Sao Tome and Principe has a birth rate of 28.2 (annual births per 1,000 people) and a fertility rate of 3.64 (the average amount of children a woman would have during her lifetime).
In 1960, the fertility rate in Sao Tome and Principe was 6.24 children per woman — 1.71 times higher than in 2023.
Sao Tome and Principe birth rate statistics:
- Sao Tome and Principe is ranked 39/196 by birth rate now and was ranked 88/194 in 1960.
- The mean age at first birth in Sao Tome and Principe is 19.4 — it was 19.4 in 2017.
- The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 28.4, a change from 29.2 in 1990.
- Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) changed from 153.7 in 1960 to 86.2 in 2023.
- 25.2% of the population in 2024 is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), a change from 21.8% in 1960.
- Excluding migration, the natural population change due to births and deaths from 2022 to 2023 was 2.26% — 5,221 more people were born than died.
Birth rates in Sao Tome and Principe compared to world average
Sao Tome
|
World
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Fertility rate | 3.64 | 2.2 |
| Birth rate | 28.2 | 16.3 |
| Birth rate rank | 39/196 | N/A |
| Age at first childbirth | 19.4 years | 23.1 years |
| Average age at childbearing | 28.4 years | 28.3 years |
| Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 | 84 | 37.6 |
| Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 | 168.4 | 120.4 |
| Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ | 48.1 | 22 |
| Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population | 25.2% | 24.4% |
| Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 | 46% | 54.1% |
| Share of births attended by skilled health staff | 96.8% | 83.3% |
| Maternal mortality per live birth | 0.08% | 0.2% |
| Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) | 0.68% | 1.73% |
| Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) | 0.94% | 2.71% |
| Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age, per 1,000 live births | 1.39% | 2.49% |
| Population change due to births and deaths | +5,221 | +70,600,901 |
| Natural population change rank | 127/196 | N/A |
| Natural population change rate | +2.26% | +0.88% |
| Population growth | +2.02% | +0.96% |
| Population growth rank | 52/197 | N/A |
| Life expectancy | 70.1 years | 73.5 years |
Fertility rate in Sao Tome and Principe chart
According to the latest birth rate data available, the fertility rate in Sao Tome and Principe is 3.64, which is above the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman. In 1993, the fertility rate was 5.64 — a -35.3% decline in 30 years.
Check population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.
The chart below showcases the historical changes in birth rates.
Sao Tome and Principe
Factual
UN forecast
World
Factual
UN forecast
Births per woman
| Year | Fertility rate | |
|---|---|---|
