2015 Edition

Background

Discovered and claimed by Portugal in the late 15th century, the islands' sugar-based economy gave way to coffee and cocoa in the 19th century - all grown with African plantation slave labor, a form of which lingered into the 20th century. While independence was achieved in 1975, democratic reforms were not instituted until the late 1980s. The country held its first free elections in 1991, but frequent internal wrangling between the various political parties precipitated repeated changes in leadership and four failed, non-violent coup attempts in 1995, 1998, 2003, and 2009. In 2012, three opposition parties combined in a no confidence vote to bring down the majority government of former Prime Minister Patrice TROVOADA, but in 2014, legislative elections returned him to the office. New oil discoveries in the Gulf of Guinea may attract increased attention to the small island nation.

Area

land

964 sq km

total

964 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

more than five times the size of Washington, DC

Climate

tropical; hot, humid; one rainy season (October to May)

Coastline

209 km

Elevation extremes

highest point

Pico de Sao Tome 2,024 m

lowest point

Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

deforestation; soil erosion and exhaustion

Environment - international agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates

1 00 N, 7 00 E

Geography - note

the smallest country in Africa; the two main islands form part of a chain of extinct volcanoes and both are mountainous

Irrigated land

97 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land 9.1%; permanent crops 40.6%; permanent pasture 1%

agricultural land

50.7%

forest

28.1%

other

21.2% (2011 est.)

Location

Central Africa, islands in the Gulf of Guinea, just north of the Equator, west of Gabon

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

measured from claimed archipelagic baselines

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

NA

Natural resources

fish, hydropower

Terrain

volcanic, mountainous

Age structure

0-14 years

43.04% (male 42,460/female 41,036)

15-24 years

20.03% (male 19,692/female 19,159)

25-54 years

30.47% (male 28,985/female 30,125)

55-64 years

3.59% (male 3,173/female 3,787)

65 years and over

2.88% (male 2,508/female 3,081) (2015 est.)

Birth rate

34.23 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

percentage

8% (2006 est.)

total number

3,235

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

14.4% (2009)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

38.4% (2008/09)

Death rate

7.24 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Dependency ratios

elderly dependency ratio

5.7%

potential support ratio

17.6% (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

84.2%

youth dependency ratio

78.5%

Drinking water source

urban: 98.9% of population

rural: 93.6% of population

total: 97.1% of population

urban: 1.1% of population

rural: 6.4% of population

total: 2.9% of population (2015 est.)

Education expenditures

9.5% of GDP (2010)

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)

Health expenditures

6.9% of GDP (2013)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.78% (2014 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

100 (2014 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

1,000 (2014 est.)

Hospital bed density

2.9 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

female

45.85 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)

male

49.85 deaths/1,000 live births

total

47.88 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Portuguese 98.4% (official), Forro 36.2%, Cabo Verdian 8.5%, French 6.8%, Angolar 6.6%, English 4.9%, Lunguie 1%, other (including sign language) 2.4%

note

shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census (2012 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

female

65.92 years (2015 est.)

male

63.27 years

total population

64.58 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

68.4% (2015 est.)

male

81.8%

total population

74.9%

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk

high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases

malaria and dengue fever

water contact disease

schistosomiasis (2013)

Major urban areas - population

SAO TOME (capital) 71,000 (2014)

Maternal mortality rate

156 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

female

18.4 years (2015 est.)

male

17.5 years

total

17.9 years

Nationality

adjective

Sao Tomean

noun

Sao Tomean(s)

Net migration rate

-8.63 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

10.6% (2014)

Population

194,006 (July 2015 est.)

Population growth rate

1.84% (2015 est.)

Religions

Catholic 55.7%, Adventist 4.1%, Assembly of God 3.4%, New Apostolic 2.9%, Mana 2.3%, Universal Kingdom of God 2%, Jehovah's Witness 1.2%, other 6.2%, none 21.2%, unspecified 1% (2012 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 40.8% of population

rural: 23.3% of population

total: 34.7% of population

urban: 59.2% of population

rural: 76.7% of population

total: 65.3% of population (2015 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

11 years (2012)

male

11 years

total

11 years

Sex ratio

0-14 years

1.04 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.03 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.96 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.84 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.81 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

1 male(s)/female (2015 est.)

