A Promising Future: Less Poverty, More Equality Here

According to a newly released report, the Polynesian Kingdom of Tonga has reduced its poverty rate and improved its inequality. The recommendations contained therein suggest a brighter future for the Oceanian island country.

“This new research gives us a clearer picture of where Tonga stands today and how we can work with the government and other partners to continue to reduce poverty,” explains Stefano Mocci, World Bank Country Manager for the South Pacific. “Investing in education and health along with creating more job opportunities will be critical to Tonga’s success moving forward.”

Between 2015 and 2021, the poverty headcount went from 27.4% to 20.6%, with rural areas facing higher poverty rates than urban areas. Inequality has also experienced a decline. The Tonga Poverty and Equity Assessment was produced with data from Household Income and Expenditure Surveys, examining trends in monetary poverty and offering recommendations for progress in the future. Social protection systems must be strengthened to scale quickly in response to crises like natural disasters. The report suggests improving education and job training to enable more Tongans to access better-paying jobs, domestically and abroad. With better-skilled workers, the economy will be more diversified. Vocational training and investments in digital literacy could help Tongans enter sectors with higher growth potential.