Sao Tome and Principe

Code: TP | Region: Africa

Introduction

Background

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Portugal discovered and colonized the uninhabited Sao Tome and Principe islands in the late 15th century, setting up a sugar-based economy that gave way to coffee and cocoa in the 19th century -- all grown with African slave labor, a form of which lingered into the 20th century. While independence was achieved in 1975, democratic reforms were not instituted until the late 1980s. The country held its first free elections in 1991, but frequent internal wrangling among the various political parties precipitated repeated changes in leadership and failed, non-violent coup attempts in 1995, 1998, 2003, and 2009. In 2012, three opposition parties combined in a no-confidence vote to bring down the majority government of former Prime Minister Patrice TROVOADA, but legislative elections returned him to the office two years later. President Evaristo CARVALHO, of the same political party as TROVOADA, was elected in 2016, marking a rare instance in which the same party held the positions of president and prime minister. TROVOADA resigned in 2018 and was replaced by Jorge BOM JESUS. Carlos Vila NOVA was elected president in 2021. TROVOADA began his fourth stint as prime minister in 2022, after his party's victory in legislative elections.

Geography

Location

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Central Africa, islands in the Gulf of Guinea, just north of the Equator, west of Gabon

Geographic coordinates

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1 00 N, 7 00 E

Map references

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Africa

Area

total

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964 sq km

land

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964 sq km

water

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0 sq km

Area - comparative

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more than five times the size of Washington, D.C.

Land boundaries

total

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0 km

Coastline

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209 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea

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12 nm

exclusive economic zone

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200 nm

note

note: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines

Climate

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tropical; hot, humid; one rainy season (October to May)

Terrain

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volcanic, mountainous

Elevation

highest point

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Pico de Sao Tome 2,024 m

lowest point

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Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Natural resources

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fish, hydropower

Land use

agricultural land

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44.8% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

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arable land: 4.2% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

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permanent crops: 39.6% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

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permanent pasture: 1% (2023 est.)

forest

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57.5% (2023 est.)

other

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0% (2023 est.)

Irrigated land

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100 sq km (2012)

Population distribution

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Sao Tome, the capital city, has roughly a quarter of the nation's population; Santo Antonio is the largest town on Principe; the northern areas of both islands have the highest population densities, as shown in this population distribution map

Natural hazards

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flooding

Geography - note

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the second-smallest African country (after the Seychelles); the two main islands form part of a chain of extinct volcanoes, and both are mountainous

People and Society

Population

total

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223,561 (2024 est.)

male

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111,553

female

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112,008

Nationality

noun

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Sao Tomean(s)

adjective

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Sao Tomean

Ethnic groups

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Mestico, Angolares (descendants of Angolan slaves), Forros (descendants of freed slaves), Servicais (contract laborers from Angola, Mozambique, and Cabo Verde), Tongas (children of servicais born on the islands), Europeans (primarily Portuguese), Asians (mostly Chinese)

Languages

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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%; other Portuguese-based Creoles are also spoken (2012 est.)

note

note: shares of language sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census

Religions

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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.)

Age structure

0-14 years

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36.4% (male 41,337/female 40,106)

15-64 years

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60.3% (male 67,101/female 67,775)

65 years and over

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3.2% (2024 est.) (male 3,115/female 4,127)

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio

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65.8 (2024 est.)

youth dependency ratio

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60.4 (2024 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

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5.4 (2024 est.)

potential support ratio

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18.6 (2024 est.)

Median age

total

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21.2 years (2025 est.)

male

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20.4 years

female

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21.2 years

Population growth rate

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1.39% (2025 est.)

Birth rate

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25.87 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Death rate

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5.84 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Net migration rate

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-6.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Population distribution

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Urbanization

urban population

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76.4% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization

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2.96% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Major urban areas - population

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80,000 SAO TOME (capital) (2018)

Sex ratio

at birth

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1.03 male(s)/female

0-14 years

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1.03 male(s)/female

15-64 years

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0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over

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0.75 male(s)/female

total population

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1 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth

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19.4 years (2008/09 est.)

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note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-29

Maternal mortality ratio

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75 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Infant mortality rate

total

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41.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)

male

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46.1 deaths/1,000 live births

female

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39 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth

total population

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67.7 years (2024 est.)

male

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66 years

female

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69.4 years

Total fertility rate

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3.18 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

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1.57 (2025 est.)

