ation (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: -1.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: NA male(s)/female
under 15 years: NA male(s)/female
15-64 years: NA male(s)/female
65 years and over: NA male(s)/female
all ages: NA male(s)/female

Infant mortality rate: 40.26 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 69.04 years
male: 67.03 years
female: 71.4 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 3.75 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Tongan(s)
adjective: Tongan

Ethnic divisions: Polynesian, Europeans about 300

Religions: Christian (Free Wesleyan Church claims over 30,000
adherents)

Languages: Tongan, English

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write a simple message in
Tongan or English (1976 est.)
total population: 100%
male: 100%
female: 100%

Government
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Name of country:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Tonga
conventional short form: Tonga
former: Friendly Islands

Data code: TN

Type of government: hereditary constitutional monarchy

Capital: Nuku'alofa

Administrative divisions: three island groups; Ha'apai, Tongatapu,
Vava'u

Independence: 4 June 1970 (emancipation from UK protectorate)

National holiday: Emancipation Day, 4 June (1970)

Constitution: 4 November 1875, revised 1 January 1967

Legal system: based on English law

Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: King Taufa'ahau TUPOU IV (since 16 December 1965) is
a constitutional monarch
head of government: Prime Minister Baron VAEA (since 22 August 1991)
and Deputy Prime Minister S. Langi KAVALIKU (since 22 August 1991)
were appointed for life by the king
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the king
Privy Council: consists of the king and the Cabinet

Legislative branch: unicameral
Legislative Assembly (Fale Alea): elections last held 3-4 February
1993 (next to be held NA February 1996); results - percent of vote
NA; seats - (30 total, 12 reserved for cabinet ministers sitting ex
officio, nine for nobles selected by the country's 33 nobles, and
nine for elected people's representatives) 6 proreform, 3
traditionalist

Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the king

Political parties and leaders: Tonga People's Party, Viliami
FUKOFUKA

International organization participation: ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP,
FAO,