Economic overview: The economy is based on agriculture, which contributes 30% of GDP. Pumpkins, coconuts, bananas and vanilla beans are the main crops. Exports of agricultural products account for two thirds of all exports. The country is forced to import most of its food, mainly from New Zealand. The industrial sector provides only 10% of GDP. Tourism is the main source of hard currency earnings. The country remains dependent on foreign aid and remittances from Tongo citizens working abroad to cover the trade deficit. The government emphasizes the development of the private sector, encourages investment and allocates more funds to health and education. Tongo has a fairly good infrastructure and developed social sphere. See topb2bwebsites.com to know more about Tonga in 2004. GDP: at purchasing power parity – $225 million (2000 est.). Real GDP growth rate: 5% (2000 est.). GDP per capita: at purchasing power parity – $2,200 (2000 est.). The composition of GDP by sectors of the economy: agriculture: 30%; industry: 10%; service sector: 60% (1997). Proportion of the population below the poverty line: no data available. Percentage distribution of household income or consumption: for the poorest 10% of households: n/a; by top 10% of households: no data. Inflation rate at consumer prices: 7% (2000 est.). Labor force: 34,000 people (1996-97 FY). Employment structure: agriculture 65% (1997 est.). Unemployment rate: 13.3% (FY99-97) Budget: revenues: $49 million; expenses: $120 million, including capital investments – $75 million (FY96-97). Spheres of economy: tourism, fishing. Industrial production growth: 8.6% (FY98-99). Electricity generation: 35 million kWh (1999). Sources of electricity generation: fossil fuels: 100%; hydropower: 0%; nuclear fuel: 0%; others: 0% (1999). Electricity consumption: 32.6 million kWh (1999). Electricity export: 0 kWh (1999). Electricity import: 0 kWh (1999). Agricultural products: pumpkins, coconuts, copra, bananas, vanilla beans, cocoa, coffee, ginger, black pepper; fish. Export: $8 million (free on board, 1998) Exports: pumpkins, fish, vanilla beans, Export partners: Japan 53%, USA 18%, New Zealand 6%, Australia 6% (1997 est.). Imports: $69 million (free on board, 1998) Imports: foodstuffs, machinery and transport equipment, fuels, chemicals. Import partners: New Zealand 30%, Australia 19%, US 11%, UK 11%, Japan 3% (1997 est.). External debt: $62 million (1998). Economic aid recipient: $38.8 million (1995) Economic aid donor: Currency: pa’anga. Currency code: TOR. Exchange rate: TOP / USD – 1.9885 (January 2001), 1.7585 (2000), 1.5991 (1999), 1.4920 (1998), 1.2635 (1997), 1.2323 (1996). Fiscal year: July 1-June 30.
Telecommunications
Telecommunications Telephone lines: 8,000 (1996). Mobile Cell Phones: 302 (1996). Telephone system: internal: no data; international: satellite earth station – 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean). Broadcast stations: AM – 1, FM -2, shortwave – 1 (1998). Radio receivers: 61,000 (1997). Television broadcast stations: 1 (2001), Televisions: 2,000 (1997). Internet country code: to Internet service providers: 2 (2000). Number of users: 1,000 (2000).
Transport
Transport Railways: 0 km. Roads: total: 680 km; coated: 184 km; unpaved: 496 km (1996 est.). Ports and harbours: Neiafu, Nuku’alofa, Pangai, Merchant fleet: total: 8 vessels (1,000 tons displacement or more) with a total displacement of 20,626 gross register tons / 29,468 long tons of gross tonnage; ships of various types: bulk carriers – 1, cargo ships – 2, liquefied gas tankers – 3, oil tankers – 1, ferries – 1 (2000 est.). Airports: 6 (2000 est.). Airports with paved runways: total: 1; from 2438 to 3047 m: 1 (2000 est.). Airports with unpaved runways: total: 5; from 1524 to 2437 m:1; from 914 to 1523 m:2; less than 914 m: 2 (2000 est.).
Armed forces
Branches of the armed forces: Tonga Defense Services (includes the Royal Marines of Tonga, the Royal Guard of Tonga, the maritime forces, the police); note – a new air force should be created, which will be subordinate to the Ministry of Defense. Conscription age: Total military manpower: Eligible for military service: Number of persons reaching draft age each year: Military spending in dollar terms: not available. Military spending as part of GDP: no data available.
