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Last update: January, 23 2021

Sao Tome and Principe

flag of Sao Tome and Principe
Government
NameDemocratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe
PortugueseRepública Democrática de
São Tomé e Príncipe
Government typesemi-presidential republic
CapitalSao Tome (71,868 (2015))
CurrencyDobra (STN)
People
Population (2020)219,161 (186th)
Density of population199.7 P/km2 (69th)
NationalitySao Tomean
Official languages
Portuguese
Ethnic groups
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)
Religions (2012)
Catholic55.7%
Adventist4.1%
Assembly of God3.4%
New Apostolic2.9%
Mana2.3%
Universal Kingdom of God2%
Jehovah’s Witness1.2%
other6.2%
none21.2%
unspecified1%
Life expectancy (2020)
Male64.9 years
Female67.8 years
Total population66.3 years (187th)
Homicides
Total (2011)3.3 per 100,000 people (79th)
Geography
Land area964 km2
water area0 km2
total area964 km2 (185th)
Lowest point
Atlantic Ocean0 m
Highest point
Pico de Sao Tome2,024 m
Land use (2011)
Agricultural land50.7%
Arable land9.1%
Permanent crops40.6%
Permanent pasture1%
Forest28.1%
Other21.2%
Urbanization
Urban population (2020)74.4%
Rate of urbanization3.33% annual rate of change (2015 – 2020)
Economy
Labor force (2017)72,600  (186th)
Labor force by occupation (2014)
Agriculture26.1%
Industry21.4%
Services 52.5%
Unemployment rate (2017)12.2% (163rd)
GDP (PPP) (estimate 2017)
Total$685 million
Per capita$3,220
GDP (nominal) (estimate 2017)
Total$355 million
Per capita$1,668
GDP by sector (estimate 2017)
Agriculture11.8%
Industry14.8%
Services73.4%
Exports (2017)$15.6 million (215th)
Exports partners (2017)
Guyana43.7%
Germany23.6%
Portugal6%
Netherlands5.5%
Poland4.4%
Imports (2017)$127.7 million (213th)
Imports partners (2017)
Portugal54.7%
Angola16.5%
China5.6%

Sao Tome and Principe on the world map

Sao Tome and Principe on the world map

Demography

Population pyramid

population pyramid of Sao Tome and Principe

Age structure data

Estimate for 2020:

  • 0-14 years: 39.77% (male 42,690/female 41,277)
  • 15-24 years: 21.59% (male 23,088/female 22,487)
  • 25-54 years: 31.61% (male 32,900/female 33,834)
  • 55-64 years: 4.17% (male 4,095/female 4,700)
  • 65 years and over: 2.87% (male 2,631/female 3,420)

Remark: the age structure of a population affects a nation’s key socioeconomic issues. Countries with young populations (high percentage under age 15) need to invest more in schools, while countries with older populations (high percentage ages 65 and over) need to invest more in the health sector. The age structure can also be used to help predict potential political issues. For example, the rapid growth of a young adult population unable to find employment can lead to unrest.

Population from 1950 to 2020

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Source: United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2019). World Population Prospects 2019, Online Edition. Rev. 1.


Evolution of the life expectancy from 1960 to 2018

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Source: World Development Indicators, The World Bank

Economy

Agriculture:

cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, copra, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, bananas, papayas, beans, poultry, fish

Industries:

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

Exports – commodities:

cocoa 68% (2010), copra, coffee, palm oil 

Imports – commodities:

machinery and electrical equipment, food products, petroleum products

Time zone and current time in Sao Tome and Principe

Go to our interactive map to get the current time in Sao Tome and Principe

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