CapitalSao Tome
Population223,561
Area964 km²
GDP per capita$5,500
LanguagesPortuguese , Forro, Cabo Verdian, French, Angolar, English, Lunguie, other
Currencydobras
Life Expectancy67.7 yr
Governmentsemi-presidential republic
Introduction
Background
In the late 15th century, Portugal discovered and established colonies on the uninhabited islands of Sao Tome and Principe, initiating a sugar-centric economy that transitioned to the cultivation of coffee and cocoa in the 19th century. This agricultural development relied heavily on African slave labor, which persisted into the 20th century. Although the nation attained independence in 1975, it was not until the late 1980s that democratic reforms were implemented.
The inaugural free elections were conducted in 1991; however, ongoing disputes among the various political factions led to frequent leadership changes and several non-violent coup attempts in 1995, 1998, 2003, and 2009. In 2012, a coalition of three opposition parties initiated a no-confidence vote that resulted in the ousting of the majority government led by former Prime Minister Patrice TROVOADA, although he regained his position in the legislative elections held two years later. Elected in 2016, President Evaristo CARVALHO, belonging to the same political party as TROVOADA, represented a unique case where both the presidency and prime ministership were held by members of the same party. TROVOADA resigned in 2018 and was succeeded by Jorge BOM JESUS. In 2021, Carlos Vila NOVA was elected president. Following his party's success in the legislative elections, TROVOADA commenced his fourth term as prime minister in 2022.
Geography
Area
land
964 sq km
water
0 sq km
total
964 sq km
Climate
tropical; characterized by high temperatures and humidity; experiences a single rainy season from October to May
Terrain
composed of volcanic and mountainous terrain
Land use
other
0% (2023 est.)
forest
57.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
44.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 4.2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 39.6% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 1% (2023 est.)
Location
located in Central Africa, within the islands of the Gulf of Guinea, just north of the Equator, and west of Gabon
Coastline
209 km
Elevation
lowest point
Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point
Pico de Sao Tome 2,024 m
Irrigated land
100 sq km (2012)
Map references
Africa
Land boundaries
total
0 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea
12 nm
exclusive economic zone
200 nm
Natural hazards
flooding
Geography - note
the second smallest nation in Africa (following the Seychelles); the two principal islands are part of a series of extinct volcanoes and are both characterized by mountainous landscapes
Natural resources
marine resources, hydropower generation
Area - comparative
over five times larger than Washington, D.C.
Geographic coordinates
1 00 N, 7 00 E
Population distribution
The capital, Sao Tome, houses approximately 25% of the country's population; Santo Antonio is the largest settlement on Principe; the northern regions of both islands exhibit the highest population densities, as illustrated in this population distribution map.
People & Society
Literacy
male
92.5% (2019 est.)
female
82.8% (2019 est.)
total population
87.4% (2019 est.)
Languages
Portuguese 98.4% (official), Forro 36.2%, Cabo Verdian 8.5%, French 6.8%, Angolar 6.6%, English 4.9%, Lunguie 1%, other (including sign language) 2.4%; additional Portuguese-based Creoles are also utilized (2012 est.)
Religions
Catholic 55.7%, Adventist 4.1%, Assembly of God 3.4%, New Apostolic 2.9%, Mana 2.3%, Universal Kingdom of God 2%, Jehovah's Witness 1.2%, other 6.2%, none 21.2%, unspecified 1% (2012 est.)
Sex ratio
at birth
1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years
1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years
0.99 male(s)/female
total population
1 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
0.75 male(s)/female
Birth rate
25.87 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
5.84 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
20.4 years
total
21.2 years (2025 est.)
female
21.2 years
Population
male
111,553
total
223,561 (2024 est.)
female
112,008
Nationality
noun
Sao Tomean(s)
adjective
Sao Tomean
Tobacco use
male
13.1% (2025 est.)
total
7.3% (2025 est.)
female
1.7% (2025 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
76.4% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
2.96% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years
36.4% (male 41,337/female 40,106)
15-64 years
60.3% (male 67,101/female 67,775)
65 years and over
3.2% (2024 est.) (male 3,115/female 4,127)
Ethnic groups
Mestico, Angolares (descendants of Angolan slaves), Forros (descendants of emancipated slaves), Servicais (contract laborers from Angola, Mozambique, and Cabo Verde), Tongas (offspring of servicais born on the islands), Europeans (mainly Portuguese), Asians (predominantly Chinese)
Child marriage
men married by age 18
3.1% (2019)
women married by age 15
5.4% (2019)
women married by age 18
28% (2019)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
65.8 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio
60.4 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio
18.6 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
5.4 (2024 est.)