Total fertility rate

4.54 children born/woman (2015 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

3.58% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

65.1% of total population (2015)

Administrative divisions

2 provinces; Principe, Sao Tome

Capital

geographic coordinates

0 20 N, 6 44 E

name

Sao Tome

time difference

UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

at least one parent must be a citizen of Sao Tome and Principe

dual citizenship recognized

no

residency requirement for naturalization

5 years

Constitution

approved 5 November 1975; revised several times, last in 2006 (2015)

Country name

conventional long form

Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe

conventional short form

Sao Tome and Principe

local long form

Republica Democratica de Sao Tome e Principe

local short form

Sao Tome e Principe

Diplomatic representation from the US

the US does not have an embassy in Sao Tome and Principe; the Ambassador to Gabon is accredited to Sao Tome and Principe on a nonresident basis and makes periodic visits to the islands

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

675 Third Avenue, Suite 1807, New York, NY 10017

chief of mission

Ambassador Carlos Filomeno Azevedo Agostinho das NEVES (since 3 December 2013)

FAX

[1] (212) 651-8117

telephone

[1] (212) 651-8116

Executive branch

cabinet

Council of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, appointed by the president

chief of state

President Manuel Pinto DA COSTA (since 3 September 2011)

election results

Manuel Pinto DA COSTA elected president in runoff; percent of vote - Manuel Pinto DA COSTA (independent) 52.9%, Evaristo CARVALHO (ADI) 47.1%

elections/appointments

president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 17 July and 7 August 2011 (next to be held in July 2016); prime minister chosen by the National Assembly and approved by the president

head of government

Prime Minister Patrice Emery TROVOADA (since 29 November 2014)

Flag description

three horizontal bands of green (top), yellow (double width), and green with two black five-pointed stars placed side by side in the center of the yellow band and a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; green stands for the country's rich vegetation, red recalls the struggle for independence, and yellow represents cocoa, one of the country's main agricultural products; the two stars symbolize the two main islands

note

uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Government type

republic

Independence

12 July 1975 (from Portugal)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AOSIS, AU, CD, CEMAC, CPLP, EITI (candidate country), FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

Judicial branch

highest court(s)

Supreme Court (consists of 5 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 5 judges, 3 of which are from the Supreme Court)

judge selection and term of office

Supreme Court judges appointed by the National Assembly; judge tenure NA; Constitutional Court judges nominated by the president of the republic and elected by the National Assembly for 5-year terms

subordinate courts

Court of First Instance; Audit Court

Legal system

mixed legal system of civil law base on the Portuguese model and customary law

Legislative branch

description

unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (55 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ADI 33, MLSTP-PSD 16, PCD-GR 5, other 1

elections

last held on 12 October 2014 (next expected in October 2018)

National anthem

lyrics/music

Alda Neves DA GRACA do Espirito Santo/Manuel dos Santos Barreto de Sousa e ALMEIDA

name

"Independencia total" (Total Independence)

note

adopted 1975

National holiday

Independence Day, 12 July (1975)

National symbol(s)

palm tree; national colors: green, yellow, red, black

Political parties and leaders

Democratic Movement of Forces for Change or MDFM [Fradigue Bandeira Melo DE MENEZES]

Independent Democratic Action or ADI [Patrice TROVOADA]

Movement for the Liberation of Sao Tome and Principe-Social Democratic Party or MLSTP-PSD [Aurelio MARTINS]

Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Leonel Mario D'ALVA]

other small parties

Political pressure groups and leaders

Association of Sao Tome and Principe NGOs or FONG

other

the media

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

expenditures

$106.2 million (2014 est.)

revenues

$87.62 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-5.5% of GDP (2014 est.)

Central bank discount rate

16% (31 December 2009)

28% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

16% (31 December 2014 est.)

25.93% (31 December 2013 est.)

Current account balance

-$94 million (2014 est.)

-$71 million (2013 est.)

Debt - external

$234.1 million (31 December 2014 est.)

$214.4 million (31 December 2013 est.)

Economy - overview

This small, poor island economy has become increasingly dependent on cocoa since independence in 1975. Cocoa production has substantially declined in recent years because of drought and mismanagement. Sao Tome and Principe has to import fuels, most manufactured goods, consumer goods, and a substantial amount of food, making it vulnerable to fluctuations in global commodity prices. Over the years, it has had difficulty servicing its external debt and has relied heavily on concessional aid and debt rescheduling. Sao Tome and Principe benefited from $200 million in debt relief in December 2000 under the Highly Indebted Poor Countries program, which helped bring down the country's $300 million debt burden. In August 2005, the government signed on to a new 3-year IMF Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility program worth $4.3 million. In April 2011 the country completed a Threshold Country Program with The Millennium Challenge Corporation to help increase tax revenues, reform customs, and improve the business environment. Considerable potential exists for development of a tourist industry, and the government has taken steps to expand facilities in recent years. The government also has attempted to reduce price controls and subsidies. Potential exists for the development of petroleum resources in Sao Tome and Principe's territorial waters in the oil-rich Gulf of Guinea, which are being jointly developed in a 60-40 split with Nigeria, but any actual production is at least several years off. The first production licenses were sold in 2004, though a dispute over licensing with Nigeria delayed the country's receipt of more than $20 million in signing bonuses for almost a year. Maintaining control of inflation, fiscal discipline, and increasing flows of foreign direct investment into the oil sector are the major economic problems facing the country.

