Fast Facts: One in Four Children in Tonga Face Multidimensional Poverty

Nuku’alofa TONGA, 1 JUNE 2026 – A new report released by the Government of Tonga, in collaboration with UNICEF, show that 25.3 per cent of children in Tonga are experiencing multidimensional poverty.

For children, poverty is not only about household income. It also means going without the essential services and conditions needed to grow up healthy as well as safe. This includes adequate nutrition, healthcare, education, clean water, and secure housing. When multiple needs are unmet at the same time, children experience what is known as multidimensional poverty.

The new report, Multidimensional Child Poverty in Tonga, analyses data from the 2019 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey and examines the different ways children are being left behind across key areas of their wellbeing.

“These reports highlight Tonga’s dedication to supporting all its citizens and underline the importance of guiding our efforts to put social safeguards in place before children and families reach crisis points,” said Prime Minister, Lord Fakafanua, as he emphasized the government’s responsibility to act decisively.

“Together, these national documents mark a significant step forward in Tonga’s efforts to address child poverty and promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities,” added the Minister for Internal Affairs, Hon. Fane Fotu Fituafe.

Key facts from the report:

• The youngest children are most at risk:

58.7 per cent of children aged 0–23 months and 35.9 per cent of those aged 24–59 months are deprived of three or more essential needs. These can include good nutrition, safe and adequate housing, as well as safe and clean water, among others.

• Rural children are disproportionately affected:

28.3 per cent of children in rural areas experience multidimensional poverty compared to 14.8 per cent in urban areas.

• Geographic disparities are significant:

Child poverty is highest in ‘Eua (48.9 per cent), followed by Ha’apai (40.8 per cent) and Ongo Niua (35 per cent), while Tongatapu (21.6 per cent) records the lowest rate.

• Housing is the most widespread deprivation:

Across all age groups, children are most affected by poor housing conditions, with more than half experiencing housing deprivation.

• Health and nutrition gaps are critical in early childhood:

76.9 per cent of infants face health-related deprivation and 68.3 per cent lack adequate nutrition, highlighting major risks in the earliest years of life.

• Children face overlapping deprivations:

Many children are not deprived in just one area, but multiple at once – with children living in poverty experiencing an average of 3.4 deprivations simultaneously.

“Behind every number in this report is a child whose struggle is not just one challenge, but many, experienced all at once, every day,” said UNICEF Pacific’s Representative, Hamish Young. “Together with the Government of Tonga and other partners, UNICEF is taking action to address these findings so that today’s children are not held back by poverty but instead are given the chance to thrive and reach their full potential.”

The findings highlight the need for coordinated, cross-sector action to address the multiple and overlapping challenges children face. Improving basic services such as healthcare, nutrition, housing, clean water, and child protection, while also supporting the families who need it most, is key to reducing child poverty in Tonga. Acting early and investing in integrated solutions can help ensure that all children can survive, thrive, and reach their full potential.

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