Quick facts
São Tomé and Príncipe population overview
São Tomé and Príncipe is the 56th most populous of 58 countries and territories in Africa. The United Nations put the population at 243,432 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +1.9% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 13 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 6,743 births (27.7 per 1,000 people) and 1,315 deaths (5.4 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 682 people. The infant mortality rate is 10.3 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 68,012 in 1960 to 240,254 in 2025 — a change of +253.3%, or +2% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 19.7 years; life expectancy at birth is 70.3 years; women have on average 3.6 children (2024, above the 2.1 replacement level); 37.5% of residents are under 15 and 3.9% are 65 or older (2025); 69.2% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Sao Tome. São Tomé and Príncipe covers 960 km², giving a population density of about 257 people per km². GDP was $981.29M in 2025 — about $4,084 per person (World Bank classification: lower middle income).
São Tomé and Príncipe population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 247,198 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 243,432 |
| World rank | #189 of 238 |
| Rank in Africa | #56 of 58 |
| Share of world population | 0.003% |
| Annual growth rate | +1.9% |
| Births per year est. | 6,743 |
| Deaths per year est. | 1,315 |
| Net migration per year est. | -682 |
| Birth rate | 27.7 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 5.4 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 10.3 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 98.7 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 19.7 years |
| Life expectancy | 70.3 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 3.6 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 69.2% |
| Surface area 2023 | 960 km² |
| Population density | 257 per km² |
| Capital | Sao Tome |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $981.29M |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $4,084 |
| Income group World Bank | Lower middle income |
São Tomé and Príncipe population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 247,198 | – | – |
| 2025 | 240,254 | +4,718 | +2% |
| 2024 | 235,536 | +4,665 | +2% |
| 2023 | 230,871 | +4,566 | +2% |
| 2022 | 226,305 | +4,344 | +2% |
| 2021 | 221,961 | +4,526 | +2.1% |
| 2020 | 217,435 | +17,144 | +1.7% |
| 2015 | 200,291 | +18,489 | +2% |
| 2010 | 181,802 | +20,163 | +2.4% |
| 2005 | 161,639 | +17,621 | +2.3% |
| 2000 | 144,018 | +9,123 | +1.3% |
| 1995 | 134,895 | +11,915 | +1.9% |
| 1990 | 122,980 | +14,322 | +2.5% |
| 1985 | 108,658 | +10,114 | +2% |
| 1980 | 98,544 | +11,836 | +2.6% |
| 1975 | 86,708 | +9,082 | +2.2% |
| 1970 | 77,626 | +5,946 | +1.6% |
| 1965 | 71,680 | +3,668 | +1.1% |
| 1960 | 68,012 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About São Tomé and Príncipe
Population over time
- From 68,012 in 1960 to 247,198 today — up 263.5%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +1.8% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 69.9 years (2024), up 26.3 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 3.6 births per woman (2024) — above the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 28.1 births vs 5.5 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 22.6 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 37.5% of the population is under 15 and 3.9% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 3.6% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 0.15 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 0.16 Mt in 2019 — down 7.2% since.
- Per person: 0.63 t in 2024, vs 0.19 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 259.3 kg of oil equivalent per person (2007), up 35.9% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 42.5% of final energy in 2022 (-8.4 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 52.1% of land area (2023).
- Net deforestation: cover fell from 61.1% to 52.1% since 1990 — roughly 86 km² of forest lost.
Urban population (% of total)
- 69.2% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 15.4% in 1960 (+53.7 points).
- Became majority-urban around 1997.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low — freshwater withdrawals are 1.9% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 9,633 m³ in 2022, down 69.6% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $981.29M in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 277.4% since 2015.
- That works out to $4,084 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 9.1% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 11% in 2025 — persistently high inflation erodes real incomes.
Internet & mobile
- 59.1% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 62.4 per 100 people (2024).
São Tomé and Príncipe in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of São Tomé and Príncipe in 2026?
As of October 2026, São Tomé and Príncipe has an estimated population of 247,198. The United Nations estimated 243,432 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +1.9% annual growth rate.
Is the population of São Tomé and Príncipe growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +1.9% per year — roughly 13 more people every day. Each year there are about 6,743 births and 1,315 deaths, with net migration of -682.
What is the population density of São Tomé and Príncipe?
About 257 people per square kilometre: 247,198 people living on 960 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in São Tomé and Príncipe?
The median age is 19.7 years, and life expectancy at birth is 70.3 years. 37.5% of the population is under 15 and 3.9% is 65 or older (2025).
How does São Tomé and Príncipe rank by population?
São Tomé and Príncipe is the 189th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 56th in Africa, with 0.003% of the global population.
How has the population of São Tomé and Príncipe changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 68,012; by 2025 it had grown to 240,254 (+253.3%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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New CaledoniaSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+1.9%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.