Exchange rates

dobras (STD) per US dollar -

18,466 (2014 est.)

18,466 (2013 est.)

19,068 (2012 est.)

17,623 (2011 est.)

18,499 (2010 est.)

Exports

$17.4 million (2014 est.)

$12.9 million (2013 est.)

Exports - commodities

cocoa 80%, copra, coffee, palm oil (2010 est.)

Exports - partners

Netherlands 25.6%, Belgium 23.6%, Turkey 17.9%, Spain 8.6%, US 6.1%, Germany 5.3% (2014)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

(2014 est.)

exports of goods and services

11.9%

government consumption

13.2%

household consumption

80.3%

imports of goods and services

-51.2%

investment in fixed capital

45.7%

investment in inventories

0%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

18.8%

industry

16.1%

services

65.2% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$3,200 (2014 est.)

$3,000 (2013 est.)

$2,900 (2012 est.)

note

data are in 2014 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

4.5% (2014 est.)

4% (2013 est.)

4.5% (2012 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$338 million (2014 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$626 million (2014 est.)

$599 million (2013 est.)

$576 million (2012 est.)

note

data are in 2014 US dollars

Gross national saving

-2% of GDP (2014 est.)

8.1% of GDP (2013 est.)

14.3% of GDP (2012 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$145.6 million (2014 est.)

$128.6 million (2013 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and electrical equipment, food products, petroleum products

Imports - partners

Portugal 65.4%, Gabon 6.1%, China 5.3% (2014)

Industrial production growth rate

4.2% (2014 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

7% (2014 est.)

8.1% (2013 est.)

Labor force

65,000 (2014 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

note

population mainly engaged in subsistence agriculture and fishing; shortages of skilled workers

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

66.2% (2009 est.)

Public debt

69.6% of GDP (2014 est.)

69.5% of GDP (2013 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$64.1 million (31 December 2015 est.)

$63.52 million (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of broad money

$133.1 million (31 December 2014 est.)

$120.8 million (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$80.91 million (31 December 2014 est.)

$92.9 million (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$54.91 million (31 December 2014 est.)

$59.57 million (31 December 2013 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

25.9% of GDP (2014 est.)

Unemployment rate

13.5% (2014 est.)

13.7% (2013 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

137,800 Mt (2012 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.)

Electricity - consumption

60.45 million kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2013)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

75% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

25% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

16,000 kW (2012 est.)

Electricity - production

65 million kWh (2012 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

900 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

905.6 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Broadcast media

1 government-owned TV station; 1 government-owned radio station; 3 independent local radio stations authorized in 2005 with 2 operating at the end of 2006; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available (2007)

Internet country code

.st

Internet users

percent of population

24.7% (2014 est.)

total

47,000

Radio broadcast stations

AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 1 (2001)

Telephone system

domestic

combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 65 telephones per 100 persons

general assessment

local telephone network of adequate quality with most lines connected to digital switches

international

country code - 239; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2010)

Telephones - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

4 (2014 est.)

total subscriptions

6,800

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

67 (2014 est.)

total

128,500

Television broadcast stations

2 (2001)

Airports

2 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

1 (2013)

total

2

Merchant marine

by type

bulk carrier 1, cargo 2

foreign-owned

2 (China 1, Greece 1) (2010)

total

3

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s)

Sao Tome

Roadways

paved

218 km

total

320 km

unpaved

102 km (2000)

Manpower available for military service

females age 16-49

39,845 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

39,182

Manpower fit for military service

females age 16-49

29,279 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

27,310

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

female

2,003 (2010 est.)

male

2,076

Military - note

Sao Tome and Principe's army is a tiny force with almost no resources at its disposal and would be wholly ineffective operating unilaterally; infantry equipment is considered simple to operate and maintain but may require refurbishment or replacement after 25 years in tropical climates; poor pay, working conditions, and alleged nepotism in the promotion of officers have been problems in the past, as reflected in the 1995 and 2003 coups; these issues are being addressed with foreign assistance aimed at improving the army and its focus on realistic security concerns; command is exercised from the president, through the Minister of Defense, to the Chief of the Armed Forces (infantry, technical issues) and the Chief of the General Staff (logistics, administration, finances) (2012)

Military branches

Armed Forces of Sao Tome and Principe (Forcas Armadas de Sao Tome e Principe, FASTP): Army, Coast Guard of Sao Tome e Principe (Guarda Costeira de Sao Tome e Principe, GCSTP; also called "Navy"), Presidential Guard, National Guard (2015)

Military service age and obligation

18 is the legal minimum age for compulsory military service; 17 is the legal minimum age for voluntary service (2012)

Disputes - international

none