Physician density
0.46 physicians/1,000 population (2022)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
7.8% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
14.9% of national budget (2022 est.)
Net migration rate
-6.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Hospital bed density
2.9 beds/1,000 population (2019 est.)
Total fertility rate
3.18 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: rural
rural: 71.1% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 77.3% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 79.3% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 28.9% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 22.7% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 20.7% of population (2022 est.)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% GDP)
5% of GDP (2023 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget)
18.1% national budget (2024 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male
46.1 deaths/1,000 live births
total
41.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
39 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
1.39% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
1.57 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
Sao Tome, the capital, houses approximately a quarter of the total population; Santo Antonio is the most populous town on Principe; the northern regions of both islands exhibit the highest population densities, as illustrated in this population distribution map
Life expectancy at birth
male
66 years
female
69.4 years
total population
67.7 years (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
75 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: rural
rural: 43.2% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 53.5% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 56.8% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 56.8% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 46.5% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 43.2% of population (2022 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita
beer
0.42 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine
3.58 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
total
4.23 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits
0.23 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols
0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Major urban areas - population
80,000 SAO TOME (capital) (2018)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
12.4% (2016)
Mother's mean age at first birth
19.4 years (2008/09 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
53.1% (2019 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
5.4% (2019 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
male
13 years (2021 est.)
total
13 years (2021 est.)
female
13 years (2021 est.)
Environment
Climate
tropical climate; characterized by heat and humidity; features a single rainy season occurring from October to May
Land use
other
0% (2023 est.)
forest
57.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
44.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 4.2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 39.6% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 1% (2023 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
76.4% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
2.96% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
25,600 tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled
16.9% (2022 est.)
Environmental issues
issues include deforestation and unlawful logging; soil erosion and depletion; insufficient sewage management in urban areas; loss of biodiversity
Total water withdrawal
municipal
14.7 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
industrial
600,000 cubic meters (2022 est.)
agricultural
25.6 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions
146,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids
146,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
29 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Total renewable water resources
2.18 billion cubic meters (2022)
International environmental agreements
party to
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified
Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban
Government
Flag
description: three horizontal stripes of green (top), yellow (twice the width), and green featuring two five-pointed black stars in the center of the yellow section, alongside a red isosceles triangle positioned on the left
meaning: green represents the nation's abundant vegetation, red signifies the fight for independence, and yellow denotes cocoa, a key agricultural product; the two stars stand for the principal islands
history: incorporates the colors associated with the Pan-African movement
Capital
name
Sao Tome
etymology
designated in honor of Saint THOMAS the Apostle by the Portuguese, who stumbled upon the island on 21 December 1470 (or 1471), coinciding with the feast day of the saint
time difference
UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
0 20 N, 6 44 E
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of Sao Tome and Principe
dual citizenship recognized
no
residency requirement for naturalization
5 years
Constitution
history
