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Sao Tome and Principe

2025 Edition · 362 data fields

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Introduction

Background

<p>Portugal discovered and colonized the uninhabited Sao Tome and Principe islands in the late 15th century, setting up a sugar-based economy that gave way to coffee and cocoa in the 19th century -- all grown with African 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. <br><br>The country held its first free elections in 1991, but frequent internal wrangling among the various political parties precipitated repeated changes in leadership and 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 legislative elections returned him to the office two years later. President Evaristo CARVALHO, of the same political party as TROVOADA, was elected in 2016, marking a rare instance in which the same party held the positions of president and prime minister. TROVOADA resigned in 2018 and was replaced by Jorge BOM JESUS. Carlos Vila NOVA was elected president in 2021. TROVOADA began his fourth stint as prime minister in 2022, after his party's victory in legislative elections. </p>

Geography

Area

Land
964 sq km
Total
964 sq km
Water
0 sq km

Area - comparative

more than five times the size of Washington, D.C.

Climate

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

Coastline

209 km

Continent

Africa

Elevation

Highest point
Pico de Sao Tome 2,024 m
Lowest point
Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Geographic coordinates

1 00 N, 7 00 E

Geography - note

the second-smallest African country (after the Seychelles); the two main islands form part of a chain of extinct volcanoes, and both are mountainous

Irrigated land

100 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

Total
0 km

Land use

Agricultural land
44.8% (2023 est.)
Agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 4.2% (2023 est.)
Agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 39.6% (2023 est.)
Agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 1% (2023 est.)
arable land
4.17%
Forest
57.5% (2023 est.)
Other
0% (2023 est.)
permanent crops
39.58%

Landlocked

No

Location

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

Map links

Google Maps
https://goo.gl/maps/9EUppm13RtPX9oF46
OpenStreetMap
https://www.openstreetmap.org/relation/535880

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

Exclusive economic zone
200 nm
Note
<strong>note: </strong>measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
Territorial sea
12 nm

Natural hazards

flooding

Natural resources

fish, hydropower

Population distribution

Sao Tome, the capital city, has roughly a quarter of the nation's population; Santo Antonio is the largest town on Principe; the northern areas of both islands have the highest population densities, as shown in this population distribution map

Subregion

Middle Africa

Terrain

volcanic, mountainous

Time zone

UTC
number of time zones
1

People and Society

Age structure

0-14 years
36.4% (male 41,337/female 40,106)
15-64 years
60.3% (male 67,101/female 67,775)
65 years and over
3.2% (2024 est.) (male 3,115/female 4,127)

Alcohol consumption per capita

Beer
0.42 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Other alcohols
0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Spirits
0.23 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Total
4.23 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Wine
3.58 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Birth rate

25.87 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Child marriage

Men married by age 18
3.1% (2019)
Women married by age 15
5.4% (2019)
Women married by age 18
28% (2019)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

5.4% (2019 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

53.1% (2019 est.)

Death rate

5.84 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
adult female
146 per 1,000
adult male
275 per 1,000

Dependency ratios

Elderly dependency ratio
5.4 (2024 est.)
Potential support ratio
18.6 (2024 est.)
Total dependency ratio
65.8 (2024 est.)
Youth dependency ratio
60.4 (2024 est.)

Drinking water source

improved total
36.68%
Improved: rural
rural: 71.1% of population (2022 est.)
Improved: total
total: 77.3% of population (2022 est.)
Improved: urban
urban: 79.3% of population (2022 est.)
Unimproved: rural
rural: 28.9% of population (2022 est.)
Unimproved: total
total: 22.7% of population (2022 est.)
Unimproved: urban
urban: 20.7% of population (2022 est.)

Education expenditure

Education expenditure (% GDP)
5% of GDP (2023 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget)
18.1% national budget (2024 est.)

Education expenditures

5 % of GDP

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)

Gross reproduction rate

1.57 (2025 est.)

