Urban population growth in Tonga
Tonga: Urban population growth was -0.4% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Urban population growth in Tonga, 1961–2025
Source: World Urbanization Prospects, United Nations (UN). Measured in annual %.
Analysis
In 2025, urban population growth in Tonga stood at -0.4%.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 0.4% on the previous year and up 57.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, urban population growth in Tonga peaked at 5.2% in 1961 and was at its lowest, -3.1%, in 2021.
Tonga ranks 201st of 215 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 3.6% | 2.0% | 5.2% | 9 |
| 1970s | 1.8% | 0.8% | 2.7% | 10 |
| 1980s | 0.9% | 0.7% | 1.4% | 10 |
| 1990s | 0.7% | 0.3% | 1.0% | 10 |
| 2000s | 0.6% | 0.5% | 0.7% | 10 |
| 2010s | -0.6% | -1.6% | 0.5% | 10 |
| 2020s | -1.2% | -3.1% | -0.4% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Tonga
More climate change data for Tonga
- Population growth -0.4% (2025)
- Population, total 103,742 (2025)
- Urban population 21,948 (2025)
- Urban population 21.2% (2025)
- Terrestrial protected areas 13.3% (2025)
- Terrestrial and marine protected areas 0.1% (2025)
- Marine protected areas 0.1% (2025)
- CPIA public sector management and institutions cluster average 3.7 1=low to 6=high (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is urban population growth in Tonga?
- Urban population growth in Tonga was -0.4% in 2025, according to World Urbanization Prospects, United Nations (UN).
- What is the highest urban population growth recorded in Tonga?
- The highest recorded value was 5.2% in 1961.
- What is the lowest urban population growth recorded in Tonga?
- The lowest recorded value was -3.1% in 2021.
- How does Tonga rank for urban population growth?
- Tonga ranks 201st out of 215 countries with data for 2025.
- Is urban population growth rising or falling in Tonga?
- Over the last ten years it is up 57.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Tonga data come from?
- The figures come from World Urbanization Prospects, United Nations (UN), published as part of Urban population growth (annual %). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Annual urban population growth rate for year t is the exponential rate of growth of midyear urban population from year t-1 to t, expressed as a percentage. Urban population refers to people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated using World Bank total population estimates and urban ratios from the United Nations World Urbanization Prospects.