approved 5 November 1975
amendment process
suggested by the National Assembly; adoption necessitates a two-thirds majority vote within the Assembly; the Assembly may recommend to the president of the republic that an amendment be put to a referendum
Country name
etymology
Sao Tome was named in tribute to Saint THOMAS the Apostle by the Portuguese upon discovering the island on 21 December 1470 (or 1471), which aligns with the saint's feast day; Principe is an abbreviation of the original Portuguese term "Ilha do Principe" (Isle of the Prince), referring to Prince ALPHONSO of Portugal
local long form
Republica Democratica de Sao Tome e Principe
local short form
Sao Tome e Principe
conventional long form
Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe
conventional short form
Sao Tome and Principe
Independence
12 July 1975 (from Portugal)
Legal system
a hybrid legal system that combines civil law inspired by the Portuguese model with customary law
Government type
semi-presidential republic
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court or Supremo Tribunal Justica (comprised of 5 judges); Constitutional Court or Tribunal Constitucional (also has 5 judges, 3 of whom are from the Supreme Court)
subordinate courts
Court of First Instance; Audit Court
judge selection and term of office
Judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by the National Assembly; the duration of their tenure is not applicable; judges of the Constitutional Court are nominated by the president and selected by the National Assembly for 5-year terms
Executive branch
cabinet
Council of Ministers is proposed by the prime minister and appointed by the president
chief of state
President Carlos Manuel VILA NOVA (since 2 October 2021)
election results
2021: Carlos Manuel VILA NOVA elected president in the second round; percent of vote in the first round - Carlos Manuel VILA NOVA (IDA) 39.5%; Guilherme POSSER DA COSTA (MLSTP-PSD) 20.8%; Delfim NEVES (PCD-GR) 16.9%; Abel BOM JESUS (independent) 3.6%; Maria DAS NEVES (independent) 3.3%; other 15.9%; percent of the vote in second round - Carlos Manuel VILA NOVA 57.5%, Guilherme POSSER DA COSTA 42.5%
2016: Evaristo CARVALHO elected president; percent of vote - Evaristo CARVALHO (ADI) 49.8%, Manuel Pinto DA COSTA (independent) 24.8%, Maria DAS NEVES (MLSTP-PSD) 24.1%
head of government
Prime Minister Américo d'Oliveira DOS RAMOS (since 12 January 2025)
most recent election date
18 July 2021, with a runoff on 5 September 2021
election/appointment process
the president is directly elected through an absolute-majority popular vote in up to 2 rounds, if necessary, for a term of 5 years (eligible for re-election); the prime minister is chosen by the National Assembly and must receive approval from the president
expected date of next election
2026
National holiday
Independence Day, 12 July (1975)
National color(s)
green, yellow, red, black
Political parties
BASTA Movement
Independent Democratic Action or ADI
Movement for the Liberation of Sao Tome and Principe-Social Democratic Party or MLSTP-PSD
Movement of Independent Citizens of São Tomé and Príncipe - Socialist Party or MCI-PS
National Unity Party or PUN
Legislative branch
term in office
4 years
number of seats
55 (all directly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
legislature name
National Assembly (Assembleia Nacional)
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
9/25/2022
expected date of next election
September 2026
percentage of women in chamber
14.5%
parties elected and seats per party
Independent Democratic Alliance (ADI) (30); Sao Tome and Principe Liberation Movement/Social Democratic Party (MLSTP - PSD) (18); Movement of Independent Citizens - Socialist Party (MCI - PS) - National Unity Party (PUN) (5); Other (2)
National anthem(s)
title
"Independencia total" (Total Independence)
history
adopted 1975
lyrics/music
Alda Neves DA GRACA do Espirito Santo/Manuel dos Santos Barreto de Sousa e ALMEIDA
National symbol(s)
palm tree
Administrative divisions
6 districts (distritos, singular - distrito), along with 1 autonomous region* (regiao autonoma); Agua Grande, Cantagalo, Caue, Lemba, Lobata, Me-Zochi, Principe*
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (212) 317-0580
chancery
122 East 42nd Street, Suite 1604
New York, NY 101168
telephone
[1] (212) 317-0533
chief of mission
Ambassador (vacant)
email address and website
[email protected]
Sao Tome and Principe Permanent Mission to the United Nations
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy
the US does not maintain an embassy in Sao Tome and Principe; the US Ambassador to Angola is also accredited to Sao Tome and Principe
mailing address
2290 Sao Tome Place, Washington DC 20521-2290
International organization participation
ACP, AfDB, AOSIS, AU, CD, CEMAC, CPLP, EITI (candidate country), FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
International law organization participation
has not filed a declaration of jurisdiction with the ICJ; is not a party to the ICCt
Economy
Budget
revenues
$128.767 million (2022 est.)
expenditures
$165.95 million (2022 est.)
Exports
Exports 2020
$49.337 million (2020 est.)
Exports 2021
$75.256 million (2021 est.)
Exports 2022
$96.977 million (2022 est.)
Imports
Imports 2020
$160.097 million (2020 est.)