Health expenditure

6 % of GDP
Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
7.8% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
14.9% of national budget (2022 est.)

Hospital bed density

2.9 beds/1,000 population (2019 est.)

Infant mortality rate

Female
39 deaths/1,000 live births
Male
46.1 deaths/1,000 live births
neonatal
7 deaths/1,000 live births
Total
41.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)

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%; other Portuguese-based Creoles are also spoken (2012 est.)
languages
Portuguese
note
<strong>note:</strong> shares of language sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census
number of languages
1

Life expectancy at birth

Female
69.4 years
Male
66 years
Total population
67.7 years (2024 est.)

Literacy

Female
82.8% (2019 est.)
Male
92.5% (2019 est.)
Total population
87.4% (2019 est.)

Major urban areas - population

80,000 SAO TOME (capital) (2018)

Maternal mortality ratio

75 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Median age

Female
21.2 years
Male
20.4 years
Total
21.2 years (2025 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth

19.4 years (2008/09 est.)
note
<strong>note:</strong> data represents median age at first birth among women 25-29

Nationality

Adjective
Sao Tomean
Noun
Sao Tomean(s)

Net migration rate

-6.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

12.4% (2016)

Physician density

0.46 physicians/1,000 population (2022)

Population

Female
112,008
Male
111,553
Total
223,561 (2024 est.)

Population growth rate

1.39% (2025 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

improved total
34.69%
Improved: rural
rural: 43.2% of population (2022 est.)
Improved: total
total: 53.5% of population (2022 est.)
Improved: urban
urban: 56.8% of population (2022 est.)
Unimproved: rural
rural: 56.8% of population (2022 est.)
Unimproved: total
total: 46.5% of population (2022 est.)
Unimproved: urban
urban: 43.2% of population (2022 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

Female
13 years (2021 est.)
Male
13 years (2021 est.)
Total
13 years (2021 est.)

Sex ratio

0-14 years
1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years
0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over
0.75 male(s)/female
At birth
1.03 male(s)/female
Total population
1 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Tobacco use

Female
1.7% (2025 est.)
Male
13.1% (2025 est.)
Total
7.3% (2025 est.)

Total fertility rate

3.18 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Urbanization

Rate of urbanization
2.96% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Urban population
76.4% of total population (2023)

Vaccination rate

measles
87%

Government

Administrative divisions

6 districts (<em>distritos</em>, singular - <em>distrito</em>), 1 autonomous region* (<em>regiao autonoma</em>); Agua Grande, Cantagalo, Caue, Lemba, Lobata, Me-Zochi, Principe*

Capital

Etymology
named after Saint THOMAS the Apostle by the Portuguese, who discovered the island on 21 December 1470 (or 1471), the saint's feast day
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

Coat of arms

svg
https://mainfacts.com/media/images/coats_of_arms/st.svg

Constitution

Amendment process
proposed by the National Assembly; passage requires two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly; the Assembly can propose to the president of the republic that an amendment be submitted to a referendum
History
approved 5 November 1975

Country name

alternative spellings
ST, Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, Sao Tome and Principe, República Democrática de São Tomé e Príncipe
Conventional long form
Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe
Conventional short form
Sao Tome and Principe
Etymology
Sao Tome was named after Saint THOMAS the Apostle by the Portuguese who discovered the island on 21 December 1470 (or 1471), the saint's feast day; Principe is a shortening of the original Portuguese name of "Ilha do Principe" (Isle of the Prince), referring to Prince ALPHONSO of Portugal
FIFA code
STP
Local long form
Republica Democratica de Sao Tome e Principe
local long form (por)
República Democrática do São Tomé e Príncipe
Local short form
Sao Tome e Principe

Diplomatic representation from the US

Embassy
the US does not have an embassy in Sao Tome and Principe; the US Ambassador to Angola is accredited to Sao Tome and Principe
Mailing address
2290 Sao Tome Place, Washington DC&nbsp; 20521-2290

