Tonga 2006 Census of Population and Housing

The 2006 census determined that the total population was 101,991. This compares with 97,784 people in 1996, and represents an increase of 4.3% or 4,207 people. This increase in population represents an average annual rate of growth of 0.4%, an increase of 421 people per year.

The 2006 census enumerated 51,772 males and 50,219 females, representing a sex ratio of 103 males per 100 females.

Tongatapu's population was 72,045, which include 71% of the total Tonga population.

The population classified as urban was 23,658 people (23.2% of the total population) which encompasses the villages of Kolofo'ou, Ma'ufanga, and Kolomotu'a. These are all part of Nuku'alofa, Tongatapu.

Summary Text

The aim of this report is to provide an analysis of the 2006 Tonga census data with a strong emphasis on demographic trends, patterns and levels.

The 2006 census determined that the total population was 101,991. This compares with 97,784 people in 1996, and represents an increase of 4.3% or 4,207 people. This increase in population represents an average annual rate of growth of 0.4%, an increase of 421 people per year.

The 2006 census enumerated 51,772 males and 50,219 females, representing a sex ratio of 103 males per 100 females.

Tongatapu’s population was 72,045, which include 71% of the total Tonga population.

The population classified as urban was 23,658 people (23.2% of the total population) which encompasses the villages of Kolofo'ou, Ma'ufanga, and Kolomotu’a. These are all part of Nuku'alofa, Tongatapu.

The average population density was 157 people/km². This varies widely between division and districts. For example, Tongatapu has 280 people/km2, while Ongo Niua had only 23 people/km2.

The census counted 17,462 private households with 101,144 household members, which is 5.8 people per household on average. Almost one-quarter (23,057) of all people that live in private households live in households with 10 people or more, and 3,750 people live in households with 15 people or more.

The 2006 census data show a net flow of people from the ‘Outer Islands’ of Vava’u, Ha’apai, ‘Eua, and Ongo Niuas towards Tongatapu during the intercensal period 1996–2006. However, the main direction of Outer Island migrants was to overseas destinations.

Tonga has a young population with a median age of 21 years. More than one-third (38%) of the population were younger than 15 years of age, and only 8% were 60 years and older.

The age dependency ratio was calculated using the 15–59 year-old age group as the "working age population". For every 100 people of working age, 86 were in the dependent age category.

The number of births was estimated at 2,945 in 2006. This accounts for a crude birth rate (CBR) of 29 per 1000.

The total fertility rate (TFR) — the average number of births per woman — declined only very marginally from about 4.3 during in 1996 to about 4.2 in 2006.

Based on census data for the number of children ever born and still alive, the infant mortality rate (IMR) was estimated at 19; 22 for males and 16 for females. This estimate is similar to levels estimated for 1996.

Based on the estimated childhood mortality rates, in combination with reported number of births by age and sex of the period 2003-2006, life expectancies at birth were estimated at 67.3 and 73.0 years for males and females, respectively.

Based on the derived life tables, a crude death rate (CDR) of 7 per 1000 was calculated.

The estimated mortality indicators show more positive mortality indicators for females than for males, with females expected to live, on average, almost six years longer than males.

Net international migration is estimated indirectly by applying the demographic balancing equation to the known 1996-2006 intercensal population growth rate, and estimated crude birth rate (CBR) and crude death rate (CDR). The net migration rate is estimated at -18 per 1000 population, which accounts for -1,800 people per year on average which is -150 people per month during the intercensal period 1996–2006.

Women marry at younger ages than men. The average age at marriage was 28.0 and 25.6 years for males and females, respectively.

The Free Wesleyan Church is the dominant religion in Tonga, and 37% of the population is affiliated with this religion. The two second largest religions in Tonga were the Latter Day Saints with 17%, and Roman Catholic Church with 16%, followed by the Free Church of Tonga (11%).

The 2006 census questionnaire included a question on smoking habits of the population 6 years and older. It was found that 21% of the population smokes on a daily basis, 33% of males and 9% of females. The age group that most likely smoke are the 25-29 year olds. In general about half of all males aged 20-65 years of age smoke, while it is 10-15% of females aged 20 years and older.

Data on disability indicate that, overall, 5 per cent of the total population reported a disability. The proportion of the population with a disability increases with age, and there is very little difference in the proportion of males and females with a disability. While about 5% of children younger than 5 years of age had a disability, it was lower for all age groups from 5 years to 49 years of age. Beginning with 50 year olds and higher, the proportion of the population with a disability increases continuously until it reaches about 45% of the people aged 75 years and older.

The disability that was most commonly mentioned was difficulties seeing, followed by difficulties with walking. Other disabilities were problems hearing, or remembering and/or concentrating. There were almost 200 people that could not walk at all, and the same number was reported not to be able to remember or concentrate. Forty-four people were blind, and 39 were deaf.

During the 2-week period before the census about 5% of the total population reported a ‘health complaint’ (illness or injury). The age pattern of people with a ‘health complaint’ is generally the same as those with a disability: it increases with age. The vast majority of people with a health complaint sought care, mainly in a hospital. Others self-treated the complaint or went to a private doctor. Three percent of all people with a health complaint did not seek any care.

