Tonga: immigration

Are more people leaving Tonga than arriving?

In 2025, 122,903 international arrivals and 122,388 departures were recorded in Tonga, so arrivals exceeded departures by 515, according to the Tonga Statistics Department's annual migration statistics bulletin for 2025. From 2018 to 2024, departures exceeded arrivals every year.

The department describes Tonga as having a high rate of net migration loss. The figures count border movements, including tourists and returning residents, and the department notes that it cannot tell whether arrivals and departures are long or short term, because arrival and departure cards are incomplete. Tongan residents made 45,784 air departures in 2025, 40.7% of the total.

Official sources: TSD: Annual migration statistics 2025 (PDF)

How many immigrants live in Tonga?

According to the UN Population Division, the share of people born abroad in Tonga was 3.4% in 2024. That compares with 3.7% in 2015. It is 11th highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 2.1%. World rank, highest first: 109th of 193.

How many people move to Tonga each year?

In 2025, net migration in Tonga was -2,150, according to the UN Population Division. Since 2005 it has ranged from -2,637 (2013) to -1,642 (2017). It is 19th highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is -373. Worldwide: 97th of 193.

How many refugees come from Tonga?

In 2025, the number of refugees from the country living abroad in Tonga was 65, according to UNHCR. No year since 2005 has been higher. East Asia & Pacific median: 73; Tonga is 16th highest of 29. Of 189 countries with 2025 data, 158th highest.

How much are remittances to Tonga?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2025, is 39.3% of GDP. Its high point since 2005 was 2023, at 43.0% of GDP; its low point was 2012, at 19.4% of GDP. It is 1st highest of 15 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 2.2% of GDP. Of 127 countries with 2025 data, 2nd highest.