Diplomatic representation in the US

Chancery
122 East 42nd Street, Suite 1604<br>New York, NY 101168
Chief of mission
Ambassador (vacant)
Email address and website
<br>stp1@attglobal.net<br><br>Sao Tome and Principe Permanent Mission to the United Nations
FAX
[1] (212) 317-0580
Telephone
[1] (212) 317-0533

Executive branch

Cabinet
Council of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, appointed by the president
Chief of state
President Carlos Manuel VILA NOVA (since 2 October 2021)
Election results
<br><em>2021: </em>Carlos Manuel VILA NOVA elected president in the second round; percent of vote in the first round - Carlos Manuel VILA NOVA (IDA) 39.5%; Guilherme POSSER DA COSTA (MLSTP-PSD) 20.8%; Delfim NEVES (PCD-GR) 16.9%; Abel BOM JESUS (independent) 3.6%; Maria DAS NEVES (independent) 3.3%; other 15.9%; percent of the vote in second round - Carlos Manuel VILA NOVA 57.5%, Guilherme POSSER DA COSTA 42.5%<em><br><br><em>2016: </em></em>Evaristo CARVALHO elected president; percent of vote - Evaristo CARVALHO (ADI) 49.8%, Manuel Pinto DA COSTA (independent) 24.8%, Maria DAS NEVES (MLSTP-PSD) 24.1%
Election/appointment process
president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister chosen by the National Assembly and approved by the president
Expected date of next election
2026
Head of government
Prime Minister Am&eacute;rico d'Oliveira DOS RAMOS (since 12 January 2025)
Most recent election date
18 July 2021, with a runoff on 5 September 2021

Flag

<strong>description:</strong> three horizontal bands of green (top), yellow (double-width), and green with two five-pointed black stars in the center of the yellow band and a red isosceles triangle based on the left side<br><br><strong>meaning:</strong> green stands for the country's rich vegetation, red for the struggle for independence, and yellow for cocoa, one of the country's main agricultural products; the two stars symbolize the main islands<br><br><strong>history:</strong> uses the colors of the Pan-African movement

Flag description

The flag of São Tomé and Príncipe has three horizontal bands of green, yellow (double-width), and green, with two black five-pointed stars in the center of the yellow band and a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side.

Flag image

svg
https://flagcdn.com/st.svg

Government type

semi-presidential 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 or Supremo Tribunal Justica (consists of 5 judges); Constitutional Court or Tribunal Constitucional (consists of 5 judges, 3 of whom 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 and elected by the National Assembly for 5-year terms
Subordinate courts
Court of First Instance; Audit Court

Legal system

mixed system of civil law based on the Portuguese model and customary law

Legislative branch

Electoral system
proportional representation
Expected date of next election
September 2026
Legislative structure
unicameral
Legislature name
National Assembly (Assembleia Nacional)
Most recent election date
9/25/2022
Number of seats
55 (all directly elected)
Parties elected and seats per party
Independent Democratic Alliance (ADI) (30); Sao Tome and Principe Liberation Movement/Social Democratic Party (MLSTP - PSD) (18); Movement of Independent Citizens - Socialist Party (MCI - PS) - National Unity Party (PUN) (5); Other (2)
Percentage of women in chamber
14.5%
Scope of elections
full renewal
Term in office
4 years

National color(s)

green, yellow, red, black

National holiday

Independence Day, 12 July (1975)

National symbol(s)

palm tree

Political parties

BASTA Movement <br>Independent Democratic Action or ADI <br>Movement for the Liberation of Sao Tome and Principe-Social Democratic Party or MLSTP-PSD <br>Movement of Independent Citizens of São Tomé and Príncipe - Socialist Party or MCI-PS <br>National Unity Party or PUN

Start of week

Monday

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

UN Member

Yes

Economy

Agricultural products

plantains, oil palm fruit, taro, bananas, fruits, cocoa beans, yams, coconuts, cassava, vegetables (2023)
note
<b>note:</b> top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Budget

Expenditures
$165.95 million (2022 est.)
Note
<b>note:</b> central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Revenues
$128.767 million (2022 est.)

