Editing Tonga (section)

== Demographics ==
{{Main|Demographics of Tonga}}
[[File:Tonga demography.png|thumb|Tonga's population (1961–2003) in thousands]]

Over 70% of the {{UN_Population|Tonga}}{{UN_Population|ref}} inhabitants live on its main island, Tongatapu. Although an increasing number of [[Tongans]] have moved into the only urban and commercial centre, Nukuʻalofa, where European and indigenous cultural and living patterns have blended, village life and kinship ties remain influential throughout the country. Despite emigration, Tonga grew in population from about 32,000 in the 1930s to more than 90,000 by 1976.<ref>Small, Cathy A. and Dixon, David L.  "[http://www.migrationinformation.org/feature/display.cfm?ID=198 Tonga: Migration and the Homeland] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120127140157/http://www.migrationinformation.org/Feature/display.cfm?ID=198 |date=27 January 2012 }}", Migration Policy Institute.</ref>

=== Ethnic groups ===
{{bar box
|title=Ethnic groups in Tonga
|titlebar=#ddd
|left1=Ethnic groups
|right1=percent
|float=right
|bars=
{{bar percent|Tongan|darkgreen|97.03}}
{{bar percent|Part Tongan|purple|0.79}}
{{bar percent|Chinese|red|0.73}}
{{bar percent|Fijian|black|0.3}}
{{bar percent|European|orange|0.25}}
{{bar percent|Indo-Fijian|darkblue|0.12}}{{bar percent|Other Pacific Islander|green|0.2}}
{{bar percent|Other Asian|maroon|0.19}}
{{bar percent|Other|darkgray|0.37}}
{{bar percent|Not stated|gray|0.03}}
}}
According to the government portal, Tongans, [[Polynesians|Polynesian]] by ethnicity with a mixture of [[Melanesia]]n, represent more than 98% of the inhabitants. About 1.5% are mixed Tongans and the rest are [[European ethnic groups|European]] (the majority are British), mixed European, and other [[Pacific Islanders]]. In 2001, about 3,000 to 4,000 [[Chinese in Tonga|Chinese lived there]], comprising 3 to 4% of the total Tongan population.<ref>[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=229612 "Editorial: Racist moves will rebound on Tonga"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407043220/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/ |date=7 April 2020 }}, ''New Zealand Herald'', 23 November 2001</ref> The [[2006 Nukuʻalofa riots]] mainly targeted Chinese-owned businesses, leading to the emigration of several hundred Chinese<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2006-11-22/flight-chartered-to-evacuate-chinese-in-tonga/1316302 "Flight chartered to evacuate Chinese in Tonga"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602104514/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2006-11-22/flight-chartered-to-evacuate-chinese-in-tonga/1316302 |date=2 June 2013 }}, ABC News, 22 November 2006</ref> so that only about 300 remain.<ref>{{cite book | chapter-url=https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1057/9780230339750_8 | doi=10.1057/9780230339750_8 | chapter=China's World Wide Web: Overseas Chinese in the South Pacific | title=The Pacific Islands in China's Grand Strategy | date=2011 | last1=Yang | first1=Jian | pages=105–125 | isbn=978-1-349-29497-8 }}</ref>

=== Languages ===
[[Tongan language|Tongan]] is the official language,<ref name=":3" /> along with English. Tongan is a [[Polynesian language]] of the Tongic branch so is closely related to other languages of the Tongic branch, those being: [[Niuean language|Niuean]] and [[Niuafo'ou language|Niuafoʻouan]]. Tongan is more distantly related to other Polynesian languages such as [[Hawaiian language|Hawaiian]], [[Samoan language|Samoan]], [[Māori language|Māori]], and [[Tahitian language|Tahitian]], among others.

=== Religion ===
{{Main|Religion in Tonga}}
[[File:Saione.jpg|right|thumb|The [[Free Wesleyan Church]]]]

