Tonga Budget Deficit
General government net lending/borrowing as % of GDP GGXCNL_NGDP
Tonga's budget deficit was 5.64% in 2025, ranked 5th globally. This represents a 35.2% increase from 2024. Data from IMF WEO, covering 1999–2025.
Overview
Tonga's budget deficit stood at 5.64% in 2025, a rise of +1.47% from 2024. The IMF projects 5.64% by 2025. Tonga ranked 5th globally.
Tonga’s budget deficit has widened markedly since the turn of the millennium, rising from 1.55 % of GDP in 1999 to a peak of 6.85 % in 2009 before briefly turning into a surplus of –6.02 % in 2011, the only negative reading in the 27‑year series. After that reversal the deficit resumed an upward trajectory, reaching 5.64 % of GDP in 2025, which places the kingdom fifth globally among the countries tracked by the IMF World Economic Outlook. This 2025 figure is comparable to the United Arab Emirates’ 5.08 % deficit and slightly lower than South Sudan’s 6.64 % and Micronesia’s 6.54 % deficits, underscoring a regional pattern of fiscal pressure in small island economies. The post‑2011 expansion reflects higher public spending on infrastructure and social programs amid limited revenue diversification. If revenue reforms and expenditure controls are strengthened, the deficit could stabilise or decline, but continued reliance on external borrowing may sustain the upward trend.
Data & projection
| Year | Budget Deficit | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030* IMF | -12.89% | - | - |
| 2029* IMF | -11.14% | - | - |
| 2028* IMF | -9.79% | - | - |
| 2027* IMF | -8.33% | - | - |
| 2026* IMF | -7.69% | - | - |
| 2025* IMF | 5.64% | - | - |
| 2025 | 5.64% | +1.47% | #5 |
| 2024 | 4.17% | −1.97% | #177 |
| 2023 | 6.14% | +6.24% | #180 |
| 2022 | -0.10% | +0.77% | #142 |
| 2021 | -0.87% | −6.12% | #154 |
| 2020 | 5.25% | +1.97% | #186 |
| 2019 | 3.28% | +0.36% | #179 |
| 2018 | 2.92% | −0.66% | #172 |
| 2017 | 3.58% | +2.11% | #181 |
| 2016 | 1.47% | +4.22% | #172 |
| 2015 | -2.75% | −9.13% | #97 |
| 2014 | 6.38% | +7.68% | #184 |
| 2013 | -1.30% | +0.44% | #120 |
| 2012 | -1.74% | +4.29% | #111 |
| 2011 | -6.02% | −4.81% | #28 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Tonga matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2022. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw budget deficit improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Tonga's budget deficit was 5.64% in 2025. Ranked 5th globally. This represents a 35.2% increase from the previous year.
Tonga's budget deficit peaked at 6.85% in 2009.
The lowest budget deficit in Tonga was -6.02% in 2011.
Tonga ranks 5th globally in budget deficit as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GGXCNL_NGDP. Data sourced from IMF WEO.
Tonga's budget deficit is projected to reach 5.64% by 2025 based on IMF projection.
The budget deficit of Tonga in 2025 was 5.64%. This ranks 5th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_tonga_budget-deficit,
title = {Tonga Budget Deficit},
url = {https://historysaid.com/tonga/budget-deficit/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}