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Australia-Oceania :: Tonga

- ## Introduction :: TONGA

- 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.

- ## Geography :: TONGA

- Location:
  Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
  Geographic coordinates:
  20 00 S, 175 00 W
  Map references:
  Oceania
  Area:
  total: 747 sq km
  land: 717 sq km
  water: 30 sq km
  country comparison to the world: 190
  Area - comparative:
  four times the size of Washington, DC
  Land boundaries:
  0 km
  Coastline:
  419 km
  Maritime claims:
  territorial sea: 12 nm
  exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
  continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
  Climate:
  tropical; modified by trade winds; warm season (December to May), cool season (May to December)
  Terrain:
  mostly flat islands with limestone bedrock formed from uplifted coral formation; others have limestone overlying volcanic rock
  Elevation extremes:
  lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
  highest point: unnamed elevation on Kao Island 1,033 m
  Natural resources:
  fish, arable land
  Land use:
  agricultural land: 43.1%
  arable land 22.2%; permanent crops 15.3%; permanent pasture 5.6%
  forest: 12.5%
  other: 44.4% (2011 est.)
  Irrigated land:
  NA
  Natural hazards:
  cyclones (October to April); earthquakes and volcanic activity on Fonuafo'ou
  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
  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:
  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
  Geography - note:
  archipelago of 169 islands (36 inhabited)

- ## People and Society :: TONGA

- Nationality:
  noun: Tongan(s)
  adjective: Tongan
  Ethnic groups:
  Tongan 96.6%, part-Tongan 1.7%, other 1.7%, unspecified 0.03% (2006 est.)
  Languages:
  English and Tongan 87%, Tongan (official) 10.7%, English (official) 1.2%, other 1.1%, unspecified 0.03% (2006 est.)
  Religions:
  Protestant 64.9% (includes Free Wesleyan Church 37.3%, Free Church of Tonga 11.4%, Church of Tonga 7.2%, Tokaikolo Christian Church 2.6%, Assembly of God 2.3% Seventh Day Adventist 2.2%, Constitutional Church of Tonga .9%, Anglican .8% and Full Gospel Church .2%), Mormon 16.8%, Roman Catholic 15.6%, other 1.1%, none 0.03%, unspecified 1.7% (2006 est.)
  Population:
  106,501 (July 2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 192
  Age structure:
  0-14 years: 35.06% (male 18,971/female 18,370)
  15-24 years: 19.44% (male 10,605/female 10,103)
  25-54 years: 33.6% (male 17,880/female 17,901)
  55-64 years: 5.61% (male 2,924/female 3,047)
  65 years and over: 6.29% (male 3,050/female 3,650) (2015 est.)
  population pyramid:
  Dependency ratios:
  total dependency ratio: 74.3%
  youth dependency ratio: 64.1%
  elderly dependency ratio: 10.2%
  potential support ratio: 9.8% (2015 est.)
  Median age:
  total: 22.3 years
  male: 21.9 years
  female: 22.8 years (2015 est.)
  Population growth rate:
  0.03% (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 190
  Birth rate:
  23 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 66
  Death rate:
  4.85 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 192
  Net migration rate:
  -17.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 219
  Urbanization:
  urban population: 23.7% of total population (2015)
  rate of urbanization: 0.71% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
  Major urban areas - population:
  NUKU'ALOFA 25,000 (2014)
  Sex ratio:
  at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
  0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
  15-24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
  25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female
  55-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
  65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female
  total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2015 est.)
  Maternal mortality rate:
  124 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 66
  Infant mortality rate:
  total: 11.96 deaths/1,000 live births
  male: 12.38 deaths/1,000 live births
  female: 11.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 123
  Life expectancy at birth:
  total population: 76.04 years
  male: 74.53 years
  female: 77.59 years (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 89
  Total fertility rate:
  3.26 children born/woman (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 48
  Health expenditures:
  4.7% of GDP (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 129
  Physicians density:
  0.56 physicians/1,000 population (2010)
  Hospital bed density:
  2.6 beds/1,000 population (2010)
  Drinking water source:
  improved:
  urban: 99.7% of population
  rural: 99.6% of population
  total: 99.6% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 0.3% of population
  rural: 0.4% of population
  total: 0.4% of population (2015 est.)
  Sanitation facility access:
  improved:
  urban: 97.6% of population
  rural: 89% of population
  total: 91% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 2.4% of population
  rural: 11% of population
  total: 9% of population (2015 est.)
  HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - deaths:
  NA
  Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
  41.1% (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 5
  Literacy:
  definition: can read and write Tongan and/or English
  total population: 99.4%
  male: 99.3%
  female: 99.4% (2015 est.)

