The migration reports produced by the Statistics Department as the main reference on volume of overseas visitors, cruise ship passengers, yacht passengers and residents movement to and from the Kingdom of Tonga. The bulletin presents information relating to number of arrivals and departures by port, passenger type, transport mode, country of citizen, purpose of travel, type of passengers, country of usual residence, and country visited.
Departure
36,844
Arrival
36,251
Total International Arrivals and Departures 2004-2022
| Year | Total Arrivals | % Change | Total Departures | % Change |
2004 |
66,639 |
- |
70,206 |
- |
2005 |
76,286 |
14.5 |
73,540 |
4.7 |
2006 |
78,652 |
3.1 |
82,268 |
11.9 |
2007 |
75,587 |
-3.9 |
83,416 |
1.4 |
2008 |
91,128 |
20.6 |
92,890 |
11.4 |
2009 |
99,803 |
9.5 |
99,360 |
7.0 |
2010 |
89,506 |
-10.3 |
90,607 |
-8.8 |
2011 |
94,960 |
6.1 |
95,607 |
5.5 |
2012 |
82,400 |
-13.2 |
83,805 |
-12.3 |
2013 |
85,473 |
3.7 |
85,134 |
1.6 |
2014 |
92,374 |
8.1 |
94,090 |
10.5 |
2015 |
104,070 |
12.7 |
105,379 |
12.0 |
2016 |
123,462 |
18.6 |
122,266 |
16.0 |
2017 |
124,703 |
1.0 |
122,970 |
0.6 |
2018 |
128,734 |
3.2 |
132,086 |
7.4 |
2019 |
136,059 |
5.7 |
139,527 |
5.6 |
2020 |
25,382 |
-81.3 |
29,306 |
-79.0 |
2021 |
1,903 |
-92.5 |
4,132 |
-85.9 |
2022 |
36,251 |
1804.9 |
36,844 |
791.7 |
The table shows the total arrivals or person arrived in the Kingdom with the highest point in 2019 with 136,059. The largest increase in arrivals occurred from 2021 to 2022 with 1804.9% . This was after Covid-19 restrictions were lifted and borders were reopened. It was followed by 2007 to 2008 with 20.6%. Similarly, the total departures or persons leaving Tonga in 2019 (139,527). The year 2020 to 2021 shows the highest decline with 92.5% decrease in arrivals as well as a 85.9% decline in the number of departures; this was due to the Covid-19 pandemic and its impacts on Migration.
Visitors Arrivals by Purpose of Visit 2022
Total International Arrivals & Departures 2012 – 2022
The above graph shows that the trend from 2012 to 2016 is going up. However, negative net migration continues until 2017, arrivals slightly higher than departures. Year 2018 and 2019 shos that there were more people departing the Kingdom than arrivals. There was a very sharp declin from 2019 to 2020 and to 2021; this was mainly due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. There were travel restrictions and some countries continue to close their borders entirely. There was an increase from 2021 to 2022 and this was because the borders opened for both air and sea travelers.
Contact Person: Salote Latu