|
Sao Tome
|
World
|
|
| 1960 | 6.24 | 4.69 |
| 1961 | 6.26 | 4.56 |
| 1962 | 6.28 | 5.02 |
| 1963 | 6.31 | 5.31 |
| 1964 | 6.33 | 5.13 |
| 1965 | 6.35 | 5.08 |
| 1966 | 6.37 | 4.97 |
| 1967 | 6.39 | 4.87 |
| 1968 | 6.42 | 4.98 |
| 1969 | 6.44 | 4.88 |
| 1970 | 6.47 | 4.84 |
| 1971 | 6.49 | 4.69 |
| 1972 | 6.51 | 4.55 |
| 1973 | 6.53 | 4.42 |
| 1974 | 6.53 | 4.26 |
| 1975 | 6.53 | 4.07 |
| 1976 | 6.52 | 3.97 |
| 1977 | 6.5 | 3.84 |
| 1978 | 6.47 | 3.77 |
| 1979 | 6.43 | 3.76 |
| 1980 | 6.39 | 3.73 |
| 1981 | 6.33 | 3.71 |
| 1982 | 6.28 | 3.72 |
| 1983 | 6.22 | 3.59 |
| 1984 | 6.16 | 3.57 |
| 1985 | 6.1 | 3.53 |
| 1986 | 6.05 | 3.51 |
| 1987 | 5.99 | 3.48 |
| 1988 | 5.94 | 3.39 |
| 1989 | 5.88 | 3.35 |
| 1990 | 5.83 | 3.31 |
| 1991 | 5.77 | 3.13 |
| 1992 | 5.7 | 3.04 |
| 1993 | 5.64 | 2.97 |
| 1994 | 5.56 | 2.92 |
| 1995 | 5.55 | 2.87 |
| 1996 | 5.47 | 2.82 |
| 1997 | 5.4 | 2.78 |
| 1998 | 5.3 | 2.75 |
| 1999 | 5.23 | 2.72 |
| 2000 | 5.16 | 2.73 |
| 2001 | 5.1 | 2.69 |
| 2002 | 5.06 | 2.66 |
| 2003 | 5.01 | 2.64 |
| 2004 | 4.96 | 2.63 |
| 2005 | 4.94 | 2.61 |
| 2006 | 4.93 | 2.61 |
| 2007 | 4.96 | 2.6 |
| 2008 | 4.91 | 2.6 |
| 2009 | 4.84 | 2.59 |
| 2010 | 4.77 | 2.57 |
| 2011 | 4.72 | 2.55 |
| 2012 | 4.66 | 2.56 |
| 2013 | 4.58 | 2.53 |
| 2014 | 4.49 | 2.52 |
| 2015 | 4.35 | 2.49 |
| 2016 | 4.2 | 2.49 |
| 2017 | 4.07 | 2.46 |
| 2018 | 3.98 | 2.39 |
| 2019 | 3.9 | 2.35 |
| 2020 | 3.83 | 2.28 |
| 2021 | 3.76 | 2.25 |
| 2022 | 3.7 | 2.22 |
| 2023 | 3.64 | 2.2 |
| 2024 | 3.6 | 2.19 |
| 2025 | 3.53 | 2.18 |
| 2026 | 3.47 | 2.18 |
| 2027 | 3.42 | 2.17 |
| 2028 | 3.36 | 2.16 |
| 2029 | 3.32 | 2.15 |
| 2030 | 3.26 | 2.14 |
| 2031 | 3.21 | 2.13 |
| 2032 | 3.17 | 2.12 |
| 2033 | 3.13 | 2.12 |
| 2034 | 3.09 | 2.11 |
| 2035 | 3.04 | 2.1 |
| 2036 | 3.01 | 2.09 |
| 2037 | 2.97 | 2.09 |
| 2038 | 2.94 | 2.08 |
| 2039 | 2.9 | 2.08 |
| 2040 | 2.87 | 2.08 |
| 2041 | 2.83 | 2.07 |
| 2042 | 2.8 | 2.07 |
| 2043 | 2.78 | 2.07 |
| 2044 | 2.75 | 2.07 |
| 2045 | 2.73 | 2.06 |
| 2046 | 2.7 | 2.06 |
| 2047 | 2.67 | 2.06 |
| 2048 | 2.64 | 2.05 |
| 2049 | 2.62 | 2.05 |
| 2050 | 2.59 | 2.05 |
Birth rates by women ages chart
In 2025, of all live births 17.5% were to women under 20 years old, 52.7% to women ages 20-29, and 29.9% to women ages 30 and above. In comparison, the percentages in 1990 were 16.8%, 52.9%, and 30.3% for the same age groups respectively. A chart displaying the historical birth rates in Sao Tome and Principe by maternal age is provided below.
Annual births per 1,000 women ages
15-19
20-29
30+
| Year | Annual births per 1,000 women | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total per 1,000 women | 15-19 | 20-29 | 30+ | |
| 1960 | 101.8 | 159.6 | 271.2 | 98.4 |
| 1961 | 101.3 | 146.7 | 284.7 | 98.8 |
| 1962 | 95.8 | 139.2 | 285 | 98.8 |
| 1963 | 91 | 135.8 | 284.9 | 98.2 |
| 1964 | 86.9 | 135.8 | 283.8 | 97.3 |
| 1965 | 83.8 | 137.3 | 282.6 | 96.1 |
