Tonga · Oceania
How many people die in Tonga every day?
In Tonga, about 2 people die every day, roughly one death every 13 hours. That is about 700 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 182nd highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 71 years and the leading cause of death is cardiovascular disease. See every death on earth as it happens on the live death counter.
Deaths per day
2
Deaths per year
700
Life expectancy
71 years
Population
106,858
Death rate
6.6 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Tonga
71
World avg
72.8
-1.8 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Tonga
6.6
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Tonga by time period
| Per hour | under 0.1 |
| Per day | 1.9 |
| Per week | 13 |
| Per month | 58 |
| Per year | 700 |
What people die of in Tonga
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Tonga in 2023 was heart disease (ischaemic), which accounted for 21.2% of all deaths, about under 1 a day. It was followed by stroke and diabetes.
Deaths from heart disease (ischaemic) have risen by 26% since 2000, from about 118 to 149 a year.
WHO counts single causes, so heart disease and stroke appear as separate rows. Grouped together as cardiovascular disease, the category in the summary above, they are the largest killer.
| # | Cause | Deaths (2023) | Per day | Share | Since 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heart disease (ischaemic) | 149 | under 1 | 21.2% | +26% |
| 2 | Stroke | 84 | under 1 | 12% | +18% |
| 3 | Diabetes | 64 | under 1 | 9.2% | +7% |
| 4 | Kidney diseases | 43 | under 1 | 6.1% | n/a |
| 5 | COPD | 32 | under 1 | 4.6% | n/a |
| 6 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 27 | under 1 | 3.9% | n/a |
| 7 | Lung cancer | 24 | under 1 | 3.4% | n/a |
| 8 | Liver cancer | 19 | under 1 | 2.7% | n/a |
| 9 | Breast cancer | 18 | under 1 | 2.5% | n/a |
| 10 | Alzheimer's and other dementias | 17 | under 1 | 2.4% | n/a |
Deaths in Tonga since 2000
WHO estimates that about 700 people died in Tonga in 2023, 11% more than in 2000. Totals rise as populations grow and age, even when health improves. WHO’s modelled estimates can differ from the headline figures above, which come from a different source.
| 2000 | 630 deaths |
| 2010 | 656 deaths |
| 2019 | 670 deaths |
| 2023 | 700 deaths |
Life expectancy in Tonga since 1950
A baby born in Tonga in 1950 could expect to live about 48.4 years. By 2023 that had risen to 72.9, a gain of 24.5 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 48.4 years |
| 1980 | 66.2 years |
| 2000 | 69.6 years |
| 2010 | 71.3 years |
| 2019 | 72.3 years |
| 2023 | 72.9 years |
Tonga compared with similar countries in Oceania
Among the 3 countries in Oceania on this site, Tonga ranks 0th for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tonga | 2 | 71 | Cardiovascular disease |
| New Zealand | 99 | 82.1 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Papua New Guinea | 197 | 65 | Lower respiratory infections |
| Australia | 466 | 83.3 | Cardiovascular disease |
Sources: WHO Global Health Estimates 2023 (deaths by cause and totals); UN World Population Prospects via Our World in Data (life expectancy). Figures are modelled estimates and are rounded.
Frequently asked questions
How many people die in Tonga every day?
In Tonga, about 2 people die every day, or roughly one death every 13 hours. That adds up to about 700 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Tonga?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Tonga. Heart disease and stroke are the biggest killers in most countries, driven largely by high blood pressure, smoking, diet and inactivity. Counting single causes, WHO's estimates put heart disease (ischaemic) first in 2023, with 21.2% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Tonga?
Life expectancy at birth in Tonga is 71 years, 1.8 years below the world average of 72.8. That ranks 119th of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Tonga high?
Tonga records about 6.6 deaths per 1,000 people each year, below the world average of 7.7. Crude death rates are higher in countries with older populations, so a high rate does not always mean poor health care.