Tonga
Oceania · Polynesia
Last Polynesian kingdom: deeply traditional, a rugby nation, remote and peaceful.
At a Glance
📈Tonga's Human Development Index
0.739
High human development#97 of 191 countries worldwide, #4 of 15 in Oceania.
Higher than 49% of countries with data. UNDP Human Development Report.
UNDP builds the index from three dimensions: a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and a decent standard of living. They are measured by life expectancy at birth, mean and expected years of schooling, and gross national income per capita.
Closest indicators in this dataset
World Bank, own vintages. UNDP’s own component values are not carried here, so these are related measures rather than the index inputs.
Nearest countries by HDI
Full HDI ranking, all 191 countries →Tonga
Tonga is a Polynesian kingdom in the South Pacific, the only country in the Pacific never to have lost its sovereignty to a colonial power, and it wears this independence in its traditional culture, its chiefly system, and the deep community values that shape daily life on its islands. The islands are surrounded by some of the finest humpback whale watching waters in the world. Those who love ocean culture and traditional Polynesian life will find it quietly extraordinary.
- Only Pacific Island nation never fully colonised by a foreign power.
- Produces more professional rugby players per capita than any country in the world.
- Constitutional monarchy with the same royal family since the 19th century.
Quick Facts
Capital
Nuku'alofa
Languages
English, Tongan
Currency
T$ TOP
Area
720 km²
Nomad Hub
GDP / Capita
$7K
PPP / Capita
$9K
Inflation
5.6%
Unemployment
2.0%
GNI / Capita
$7K
Tax Revenue
20.5%
FDI Inflows
-1.9%
Education Spend
5.3%
Price Level Index
16th pct
20-Year Trend + IMF Forecast
Income & inflation over time
HDI since 1990
0.640 → 0.739 (+0.099)Year by year →UNDP Human Development Report, 2023-24 edition. 33 annual values, none interpolated; hover any point for its year.
Twenty years here
Year by year →The world report →World Bank observations, first to last available year per indicator (roughly 2005–2024; each series has its own window).
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What is Tonga's Human Development Index?
Tonga's Human Development Index is 0.739 (UNDP Human Development Report), ranked #97 of 191 countries.
What is life expectancy in Tonga?
Life expectancy at birth in Tonga is 73.1 yrs (World Bank), ranked #105 of 195 countries.