7.93%
2023
-7.72%
2016
Goods imports
$232M
2024
$6.8B
2016
Goods exports
$10.8M
2024
$473M
2016
Service imports
$161M
2024
$1.46B
2016
Service exports
$93.6M
2024
$466M
2016
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
64.9%
2023
47.3%
2018
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
14.7%
2023
8.76%
2018

Economic freedom indices

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

Tonga Yemen
Economic freedom 58.9 53.7
Economic freedom ranking 107/197 138/197
Property rights 71.1 3.5
Government integrity 45.1 6.2
Judicial effectiveness 64.9 9.9
Tax burden 85.6 93.7
Government spending 31 0
Fiscal health 97.3 71.2
Business freedom 59.2 31.3
Labor freedom 55.9 31.2
Monetary freedom 61 48.1
Trade freedom 75.4 67.4
Investment freedom 40 50
Financial freedom 20 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Tonga
Yemen
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Tonga Yemen
2026 58.9 -
2025 58.5 -
2024 59.2 -
2023 60 -
2022 60.8 -
2021 57.5 -
2020 58.8 -
2019 57.7 -
2018 63.1 -
2017 63 -
2016 59.6 -
2015 59.3 53.7
2014 58.2 55.5
2013 56 55.9
2012 57 55.3
2011 55.8 54.2
2010 53.4 54.4
2009 54.1 56.9
2008 - 53.8
2007 - 54.1
2006 - 52.6
2005 - 53.8
2004 - 50.5
2003 - 50.3
2002 - 48.6
2001 - 44.3
2000 - 44.5
1999 - 43.3
1998 - 46.1
1997 - 48.4
1996 - 49.6
1995 - 49.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Tonga is 58.9, ranking 107/197, compared to 53.7 for Yemen, ranking 138/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Tonga Yemen
Services, % of GDP
50%
2023
41.8%
2018
Industry, % of GDP
14.9%
2023
25.4%
2018
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
19%
2023
28.7%
2018
GNI, Atlas method
$619M
2023
$25.3B
2018
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,400
2023
$3,020
2013
Total reserves including gold
$377M
2024
$1.25B
2022
Total reserves ranking
163/177
2024
139/177
2022
Net foreign direct investment
$13.3M
2024
$15.4M
2015
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$12.1M
2024
-$371M
2019
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.25M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
2.76%
2023
0.53%
2018
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.6%
2021
48.6%
2014
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.9%
2023
6.18%
2018

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/yemen | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1975–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.