Tonga: health and care

How healthy are children in Tonga?

12% of children under five in Tonga were overweight in 2024, against 11% in 2019, according to the release of the Tonga Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2024 by the Tonga Statistics Department, carried out with UNICEF support. Exclusive breastfeeding of babies under six months fell from 40% to 32%.

The share of children aged 6 to 23 months receiving a minimum acceptable diet fell from 27% to 19%. MICS is a household survey that produces figures comparable across countries, and Tonga's 2024 round covers close to 200 indicators on health, nutrition, education and child protection. The full findings report and snapshots are free to download.

Official sources: TSD: MICS 2024 results release · TSD: MICS 2024 reports

What is the life expectancy in Tonga?

Life expectancy at birth in Tonga was 73.0 years in 2023, according to World Health Organization estimates in its Global Health Observatory. It was 70.7 years for men and 75.1 years for women.

WHO's figures are modelled estimates built from census, survey and death registration data, so they can differ from national figures. The Pacific Community's National Minimum Development Indicators hold a national figure of 70.6 years for 2011. Tonga Statistics Department publishes census and vital statistics reports on its website.

Official sources: WHO GHO: Life expectancy at birth · SPC: National Minimum Development Indicators, health · Tonga Statistics Department

What share of adults in Tonga are obese?

73.8% of adults in Tonga were obese in 2024, with a body mass index of 30 or more, according to World Health Organization age-standardised estimates in its Global Health Observatory. The estimate was 81.4% for women and 63.9% for men.

The Pacific Community's National Minimum Development Indicators give 81.2% for adults aged 25 to 64 from Tonga's Household Income and Expenditure Survey 2021-22, and adult diabetes prevalence of 34.4% from the 2012 STEPS survey. WHO's figure is age-standardised, which adjusts for age structure so countries can be compared, so it differs from survey figures for a fixed age band.

Official sources: WHO GHO: Prevalence of obesity among adults · SPC: National Minimum Development Indicators, health

What is the average life expectancy in Tonga?

In 2024, life expectancy at birth in Tonga was 73.1 years, according to the UN Population Division. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 12th highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 71.5 years. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 103rd highest.

What is the infant mortality rate in Tonga?

According to the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation, the infant mortality rate in Tonga was 7.8 per 1,000 in 2024. That is the lowest since at least 2005. It is 21st highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 13.9 per 1,000. Of 192 countries with 2024 data, 126th highest.

How many women die in childbirth in Tonga?

According to the WHO, the maternal mortality ratio in Tonga was 67.0 per 100,000 in 2023. No year since 2005 has been lower. It is 17th highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 82.0 per 100,000. World rank, highest first: 80th of 192.

How much does Tonga spend on health?

The WHO puts current health spending in Tonga at 7.4% of GDP in 2023. Since 2005 it has ranged from 4.0% of GDP (2009) to 8.1% of GDP (2012). Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 5.9% of GDP, and Tonga placed 12th highest of 29. Worldwide: 74th of 191.

What is out-of-pocket health spending in Tonga?

5.9%: that is out-of-pocket health spending in Tonga for 2023, according to the WHO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 3.9% (2022) to 11.4% (2009). East Asia & Pacific median: 12.2%; Tonga is 23rd highest of 29. Worldwide: 183rd of 191.

What is the doctor to patient ratio in Tonga?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2021, is 1.0 per 1,000. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2008. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 1.9 per 1,000, and Tonga placed 11th highest of 17. World rank, highest first: 84th of 123.

What is the measles vaccination rate in Tonga?

99.0%: that is measles vaccination among children aged 12 to 23 months in Tonga for 2024, according to WHO and UNICEF. No year since 2005 has been higher. East Asia & Pacific median: 91.0%; Tonga is 1st highest of 30. Worldwide: 1st of 191.