Drinking water source

improved: urban

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urban: 79.3% of population (2022 est.)

improved: rural

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rural: 71.1% of population (2022 est.)

improved: total

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total: 77.3% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: urban

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urban: 20.7% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: rural

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rural: 28.9% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: total

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total: 22.7% of population (2022 est.)

Health expenditure

Health expenditure (as % of GDP)

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7.8% of GDP (2021)

Health expenditure (as % of national budget)

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14.9% of national budget (2022 est.)

Physician density

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0.46 physicians/1,000 population (2022)

Hospital bed density

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2.9 beds/1,000 population (2019 est.)

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban

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urban: 56.8% of population (2022 est.)

improved: rural

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rural: 43.2% of population (2022 est.)

improved: total

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total: 53.5% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: urban

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urban: 43.2% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: rural

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rural: 56.8% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: total

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total: 46.5% of population (2022 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

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12.4% (2016)

Alcohol consumption per capita

total

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4.23 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

beer

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0.42 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine

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3.58 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits

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0.23 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols

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0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Tobacco use

total

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7.3% (2025 est.)

male

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13.1% (2025 est.)

female

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1.7% (2025 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

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5.4% (2019 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

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53.1% (2019 est.)

Child marriage

women married by age 15

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5.4% (2019)

women married by age 18

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28% (2019)

men married by age 18

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3.1% (2019)

Education expenditure

Education expenditure (% GDP)

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5% of GDP (2023 est.)

Education expenditure (% national budget)

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18.1% national budget (2024 est.)

Literacy

total population

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87.4% (2019 est.)

male

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92.5% (2019 est.)

female

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82.8% (2019 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total

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13 years (2021 est.)

male

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13 years (2021 est.)

female

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13 years (2021 est.)

Environment

Environmental issues

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deforestation and illegal logging; soil erosion and exhaustion; inadequate sewage treatment in cities; biodiversity 

International environmental agreements

party to

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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

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Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban

Climate

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tropical; hot, humid; one rainy season (October to May)

Land use

agricultural land

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44.8% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

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arable land: 4.2% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

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permanent crops: 39.6% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

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permanent pasture: 1% (2023 est.)

forest

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57.5% (2023 est.)

other

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0% (2023 est.)

Urbanization

urban population

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76.4% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization

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2.96% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

total emissions

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146,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids

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146,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Particulate matter emissions

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29 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually

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25,600 tons (2024 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled

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16.9% (2022 est.)

Total water withdrawal

municipal

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14.7 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

industrial

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600,000 cubic meters (2022 est.)

agricultural

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25.6 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Total renewable water resources

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2.18 billion cubic meters (2022)

Government

Country name

conventional long form

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Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe

conventional short form

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Sao Tome and Principe

local long form

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Republica Democratica de Sao Tome e Principe

local short form

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Sao Tome e Principe

etymology

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Sao Tome was named after Saint THOMAS the Apostle by the Portuguese who discovered the island on 21 December 1470 (or 1471), the saint's feast day; Principe is a shortening of the original Portuguese name of "Ilha do Principe" (Isle of the Prince), referring to Prince ALPHONSO of Portugal

Government type

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semi-presidential republic

Capital

name

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Sao Tome

geographic coordinates

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0 20 N, 6 44 E

time difference

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UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology

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named after Saint THOMAS the Apostle by the Portuguese, who discovered the island on 21 December 1470 (or 1471), the saint's feast day

Administrative divisions

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6 districts (distritos, singular - distrito), 1 autonomous region* (regiao autonoma); Agua Grande, Cantagalo, Caue, Lemba, Lobata, Me-Zochi, Principe*

Legal system

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mixed system of civil law based on the Portuguese model and customary law

Constitution

history

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approved 5 November 1975

amendment process

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proposed by the National Assembly; passage requires two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly; the Assembly can propose to the president of the republic that an amendment be submitted to a referendum

International law organization participation

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has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

Citizenship

citizenship by birth

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citizenship by descent only

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at least one parent must be a citizen of Sao Tome and Principe

dual citizenship recognized

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residency requirement for naturalization

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5 years

Suffrage

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18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state