- ## Government :: TONGA

- Country name:
  conventional long form: Kingdom of Tonga
  conventional short form: Tonga
  local long form: Pule'anga Tonga
  local short form: Tonga
  former: Friendly Islands
  Government type:
  constitutional monarchy
  Capital:
  name: Nuku'alofa
  geographic coordinates: 21 08 S, 175 12 W
  time difference: UTC+13 (18 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
  Administrative divisions:
  5 island divisions; 'Eua, Ha'apai, Ongo Niua, Tongatapu, Vava'u
  Independence:
  4 June 1970 (from UK protectorate)
  National holiday:
  National Day, 4 November (1875)
  Constitution:
  adopted 4 November 1875, revised 1988; amended several times, last in 2014 (2015)
  Legal system:
  English common law
  International law organization participation:
  has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
  Citizenship:
  citizenship by birth: no
  citizenship by descent only: 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: yes
  residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
  Suffrage:
  21 years of age; universal
  Executive branch:
  chief of state: King TUPOU VI (since 18 March 2012); 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: Prime Minister 'Akilisi POHIVA (since 30 December 2014)
  cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the prime minister and appointed by the monarch
  elections/appointments: 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 21 December 2010 (next to be held in November 2014)
  election results: 'Akilisi POHIVA (Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands) elected prime minister by parliament on 29 December 2014; vote - 15 of 26 votes
  note: a Privy Council advises the monarch
  Legislative branch:
  description: unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fale Alea (26 seats; 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: last held on 27 November 2014 (next to be held in 2017)
  election results: percent of vote - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 9, noble's representatives 9, independent 8
  Judicial branch:
  highest court(s): 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: judge appointments and tenures made by the King in Privy Council, judge appointments subject to consent of the Legislative Assembly
  subordinate courts: Supreme Court; Magistrate's Courts; Land Courts
  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
  Tonga Human Rights and Democracy Movement or THRDM
  Political pressure groups and leaders:
  Human Rights and Democracy Movement Tonga or HRDMT [Rev. Simote VEA, chairman]
  Public Servant's Association [Finau TUTONE]
  International organization participation:
  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: Ambassador Mahe'uli'uli Sandhurst TUPOUNIUA (since 10 September 2013)
  chancery: 250 E. 51st Street, New York, NY, 10022
  telephone: [1] (917) 369-1025
  FAX: [1] (917) 369-1024
  consulate(s) general: San Francisco
  Diplomatic representation from the US:
  the US does not have an embassy in Tonga; the US ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tonga
  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
  National symbol(s):
  red cross on white field, arms equal length; national colors: red, white
  National anthem:
  name: "Ko e fasi `o e tu"i `o e `Otu Tonga" (Song of the King of the Tonga Islands)
  lyrics/music: Uelingatoni Ngu TUPOUMALOHI/Karl Gustavus SCHMITT
  note: in use since 1875; more commonly known as "Fasi Fakafonua" (National Song)

- ## Economy :: TONGA

- Economy - overview:
  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. 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. 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, encouraging investment, and is committing increased funds for health and education. Tonga's English-speaking and educated workforce offer 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. The government faces high unemployment among the young, moderate inflation, pressures for democratic reform, and rising civil service expenditures.
  GDP (purchasing power parity):
  $502 million (2014 est.)
  $490.6 million (2013 est.)
  $492.1 million (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 213
  GDP (official exchange rate):
  $438 million (2014 est.)
  GDP - real growth rate:
  2.3% (2014 est.)
  -0.3% (2013 est.)
  -1.1% (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 140
  GDP - per capita (PPP):
  $4,900 (2014 est.)
  $4,800 (2013 est.)
  $4,800 (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 169
  GDP - composition, by end use:
  household consumption: 79.8%
  government consumption: 20.4%
  investment in fixed capital: 36.5%
  investment in inventories: -0.7%
  exports of goods and services: 17.9%
  imports of goods and services: -53.9%
  (2014 est.)
  GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
  agriculture: 20.5%
  industry: 18.8%
  services: 60.7% (2014 est.)
  Agriculture - products:
  squash, coconuts, copra, bananas, vanilla beans, cocoa, coffee, sweet potatoes, cassava, taro and kava
  Industries:
  tourism, construction, fishing
  Industrial production growth rate:
  0.8% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 143
  Labor force:
  33,800 (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 203
  Labor force - by occupation:
  agriculture: 27.5%
  industry: 27.5%
  services: 2,006% (2006 est.)
  Unemployment rate:
  1.1% (2011 est.)
  1.1% (2006)
  country comparison to the world: 6
  Population below poverty line:
  24% (FY03/04 est.)
  Household income or consumption by percentage share:
  lowest 10%: NA%
  highest 10%: NA%
  Budget:
  revenues: $162.4 million
  expenditures: $108.3 million (2014 est.)
  Taxes and other revenues:
  37.1% of GDP (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 55
  Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
  12.4% of GDP (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 4
  Public debt:
  45.1% of GDP (2013)
  46.5% of GDP (2012)
  country comparison to the world: 86
  Fiscal year:
  1 July - 30 June
  Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  1.4% (2014 est.)
  1.5% (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 81
  Commercial bank prime lending rate:
  8.89% (31 December 2014 est.)
  9.26% (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 99
  Stock of narrow money:
  $95.17 million (31 December 2014 est.)
  $94.1 million (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 187
  Stock of broad money:
  $198.4 million (31 December 2014 est.)
  $195.1 million (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 190
  Stock of domestic credit:
  $121.2 million (31 December 2014 est.)
  $120.2 million (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 179
  Market value of publicly traded shares:
  $NA
  Current account balance:
  -$14 million (2014 est.)
  -$7 million (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 69
  Exports:
  $38.8 million (2014 est.)
  $35.8 million (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 204
  Exports - commodities:
  squash, fish, vanilla beans, root crops
  Exports - partners:
  NZ 16.7%, US 15.6%, Fiji 11.2%, Japan 10.3%, Samoa 9.5%, South Korea 9%, Australia 7.9%, American Samoa 6%, Belgium 5.6% (2014)
  Imports:
  $152.7 million (2014 est.)
  $187.7 million (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 210
  Imports - commodities:
  foodstuffs, machinery and transport equipment, fuels, chemicals
  Imports - partners:
  Fiji 35%, NZ 20.5%, China 10.8%, US 9.1%, Japan 5%, Australia 4.3% (2014)
  Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
  $166.5 million (31 December 2015 est.)
  $158.8 million (31 December 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 162
  Debt - external:
  $215 million (31 December 2014 est.)
  $198.9 million (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 189
  Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
  $73.97 million (31 December 2014 est.)
  $70.97 million (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 118
  Exchange rates:
  pa'anga (TOP) per US dollar -
  1.8468 (2014 est.)
  1.847 (2013 est.)
  1.72 (2012 est.)
  1.729 (2011 est.)
  1.906 (2010 est.)

