Tonga External Debt to GNI
External debt stocks as % of GNI DT.DOD.DECT.GN.ZS
Tonga's external debt to gni was 38.21% in 2025, ranked 62nd globally. This represents a 7.8% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1985–2025.
Overview
Tonga's external debt to gni stood at 38.21% in 2025, a rise of +2.76pp from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 38.21% by 2025. Tonga ranked 62nd globally.
Tonga’s external debt-to‑GNI ratio stood at 38.21 % in 2025, placing the kingdom 62nd in the World Bank’s global ranking and closely aligning with peers such as Thailand at 38.43 % and the Central African Republic at 38.12 %. Over the 40‑year series, the ratio has shown modest volatility, climbing from an early‑period level of 39.15 % in 1985 to a historic peak of 46.08 % in 1990, before falling to a trough of 26.67 % in 1997. Since the late 1990s, the indicator has hovered in the high‑30s, reflecting a balance between borrowing for development and limited fiscal capacity. The persistence of a ratio near the mid‑30s suggests that future shifts will depend on the scale of external financing for infrastructure and climate‑resilience projects, as well as the effectiveness of debt‑management reforms that could either stabilize or reduce the debt burden.
Data & projection
| Year | External Debt to GNI | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 38.42% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 38.21% | - | - |
| 2025 | 38.21% | +2.76pp | #62 |
| 2023 | 35.44% | −3.16pp | #35 |
| 2022 | 38.60% | −2.21pp | #39 |
| 2021 | 40.81% | +4.28pp | #43 |
| 2020 | 36.53% | +1.11pp | #32 |
| 2019 | 35.43% | −1.01pp | #42 |
| 2018 | 36.44% | −3.91pp | #47 |
| 2017 | 40.35% | −0.45pp | #60 |
| 2016 | 40.80% | −0.90pp | #61 |
| 2015 | 41.70% | −2.41pp | #67 |
| 2014 | 44.11% | +1.02pp | #72 |
| 2013 | 43.09% | +2.27pp | #74 |
| 2012 | 40.83% | −4.04pp | #74 |
| 2011 | 44.87% | +4.31pp | #74 |
| 2010 | 40.56% | +4.90pp | #70 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Tonga matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2022. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw external debt to gni improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Tonga's external debt to gni was 38.21% in 2025. Ranked 62nd globally. This represents a 7.8% increase from the previous year.
Tonga's external debt to gni peaked at 46.08% in 1990.
The lowest external debt to gni in Tonga was 26.67% in 1997.
Tonga ranks 62nd globally in external debt to gni as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is DT.DOD.DECT.GN.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Tonga's external debt to gni is projected to reach 38.21% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The external debt to gni of Tonga in 2025 was 38.21%. This ranks 62nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_tonga_external-debt-to-gni,
title = {Tonga External Debt to GNI},
url = {https://historysaid.com/tonga/external-debt-to-gni/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}