Expenditure on education as a percentage of total government in Tonga
Tonga: Expenditure on education as a percentage of total government was 9.3% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Expenditure on education as a percentage of total government in Tonga, 1984–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in UIS calculation.
Analysis
The most recent figure for expenditure on education as a percentage of total government in Tonga is 9.3%, measured in 2024.
That represents a change of up 10.5% on the previous year and down 15.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, expenditure on education as a percentage of total government in Tonga peaked at 26.1% in 1999 and was at its lowest, 0.0%, in 1984.
Tonga ranks 160th of 197 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Expenditure on education as a percentage of total government in Tonga, year by year
| Year | UIS calculation | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | 0.0% | — |
| 1998 | 0.0% | — |
| 1999 | 26.1% | — |
| 2000 | 23.0% | -11.9% |
| 2001 | 22.1% | -3.7% |
| 2002 | 15.8% | -28.4% |
| 2003 | 18.6% | +17.6% |
| 2004 | 19.1% | +2.6% |
| 2017 | 11.1% | -42.0% |
| 2018 | 11.3% | +1.8% |
| 2019 | 13.0% | +15.2% |
| 2020 | 10.7% | -17.4% |
| 2021 | 10.1% | -5.7% |
| 2022 | 9.8% | -3.5% |
| 2023 | 8.4% | -13.5% |
| 2024 | 9.3% | +10.5% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 1 |
| 1990s | 13.0% | 0.0% | 26.1% | 2 |
| 2000s | 19.7% | 15.8% | 23.0% | 5 |
| 2010s | 11.8% | 11.1% | 13.0% | 3 |
| 2020s | 9.7% | 8.4% | 10.7% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Tonga
More education data for Tonga
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 1,086 (2015)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 20 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 1,228 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 1,164 (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 16,132 (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 15,644 (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -2.92 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.1502 units per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is expenditure on education as a percentage of total government in Tonga?
- Expenditure on education as a percentage of total government in Tonga was 9.3% in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest expenditure on education as a percentage of total government recorded in Tonga?
- The highest recorded value was 26.1% in 1999.
- What is the lowest expenditure on education as a percentage of total government recorded in Tonga?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0% in 1984.
- How does Tonga rank for expenditure on education as a percentage of total government?
- Tonga ranks 160th out of 197 countries with data for 2024.
- Is expenditure on education as a percentage of total government rising or falling in Tonga?
- Over the last ten years it is down 15.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Tonga data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Expenditure on education as a percentage of total government expenditure (%) (UIS calculation). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release