2012 Edition

Background

Tonga - unique among Pacific nations - never completely lost its indigenous governance. The archipelagos of "The Friendly Islands" were united into a Polynesian kingdom in 1845. Tonga became a constitutional monarchy in 1875 and a British protectorate in 1900; it withdrew from the protectorate and joined the Commonwealth of Nations in 1970. Tonga remains the only monarchy in the Pacific.

Area

747 sq km 717 sq km 30 sq km

total

747 sq km

water

30 sq km

Area - comparative

four times the size of Washington, DC

Climate

tropical; modified by trade winds; warm season (December to May), cool season (May to December)

Coastline

419 km

Elevation extremes

Pacific Ocean 0 m unnamed elevation on Kao Island 1,033 m

highest point

unnamed elevation on Kao Island 1,033 m

lowest point

Pacific Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

deforestation results as more and more land is being cleared for agriculture and settlement; some damage to coral reefs from starfish and indiscriminate coral and shell collectors; overhunting threatens native sea turtle populations

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution none of the selected agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates

20 00 S, 175 00 W

Geography - note

archipelago of 169 islands (36 inhabited)

Irrigated land

NA

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

20% 14.67% 65.33% (2005)

arable land

20%

other

65.33% (2005)

permanent crops

14.67%

Location

Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

Map references

Oceania

Maritime claims

12 nm 200 nm 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation

continental shelf

200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

cyclones (October to April); earthquakes and volcanic activity on Fonuafo'ou moderate volcanic activity; Fonualei (elev. 180 m) has shown frequent activity in recent years, while Niuafo'ou (elev. 260 m), which last erupted in 1985, has forced evacuations; other historically active volcanoes include Late and Tofua

volcanism

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

Natural resources

fish, fertile soil

Terrain

most islands have limestone base formed from uplifted coral formation; others have limestone overlying volcanic base

Age structure

36.7% (male 19,793/ female 19,169) 57.1% (male 30,437/ female 30,220) 6.1% (male 3,020/ female 3,507) (2012 est.)

0-14 years

36.7% (male 19,793/ female 19,169)

15-64 years

57.1% (male 30,437/ female 30,220)

65 years and over

6.1% (male 3,020/ female 3,507) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

24.7 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Death rate

4.88 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)

Education expenditures

3.9% of GDP (2004)

Ethnic groups

Polynesian, Europeans

Health expenditures

6.2% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Hospital bed density

2.44 beds/1,000 population (2008)

Infant mortality rate

13.21 deaths/1,000 live births 13.63 deaths/1,000 live births 12.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

female

12.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

total

13.21 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Tongan (official), English (official)

Life expectancy at birth

75.38 years 73.98 years 76.83 years (2012 est.)

female

76.83 years (2012 est.)

total population

75.38 years

Literacy

can read and write Tongan and/or English 98.9% 98.8% 99% (1999 est.)

definition

can read and write Tongan and/or English

female

99% (1999 est.)

male

98.8%

total population

98.9%

Maternal mortality rate

110 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

21.6 years 21.2 years 22.1 years (2012 est.)

female

22.1 years (2012 est.)

male

21.2 years

total

21.6 years

Nationality

Tongan(s) Tongan

adjective

Tongan

noun

Tongan(s)

Net migration rate

-17.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

56% (2000)

Physicians density

0.291 physicians/1,000 population (2002)

Population

106,146 (July 2012 est.)

Population growth rate

0.192% (2012 est.)

Religions

Christian (Free Wesleyan Church claims over 30,000 adherents)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 98% of population rural: 96% of population total: 96% of population urban: 2% of population rural: 4% of population total: 4% of population

rural

4% of population

total

4% of population

urban

2% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

14 years 14 years 14 years (2007)

female

14 years (2007)

male

14 years

total

14 years

Sex ratio

1.03 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.86 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.86 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

1.01 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.03 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

3.55 children born/woman (2012 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

11.9% 9.9% 15.1% (2003)

female

15.1% (2003)

total

11.9%

Urbanization

23% of total population (2010) 0.8% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

0.8% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

23% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

3 island groups; Ha'apai, Tongatapu, Vava'u

Capital

Nuku'alofa 21 08 S, 175 12 W UTC+13 (18 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

21 08 S, 175 12 W

name

Nuku'alofa

time difference

UTC+13 (18 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

4 November 1875; revised 1 January 1967

Country name

Kingdom of Tonga Tonga Pule'anga Tonga Tonga Friendly Islands

conventional long form

Kingdom of Tonga

conventional short form

Tonga

former

Friendly Islands

local long form

Pule'anga Tonga

local short form

Tonga

Diplomatic representation from the US

the US does not have an embassy in Tonga; the US ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tonga

