{ "Introduction": { "Background": { "text": "The first humans arrived in Tonga around 1000 B.C. The islands’ politics were probably highly centralized under the Tu’i Tonga, or Tongan king, by A.D. 950, and by 1200, the Tu’i Tonga had expanded his influence throughout Polynesia and into Melanesia and Micronesia. The Tongan Empire began to decline in the 1300s, descending into civil wars, a military defeat to Samoa, and internal political strife that saw successive leaders assassinated. By the mid-1500s, some Tu’i Tongans were ethnic Samoan and day-to-day administration of Tonga was transferred to a new position occupied by ethnic Tongans.

Dutch sailors explored the islands in the 1600s and British Captain James COOK visited Tonga three times in the 1770s, naming them the Friendly Islands for the positive reception he thought he received, even though the Tongans he encountered were plotting ways to kill him. In 1799, Tonga fell into a new round of civil wars over succession. Wesleyan missionaries arrived in 1822, quickly converting the population. In the 1830s, a low-ranking chief from Ha’apai began to consolidate control over the islands and won the support of the missionaries by declaring that he would dedicate Tonga to God. The chief soon made alliances with leaders on most of the other islands and was crowned King George TUPOU I in 1845, establishing the only still-extant Polynesian monarchy. Tupou I declared Tonga a constitutional monarchy in 1875 and his successor, King George TUPOU II, agreed to enter a protectorate agreement with the UK in 1900 after rival Tongan chiefs tried to overthrow him. As a protectorate, Tonga never completely lost its indigenous governance, but it did become more isolated and the social hierarchy became more stratified between a group of nobles and a large class of commoners. Today, about one third of parliamentary seats are reserved for nobles.

Queen Salote TUPOU III negotiated the end of the protectorate in 1965, which was achieved under King TUPOU, who in 1970 withdrew from the protectorate and joined the Commonwealth of Nations. A prodemocracy movement gained steam in the early 2000s, led by future Prime Minister ‘Akilisi POHIVA, and in 2006, riots broke out in Nuku’alofa to protest the lack of progress on prodemocracy legislation. To appease the activists, in 2008, King George TUPOU V announced he was relinquishing most of his powers leading up to parliamentary elections in 2010; he died in 2012 and was succeeded by his brother ‘Aho’eitu TUPOU VI. Tropical Cyclone Gita, the strongest-ever recorded storm to impact Tonga, hit the islands in February 2018 causing extensive damage." } }, "Geography": { "Location": { "text": "Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand" }, "Geographic coordinates": { "text": "20 00 S, 175 00 W" }, "Map references": { "text": "Oceania" }, "Area": { "total": { "text": "747 sq km" }, "land": { "text": "717 sq km" }, "water": { "text": "30 sq km" } }, "Area - comparative": { "text": "four times the size of Washington, DC" }, "Land boundaries": { "total": { "text": "0 km" } }, "Coastline": { "text": "419 km" }, "Maritime claims": { "territorial sea": { "text": "12 nm" }, "exclusive economic zone": { "text": "200 nm" }, "continental shelf": { "text": "200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation" } }, "Climate": { "text": "tropical; modified by trade winds; warm season (December to May), cool season (May to December)" }, "Terrain": { "text": "mostly flat islands with limestone bedrock formed from uplifted coral formation; others have limestone overlying volcanic rock" }, "Elevation": { "highest point": { "text": "Kao Volcano on Kao Island 1,046 m" }, "lowest point": { "text": "Pacific Ocean 0 m" } }, "Natural resources": { "text": "arable land, fish" }, "Land use": { "agricultural land": { "text": "43.1% (2018 est.)" }, "agricultural land: arable land": { "text": "arable land: 22.2% (2018 est.)" }, "agricultural land: permanent crops": { "text": "permanent crops: 15.3% (2018 est.)" }, "agricultural land: permanent pasture": { "text": "permanent pasture: 5.6% (2018 est.)" }, "forest": { "text": "12.5% (2018 est.)" }, "other": { "text": "44.4% (2018 est.)" } }, "Irrigated land": { "text": "0 sq km (2012)" }, "Population distribution": { "text": "over two-thirds of the population lives on the island of Tongatapu; only 45 of the nation's 171 islands are occupied" }, "Natural hazards": { "text": "

cyclones (October to April); earthquakes and volcanic activity on Fonuafo'ou

volcanism: moderate volcanic activity; Fonualei (180 m) has shown frequent activity in recent years, while Niuafo'ou (260 m), which last erupted in 1985, has forced evacuations; other historically active volcanoes include Late and Tofua

" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "the western islands (making up the Tongan Volcanic Arch) are all of volcanic origin; the eastern islands are nonvolcanic and are composed of coral limestone and sand" } }, "People and Society": { "Population": { "text": "105,780 (July 2021 est.)" }, "Nationality": { "noun": { "text": "Tongan(s)" }, "adjective": { "text": "Tongan" } }, "Ethnic groups": { "text": "Tongan 97%, part-Tongan 0.8%, other 2.2%, unspecified <0.1% (2016 est.)" }, "Languages": { "text": "Tongan and English 76.8%, Tongan, English, and other language 10.6%, Tongan only (official) 8.7%, English only (official) 0.7%, other 1.7%, none 2.2% (2016 est.)

note: data represent persons aged 5 and older who can read and write a simple sentence in Tongan, English, or another language", "note": "note: data represent persons aged 5 and older who can read and write a simple sentence in Tongan, English, or another language" }, "Religions": { "text": "Protestant 64.1% (includes Free Wesleyan Church 35%, Free Church of Tonga 11.9%, Church of Tonga 6.8%, Assembly of God 2.3%, Seventh Day Adventist 2.2%, Tokaikolo Christian Church 1.6%, other 4.3%), Mormon 18.6%, Roman Catholic 14.2%, other 2.4%, none 0.5%, unspecified 0.1% (2016 est.)" }, "Age structure": { "0-14 years": { "text": "32% (male 17,250/female 16,698)" }, "15-24 years": { "text": "19.66% (male 10,679/female 10,175)" }, "25-54 years": { "text": "35.35% (male 18,701/female 18,802)" }, "55-64 years": { "text": "6.17% (male 3,345/female 3,202)" }, "65 years and over": { "text": "6.83% (male 3,249/female 3,994) (2020 est.)" } }, "Dependency ratios": { "total dependency ratio": { "text": "68.6" }, "youth dependency ratio": { "text": "58.6" }, "elderly dependency ratio": { "text": "10" }, "potential support ratio": { "text": "10 (2020 est.)" } }, "Median age": { "total": { "text": "24.1 years" }, "male": { "text": "23.6 years" }, "female": { "text": "24.5 years (2020 est.)" } }, "Population growth rate": { "text": "-0.23% (2021 est.)" }, "Birth rate": { "text": "20.6 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)" }, "Death rate": { "text": "4.95 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)" }, "Net migration rate": { "text": "-17.96 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)" }, "Population distribution": { "text": "over two-thirds of the population lives on the island of Tongatapu; only 45 of the nation's 171 islands are occupied" }, "Urbanization": { "urban population": { "text": "23.1% of total population (2021)" }, "rate of urbanization": { "text": "0.99% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)" } }, "Major urban areas - population": { "text": "23,000 NUKU'ALOFA (2018)" }, "Sex ratio": { "at birth": { "text": "1.03 male(s)/female" }, "0-14 years": { "text": "1.03 male(s)/female" }, "15-24 years": { "text": "1.05 male(s)/female" }, "25-54 years": { "text": "0.99 male(s)/female" }, "55-64 years": { "text": "1.04 male(s)/female" }, "65 years and over": { "text": "0.81 male(s)/female" }, "total population": { "text": "1.01 male(s)/female (2020 est.)" } }, "Mother's mean age at first birth": { "text": "24.9 years (2012 est.)