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President Carlos Manuel VILA NOVA (since 2 October 2021)

head of government

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Prime Minister Américo d'Oliveira DOS RAMOS (since 12 January 2025)

cabinet

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Council of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, appointed by the president

election/appointment process

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president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister chosen by the National Assembly and approved by the president

most recent election date

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18 July 2021, with a runoff on 5 September 2021

election results

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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%

expected date of next election

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2026

Legislative branch

legislature name

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National Assembly (Assembleia Nacional)

legislative structure

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unicameral

number of seats

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55 (all directly elected)

electoral system

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proportional representation

scope of elections

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full renewal

term in office

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4 years

most recent election date

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9/25/2022

parties elected and seats per party

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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)

percentage of women in chamber

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14.5%

expected date of next election

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September 2026

Judicial branch

highest court(s)

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Supreme Court or Supremo Tribunal Justica (consists of 5 judges); Constitutional Court or Tribunal Constitucional (consists of 5 judges, 3 of whom are from the Supreme Court)

judge selection and term of office

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Supreme Court judges appointed by the National Assembly; judge tenure NA; Constitutional Court judges nominated by the president and elected by the National Assembly for 5-year terms

subordinate courts

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Court of First Instance; Audit Court

Political parties

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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

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission

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Ambassador (vacant)

chancery

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122 East 42nd Street, Suite 1604 New York, NY 101168

telephone

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[1] (212) 317-0533

FAX

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[1] (212) 317-0580

email address and website

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stp1@attglobal.net Sao Tome and Principe Permanent Mission to the United Nations

Diplomatic representation from the US

embassy

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the US does not have an embassy in Sao Tome and Principe; the US Ambassador to Angola is accredited to Sao Tome and Principe

mailing address

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2290 Sao Tome Place, Washington DC  20521-2290

International organization participation

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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)

Independence

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12 July 1975 (from Portugal)

National holiday

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Independence Day, 12 July (1975)

Flag

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description: three horizontal bands of green (top), yellow (double-width), and green with two five-pointed black stars in the center of the yellow band and a red isosceles triangle based on the left side meaning: green stands for the country's rich vegetation, red for the struggle for independence, and yellow for cocoa, one of the country's main agricultural products; the two stars symbolize the main islands history: uses the colors of the Pan-African movement

National symbol(s)

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palm tree

National color(s)

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green, yellow, red, black

National anthem(s)

title

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"Independencia total" (Total Independence)

lyrics/music

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Alda Neves DA GRACA do Espirito Santo/Manuel dos Santos Barreto de Sousa e ALMEIDA

history

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adopted 1975

Economy

Economic overview

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lower middle-income Central African island economy; falling cocoa production due to drought and mismanagement; joint oil venture with Nigeria; government owns 90% of land; high debt, partly from fuel subsidies; tourism gutted by COVID-19

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024

text

$1.291 billion (2024 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023

text

$1.279 billion (2023 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022

text

$1.275 billion (2022 est.)

note

note: data in 2021 dollars

Real GDP growth rate

Real GDP growth rate 2024

text

0.9% (2024 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2023

text

0.4% (2023 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2022

text

0.2% (2022 est.)

note

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real GDP per capita

Real GDP per capita 2024

text

$5,500 (2024 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2023

text

$5,500 (2023 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2022

text

$5,600 (2022 est.)

note

note: data in 2021 dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

text

$764.274 million (2024 est.)

note

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024

text

14.4% (2024 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023

text

21.3% (2023 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022

text

18% (2022 est.)

note

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

text

12.8% (2024 est.)

industry

text

2.9% (2024 est.)

services

text

76.6% (2024 est.)

note

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption

text

81.4% (2017 est.)

government consumption

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17.6% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital

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33.4% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories

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0% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services

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7.9% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services

text

-40.4% (2017 est.)

Agricultural products

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plantains, oil palm fruit, taro, bananas, fruits, cocoa beans, yams, coconuts, cassava, vegetables (2023)

note

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Industries

text

light construction, textiles, soap, beer, fish processing, timber

Industrial production growth rate

text

3.2% (2024 est.)

note

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Labor force

text

34,500 (2024 est.)

note

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

Unemployment rate

Unemployment rate 2024

text

9.2% (2024 est.)

Unemployment rate 2023

text

9.1% (2023 est.)