| 1966 | 81.6 | 139.4 | 281 | 94.4 |
| 1967 | 80.3 | 140.6 | 280.4 | 92.7 |
| 1968 | 79.8 | 142.2 | 280.9 | 90.1 |
| 1969 | 80.1 | 143.4 | 281.2 | 87.7 |
| 1970 | 80.9 | 145.2 | 288 | 83.5 |
| 1971 | 82 | 147.1 | 290.8 | 83.5 |
| 1972 | 82.7 | 148.1 | 292.4 | 83.6 |
| 1973 | 83.2 | 148.9 | 292.9 | 83.3 |
| 1974 | 83.6 | 149.3 | 293 | 83.3 |
| 1975 | 83.9 | 149.3 | 292.5 | 82.8 |
| 1976 | 84.1 | 148.7 | 291.9 | 82.9 |
| 1977 | 84.3 | 148 | 290.9 | 82.9 |
| 1978 | 84.5 | 147 | 289.6 | 83.2 |
| 1979 | 84.7 | 146.2 | 288.4 | 83.4 |
| 1980 | 84.5 | 144.9 | 287.3 | 83 |
| 1981 | 84.1 | 143.7 | 285.9 | 82.5 |
| 1982 | 83.4 | 142.4 | 282.6 | 81.6 |
| 1983 | 82.9 | 141 | 279.8 | 82 |
| 1984 | 82.5 | 139.4 | 276.7 | 82.6 |
| 1985 | 82.2 | 139.9 | 273.5 | 82.8 |
| 1986 | 81.9 | 140.7 | 270.4 | 83.4 |
| 1987 | 81.8 | 140.1 | 267.8 | 84 |
| 1988 | 81.6 | 137.9 | 265.3 | 84.5 |
| 1989 | 81.4 | 134.3 | 262.9 | 85.1 |
| 1990 | 81.1 | 131.8 | 261.2 | 85.4 |
| 1991 | 80.9 | 130.8 | 259.9 | 85.8 |
| 1992 | 80 | 129.3 | 257.1 | 85.4 |
| 1993 | 79.2 | 127.5 | 253.6 | 85.1 |
| 1994 | 78.4 | 125.8 | 250.1 | 84.8 |
| 1995 | 78.6 | 125.7 | 249.5 | 85.4 |
| 1996 | 78.2 | 128.6 | 244.4 | 84.6 |
| 1997 | 77.9 | 126.4 | 240.9 | 84.1 |
| 1998 | 78 | 129.9 | 236.8 | 82.3 |
| 1999 | 78.4 | 131.6 | 233.6 | 81.2 |
| 2000 | 79 | 133.3 | 230.3 | 80 |
| 2001 | 79.4 | 136.2 | 228.2 | 77.8 |
| 2002 | 79.2 | 136.8 | 224.1 | 77.6 |
| 2003 | 78.6 | 134.4 | 221.5 | 77.3 |
| 2004 | 78 | 130.3 | 220.1 | 76.8 |
| 2005 | 77.6 | 126.6 | 219.6 | 77 |
| 2006 | 77.3 | 123.6 | 220.1 | 77.5 |
| 2007 | 77.5 | 124.3 | 220.7 | 78.6 |
| 2008 | 76.6 | 125.7 | 218.7 | 77.9 |
| 2009 | 75.5 | 126.8 | 216 | 76.9 |
| 2010 | 74.3 | 126.1 | 214.5 | 75.8 |
| 2011 | 73.4 | 121.6 | 214.5 | 75.1 |
| 2012 | 72.5 | 118.2 | 215.9 | 74.3 |
| 2013 | 70.5 | 110.7 | 214.5 | 73.5 |
| 2014 | 68.3 | 105.9 | 210.7 | 72.3 |
| 2015 | 65.9 | 102.6 | 204.6 | 69.9 |
| 2016 | 63.2 | 98.1 | 198 | 66.9 |
| 2017 | 60.9 | 94.2 | 192.3 | 64.1 |
| 2018 | 59.4 | 91.6 | 188.4 | 61.5 |
| 2019 | 58.3 | 90.5 | 185 | 59.2 |
| 2020 | 57.1 | 89 | 180.1 | 56.7 |
| 2021 | 56.8 | 88.1 | 177.9 | 54.9 |
| 2022 | 56.3 | 86.8 | 174.8 | 53 |
| 2023 | 56.1 | 86.3 | 172.8 | 51.3 |
| 2024 | 55.8 | 85.3 | 171.1 | 49.7 |
| 2025 | 55.3 | 84 | 168.4 | 48.1 |
Children 0-14 years as share of population
Sao Tome and Principe
Factual
UN forecast
World
Factual
UN forecast
| Year | Children 0-14 as share of population | |
|---|---|---|
|
Sao Tome
|
World
|
|
| 1960 | 32.9% | 37.4% |
| 1961 | 34.3% | 37.5% |
| 1962 | 36.6% | 37.6% |
| 1963 | 38.5% | 37.8% |
| 1964 | 40.2% | 38% |
| 1965 | 41.6% | 38% |
| 1966 | 42.9% | 38% |
| 1967 | 44% | 38% |
| 1968 | 44.9% | 37.9% |
| 1969 | 45.8% | 37.8% |
| 1970 | 46.2% | 37.7% |
| 1971 | 46.1% | 37.6% |
| 1972 | 45.9% | 37.5% |
| 1973 | 45.7% | 37.3% |
| 1974 | 45.6% | 37.2% |
| 1975 | 45.5% | 37.1% |
| 1976 | 45.4% | 36.9% |