note: median age at first birth among women 25-49", "note": "note: median age at first birth among women 25-49" }, "Maternal mortality ratio": { "text": "52 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)" }, "Infant mortality rate": { "total": { "text": "12.73 deaths/1,000 live births" }, "male": { "text": "13.77 deaths/1,000 live births" }, "female": { "text": "11.65 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)" } }, "Life expectancy at birth": { "total population": { "text": "77.29 years" }, "male": { "text": "75.63 years" }, "female": { "text": "78.99 years (2021 est.)" } }, "Total fertility rate": { "text": "2.81 children born/woman (2021 est.)" }, "Contraceptive prevalence rate": { "text": "34.1% (2012)" }, "Drinking water source": { "improved: urban": { "text": "urban: 100% of population" }, "improved: rural": { "text": "rural: 100% of population" }, "improved: total": { "text": "total: 100% of population" }, "unimproved: urban": { "text": "urban: 0% of population" }, "unimproved: rural": { "text": "rural: 0% of population" }, "unimproved: total": { "text": "total: 0% of population (2017 est.)" } }, "Current Health Expenditure": { "text": "5.1% (2018)" }, "Physicians density": { "text": "0.54 physicians/1,000 population (2013)" }, "Hospital bed density": { "text": "2.6 beds/1,000 population (2010)" }, "Sanitation facility access": { "improved: urban": { "text": "urban: 96.6% of population" }, "improved: rural": { "text": "rural: 93.6% of population" }, "improved: total": { "text": "total: 94.5% of population" }, "unimproved: urban": { "text": "urban: 3.4% of population" }, "unimproved: rural": { "text": "rural: 6.4% of population" }, "unimproved: total": { "text": "total: 5.5% of population (2017 est.)" } }, "HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate": { "text": "NA" }, "HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS": { "text": "NA" }, "HIV/AIDS - deaths": { "text": "NA" }, "Major infectious diseases": { "degree of risk": { "text": "high (2020)" }, "food or waterborne diseases": { "text": "bacterial diarrhea" }, "vectorborne diseases": { "text": "malaria" } }, "Obesity - adult prevalence rate": { "text": "48.2% (2016)" }, "Children under the age of 5 years underweight": { "text": "0.8% (2019)" }, "Education expenditures": { "text": "NA" }, "Literacy": { "definition": { "text": "can read and write Tongan and/or English" }, "total population": { "text": "99.4%" }, "male": { "text": "99.4%" }, "female": { "text": "99.5% (2015)" } }, "Unemployment, youth ages 15-24": { "total": { "text": "8.9%" }, "male": { "text": "5.7%" }, "female": { "text": "13.1% (2018)" } } }, "Environment": { "Environment - current issues": { "text": "deforestation from land being cleared for agriculture and settlement; soil exhaustion; water pollution due to salinization, sewage, and toxic chemicals from farming activities; coral reefs and marine populations threatened" }, "Environment - international agreements": { "party to": { "text": "Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution" }, "signed, but not ratified": { "text": "none of the selected agreements" } }, "Air pollutants": { "particulate matter emissions": { "text": "10.08 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)" }, "carbon dioxide emissions": { "text": "0.13 megatons (2016 est.)" }, "methane emissions": { "text": "0.12 megatons (2020 est.)" } }, "Total renewable water resources": { "text": "0 cubic meters (2017 est.)" }, "Climate": { "text": "tropical; modified by trade winds; warm season (December to May), cool season (May to December)" }, "Land use": { "agricultural land": { "text": "43.1% (2018 est.)" }, "agricultural land: arable land": { "text": "arable land: 22.2% (2018 est.)" }, "agricultural land: permanent crops": { "text": "permanent crops: 15.3% (2018 est.)" }, "agricultural land: permanent pasture": { "text": "permanent pasture: 5.6% (2018 est.)" }, "forest": { "text": "12.5% (2018 est.)" }, "other": { "text": "44.4% (2018 est.)" } }, "Revenue from forest resources": { "forest revenues": { "text": "0.03% of GDP (2018 est.)" } }, "Revenue from coal": { "coal revenues": { "text": "0% of GDP (2018 est.)" } }, "Urbanization": { "urban population": { "text": "23.1% of total population (2021)" }, "rate of urbanization": { "text": "0.99% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)" } }, "Major infectious diseases": { "degree of risk": { "text": "high (2020)" }, "food or waterborne diseases": { "text": "bacterial diarrhea" }, "vectorborne diseases": { "text": "malaria" } }, "Waste and recycling": { "municipal solid waste generated annually": { "text": "17,238 tons (2012 est.)" } } }, "Government": { "Country name": { "conventional long form": { "text": "Kingdom of Tonga" }, "conventional short form": { "text": "Tonga" }, "local long form": { "text": "Pule'anga Fakatu'i 'o Tonga" }, "local short form": { "text": "Tonga" }, "former": { "text": "Friendly Islands" }, "etymology": { "text": "\"tonga\" means \"south\" in the Tongan language and refers to the country's geographic position in relation to central Polynesia" } }, "Government type": { "text": "constitutional monarchy" }, "Capital": { "name": { "text": "Nuku'alofa" }, "geographic coordinates": { "text": "21 08 S, 175 12 W" }, "time difference": { "text": "UTC+13 (18 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)" }, "daylight saving time": { "text": "+1hr, begins first Sunday