Unemployment rate 2022

text

9% (2022 est.)

note

note: % of labor force seeking employment

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

total

text

8.6% (2024 est.)

male

text

8% (2024 est.)

female

text

9.2% (2024 est.)

note

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

Population below poverty line

text

55.5% (2017 est.)

note

note: % of population with income below national poverty line

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2017

text

40.7 (2017 est.)

note

note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%

text

2.6% (2017 est.)

highest 10%

text

32.8% (2017 est.)

note

note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

Remittances

Remittances 2023

text

1.5% of GDP (2023 est.)

Remittances 2022

text

1.9% of GDP (2022 est.)

Remittances 2021

text

2% of GDP (2021 est.)

note

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Budget

revenues

text

$128.767 million (2022 est.)

expenditures

text

$165.95 million (2022 est.)

note

note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

Public debt

Public debt 2016

text

93.1% of GDP (2016 est.)

Current account balance

Current account balance 2022

text

-$79.437 million (2022 est.)

Current account balance 2021

text

-$95.248 million (2021 est.)

Current account balance 2020

text

-$59.595 million (2020 est.)

note

note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

Exports

Exports 2022

text

$96.977 million (2022 est.)

Exports 2021

text

$75.256 million (2021 est.)

Exports 2020

text

$49.337 million (2020 est.)

note

note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

Exports - partners

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Pakistan 54%, Germany 11%, Netherlands 7%, France 5%, UAE 3% (2023)

note

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

Exports - commodities

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crude petroleum, cocoa beans, vehicle parts/accessories, palm oil, aircraft parts (2023)

note

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Imports

Imports 2022

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$219.322 million (2022 est.)

Imports 2021

text

$201.145 million (2021 est.)

Imports 2020

text

$160.097 million (2020 est.)

note

note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

Imports - partners

text

Portugal 35%, Angola 13%, Gabon 11%, Japan 8%, China 6% (2023)

note

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Imports - commodities

text

ships, refined petroleum, rice, electric generating sets, cars (2023)

note

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023

text

$46.247 million (2023 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022

text

$64.476 million (2022 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2021

text

$75.017 million (2021 est.)

note

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

Debt - external

Debt - external 2023

text

$327.248 million (2023 est.)

note

note: present value of external debt in current US dollars

Exchange rates

Currency

text

dobras (STD) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2023

text

22.658 (2023 est.)

Exchange rates 2022

text

23.29 (2022 est.)

Exchange rates 2021

text

20.71 (2021 est.)

Exchange rates 2020

text

21.507 (2020 est.)

Exchange rates 2019

text

21.885 (2019 est.)

Energy

Electricity access

electrification - total population

text

78% (2022 est.)

electrification - urban areas

text

80%

electrification - rural areas

text

73.7%

Electricity

installed generating capacity

text

29,000 kW (2023 est.)

consumption

text

47.05 million kWh (2023 est.)

transmission/distribution losses

text

40.95 million kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels

text

93.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

hydroelectricity

text

6.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Petroleum

refined petroleum consumption

text

1,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Energy consumption per capita

Total energy consumption per capita 2023

text

8.875 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Communications

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions

text

2,000 (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

text

1 (2023 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions

text

152,000 (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

text

87 (2022 est.)

Broadcast media

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1 state-owned TV station; 2 state-owned radio stations; 7 independent local radio stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available

Internet country code

text

.st

Internet users

percent of population

text

62% (2023 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total

text

6,000 (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

text

3 (2023 est.)

Transportation

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

text

Airports

text

2 (2025)

Merchant marine

total

text

25 (2023)

by type

text

general cargo 15, oil tanker 4, other 6

Ports

total ports

text

2 (2024)

large

text

medium

text

small

text

very small

text

ports with oil terminals

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key ports

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Santo Antonio, Sao Tome

Military and Security

Military and security forces

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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)

note

note: the Army and Coast Guard are responsible for external security while the public security police and judicial police maintain internal security; both the public security police and the military report to the Ministry of Defense and Internal Affairs; the judicial police report to the Ministry of Justice, Public Administration, and Human Rights

Military and security service personnel strengths

text

approximately 500 active Armed Forces (2023)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

text

the FASTP is lightly armed and has a small inventory of mostly older weapons and equipment (2023)

Military service age and obligation

text

limited information; 18 is the minimum age for compulsory military service (reportedly not enforced) and 17 years of age (with parental permission) for voluntary service (2024)

Military - note

text

the FASTP is one of the smallest militaries in Africa and consists of only a few companies of ground troops and some small patrol boats (2024)