Tonga does not have an official state religion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2010/148900.htm|title=Tonga|website=U.S. Department of State|access-date=8 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220222709/https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2010/148900.htm|archive-date=20 February 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The Constitution of Tonga (Revised 1998) provides for freedom of religion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://parliament.gov.to/parliamentary-business/documents/constitution-of-tonga/file/115-constitution-of-tonga-revised-1988?switch_to_desktop_ui=1%5C%5C%5C%5C%22+rel=class=link-button|title=Constitution of Tonga (Revised 1988)|website=parliament.gov.to|access-date=8 April 2020|archive-date=9 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809102806/https://parliament.gov.to/parliamentary-business/documents/constitution-of-tonga/file/115-constitution-of-tonga-revised-1988?switch_to_desktop_ui=1%5C%5C%5C%5C%22+rel=class=link-button|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1928, Queen [[Salote Tupou III]], who was a member of the [[Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga]], established the Free Wesleyan Church as the state religion of Tonga. The chief pastor of the Free Wesleyan Church serves as the representative of the people of Tonga and of the church at the coronation of a king or queen of Tonga, where he anoints and crowns the monarch. In opposition to the establishment of the Free Wesleyan Church as a state religion, the [[Church of Tonga]] separated from the Free Wesleyan Church in 1928.

[[Islam in Tonga]] is a small minority religion in the country. Muslims in Tonga belong to [[Sunni Islam|Sunni]] denomination. [[Al-Khadeejah Mosque]] is a prominent mosque in Tonga.

Everyday life is heavily influenced by Polynesian traditions and by the Christian faith; for example, all commerce and entertainment activities cease on Sunday, from the beginning of the day at midnight, to the end of the day at midnight. The constitution declares the Sabbath sacred forever. The official figures from the latest government census {{as of| 2011|lc=yes}} show that 90% of the population are affiliated with a Christian church or sect, with the four major church affiliations in the kingdom:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spc.int/prism/tonga/index.php/component/docman/doc_download/247-census-report-2011-vol-1-rev?Itemid=111|title=Tonga 2011 Census of Population and Housing|volume=Volume 1: Basic Tables and Administrative Report|at=Table G17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140205070928/http://www.spc.int/prism/tonga/index.php/component/docman/doc_download/247-census-report-2011-vol-1-rev?Itemid=111 |archive-date=5 February 2014 }}</ref>
* [[Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga]] (36,592 or 36%)
* [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] (18,554 or 18%)
* [[Roman Catholicism in Tonga|Roman Catholics]] (15,441 or 15%)
* [[Free Church of Tonga]] (11,863 or 12%)

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sent missionaries in 1891 to visit King Siaosi (George) Tupo, where they obtained permission to preach.

=== Health ===
{{Main|Health in Tonga}}

By some published surveys, Tonga has one of the highest obesity rates in the world.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Watson|first1=Katy|title=How mutton flaps are killing Tonga|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-35346493|access-date=25 February 2016|work=BBC News Online|date=18 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305022251/http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-35346493|archive-date=5 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> [[World Health Organization]] data published in 2014 indicate that Tonga stands fourth overall in terms of [[List of countries by Body Mass Index (BMI)|countries listed by mean body mass index data]]. In 2011, 90% of the adult population were considered overweight using NIH interpretation of body mass index (BMI) data, with more than 60% of those [[obesity|obese]].<ref>Sands, Neil (10 April 2011) [http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/world/view/20110410-330400/Pacific-nations-battle-obesity-epidemic "Pacific island nations battle obesity epidemic"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131218082637/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/world/view/20110410-330400/Pacific-nations-battle-obesity-epidemic |date=18 December 2013 }}, Agence France-Presse.</ref> 70% of Tongan females aged 15–85 are obese. Tonga and [[Nauru]] have the world's highest overweight and obese populations.<ref>Mark Henderson (18 February 2008) [https://www.thetimes.com/travel/advice/welcome-to-the-town-that-will-make-you-lose-weight-x9d820w37v5 Welcome to the town that will make you lose weight] . ''Times Online''. www.timesonline.co.uk</ref>

In late October 2021, Tonga reported its first case of [[COVID-19]] based on a New Zealand air passenger's positive test.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Baker |first1=Mark |title=Tonga reports its first-ever COVID-19 case |url=https://www.npr.org/2021/10/29/1050530740/tonga-first-covid-19-case |website=NPR |date=29 October 2021 |agency=Associated Press |access-date=29 October 2021 |archive-date=29 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029174122/https://www.npr.org/2021/10/29/1050530740/tonga-first-covid-19-case |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Education ===
{{Main|Education in Tonga}}

Primary education between ages 6 and 14 is compulsory and free in state schools. Mission schools provide about 8% of the primary and 90% of the secondary level of education. State schools make up for the rest. Higher education includes teacher training, nursing, and medical training, a small private university, a woman's business college, and a number of private agricultural schools. Most levels of higher education are pursued overseas.

