São Tomé and Príncipe: housing

How much is rent in São Tomé and Príncipe?

62.4% of renting households in São Tomé and Príncipe paid less than 500 dobras a month in rent, and 23.4% paid 500 to 999 dobras, according to the National Statistics Institute's 2024 census report (in Portuguese). Most families own their homes: 57% built them themselves and 12% inherited them, while 10.5% rent.

The census counted 45,500 households. The rents are what households reported in November 2024. In the capital district, Água-Grande, fewer tenants paid under 500 dobras, 47.7%, so rents there tend to be higher.

Official sources: National Statistics Institute: results of the 2024 population and housing census (PDF, in Portuguese)

What share of São Tomé and Príncipe is urban?

According to the UN Population Division, the share of people living in urban areas in São Tomé and Príncipe was 69.2% in 2025. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 5th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 44.9%. Of 193 countries with 2025 data, 78th highest.

What share of São Tomé and Príncipe's city dwellers live in slums?

The latest figure from UN-Habitat, for 2022, is 82.4%. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2006. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 48.7%; São Tomé and Príncipe is 4th highest of 48. Of 170 countries with 2022 data, 4th highest.

What is the electricity access rate in São Tomé and Príncipe?

In 2024, the share of people with access to electricity in São Tomé and Príncipe was 77.7%, according to the World Bank. Since 2005 it has ranged from 55.8% (2005) to 81.3% (2023). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 57.8%, and São Tomé and Príncipe placed 11th highest of 48. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 150th highest.

What is access to safe water in São Tomé and Príncipe?

36.7%: that is the share of people using safely managed drinking water in São Tomé and Príncipe for 2024, according to WHO and UNICEF. That is the highest since at least 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 27.2%; São Tomé and Príncipe is 7th highest of 25. Of 134 countries with 2024 data, 106th highest.

How many people in São Tomé and Príncipe have a safe toilet?

34.7%: that is the share of people using safely managed sanitation in São Tomé and Príncipe for 2024, according to WHO and UNICEF. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 7th highest of 29 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 23.6%. World rank, highest first: 96th of 134.

What share of homes in São Tomé and Príncipe cook with clean fuels?

According to the WHO, the share of people using clean cooking fuels in São Tomé and Príncipe was 7.0% in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 32nd highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 13.0%. Of 192 countries with 2024 data, 175th highest.