Sao Tome and Principe
Country statistics · 1990–present
Sao Tome and Principe at a Glance
Sao Tome and Principe is home to 235,536 people as of 2024, with a population that is growing very rapidly. At a GDP per capita of $5,925, it is a lower-middle-income economy — reflecting an economy in active development. Life expectancy at birth stands at 69.9 years, below the global average.
Population Trends
The total resident population stood at 235,536 as of 2024. With a birth rate of 28.1 and a death rate of 5.5 per 1,000 people (2024), the natural growth rate stands at 22.6 per 1,000 — equivalent to roughly 5,000 additional residents each year from natural change alone.
Economy & Development
Sao Tome and Principe is a small economy, with a total GDP that is projected at $2 billion (2029 IMF projection). At $5,925 per person, it is classified as a lower-middle-income economy — reflecting an economy in active development. Real GDP growth is projected at 3.3% in 2029, representing solid growth. With an unemployment rate of 13.5% (2017), the labour market reflects high unemployment.
Health & Society
Life expectancy at birth is 69.9 years (2024), below the global average. Current health expenditure per person is $171 (2023), representing very low per-capita healthcare spending, a common constraint in lower-income economies. The adult literacy rate stands at 87.4% (2019), reflecting a majority-literate adult population. 59.1% of the population use the internet (2024), indicating growing but uneven digital access. Access to safe drinking water reaches 36.7% of the population (2024), representing limited safe drinking water access, a significant public health priority.