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Sonatane Tu'akinamolahi TAUMOEPEAU-TUPOU 250 East 51st Street, New York, NY 10022 [1] (917) 369-1025 [1] (917) 369-1024 San Francisco

chancery

250 East 51st Street, New York, NY 10022

chief of mission

Ambassador Sonatane Tu'akinamolahi TAUMOEPEAU-TUPOU

consulate(s) general

San Francisco

FAX

[1] (917) 369-1024

telephone

[1] (917) 369-1025

Executive branch

King TUPOU VI (since 18 March 2012); note - King George TUPOU V died on 18 March 2012 in Hong Kong; he was succeeded by his brother Crown Prince TUPOUTO'A Lavaka, who took the throne name TUPOU VI Prime Minister Lord Siale'ataonga TU'IVAKANO (since 22 December 2010) Cabinet is nominated by the prime minister and appointed by the monarch there is also a Privy Council that advises the monarch the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister and deputy prime minister elected by and from the members of parliament and appointed by the monarch Lord Siale'ataonga TU'IVAKANO elected by parliament on 21 December 2010 with 14 of 26 votes

cabinet

Cabinet is nominated by the prime minister and appointed by the monarch

chief of state

King TUPOU VI (since 18 March 2012); note - King George TUPOU V died on 18 March 2012 in Hong Kong; he was succeeded by his brother Crown Prince TUPOUTO'A Lavaka, who took the throne name TUPOU VI

election results

Lord Siale'ataonga TU'IVAKANO elected by parliament on 21 December 2010 with 14 of 26 votes

elections

the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister and deputy prime minister elected by and from the members of parliament and appointed by the monarch

head of government

Prime Minister Lord Siale'ataonga TU'IVAKANO (since 22 December 2010)

Flag description

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; white signifies purity

Government type

constitutional monarchy

Independence

4 June 1970 (from UK protectorate)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

ACP, ADB, AOSIS, C, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the monarch); Court of Appeal (Chief Justice and high court justices from overseas chosen and approved by Privy Council)

Legal system

English common law

Legislative branch

unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fale Alea (26 seats - 9 for nobles elected from among the country's 29 nobles, 17 members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) last held on 25 November 2010 (next to be held in 2014) Peoples Representatives: percent of vote - independents 67.3%, Democratic Party 28.5%; seats - Democratic Party 12, independents 5

election results

Peoples Representatives: percent of vote - independents 67.3%, Democratic Party 28.5%; seats - Democratic Party 12, independents 5

elections

last held on 25 November 2010 (next to be held in 2014)

National anthem

"Ko e fasi `o e tu"i `o e `Otu Tonga" (Song of the King of the Tonga Islands) Uelingatoni Ngu TUPOUMALOHI/Karl Gustavus SCHMITT in use since 1875; the anthem is more commonly known as "Fasi Fakafonua" (National Song)

lyrics/music

Uelingatoni Ngu TUPOUMALOHI/Karl Gustavus SCHMITT

name

"Ko e fasi `o e tu"i `o e `Otu Tonga" (Song of the King of the Tonga Islands)

National holiday

National Day, 4 November (1875)

National symbol(s)

red cross on white field; arms equal length

Political parties and leaders

Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands [Samuela 'Akilisi POHIVA]; People's Democratic Party or PDP [Tesina FUKO]; Sustainable Nation-Building Party [Sione FONUA]; Tonga Democratic Labor Party [NA]; Tonga Human Rights and Democracy Movement or THRDM [NA]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Human Rights and Democracy Movement Tonga or HRDMT [Rev. Simote VEA, chairman]; Public Servant's Association [Finau TUTONE]

Suffrage

21 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

squash, coconuts, copra, bananas, vanilla beans, cocoa, coffee, ginger, black pepper; fish

Budget

$115.1 million $115.1 million (2012 est.)

expenditures

$115.1 million (2012 est.)

revenues

$115.1 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

0% of GDP (2012 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

11.9% (31 December 2012 est.) 11.21% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

-$48.1 million (2012 est.) -$29.8 million (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$118.6 million (31 December 2012 est.) $113.5 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Economy - overview

Tonga has a small, open, South Pacific island economy. 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. The country must import a high proportion of its food, mainly from New Zealand. The country remains dependent on external aid and remittances from Tongan communities overseas to offset its trade deficit. Tourism is the second-largest source of hard currency earnings following remittances. Tonga had 39,000 visitors in 2006. The government is emphasizing the development of the private sector, especially the encouragement of investment, and is committing increased funds for health and education. Tonga has a reasonably sound basic infrastructure and well developed social services. High unemployment among the young, moderate inflation, pressures for democratic reform, and rising civil service expenditures are major issues facing the government.