Imports 2021
$201.145 million (2021 est.)
Imports 2022
$219.322 million (2022 est.)
Industries
light construction, textiles, soap, beer, fish processing, timber
Labor force
34,500 (2024 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2016
93.1% of GDP (2016 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2021
2% of GDP (2021 est.)
Remittances 2022
1.9% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023
1.5% of GDP (2023 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
dobras (STD) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2019
21.885 (2019 est.)
Exchange rates 2020
21.507 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
20.71 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
23.29 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
22.658 (2023 est.)
Debt - external
Debt - external 2023
$327.248 million (2023 est.)
Economic overview
a lower middle-income island economy in Central Africa; declining cocoa production attributed to drought and mismanagement; a joint oil venture with Nigeria; the government possesses 90% of the land; high levels of debt, partially due to fuel subsidies; tourism severely impacted by COVID-19
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2022
9% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023
9.1% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024
9.2% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
Pakistan 54%, Germany 11%, Netherlands 7%, France 5%, UAE 3% (2023)
Imports - partners
Portugal 35%, Angola 13%, Gabon 11%, Japan 8%, China 6% (2023)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2022
$5,600 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023
$5,500 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024
$5,500 (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2022
0.2% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023
0.4% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2024
0.9% (2024 est.)
Agricultural products
plantains, oil palm fruit, taro, bananas, fruits, cocoa beans, yams, coconuts, cassava, vegetables (2023)
Exports - commodities
crude petroleum, cocoa beans, vehicle parts/accessories, palm oil, aircraft parts (2023)
Imports - commodities
ships, refined petroleum, rice, electric generating sets, cars (2023)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2020
-$59.595 million (2020 est.)
Current account balance 2021
-$95.248 million (2021 est.)
Current account balance 2022
-$79.437 million (2022 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$764.274 million (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
81.4% (2017 est.)
government consumption
17.6% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories
0% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital
33.4% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services
7.9% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services
-40.4% (2017 est.)
Population below poverty line
55.5% (2017 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
18% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
21.3% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
14.4% (2024 est.)
Industrial production growth rate
3.2% (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$1.275 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$1.279 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$1.291 billion (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male
8% (2024 est.)
total
8.6% (2024 est.)
female
9.2% (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2021
$75.017 million (2021 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$64.476 million (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$46.247 million (2023 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry
2.9% (2024 est.)
services
76.6% (2024 est.)
agriculture
12.8% (2024 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%
2.6% (2017 est.)
highest 10%
32.8% (2017 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2017
40.7 (2017 est.)
Energy
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption
1,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Electricity
consumption
47.05 million kWh (2023 est.)
installed generating capacity
29,000 kW (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses
40.95 million kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity access
electrification - rural areas
73.7%
electrification - urban areas
80%
electrification - total population
78% (2022 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023
8.875 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels
93.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity
6.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
62% (2023 est.)
Broadcast media
1 government-operated television station; 2 government-operated radio stations; 7 independent local radio stations; broadcasts from various international media outlets are accessible
Internet country code
.st
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
2,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
1 (2023 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
152,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
87 (2022 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
6,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
3 (2023 est.)
Transportation
Ports
large
0
small
0
medium
0
key ports
Santo Antonio, Sao Tome
very small
2
total ports
2 (2024)
ports with oil terminals
0
Airports
2 (2025)
Merchant marine
total
25 (2023)
by type
general cargo 15, oil tanker 4, other 6
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
S9
Military & Security
Military - note
The FASTP ranks among the smallest military forces in Africa, comprising only a few ground troop companies and a limited number of small patrol vessels (2024).
Military and security forces
Armed Forces of Sao Tome and Principe (Forcas Armadas de Sao Tome e Principe, FASTP): Army, Coast Guard of Sao Tome e Principe (Guarda Costeira de Sao Tome e Principe, GCSTP), Presidential Guard, National Guard (2025).
Military service age and obligation
Information is limited; the minimum age for mandatory military service is 18 (though this is reportedly not enforced), while individuals can voluntarily enlist at 17 with parental consent (2024).
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
The FASTP is equipped with light armaments and possesses a small array of predominantly older weaponry and equipment (2023).
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 500 active Armed Forces (2023)