in November; ends second Sunday in January" }, "note": "etymology: composed of the words \"nuku,\" meaning \"residence or abode,\" and \"alofa,\" meaning \"love,\" to signify \"abode of love\"" }, "Administrative divisions": { "text": "5 island divisions; 'Eua, Ha'apai, Ongo Niua, Tongatapu, Vava'u" }, "Independence": { "text": "4 June 1970 (from UK protectorate status)" }, "National holiday": { "text": "Official Birthday of King TUPOU VI, 4 July (1959); note - actual birthday of the monarch is 12 July 1959, 4 July (2015) is the day the king was crowned; Constitution Day (National Day), 4 November (1875)" }, "Constitution": { "history": { "text": "adopted 4 November 1875, revised 1988, 2016" }, "amendments": { "text": "proposed by the Legislative Assembly; passage requires approval by the Assembly in each of three readings, the unanimous approval of the Privy Council (a high-level advisory body to the monarch), the Cabinet, and assent to by the monarch; revised 1988; amended many times, last in 2013" } }, "Legal system": { "text": "English common law" }, "International law organization participation": { "text": "has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt" }, "Citizenship": { "citizenship by birth": { "text": "no" }, "citizenship by descent only": { "text": "the father must be a citizen of Tonga; if a child is born out of wedlock, the mother must be a citizen of Tonga" }, "dual citizenship recognized": { "text": "yes" }, "residency requirement for naturalization": { "text": "5 years" } }, "Suffrage": { "text": "21 years of age; universal" }, "Executive branch": { "chief of state": { "text": "King TUPOU VI (since 18 March 2012); Heir Apparent Crown Prince Siaosi Manumataogo 'Alaivahamama'o 'Ahoeitu Konstantin Tuku'aho, son of the king (born 17 September 1985); note - on 18 March 2012, King George TUPOU V died and his brother, Crown Prince TUPOUTO'A Lavaka, assumed the throne as TUPOU VI" }, "head of government": { "text": "Prime Minister Pohiva TU'I'ONETOA (since 27 September 2019)" }, "cabinet": { "text": "Cabinet nominated by the prime minister and appointed by the monarch" }, "elections/appointments": { "text": "the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister and deputy prime minister indirectly elected by the Legislative Assembly and appointed by the monarch; election last held on 27 September 2019 (next to be held in November 2020)" }, "election results": { "text": "Pohiva TU'I'ONETOA (Peoples Party) elected prime minister by parliament receiving 15of 23 votes cast" }, "note": "note: a Privy Council advises the monarch" }, "Legislative branch": { "description": { "text": "unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fale Alea (up to 30 seats; - 26 for the 2017-19 term); 17 people's representatives directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, and 9 indirectly elected by hereditary leaders; members serve 3-year terms)" }, "elections": { "text": "last held on 16 November 2017 (next to be held in 2020)" }, "election results": { "text": "percent of vote - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 14, nobles' representatives 9,  independent 3; composition - men 24, women 2, percent of women 7.7%" } }, "Judicial branch": { "highest courts": { "text": "Court of Appeal (consists of the court president and a number of judges determined by the monarch); note - appeals beyond the Court of Appeal are brought before the King in Privy Council, the monarch's advisory organ that has both judicial and legislative powers" }, "judge selection and term of office": { "text": "judge appointments and tenures made by the King in Privy Council and subject to consent of the Legislative Assembly" }, "subordinate courts": { "text": "Supreme Court; Magistrates' Courts; Land Courts" } }, "Political parties and leaders": { "text": "Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands
People's Democratic Party or PDP [Tesina FUKO]
Sustainable Nation-Building Party [Sione FONUA]
Tonga Democratic Labor Party
Tonga Human Rights and Democracy Movement or THRDM" }, "International organization participation": { "text": "ACP, ADB, AOSIS, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO" }, "Diplomatic representation in the US": { "chief of mission": { "text": "Ambassador Viliami Va’inga TONE (since 20 April 2021)" }, "chancery": { "text": "250 East 51st Street, New York, NY 10022" }, "telephone": { "text": "[1] (917) 369-1025" }, "FAX": { "text": "[1] (917) 369-1024" }, "consulate(s) general": { "text": "San Francisco" } }, "Diplomatic representation from the US": { "embassy": { "text": "the US does not have an embassy in Tonga; the US Ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tonga" } }, "Flag description": { "text": "red with a bold red cross on a white rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner; the cross reflects the deep-rooted Christianity in Tonga, red represents the blood of Christ and his sacrifice, and white signifies purity" }, "National symbol(s)": { "text": "red cross on white field, arms equal length; national colors: red, white" }, "National anthem": { "name": { "text": "\"Ko e fasi `o e tu\"i `o e `Otu Tonga\" (Song of the King of the Tonga Islands)" }, "lyrics/music": { "text": "Uelingatoni Ngu TUPOUMALOHI/Karl Gustavus SCHMITT" }, "note": "note: in use since 1875; more commonly known as \"Fasi Fakafonua\" (National Song)" } }, "Economy": { "Economic overview": { "text": "