Exchange rates

pa'anga (TOP) per US dollar - 1.737 (2012 est.) 1.729 (2011 est.) 1.906 (2010 est.)

Exports

$11.4 million (2012 est.) $10.8 million (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

squash, fish, vanilla beans, root crops

Exports - partners

Hong Kong 19.9%, Japan 14.3%, US 10.6%, South Korea 10.1%, Fiji 8.9%, NZ 8.6%, Samoa 7.5%, Brazil 5.3%, American Samoa 4.7% (2011)

Fiscal year

1 July - 30 June

GDP - composition by sector

20.9% 16.6% 62.5% (2012 est.)

agriculture

20.9%

industry

16.6%

services

62.5% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$7,500 (2012 est.) $7,500 (2011 est.) $7,400 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

1.4% (2012 est.) 1.5% (2011 est.) 1.6% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$476 million (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$786 million (2012 est.) $775.4 million (2011 est.) $765 million (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$124.2 million (2012 est.) $121.1 million (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

foodstuffs, machinery and transport equipment, fuels, chemicals

Imports - partners

Fiji 36.7%, NZ 24.9%, US 10.5%, China 7.2% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate

1% (2003 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

4.5% (2012 est.) 6.6% (2011 est.)

Labor force

39,960 (2007)

Labor force - by occupation

31.8% 30.6% 2,003% (2003 est.)

agriculture

31.8%

industry

30.6%

services

2,003% (2003 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

24% (FY03/04)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$118.3 million (31 December 2012 est.) $143.3 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$169.2 million (31 December 2012 est.) $177.3 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$164.2 million (31 December 2012 est.) $173.8 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$67.82 million (31 December 2012 est.) $66.57 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

24.2% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

13% (FY03/04 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

155,000 Mt (2010 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.)

Electricity - consumption

38.13 million kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2010)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

12,000 kW (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

41 million kWh (2009 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

1,221 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

1,202 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Broadcast media

2 state-owned TV stations and 2 privately-owned TV stations; satellite and cable TV services are available; 2 state-owned and 3 privately-owned radio stations; Radio Australia broadcasts available satellite (2009)

Internet country code

.to

Internet hosts

5,367 (2012)

Internet users

8,400 (2009)

Telephone system

competition between Tonga Telecommunications Corporation (TCC) and Shoreline Communications Tonga (SCT) is accelerating expansion of telecommunications; SCT granted approval to introduce high-speed digital service for telephone, Internet, and television while TCC has exclusive rights to operate the mobile-phone network; international telecom services are provided by government-owned Tonga Telecommunications International (TTI) combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 80 telephones per 100 persons; fully automatic switched network country code - 676; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2011)

domestic

combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 80 telephones per 100 persons; fully automatic switched network

general assessment

competition between Tonga Telecommunications Corporation (TCC) and Shoreline Communications Tonga (SCT) is accelerating expansion of telecommunications; SCT granted approval to introduce high-speed digital service for telephone, Internet, and television while TCC has exclusive rights to operate the mobile-phone network; international telecom services are provided by government-owned Tonga Telecommunications International (TTI)

international

country code - 676; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

30,000 (2011)

Telephones - mobile cellular

55,000 (2011)

Airports

6 (2012)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2012)

2,438 to 3,047 m

1 (2012)

total

1

Airports - with unpaved runways

1 (2012)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

3

total

5

under 914 m

1 (2012)

Merchant marine

cargo 4, carrier 1, passenger/cargo 2 2 (Australia 1, UK 1) (2010)

foreign-owned

2 (Australia 1, UK 1) (2010)

total

7

Ports and terminals

Nuku'alofa, Neiafu, Pangai

Roadways

680 km 184 km 496 km (2000)

total

680 km

unpaved

496 km (2000)

Manpower available for military service

24,460 24,041 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

24,041 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

24,460

Manpower fit for military service

20,956 20,577 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

20,577 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

20,956

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

1,196 1,134 (2010 est.)

female

1,134 (2010 est.)

male

1,196

Military branches

Tonga Defense Services (TDS): Land Force (Royal Guard), Maritime Force (includes Royal Marines, Air Wing) (2010)

Tonga Defense Services (TDS)

Land Force (Royal Guard), Maritime Force (includes Royal Marines, Air Wing) (2010)

Military expenditures

0.9% of GDP (2006 est.)

Military service age and obligation

16 years of age for voluntary enlistment (with parental consent); no conscription; the king retains the right to call up "all those capable of bearing arms" in wartime (2012)

Disputes - international

none