Tonga:

Region: Oceania – Polynesia

Capital: Nuku’alofa

Official Language/s: Tongan, English

Population: 104,000

Currency: Pa’anga

Government: Constitutional Monarchy

Demographics: Around two-thirds of the population of the Kingdom of Tonga live on its main island, Tongatapu. However an increasing number of Tongans have moved into the only urban and commercial centre. Here European and indigenous culture has blended, and kinship ties continue to be important throughout the country. Tongans are Polynesian by ethnicity and represent more than 98% of the population. The remaining 2% are made up of European, other Pacific Islanders and Chinese immigrants.

Education: Tonga’s education system is free and mandatory for all children between the ages of six and fourteen. Secondary education incurs only nominal fees and foreign-funded scholarships exist for post-secondary education. Mission schools provide about 8% of the primary and 90% of the secondary level of education with the government providing the rest. As a result the country boasts a 98% literacy rate and has one of the highest rates of tertiary-education graduates in the Pacific region. However most students pursue tertiary education overseas.

Religion: The everyday life of the Tongan population is heavily influenced by Polynesian traditions and particularly by the Christian faith. The constitution for example declares the Sabbath to be forever sacred. The majority of Tongans are Methodists with a significant Catholic minority and a growing Mormon adherence. Although church primarily satisfies the spiritual needs of the population, it also functions as the primary social hub.

Health: The Tongan government provides free medical and dental treatment, with one government medical department hospital on the major islands and several dispensaries. However hospital care remains basic and the availability of testing and diagnostic procedures is limited. The few private healthcare facilities are limited in resources. Tonga is free of malaria and most tropical diseases, however tuberculosis, typhoid fever and various eye and skin diseases remain common health problems. As of 2002 life expectancy is estimated at 68.6 years and infant mortality estimated at 13.7 per 1,000 live births.