Country Profile: Sao Tome and Principe

Sao Tome and Principe is a small island nation located in Central Africa, in the Gulf of Guinea. Governed as a semi-presidential republic, it has experienced political instability since gaining independence from Portugal in 1975, with multiple changes in leadership and democratic reforms initiated in the late 1980s. The country faces economic challenges as it relies heavily on agriculture, particularly cocoa production, which has been affected by drought. Its population is approximately 223,561, with a significant percentage living in urban areas.

Geography

Sao Tome and Principe consists of two main volcanic islands located just north of the Equator and west of Gabon. The nation's total land area is 964 sq km, making it the second-smallest country in Africa. The islands have a tropical climate characterized by a single rainy season and an elevation that reaches up to 2,024 m at Pico de Sao Tome, the highest point.

209 km of coastline
44.8% of land used for agriculture (2023)
57.5% forest cover (2023)
Prone to flooding as a natural hazard

People and Society

The estimated population of Sao Tome and Principe is 223,561 as of 2024, with a median age of 21.2 years. The population includes various ethnic groups, predominantly Mestico, Angolares, and Forros, while Portuguese is the official language. The majority of the population identifies as Catholic.

76.4% urban population (2023)
25.87 births per 1,000 population (2025)
67.7 years life expectancy at birth (2024)
87.4% literacy rate (2019)

Economy

Sao Tome and Principe has a lower-middle-income economy largely reliant on agriculture, particularly cocoa, which has been negatively impacted by climate issues. The national GDP stands at approximately $1.291 billion (2024 estimate) with a GDP per capita of $5,500. The economy is structured with a dominance of the services sector, accounting for 76.6% of GDP.

9.2% unemployment rate (2024)
55.5% of the population lives below the poverty line (2017)
14.4% inflation rate (2024)
$219.322 million in imports (2022)

Government

The government of Sao Tome and Principe operates as a semi-presidential republic with a president and a prime minister. The current president, Carlos Vila Nova, was elected in October 2021. The country has experienced numerous political changes since its independence, with the most recent legislative elections held in September 2022.

6 administrative districts
55 members in the National Assembly
18 years is the minimum voting age
The constitution was approved on November 5, 1975

Military and Security

The Armed Forces of Sao Tome and Principe consists of approximately 500 active personnel as of 2023, responsible for both external and internal security. The military is considered one of the smallest in Africa and is equipped with mostly older weapons.

Minimum service age is 18 (voluntary at 17 with parental permission)
Comprised of the Army, Coast Guard, and National Guard
Lightly armed with limited equipment

Energy

Electricity access in Sao Tome and Principe is around 78% of the population. The primary source of electricity generation is fossil fuels, which make up 93.2% of the installed capacity. The country's electricity consumption was approximately 47.05 million kWh in 2023.

73.7% electrification rate in rural areas
1,000 bbl/day of refined petroleum consumption (2023)
8.875 million Btu/person total energy consumption per capita (2023)

Environment

Sao Tome and Principe faces environmental challenges such as deforestation, soil erosion, and inadequate sewage treatment. The country is a party to several international environmental agreements aimed at tackling these issues.

44.8% of land used for agriculture (2023)
57.5% forested land (2023)
29 micrograms of particulate matter emissions per cubic meter (2019)

Transportation

The transportation infrastructure includes a small number of airports and ports. The civil aircraft registration country code is S9, and the nation has two airports and a merchant marine fleet comprising 25 vessels as of 2023.

2 airports (2025)
2 ports (2024)
152,000 mobile cellular subscriptions (2023)

Communications

Sao Tome and Principe has an emerging communication sector with 62% internet penetration among the population. The country has both state-owned and independent media outlets, facilitating varied access to information.

2,000 fixed line telephone subscriptions (2023)
6,000 fixed broadband subscriptions (2023)
87 mobile cellular subscriptions per 100 inhabitants (2022)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	223,561	Estimated for 2024
Area	964 sq km	Total land area
GDP (PPP)	$1.291 billion	Estimated for 2024
GDP per capita	$5,500	Estimated for 2024
Unemployment rate	9.2%	Estimated for 2024
Life expectancy at birth	67.7 years	Estimated for 2024
Literacy rate	87.4%	Estimated for 2019
Inflation rate	14.4%	Estimated for 2024
Urban population	76.4%	Percentage of total population (2023)
Agricultural land	44.8% of total	Percentage of land used for agriculture (2023)