Currency

code
STN
name
São Tomé and Príncipe dobra (STN) [Db]

Current account balance

$41.5 million
Current account balance 2020
-$59.595 million (2020 est.)
Current account balance 2021
-$95.248 million (2021 est.)
Current account balance 2022
-$79.437 million (2022 est.)
Note
<b>note:</b> balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

Debt - external

$326.41 million
Debt - external 2023
$327.248 million (2023 est.)
Note
<b>note:</b> present value of external debt in current US dollars

Economic overview

lower middle-income Central African island economy; falling cocoa production due to drought and mismanagement; joint oil venture with Nigeria; government owns 90% of land; high debt, partly from fuel subsidies; tourism gutted by COVID-19

Exchange rates

Currency
dobras (STD) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2019
21.885 (2019 est.)
Exchange rates 2020
21.507 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
20.71 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
23.29 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
22.658 (2023 est.)

Exports

Exports 2020
$49.337 million (2020 est.)
Exports 2021
$75.256 million (2021 est.)
Exports 2022
$96.977 million (2022 est.)
Note
<b>note:</b> balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

Exports - commodities

crude petroleum, cocoa beans, vehicle parts/accessories, palm oil, aircraft parts (2023)
note
<b>note:</b> top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Exports - partners

Pakistan 54%, Germany 11%, Netherlands 7%, France 5%, UAE 3% (2023)
note
<b>note:</b> top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

Foreign direct investment

net inflows
$-16,681,873

GDP - composition, by end use

Exports of goods and services
7.9% (2017 est.)
Government consumption
17.6% (2017 est.)
Household consumption
81.4% (2017 est.)
Imports of goods and services
-40.4% (2017 est.)
Investment in fixed capital
33.4% (2017 est.)
Investment in inventories
0% (2017 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

Agriculture
12.8% (2024 est.)
Industry
2.9% (2024 est.)
Note
<b>note:</b> figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
Services
76.6% (2024 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$764.274 million (2024 est.)
note
<b>note:</b> data in current dollars at official exchange rate

GDP per capita (nominal)

$3,491

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income

56.3 (2017)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2017
40.7 (2017 est.)
Note
<b>note:</b> index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

GNI (gross national income)

$821.45 million

GNI per capita

$2,850

Household income or consumption by percentage share

Highest 10%
32.8% (2017 est.)
Lowest 10%
2.6% (2017 est.)
Note
<strong>note:</strong> % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

Imports

Imports 2020
$160.097 million (2020 est.)
Imports 2021
$201.145 million (2021 est.)
Imports 2022
$219.322 million (2022 est.)
Note
<b>note:</b> balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

Imports - commodities

ships, refined petroleum, rice, electric generating sets, cars (2023)
note
<b>note:</b> top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Imports - partners

Portugal 35%, Angola 13%, Gabon 11%, Japan 8%, China 6% (2023)
note
<b>note:</b> top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Industrial production growth rate

3.2% (2024 est.)
note
<b>note:</b> annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

14.35%
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
18% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
21.3% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
14.4% (2024 est.)
Note
<b>note:</b> annual % change based on consumer prices

Labor force

34,500 (2024 est.)
note
<b>note:</b> number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
total
35,075 persons

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture
12.06%
industry
22.52%
services
65.42%

Population below poverty line

55.5% (2017 est.)
note
<b>note:</b> % of population with income below national poverty line

Public debt

Public debt 2016
93.1% of GDP (2016 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$1.47 billion
Note
<b>note:</b> data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$1.275 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$1.279 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$1.291 billion (2024 est.)

Real GDP growth rate

1.1%
Note
<b>note:</b> annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
Real GDP growth rate 2022
0.2% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023
0.4% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2024
0.9% (2024 est.)