Tonga has a small, open island economy and is the last constitutional monarchy among the Pacific Island countries. It has a narrow export base in agricultural goods. Squash, vanilla beans, and yams are the main crops. Agricultural exports, including fish, make up two-thirds of total exports. Tourism is the second-largest source of hard currency earnings following remittances. Tonga had 53,800 visitors in 2015. The country must import a high proportion of its food, mainly from New Zealand.

The country remains dependent on external aid and remittances from overseas Tongans to offset its trade deficit. The government is emphasizing the development of the private sector, encouraging investment, and is committing increased funds for health care and education. Tonga's English-speaking and educated workforce offers a viable labor market, and the tropical climate provides fertile soil. Renewable energy and deep-sea mining also offer opportunities for investment.

Tonga has a reasonably sound basic infrastructure and well developed social services. But the government faces high unemployment among the young, moderate inflation, pressures for democratic reform, and rising civil service expenditures.

" }, "Real GDP growth rate": { "Real GDP growth rate 2017": { "text": "2.5% (2017 est.)" }, "Real GDP growth rate 2016": { "text": "4.2% (2016 est.)" }, "Real GDP growth rate 2015": { "text": "3.5% (2015 est.)" } }, "Inflation rate (consumer prices)": { "Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2017": { "text": "7.4% (2017 est.)" }, "Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2016": { "text": "2.6% (2016 est.)" } }, "Real GDP (purchasing power parity)": { "Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2019": { "text": "$667 million (2019 est.)" }, "Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2018": { "text": "$662 million (2018 est.)" }, "Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2017": { "text": "$660 million (2017 est.)" }, "note": "note: data are in 2017 dollars" }, "GDP (official exchange rate)": { "text": "$455 million (2017 est.)" }, "Real GDP per capita": { "Real GDP per capita 2019": { "text": "$6,383 (2019 est.)" }, "Real GDP per capita 2018": { "text": "$6,416 (2018 est.)" }, "Real GDP per capita 2017": { "text": "$6,472 (2017 est.)" }, "note": "note: data are in 2017 dollars" }, "GDP - composition, by sector of origin": { "agriculture": { "text": "19.9% (2017 est.)" }, "industry": { "text": "20.3% (2017 est.)" }, "services": { "text": "59.8% (2017 est.)" } }, "GDP - composition, by end use": { "household consumption": { "text": "99.4% (2017 est.)" }, "government consumption": { "text": "21.9% (2017 est.)" }, "investment in fixed capital": { "text": "24.1% (2017 est.)" }, "investment in inventories": { "text": "0% (2017 est.)" }, "exports of goods and services": { "text": "22.8% (2017 est.)" }, "imports of goods and services": { "text": "-68.5% (2017 est.)" } }, "Ease of Doing Business Index scores": { "Overall score": { "text": "61.4 (2020)" }, "Starting a Business score": { "text": "90.9 (2020)" }, "Trading score": { "text": "72.6 (2020)" }, "Enforcement score": { "text": "57.3 (2020)" } }, "Agricultural products": { "text": "coconuts, gourds, cassava, sweet potatoes, vegetables, yams, taro, roots/tubers nes, plantains, lemons/limes" }, "Industries": { "text": "tourism, construction, fishing" }, "Industrial production growth rate": { "text": "5% (2017 est.)" }, "Labor force": { "text": "33,800 (2011 est.)" }, "Labor force - by occupation": { "agriculture": { "text": "2,006% (2006 est.)" }, "industry": { "text": "27.5% (2006 est.)" }, "services": { "text": "2,006% (2006 est.)" } }, "Unemployment rate": { "Unemployment rate 2011": { "text": "1.1% (2011 est.)" }, "Unemployment rate 2006": { "text": "1.1% (2006)" } }, "Population below poverty line": { "text": "22.5% (2010 est.)" }, "Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income": { "Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2015": { "text": "37.6 (2015 est.)" } }, "Household income or consumption by percentage share": { "lowest 10%": { "text": "NA" }, "highest 10%": { "text": "NA" } }, "Budget": { "revenues": { "text": "181.2 million (2017 est.)" }, "expenditures": { "text": "181.2 million (2017 est.)" } }, "Taxes and other revenues": { "text": "39.