Quick facts
Tonga population overview
Tonga is the 13th most populous of 23 countries and territories in Oceania. The United Nations put the population at 104,324 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of -0.4% the live estimate on this page falls by roughly 1 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 2,358 births (22.6 per 1,000 people) and 678 deaths (6.5 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 2,139 people. The infant mortality rate is 8.1 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 66,170 in 1960 to 103,742 in 2025 — a change of +56.8%, or +0.7% per year on average. It peaked at 107,570 in 2011 and has declined 3.4% since.
Demographically, the median age is 21 years; life expectancy at birth is 73.4 years; women have on average 3.1 children (2024, above the 2.1 replacement level); 34.9% of residents are under 15 and 6.9% are 65 or older (2025); 21.2% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Nuku'alofa. Tonga covers 750 km², giving a population density of about 139 people per km². GDP was $679.22M in 2025 — about $6,547 per person (World Bank classification: upper middle income).
Tonga population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 103,966 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 104,324 |
| World rank | #200 of 238 |
| Rank in Oceania | #13 of 23 |
| Share of world population | 0.001% |
| Annual growth rate | -0.4% |
| Births per year est. | 2,358 |
| Deaths per year est. | 678 |
| Net migration per year est. | -2,139 |
| Birth rate | 22.6 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 6.5 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 8.1 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 89.5 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 21 years |
| Life expectancy | 73.4 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 3.1 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 21.2% |
| Surface area 2023 | 750 km² |
| Population density | 139 per km² |
| Capital | Nuku'alofa |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $679.22M |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $6,547 |
| Income group World Bank | Upper middle income |
Tonga population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 103,966 | – | – |
| 2025 | 103,742 | -433 | -0.4% |
| 2024 | 104,175 | -422 | -0.4% |
| 2023 | 104,597 | -445 | -0.4% |
| 2022 | 105,042 | -448 | -0.4% |
| 2021 | 105,490 | -214 | -0.2% |
| 2020 | 105,704 | -391 | -0.1% |
| 2015 | 106,095 | -1,305 | -0.2% |
| 2010 | 107,400 | +1,729 | +0.3% |
| 2005 | 105,671 | +2,994 | +0.6% |
| 2000 | 102,677 | +2,452 | +0.5% |
| 1995 | 100,225 | +525 | +0.1% |
| 1990 | 99,700 | +1,716 | +0.3% |
| 1985 | 97,984 | +215 | +0% |
| 1980 | 97,769 | +4,752 | +1% |
| 1975 | 93,017 | +8,616 | +2% |
| 1970 | 84,401 | +8,477 | +2.1% |
| 1965 | 75,924 | +9,754 | +2.8% |
| 1960 | 66,170 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Tonga
Population over time
- From 66,170 in 1960 to 103,966 today — up 57.1%.
- Population peaked at 107,570 in 2011 and is down 3.4% since.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: -0.2% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 73.1 years (2024), up 14.8 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 3.1 births per woman (2024) — above the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 23 births vs 6.4 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 16.6 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 34.9% of the population is under 15 and 6.9% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 3.1% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 0.17 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 0.21 Mt in 2021 — down 17.8% since.
- Per person: 1.63 t in 2024, vs 0.22 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 543.4 kg of oil equivalent per person (2007), up 113.8% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 2.3% of final energy in 2022 (+0.9 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 12.4% of land area (2023).
- Cover has been essentially stable since 1990 (+0 points).
Urban population (% of total)
- 21.2% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 18.3% in 1960 (+2.9 points).
- Still majority-rural — less than half the population lives in cities.
Economy
- GDP: $679.22M in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 55.2% since 2015.
- That works out to $6,547 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 2% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 5.6% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 67.4% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 61.7 per 100 people (2022).
Tonga in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Tonga in 2026?
As of October 2026, Tonga has an estimated population of 103,966. The United Nations estimated 104,324 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the -0.4% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Tonga growing or shrinking?
It is shrinking at -0.4% per year — roughly 1 fewer people every day. Each year there are about 2,358 births and 678 deaths, with net migration of -2,139.
What is the population density of Tonga?
About 139 people per square kilometre: 103,966 people living on 750 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Tonga?
The median age is 21 years, and life expectancy at birth is 73.4 years. 34.9% of the population is under 15 and 6.9% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Tonga rank by population?
Tonga is the 200th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 13th in Oceania, with 0.001% of the global population.
How has the population of Tonga changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 66,170; by 2025 it had grown to 103,742 (+56.8%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
Explore more
Australia
Papua New Guinea
New Zealand
Fiji
Jersey
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Aruba
Antigua and BarbudaSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (-0.4%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.