Real GDP per capita

$6,242
Note
<b>note:</b> data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP per capita 2022
$5,600 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023
$5,500 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024
$5,500 (2024 est.)

Remittances

$80.14 million
Note
<b>note:</b> personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Remittances 2021
2% of GDP (2021 est.)
Remittances 2022
1.9% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023
1.5% of GDP (2023 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$46.25 million
Note
<b>note:</b> holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2021
$75.017 million (2021 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$64.476 million (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$46.247 million (2023 est.)

Unemployment rate

9.13%
Note
<b>note:</b> % of labor force seeking employment
Unemployment rate 2022
9% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023
9.1% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024
9.2% (2024 est.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

Female
9.2% (2024 est.)
Male
8% (2024 est.)
Note
<b>note:</b> % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
Total
8.6% (2024 est.)

Energy

Electricity

Consumption
47.05 million kWh (2023 est.)
Installed generating capacity
29,000 kW (2023 est.)
Transmission/distribution losses
40.95 million kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity access

Electrification - rural areas
73.7%
Electrification - total population
78% (2022 est.)
Electrification - urban areas
80%

Electricity generation sources

Fossil fuels
93.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectric
5.85%
Hydroelectricity
6.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
nuclear
0%
renewable
6.06%

Energy consumption per capita

Total energy consumption per capita 2023
8.875 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Petroleum

Refined petroleum consumption
1,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Renewable energy consumption

42.5%

Communications

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

per 100 inhabitants
3 per 100
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
3 (2023 est.)
Total
6,000 (2023 est.)

Broadcast media

1 state-owned TV station; 2 state-owned radio stations; 7 independent local radio stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available

Internet country code

.st

Internet users

Percent of population
62% (2023 est.)

Telephone calling code

+239

Telephones - fixed lines

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
1 (2023 est.)
Total subscriptions
2,000 (2023 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100
63 per 100
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
87 (2022 est.)
Total subscriptions
152,000 (2023 est.)

Transportation

Air transport

passengers carried
38,767 passengers
registered carrier departures
1,199 departures

Airports

2 (2025)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

S9

Driving side

Right

Merchant marine

By type
general cargo 15, oil tanker 4, other 6
Total
25 (2023)

Ports

Key ports
Santo Antonio, Sao Tome
Large
0
Medium
0
Ports with oil terminals
0
Small
0
Total ports
2 (2024)
Very small
2

Vehicle registration code

STP

Military and Security

Military - note

the FASTP is one of the smallest militaries in Africa and consists of only a few companies of ground troops and some small patrol boats (2024)

Military and security forces

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), Presidential Guard, National Guard (2025)
note
<strong>note:</strong> the Army and Coast Guard are responsible for external security while the public security police and judicial police maintain internal security; both the public security police and the military report to the Ministry of Defense and Internal Affairs; the judicial police report to the Ministry of Justice, Public Administration, and Human Rights

Military and security service personnel strengths

approximately 500 active Armed Forces (2023)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the FASTP is lightly armed and has a small inventory of mostly older weapons and equipment (2023)

Military service age and obligation

limited information; 18 is the minimum age for compulsory military service (reportedly not enforced) and 17 years of age (with parental permission) for voluntary service (2024)

Environment

Carbon dioxide emissions

From petroleum and other liquids
146,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Total emissions
146,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Environmental issues

deforestation and illegal logging; soil erosion and exhaustion; inadequate sewage treatment in cities; biodiversity&nbsp;

International environmental agreements

Party to
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
Signed, but not ratified
Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban

Particulate matter emissions

29 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Protected areas

0 % of total land area

Renewable electricity output

0 % of total

Total renewable water resources

2.18 billion cubic meters (2022)

Total water withdrawal

2 % of internal resources
Agricultural
25.6 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Industrial
600,000 cubic meters (2022 est.)
Municipal
14.7 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Waste and recycling

Municipal solid waste generated annually
25,600 tons (2024 est.)
Percent of municipal solid waste recycled
16.9% (2022 est.)

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