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)" }, "Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)": { "text": "0% (of GDP) (2017 est.)" }, "Public debt": { "Public debt FY2017": { "text": "48% of GDP (FY2017 est.)" }, "Public debt FY2016": { "text": "51.8% of GDP (FY2016 est.)" } }, "Fiscal year": { "text": "1 July - 30 June" }, "Current account balance": { "Current account balance 2017": { "text": "-$53 million (2017 est.)" }, "Current account balance 2016": { "text": "-$30 million (2016 est.)" } }, "Exports": { "Exports 2017": { "text": "$18.4 million (2017 est.)" }, "Exports 2016": { "text": "$19.4 million (2016 est.)" } }, "Exports - partners": { "text": "United States 38%, South Korea 18%, Australia 14%, New Zealand 14%, Japan 6%,  (2019)" }, "Exports - commodities": { "text": "squash, fish, various fruits and nuts, antiques, coral and shells (2019)" }, "Imports": { "Imports 2017": { "text": "$250.2 million (2017 est.)" }, "Imports 2016": { "text": "$269.8 million (2016 est.)" } }, "Imports - partners": { "text": "Fiji 29%, New Zealand 23%, China 14%, United States 8%, Australia 6%, Japan 6% (2019)" }, "Imports - commodities": { "text": "refined petroleum, poultry meats, audio equipment, mutton, goat meat, broadcasting equipment (2019)" }, "Reserves of foreign exchange and gold": { "Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 31 December 2017": { "text": "$198.5 million (31 December 2017 est.)" }, "Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 31 December 2016": { "text": "$176.5 million (31 December 2016 est.)" } }, "Debt - external": { "Debt - external 31 December 2017": { "text": "$189.9 million (31 December 2017 est.)" }, "Debt - external 31 December 2016": { "text": "$198.2 million (31 December 2016 est.)" } }, "Exchange rates": { "currency": { "text": "pa'anga (TOP) per US dollar -" }, "Exchange rates 2020": { "text": "2.27015 (2020 est.)" }, "Exchange rates 2019": { "text": "2.29095 (2019 est.)" }, "Exchange rates 2018": { "text": "2.22717 (2018 est.)" }, "Exchange rates 2014": { "text": "2.106 (2014 est.)" }, "Exchange rates 2013": { "text": "1.847 (2013 est.)" } } }, "Energy": { "Electricity access": { "electrification - total population": { "text": "98.9% (2018)" }, "electrification - urban areas": { "text": "98.9% (2018)" }, "electrification - rural areas": { "text": "98.9% (2018)" } }, "Electricity - production": { "text": "52 million kWh (2016 est.)" }, "Electricity - consumption": { "text": "48.36 million kWh (2016 est.)" }, "Electricity - exports": { "text": "0 kWh (2016)" }, "Electricity - imports": { "text": "0 kWh (2016 est.)" }, "Electricity - installed generating capacity": { "text": "20,300 kW (2016 est.)" }, "Electricity - from fossil fuels": { "text": "74% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)" }, "Electricity - from nuclear fuels": { "text": "0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)" }, "Electricity - from hydroelectric plants": { "text": "0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)" }, "Electricity - from other renewable sources": { "text": "26% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)" }, "Crude oil - production": { "text": "0 bbl/day (2018 est.)" }, "Crude oil - exports": { "text": "0 bbl/day (2015 est.)" }, "Crude oil - imports": { "text": "0 bbl/day (2015 est.)" }, "Crude oil - proved reserves": { "text": "0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)" }, "Refined petroleum products - production": { "text": "0 bbl/day (2017 est.)" }, "Refined petroleum products - consumption": { "text": "900 bbl/day (2016 est.)" }, "Refined petroleum products - exports": { "text": "0 bbl/day (2015 est.)" }, "Refined petroleum products - imports": { "text": "910 bbl/day (2015 est.)" }, "Natural gas - production": { "text": "0 cu m (2017 est.)" }, "Natural gas - consumption": { "text": "0 cu m (2017 est.)" }, "Natural gas - exports": { "text": "0 cu m (2017 est.)" }, "Natural gas - imports": { "text": "0 cu m (2017 est.)" }, "Natural gas - proved reserves": { "text": "0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)" } }, "Communications": { "Telephones - fixed lines": { "total subscriptions": { "text": "6,637" }, "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": { "text": "6.25 (2019 est.)" } }, "Telephones - mobile cellular": { "total subscriptions": { "text": "62,104" }, "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": { "text": "58.48 (2019 est.)" } }, "Telecommunication systems": { "general assessment": { "text": "high speed Internet provided by 3 MNOs, has subsequently allowed for better health care services, faster connections for education and growing e-commerce services; in 2018 new 4G LTE network; fixed-line teledensity has dropped given mobile subscriptions; mobile technology dominates given the island's geography; satellite technology is widespread and is important especially in areas away from the city; the launch in 2019 of the Kacific-1 broadband satellite has made broadband more widely available for around 89 remote communities (2020)" }, "domestic": { "text": "fixed-line 6 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular teledensity 59 telephones per 100; fully automatic switched network (2019)" }, "international": { "text": "country code - 676; landing point for the Tonga Cable and the TDCE connecting to Fiji and 3 separate Tonga islands; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2020)" }, "note": "note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments" }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "1 state-owned TV station and 3 privately owned TV stations; satellite and cable TV services are available; 1 state-owned and 5 privately owned radio stations; Radio Australia broadcasts available via satellite (2019)" }, "Internet country code": { "text": ".to" }, "Internet users": { "total": { "text": "43,889" }, "percent of population": { "text": "41.25% (July 2018 est.)" } }, "Broadband - fixed subscriptions": { "total": { "text": "3,703" }, "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": { "text": "3.49 (2019 est.)" } } }, "Transportation": { "National air transport system": { "number of registered air carriers": { "text": "1 (2020)" }, "inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers": { "text": "1" } }, "Civil aircraft registration country code prefix": { "text": "A3" }, "Airports": { "total": { "text": "6 (2013)" } }, "Airports - with paved runways": { "total": { "text": "1 (2019)" }, "2,438 to 3,047 m": { "text": "1" } }, "Airports - with unpaved runways": { "total": { "text": "5 (2013)" }, "1,524 to 2,437 m": { "text": "1 (2013)" }, "914 to 1,523 m": { "text": "3 (2013)" }, "under 914 m": { "text": "1 (2013)" } }, "Roadways": { "total": { "text": "680 km (2011)" }, "paved": { "text": "184 km (2011)" }, "unpaved": { "text": "496 km (2011)" } }, "Merchant marine": { "total": { "text": "36" }, "by type": { "text": "bulk carrier 1, container ship 4, general cargo 14, oil tanker 1, other 16 (2020)" } }, "Ports and terminals": { "major seaport(s)": { "text": "Nuku'alofa, Neiafu, Pangai" } } }, "Military and Security": { "Military and security forces": { "text": "Tonga Defense Services: Joint Force headquarters, Territorial Forces, Land Force, Tonga Navy, Training Wing, Air Wing, and Support Unit (2020)" }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { "text": "the Tonga Defense Services have approximately 500 personnel (2020)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the Tonga military's inventory includes mostly light weapons and equipment from European (primarily the UK) countries and the US, as well as naval patrol vessels from Australia; Australia is the only supplier of military systems since 2010 (2020)" }, "Military service age and obligation": { "text": "Volunteers, 18-25; no conscription (2019)" } }, "Transnational Issues": { "Disputes - international": { "text": "

maritime boundary dispute with Fiji

 

" } } }