School enrolment data show that almost all (98%) children in the age group 6–14 years (compulsory school age) were enrolled in schools. School enrollment rates decline rapidly after the age of 15, and about 15% of 16-year-olds were not attending school. In general female school enrollment rates were higher than males rates.

Data on educational attainment indicate that about one-quarter had only primary education, more than 60% of the population 15 years and older had secondary education in 2006, and about 10% had tertiary education. Educational levels were higher in the urban than rural areas.

The proportion of the population 15 years and older with a secondary educational qualification was with 27% of females slightly higher than for males with 25%. While only 2-3 per cent had a tertiary qualification, more than 60% had no qualification at all. About 8% had a vocational/professional. Again, the population in the urban areas reported better qualifications compared to the rural population.

Almost everybody older than 10 years of age was literate in Tongan. Literacy in English language skills was almost equally high as Tongan language skills for the young aged 10-14 years of age. It gradually declines after that, and is below 90% of the population at age 40-44 years, and further decrease by age.

The literacy rate of the 15-25 year old population was 98.4% and 98.8% for males and females respectively. Literacy was measured on a respondent’s ability to read and write a simple sentence in Tongan and English.

Although a high percentage (57%) of the Tonga population 15 years and older was economically active, only a relatively small proportion (37%) was received a regular paid income; this group accounted for 45% of males and 29% of females.

Subsistence work such as growing or gathering produce or fishing to feed their families was the main activity of 17% percent of males and 19% of females aged 15 years and older. The proportion of subsistence workers (of 21%) was much higher in rural (outer islands) areas, than in the urban area, where only 9% of the population was subsistence workers.

The unemployment rate was 1.1% of the total labour force (388 people), and was the same for males and females. However, there was a group of 195 people that did not work because of bad weather conditions, or because they could not afford the transportation costs to work. In addition, a group of 1,241 people did not work, and did not look for work, because they believed that no work was available. Using the international definition of unemployment, these people are not classified as unemployed because they did not look for work and did not indicate that they were available for work. If all these people would be included in the unemployed category, the unemployment rate would increase to 4.9%, 4.4% for males and 5.5% for females, 5.4% in the urban and 4.8% in the rural areas.

If subsistence workers were included as part of the unemployed — on the grounds that these people would look for work if they believed cash work was available in their labour market community — the total unemployment level would increase to 13,321 people, or an unemployment rate of 36% (31% for males, 42% for females, 23% in the urban and 40% in the rural areas). While this assumption would not apply to all individuals in this group, it would likely apply to a proportion of them. Depending on the assumptions a user may wish to use, the resulting unemployment rate would fall somewhere between 4.9% and 36%.

Eighty-one per cent of all households obtained their drinking water from a cement tank. The second most important source (15%) was piped water. However, piped water was only used by a significant proportion of households in Tongatapu and ‘Eua. Otherwise, 3% of all households used bottled water to obtain their drinking water.

The most frequently recorded toilet facility used by 70% of all Tonga households was a flush toilet, although there were significant differences by division. While 80% of all households in Tongatapu had a flush toilet, this percentage was much lower in Ha’apai 38% and Ongo Niua 34%.

The main source of lighting in Tonga was electricity supply with on average 89% of all households having electricity, although this percentage varied between 80-95% by division. In Ongo Niua electricity was not supplied at all. Instead half of all households relied on kerosene, and another 44% on solar power as their main source of lighting.

The main type of energy for cooking was gas with just over half of all households reporting its use. However, the use of gas was most common in Tongatapu where about two-third of all households relied on gas. This percentage was much lower in all other divisions, where collected firewood was the most common type of energy for cooking.

The most common means of waste disposal in Tonga was burning with 85% of all households reporting its use. In Tongatapu one out of ten households (11%) deposits their waste at the local dump area, and another 5% use a commercial waste collection.

Information on tenure reveals that 72% of all households owned their dwelling outright, 4% rented their dwelling, and another 23% resided in their dwelling rent-free.

Regarding the availability of variety household items, a higher proportion of households in Tongatapu compared to all other divisions use items such as a hot water system, a motor vehicle, refrigerator, washing machine, TV, video/DVD, mobile phones, and computers. There are few items that are used by a higher proportion of households in other divisions than Tongatapu. These included such as boats being more common in Vava’u and Ha’apai, a bath or shower in Vava’u and ‘Eua, and a landline telephone line in Ongo Niua.

According to population projections prepared for this report, the population of Tonga in 2030 will increase to about 115,400 people. The population will age, with a decreasing proportion of the young population aged 15 years and younger, and an increase of the population aged 60 years and older. The working age population (aged 15–59) will increase to about 68,000 people.

Analysis of census data provides timely and accurate information about demographic trends, patterns and levels. Through census data analysis, governments acquire comprehensive and consistent information about their country’s population structure, population processes and socioeconomic characteristics. The population data provided in this report can be an effective tool for planning and policy-making. Because policies are aimed at achieving goals in the future, knowledge about future population trends is required. Understanding and anticipating population changes enables development planners to formulate effective programmes in areas as diverse as health, education, environment, poverty reduction, social progress, and economic growth.

More Census Tables are available in the Key Stats Excel workbook.