Tonga

Tonga

Introduction

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

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
country comparison to the world: 190 land:717 sq km
water:30 sq km

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

most islands have limestone base formed from uplifted coral formation

others have limestone overlying volcanic base

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point:unnamed elevation on Kao Island 1,033 m

Natural resources

fish, fertile soil

Land use

arable land: 20%
permanent crops:14.67%
other:65.33% (2005)

Irrigated land

NA

Natural hazards

cyclones (October to April)

earthquakes and volcanic activity on Fonuafo’ou
volcanism:the Tonga Islands experience 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

Nationality

noun: Tongan(s)
adjective:Tongan

Ethnic groups

Polynesian, Europeans

Languages

Tongan (official), English (official)

Religions

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

Population

105,916 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192

Age structure

0-14 years: 37.2% (male 20,023/female 19,393)
15-64 years:56.7% (male 30,125/female 29,959)
65 years and over:6.1% (male 2,986/female 3,430) (2011 est.)

Median age

total: 21.4 years
male:21 years
female:21.8 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

0.243% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175

Birth rate

25.27 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60

Death rate

4.9 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 189

Net migration rate

-17.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 218

Urbanization

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

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years:1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years:0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.7 male(s)/female
total population:0.99 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Infant mortality rate

total: 13.65 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 125 male:14.07 deaths/1,000 live births
female:13.21 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 75.16 years
country comparison to the world: 87 male:73.79 years
female:76.58 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

3.65 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43

Health expenditures

6.2% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 99

Physicians density

0.2912 physicians/1,000 population (2002)
country comparison to the world: 140

Hospital bed density

2.44 beds/1,000 population (2008)
country comparison to the world: 88

Drinking water source

improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population (2008)

Sanitation facility access

improved:
urban: 98% of population
rural: 96% of population
total: 96% of population
unimproved:
urban: 2% of population
rural: 4% of population
total: 4% of population (2008)

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

HIV/AIDS – deaths

NA

Obesity – adult prevalence rate

56% (2000)
country comparison to the world: 3

Education expenditures

3.9% of GDP (2004)
country comparison to the world: 106

Literacy

definition: can read and write Tongan and/or English
total population:98.9%
male:98.8%
female:99% (1999 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 14 years
male:14 years
female:14 years (2007)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 11.9%
country comparison to the world: 91 male:9.9%
female:15.1% (2003)

Government

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

3 island groups

Ha’apai, Tongatapu, Vava’u

Independence

4 June 1970 (from UK protectorate)

National holiday

National Day, 4 November (1875)

Constitution

4 November 1875

revised 1 January 1967

Legal system

English common law

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration

non-party state to the ICCt

Suffrage

21 years of age

universal

Executive branch

chief of state: King George TUPOU V (since 11 September 2006)
head of government:Prime Minister Lord Siale’ataonga TU’IVAKANO (since 22 December 2010)
cabinet:Cabinet is nominated by the prime minister and appointed by the monarch
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )note:there is also a Privy Council that advises the monarch
elections:the monarchy is hereditary

prime minister and deputy prime minister elected by and from the members of parliament and appointed by the monarch
election results:Lord Siale’ataonga TU’IVAKANO elected by parliament on 21 December 2010 with 14 of 26 votes

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)
elections:last held on 25 November 2010 (next to be held in 2014)
election results:Peoples Representatives: percent of vote – independents 67.3%, Democratic Party 28.5%

seats – Democratic Party 12, independents 5

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)

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 [Uliti UATA]

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, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Sonatane Tu’akinamolahi TAUMOEPEAU-TUPOU
chancery:250 East 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 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

the anthem is more commonly known as “Fasi Fakafonua” (National Song)

Economy

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, a continuing upturn in inflation, pressures for democratic reform, and rising civil service expenditures are major issues facing the government.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$751 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208 $749.1 million (2009 est.)
$750.9 million (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

$363 million (2010 est.)

GDP – real growth rate

0.3% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183 -0.3% (2009 est.)
1.3% (2008 est.)

GDP – per capita (PPP)

$6,100 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138 $6,200 (2009 est.)
$6,300 (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP – composition by sector

agriculture: 20.4%
industry:17.9%
services:61.7% (2010 est.)

Labor force

39,960 (2007)
country comparison to the world: 193

Labor force – by occupation

agriculture: 31.8%
industry:30.6%
services:2,003% (2003 est.)

Unemployment rate

13% (FY03/04 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135

Population below poverty line

24% (FY03/04)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%:NA%

Investment (gross fixed)

26.3% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47

Budget

revenues: $104.9 million
expenditures:$104.9 million (2010 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

28.9% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

0% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

3.6% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118 1.4% (2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

11.53% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81 12.13% (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$54.37 million (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186 $44.54 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$171.8 million (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186 $153.5 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$165.8 million (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180 $150.2 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Agriculture – products

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

fish

Industries

tourism, construction, fishing

Industrial production growth rate

1% (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147

Electricity – production

40 million kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 206

Electricity – consumption

37.2 million kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 206

Electricity – exports

0 kWh (2009)

Electricity – imports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Oil – production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134

Oil – consumption

1,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204

Oil – exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133

Oil – imports

1,202 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190

Oil – proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 197

Natural gas – production

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131

Natural gas – consumption

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131

Natural gas – exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188

Natural gas – imports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 189

Natural gas – proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 196

Current account balance

-$23 million (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67

Exports

$22 million (2006)
country comparison to the world: 204

Exports – commodities

squash, fish, vanilla beans, root crops

Exports – partners

Hong Kong 26.8%, US 17.9%, Fiji 10.7%, Samoa 9%, NZ 7.9%, Japan 6.1%, American Samoa 5.7% (2010)

Imports

$139 million (2006)
country comparison to the world: 207

Imports – commodities

foodstuffs, machinery and transport equipment, fuels, chemicals

Imports – partners

Fiji 31.6%, NZ 22.3%, Japan 11%, US 10.8%, Australia 5.6%, China 5.1% (2010)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$40.83 million (FY04/05)
country comparison to the world: 173

Debt – external

$104.5 million (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184 $80.7 million (2004)

Exchange rates

pa’anga (TOP) per US dollar -
NA (2007)
2.0277 (2006)
1.96 (2005)
1.9716 (2004)
2.142 (2003)

Transportation

Airports

6 (2010)
country comparison to the world:175

Airports – with paved runways

total: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m:1 (2010)

Airports – with unpaved runways

total: 5
1,524 to 2,437 m:1
914 to 1,523 m:3
under 914 m:1 (2010)

Roadways

total: 680 km
country comparison to the world: 188 paved:184 km
unpaved:496 km (2000)

Merchant marine

total: 10
country comparison to the world: 114 by type:bulk carrier 1, cargo 6, carrier 1, liquefied gas 1, passenger/cargo 1
foreign-owned:3 (Australia 1, Switzerland 1, UK 1) (2010)

Ports and terminals

Nuku’alofa, Neiafu, Pangai

Military

Military branches

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

Military service age and obligation

16 years of age for voluntary enlistment (with parental consent)

no conscription (2010)

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.)

Military expenditures

0.9% of GDP (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136

Transnational Issues

Disputes – international

none