São Tomé and Príncipe: official statistics and sources
4 official bodies for São Tomé and Príncipe, from National Statistics Institute (INE) to General Regulatory Authority (AGER), with key figures from the World Bank and IMF. Official language: Portuguese. Capital: Sao Tome.
Who holds power in São Tomé and Príncipe
- Head of state: Carlos Manuel Vila Nova (Président de la République démocratique de Sao Tomé et Principe)
- Head of government: Américo d'Oliveira dos Ramos (Premier Ministre et Chef du Gouvernement de la République démocratique de Sao Tomé et Principe)
- Foreign minister: Ilza Maria dos Santos Amado Vaz (Ministre d'État et des Affaires étrangères, de la Coopération et des Communautés de la République démocratique de Sao Tomé et Principe)
Source: UN Protocol and Liaison Service list, dated 15 October 2026. All world leaders.
Unitary semi-presidential republic. How local power works in São Tomé and Príncipe: 2 tiers of government below the nation, who is elected and who they answer to.
Part of level 6 of the 10 levels of power.
Government, regions and cities
- Government and power in São Tomé and Príncipe: leaders, governance scores, women in parliament, spending and the bodies that hold power to account
Key figures
What the figures show
The World Bank puts São Tomé and Príncipe's population at 240,254 in 2025, up from 200,291 in 2015. It ranks 47th of 48 in the World Bank's Sub-Saharan Africa region and 174th of 193 worldwide.
GDP for 2025 was $981.3 million at current dollar prices, according to the World Bank. Divided by population it comes to $4,084, where the middle country in the region has $1,351.
Output rose 1.0% after inflation in 2025 (World Bank). The IMF's October 2026 outlook projects 0.4% for 2026.
For 2025 as a whole the World Bank records 11.0%. IMF projections put 2026 at 11.0%.
Unemployment stood at 9.1% in 2025 on the ILO's modelled estimate, which can differ from the national survey.
Government debt was 59.1% of GDP in 2025, the IMF estimates, heading to 55.9% in 2026. The regional median is 53.1%.
A baby born in 2024 could expect to live 69.9 years.
- Annual inflation since 2015: highest 21.3% (2023), lowest 5.2% (2015).
- Debt ratio 2015: 101.1%; 2025: 59.1%.
- GDP per person in dollars, 2015 to 2025: +215%.
Figures checked 2026-10-13; how they are compiled.
Official sources in São Tomé and Príncipe
Statistics office prices, jobs, people, output
- National Statistics Institute (INE) (Instituto Nacional de Estatística)
São Tomé and Príncipe's consumer price index, census and survey results. Not in English.
Central bank interest rates and money
- Central Bank of São Tomé and Príncipe (Banco Central de São Tomé e Príncipe)
Monetary policy, exchange rates, banking regulation and economic statistics. Not in English.
Government
- Citizen's Portal of São Tomé and Príncipe (Portal do Cidadão)
Government services, ministry information and official announcements. Not in English.
Regulators
- General Regulatory Authority (AGER) (Autoridade Geral de Regulação)
Regulation of telecoms, electricity, water and postal services. Not in English.
Freedom of information in São Tomé and Príncipe
No general access-to-information law for São Tomé and Príncipe was found in the official sources checked on 2026-10-13. No access-to-information law was found.
What São Tomé and Príncipe does not have
- No access-to-information law or information commissioner exists.
- The one-stop shop for business registration (Guiché Único para Empresas) and the registry directorate (dgrn.gov.st, 503 today) could not be reached, so no company register is listed.
- No online land register, procurement portal, charity register or case-law database could be found.
- No public register of asset declarations was found.
Also: World Bank country data · IMF country page · UN Sustainable Development Goals country profile · IPU Parline parliament profile.
São Tomé and Príncipe by subject
- Economy GDP, growth, trade and investment
- Jobs and pay unemployment, jobs and work
- Cost of living inflation, poverty and inequality
- Public finances debt, deficit, tax and spending
- Health and care life expectancy, doctors and spending
- Housing homes, cities, water and power
- Immigration migrants, refugees and remittances
- Education schools, universities and literacy
- Environment emissions, air, forests and water
Power in São Tomé and Príncipe, from local government up to the G20
The global bodies above national governments, and the levels of power inside São Tomé and Príncipe. How the ten levels work.
Level 3: Local councils
- Local government in São Tomé and Príncipe how councils, regions and municipalities work
Level 6: National government
- São Tomé and Príncipe: national government this page
- Government and power in São Tomé and Príncipe who leads, the parliament and the courts
- World leaders every country's head of state and government
Level 10: G7, G20, Davos and global forums
Common questions
What is the population of São Tomé and Príncipe?
240,254 (2025, World Bank). National figures: National Statistics Institute (INE).
What is the inflation rate in São Tomé and Príncipe?
11.0% (2025, World Bank). Official index: National Statistics Institute (INE).
What is São Tomé and Príncipe's GDP?
$981.3 million (2025, World Bank).
How much government debt does São Tomé and Príncipe have?
59.1% of GDP (2025, International Monetary Fund).
Who publishes official statistics in São Tomé and Príncipe?
National Statistics Institute (INE) (Instituto Nacional de Estatística): https://www.ine.st/
What is the central bank of São Tomé and Príncipe?
Central Bank of São Tomé and Príncipe (Banco Central de São Tomé e Príncipe): https://www.bcstp.st/
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