Tonga: cost of living

What is the inflation rate in Tonga?

Consumer prices in Tonga rose 12.0% in the year to August 2026, according to the Tonga Statistics Department's consumer price index bulletin for August 2026. Prices of imported goods rose 14.3% and local goods 9.4%. Food and non-alcoholic drinks rose 10.3%, transport 22.3%, and housing, water, electricity and gas 26.8%.

Inflation has risen through 2026, from 2.0% in January. The department attributes the transport rise largely to international airfares, parcel delivery, diesel and petrol. Prices rose 1.6% in August alone. The index uses a 2021 basket based on the household survey, with food 42.6% of the weights, and is published monthly.

Official sources: TSD: CPI bulletin, August 2026 (PDF)

What is the average household income in Tonga?

The average Tongan household had an income of T$64,019 a year in 2025, up 3.8% from T$61,753 in 2021, while average household consumption rose 11.4% to T$62,546, according to the Tonga Statistics Department's release of the 2025 Household Income and Expenditure Survey. Consumption rose from 91.0% to 97.7% of income.

The figures are in current prices, so they are not adjusted for inflation. The department notes that 30.3% of household consumption came from non-cash sources, such as gifts, home production and the imputed value of owner-occupied housing. The survey interviewed 2,234 households between January and October 2025. The full report is to be published on the department's website.

Official sources: TSD: 2025 HIES release

What is Tonga's inflation rate?

According to the IMF, consumer price inflation in Tonga was 5.6% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from -1.1% (2015) to 11.0% (2022). East Asia & Pacific median: 2.2%; Tonga is 4th highest of 24. World rank, highest first: 33rd of 165.

What is household spending per person in Tonga?

$4,874: that is household consumption per person in Tonga for 2024, according to the World Bank. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 11th highest of 22 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is $4,470. Worldwide: 69th of 153.

What is the extreme poverty rate in Tonga?

According to the World Bank, the share of people living on less than $3.00 a day in Tonga was 0.4% in 2021. It was 3.6% in 2009. East Asia & Pacific median: 0.1%; Tonga is 3rd highest of 7. Of 80 countries with 2021 data, 49th highest.

What is the poverty rate in Tonga?

In 2021, the share of people below the national poverty line in Tonga was 20.6%, according to the World Bank. It is 1st highest of 5 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 6.3%. Of 72 countries with 2021 data, 34th highest.

What is Tonga's Gini coefficient?

The World Bank puts the Gini index in Tonga at 27.1 in 2021. In 2009 the figure was 37.5. East Asia & Pacific median: 35.5; Tonga is 7th highest of 7. Of 80 countries with 2021 data, 74th highest.

How many people in Tonga face food insecurity?

The latest figure from the FAO, for 2022, is 14.8%. East Asia & Pacific median: 16.5%; Tonga is 12th highest of 20. Of 147 countries with 2022 data, 95th highest.