Unlike those of other Pacific countries, the Tongan Constitution carries no general affirmative action provision that could be invoked in favor of women. Ratification is by no means assured in the near future either, as it would require the Tongan Government to guarantee, through legal and other measures, the equality of women in national law and policy. In this regard, discrimination in the area of land law is one of the most politically sensitive issues. Human Development 12. The Pacific Human Development Report 1999 presents an HDI score for Tonga of 0.647, which places the country in third place among PDMCs.
Primary education is free and compulsory in Tonga.
Participation is high throughout primary and secondary levels. Expenditure on education as a percentage of total public expenditure is 17.8 percent, a high level by Pacific Island standards. Making education more relevant will remain a consideration of the Government in the beginning of the 21st century. By international standards, Tonga enjoys a high standard of health. Life expectancy at birth is one of the highest in the Pacific, the infant mortality rate is amongst the lowest, and virtually 100 percent of the population has access to health services and safe water supply.