Tongans enjoy a relatively high level of education, with a 98.9% literacy rate,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/tonga/|title=Tonga|work=The World Factbook|publisher=Central Intelligence Agency|access-date=22 June 2010|archive-date=9 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109192022/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/tonga|url-status=live}}</ref> and higher education up to and including medical and graduate degrees (pursued mostly overseas). They hold the body of academic knowledge created by their scholars in high esteem and the Kukū Kaunaka Collection, which comprises every doctoral and master's dissertation written by any Tongan in any country is archived by [[Seu'ula Johansson-Fua]] at the Institute for Education in Tonga.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-11-28|title=King Tupou VI commissions Kukū Kaunaka Collection|url=https://matangitonga.to/2018/11/28/king-tupou-vi-commissions-kuk-kaunaka-collection|access-date=2020-06-15|website=Matangitonga|language=en|archive-date=15 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615201127/https://matangitonga.to/2018/11/28/king-tupou-vi-commissions-kuk-kaunaka-collection|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Emigration ===
Contemporary Tongans often have strong ties to overseas lands. Many Tongans have emigrated to [[Tongan Australians|Australia]], [[Tongan New Zealanders|New Zealand]], or the [[Tongan Americans|United States]] to seek employment and a higher standard of living.

In 2018, 82,389 Tongans lived in New Zealand.<ref>{{cite web |title=Tongan ethnic group |url=https://www.stats.govt.nz/tools/2018-census-ethnic-group-summaries/tongan |website=2018 census ethnic group summaries – Tonga |publisher=Statistics New Zealand |access-date=25 October 2021 |archive-date=25 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025160437/https://www.stats.govt.nz/tools/2018-census-ethnic-group-summaries/tongan |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=New Zealand's population reflects growing diversity {{!}} Stats NZ|url=https://www.stats.govt.nz/news/new-zealands-population-reflects-growing-diversity|access-date=2020-04-29|website=www.stats.govt.nz|archive-date=2 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210802202335/https://www.stats.govt.nz/news/new-zealands-population-reflects-growing-diversity|url-status=live}}</ref> As of 2000, 36,840 Tongans were living in the US.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Tongans Overseas: Between Two Shores|author=Helen Morton Lee|date=2003|publisher=University of Hawaii Press|isbn=978-0-8248-2615-4|url=https://archive.org/details/tongansoverseas00hele}}</ref> More than 8,000 Tongans live in Australia.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/360/the-ties-that-bind-stories-from-the-tongan-diaspora/3131868|title = The ties that bind: stories from the Tongan diaspora|date = 2 May 2009 <!-- 2:05PM -->|access-date = 29 December 2014|publisher = ABC|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150904023600/http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/360/the-ties-that-bind-stories-from-the-tongan-diaspora/3131868|archive-date = 4 September 2015|url-status = live}}</ref> The Tongan [[diaspora]] retains close ties to relatives at home,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/28/world/australia/tonga-diaspora-recovery.html |title=Tonga's Proud Diaspora Confronts Daunting Challenge of Disaster Response |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=28 January 2022 |access-date=14 March 2023 |archive-date=14 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314010615/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/28/world/australia/tonga-diaspora-recovery.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and a significant portion of Tonga's income derives from remittances<ref>{{cite report |author=Hannah Huidan Lin |date=January 2011 |title=Determinants of Remittances: Evidence from Tonga |url=https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/wp/2011/wp1118.pdf |publisher=[[International Monetary Fund]] |page=3 |docket= |access-date=25 March 2021 |quote=Remittances are important to Tonga. Over the past decade, remittances as a share of GDP in Tonga have varied between 30 and 55 percent, with an average of around 45 percent |archive-date=18 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210718222602/https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/wp/2011/wp1118.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.reservebank.to/index.php/economic/rem.html |title=Remittances for November 2020 |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=5 February 2021 |website=reservebank.to |publisher=Reserve Bank of Tonga |access-date=25 March 2021 |quote=Over the year to November 2020, private transfer receipts rose significantly by $33.5 million (10.5%) supporting the higher annual movement of total remittance receipts. Although economies abroad have been heavily disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Tongan families abroad continue to provide financial support to their loved ones in Tonga. |archive-date=20 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420142121/http://reservebank.to/index.php/economic/rem.html |url-status=live }}</ref> to family members (often aged) who prefer to remain in Tonga.