- ## Energy :: TONGA

- Electricity - production:
  48 million kWh (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 208
  Electricity - consumption:
  44.64 million kWh (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 208
  Electricity - exports:
  0 kWh (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 203
  Electricity - imports:
  0 kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 208
  Electricity - installed generating capacity:
  14,000 kW (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 206
  Electricity - from fossil fuels:
  100% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 31
  Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
  0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 190
  Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
  0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 207
  Electricity - from other renewable sources:
  0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 132
  Crude oil - production:
  0 bbl/day (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 197
  Crude oil - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 196
  Crude oil - imports:
  0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 133
  Crude oil - proved reserves:
  0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 197
  Refined petroleum products - production:
  0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 135
  Refined petroleum products - consumption:
  1,200 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 198
  Refined petroleum products - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 135
  Refined petroleum products - imports:
  1,202 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 193
  Natural gas - production:
  0 cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 135
  Natural gas - consumption:
  0 cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 199
  Natural gas - exports:
  0 cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 191
  Natural gas - imports:
  0 cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 140
  Natural gas - proved reserves:
  0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 198
  Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
  188,800 Mt (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 196

- ## Communications :: TONGA

- Telephones - fixed lines:
  total subscriptions: 12,000
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 11 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 195
  Telephones - mobile cellular:
  total: 68,000
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 64 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 197
  Telephone system:
  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
  domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 80 telephones per 100 persons; fully automatic switched network
  international: country code - 676; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2011)
  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 via satellite (2009)
  Radio broadcast stations:
  AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2001)
  Television broadcast stations:
  3 (2004)
  Internet country code:
  .to
  Internet users:
  total: 40,400
  percent of population: 37.9% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 191

- ## Transportation :: TONGA

- Airports:
  6 (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 177
  Airports - with paved runways:
  total: 1
  2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2013)
  Airports - with unpaved runways:
  total: 5
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
  914 to 1,523 m: 3
  under 914 m:
  1 (2013)
  Roadways:
  total: 680 km
  paved: 184 km
  unpaved: 496 km (2011)
  country comparison to the world: 190
  Merchant marine:
  total: 7
  by type: cargo 4, carrier 1, passenger/cargo 2
  foreign-owned: 2 (Australia 1, UK 1) (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 122
  Ports and terminals:
  major seaport(s): Nuku'alofa, Neiafu, Pangai

- ## Military :: TONGA

- Military branches:
  Tonga Defense Services (TDS): Land Force (Royal Guard), Maritime Force (includes Royal Marines, Air Wing) (2013)
  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)
  Manpower available for military service:
  males age 16-49: 24,460
  females age 16-49: 24,041 (2010 est.)
  Manpower fit for military service:
  males age 16-49: 20,956
  females age 16-49: 20,577 (2010 est.)
  Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
  male: 1,196
  female: 1,134 (2010 est.)

- ## Transnational Issues :: TONGA

- Disputes - international:
  none

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