Tonga Labor Force Participation
Labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.ZS
Tonga's labor force participation was 49.81% in 2025, ranked 157th globally. This represents a 0.8% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Tonga's labor force participation stood at 49.81% in 2025, a decline of +0.39pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 49.15% by 2026. Tonga ranked 157th globally.
Tonga's labor force participation rate has been on a declining trend, with the latest value in 2025 standing at 49.81%, ranking 157th globally. This is significantly lower than its all-time peak of 59.92% achieved in 1994. In comparison, peer countries such as Gabon have a higher labor force participation rate of 51.06%, while Italy has a slightly lower rate of 49.30%. The current rate of 49.81% also marks the all-time trough for Tonga, indicating a 10.11 percentage point decline from its peak. This downward trend may be attributed to various factors, including changes in the economy and demographic shifts. Moving forward, a reversal of this trend would likely require significant improvements in employment opportunities and economic growth, which could potentially alter the trajectory of Tonga's labor force participation rate.
Data & projection
| Year | Labor Force Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 48.07% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 48.61% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 49.15% | - | - |
| 2025 | 49.81% | −0.39pp | #157 |
| 2024 | 50.20% | −0.41pp | #157 |
| 2023 | 50.60% | −0.78pp | #158 |
| 2022 | 51.38% | −0.56pp | #157 |
| 2021 | 51.94% | −0.45pp | #150 |
| 2020 | 52.39% | −1.08pp | #144 |
| 2019 | 53.47% | −0.53pp | #144 |
| 2018 | 54.00% | −0.35pp | #142 |
| 2017 | 54.35% | −0.34pp | #144 |
| 2016 | 54.69% | −0.35pp | #143 |
| 2015 | 55.04% | −0.32pp | #142 |
| 2014 | 55.36% | −0.28pp | #138 |
| 2013 | 55.64% | −0.25pp | #136 |
| 2012 | 55.89% | −0.28pp | #135 |
| 2011 | 56.17% | −0.33pp | #134 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Tonga matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2022. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw labor force participation improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Tonga's labor force participation was 49.81% in 2025. Ranked 157th globally. This represents a 0.8% decrease from the previous year.
Tonga's labor force participation peaked at 59.92% in 1994.
The lowest labor force participation in Tonga was 49.81% in 2025.
Tonga ranks 157th globally in labor force participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Tonga's labor force participation is projected to reach 49.15% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The labor force participation of Tonga in 2025 was 49.81%. This ranks 157th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_tonga_labor-force-participation,
title = {Tonga Labor Force Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/tonga/labor-force-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}