São Tomé and Príncipe: cost of living

What is the inflation rate in São Tomé and Príncipe?

Consumer prices in the city of São Tomé were 9.5% higher in July 2026 than a year earlier, down from 11.1% in July 2025, according to the National Statistics Institute's consumer price index note for July 2026 (in Portuguese), published 14 August 2026. Prices rose 0.5% in the month.

Food and non-alcoholic drinks drove most of the rise, contributing 8.0 points of the 9.5%. Food has a large weight in household spending, so the rises hit lower-income families hardest. The Central Bank estimated inflation of about 12.2% for 2025 in the Governor's annual address.

Official sources: National Statistics Institute: consumer price index, July 2026 (PDF, in Portuguese) · Central Bank of São Tomé and Príncipe: Governor's annual address 2025 (PDF, in Portuguese)

How fast are prices rising in São Tomé and Príncipe?

According to the IMF, consumer price inflation in São Tomé and Príncipe was 11.0% in 2025. The peak was 32.0% in 2008 and the low 5.2% in 2015. It is 8th highest of 39 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 3.4%. World rank, highest first: 16th of 165.

How much do households in São Tomé and Príncipe spend per person?

The World Bank puts household consumption per person in São Tomé and Príncipe at $1,787 in 2025. No year since 2008 has been higher. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was $840, and São Tomé and Príncipe placed 9th highest of 37. Of 124 countries with 2025 data, 90th highest.

What share of people in São Tomé and Príncipe live in extreme poverty?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2017, is 13.0%. That compares with 17.3% in 2000. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 13.0%; São Tomé and Príncipe is 3rd highest of 5. Worldwide: 6th of 77.

How many people in São Tomé and Príncipe are poor?

55.5%: that is the share of people below the national poverty line in São Tomé and Príncipe for 2017, according to the World Bank. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 33.4%; São Tomé and Príncipe is 1st highest of 5. World rank, highest first: 1st of 53.

What is income inequality in São Tomé and Príncipe?

The World Bank puts the Gini index in São Tomé and Príncipe at 40.7 in 2017. It was 32.1 in 2000. It is 3rd highest of 5 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 40.7. World rank, highest first: 18th of 77.

How many people in São Tomé and Príncipe face food insecurity?

54.6%: that is moderate or severe food insecurity in São Tomé and Príncipe for 2022, according to the FAO. It is 28th highest of 38 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 59.2%. World rank, highest first: 32nd of 147.