| 1977 | 45.3% | 36.7% |
| 1978 | 45.2% | 36.3% |
| 1979 | 45.1% | 35.9% |
| 1980 | 44.9% | 35.5% |
| 1981 | 44.7% | 35.2% |
| 1982 | 44.5% | 34.9% |
| 1983 | 44.5% | 34.6% |
| 1984 | 44.4% | 34.3% |
| 1985 | 44.5% | 34% |
| 1986 | 44.7% | 33.8% |
| 1987 | 44.9% | 33.6% |
| 1988 | 45% | 33.4% |
| 1989 | 45% | 33.2% |
| 1990 | 45.1% | 33% |
| 1991 | 45.1% | 32.9% |
| 1992 | 45.2% | 32.7% |
| 1993 | 45.2% | 32.5% |
| 1994 | 45.1% | 32.3% |
| 1995 | 44.9% | 32.1% |
| 1996 | 44.7% | 31.8% |
| 1997 | 44.3% | 31.5% |
| 1998 | 43.9% | 31.1% |
| 1999 | 43.4% | 30.8% |
| 2000 | 42.8% | 30.4% |
| 2001 | 42.5% | 30% |
| 2002 | 42.3% | 29.6% |
| 2003 | 42.2% | 29.2% |
| 2004 | 42.1% | 28.8% |
| 2005 | 42% | 28.5% |
| 2006 | 42% | 28.1% |
| 2007 | 42% | 27.9% |
| 2008 | 42.1% | 27.6% |
| 2009 | 42.1% | 27.5% |
| 2010 | 42.1% | 27.3% |
| 2011 | 42% | 27.1% |
| 2012 | 42% | 27% |
| 2013 | 42% | 26.9% |
| 2014 | 42% | 26.8% |
| 2015 | 41.9% | 26.6% |
| 2016 | 41.7% | 26.5% |
| 2017 | 41.4% | 26.4% |
| 2018 | 40.9% | 26.2% |
| 2019 | 40.5% | 26% |
| 2020 | 39.9% | 25.8% |
| 2021 | 39.4% | 25.6% |
| 2022 | 38.8% | 25.3% |
| 2023 | 38.3% | 25% |
| 2024 | 37.8% | 24.7% |
| 2025 | 37.5% | 24.4% |
| 2026 | 37.2% | 24.1% |
| 2027 | 36.8% | 23.8% |
| 2028 | 36.4% | 23.4% |
| 2029 | 36% | 23.1% |
| 2030 | 35.6% | 22.8% |
| 2031 | 35.4% | 22.6% |
| 2032 | 35.2% | 22.3% |
| 2033 | 35% | 22.1% |
| 2034 | 34.8% | 21.9% |
| 2035 | 34.7% | 21.7% |
| 2036 | 34.5% | 21.6% |
| 2037 | 34.2% | 21.5% |
| 2038 | 34% | 21.4% |
| 2039 | 33.8% | 21.3% |
| 2040 | 33.5% | 21.2% |
| 2041 | 33.2% | 21.1% |
| 2042 | 32.9% | 21% |
| 2043 | 32.6% | 21% |
| 2044 | 32.3% | 20.9% |
| 2045 | 32% | 20.8% |
| 2046 | 31.6% | 20.7% |
| 2047 | 31.3% | 20.7% |
| 2048 | 31% | 20.6% |
| 2049 | 30.6% | 20.5% |
| 2050 | 30.2% | 20.4% |
The share of children aged 0-14 in Sao Tome and Principe was 32.9% in 1960, 45.2% in 1993, and 37.8% as of the latest data in 2025.
More about the demographics of Sao Tome and Principe.
Natural population change by year
For the past 10 years, the natural population change in Sao Tome and Principe, excluding migration, has been +2.4% annually. On average, 5,082 more people were born each year than died.
Population change due to births and deaths
| Year | Population change due to births and deaths |
|---|---|
|
Sao Tome
|
|
| 1960 | 1,547 |
| 1961 | 1,657 |
| 1962 | 1,625 |
| 1963 | 1,609 |
| 1964 | 1,600 |
| 1965 | 1,611 |
| 1966 | 1,642 |
| 1967 | 1,693 |
| 1968 | 1,767 |
| 1969 | 1,862 |
| 1970 | 1,980 |
| 1971 | 2,127 |
| 1972 | 2,232 |
| 1973 | 2,329 |
| 1974 | 2,422 |
| 1975 | 2,515 |
| 1976 | 2,608 |
| 1977 | 2,705 |
| 1978 | 2,800 |
| 1979 | 2,893 |
| 1980 | 2,965 |
| 1981 | 3,015 |
| 1982 | 3,047 |
| 1983 | 3,100 |
| 1984 | 3,163 |
| 1985 | 3,242 |
| 1986 | 3,180 |
| 1987 | 3,440 |
| 1988 | 3,544 |
| 1989 | 3,576 |
| 1990 | 3,719 |
| 1991 | 3,801 |
| 1992 | 3,822 |
| 1993 | 3,841 |
| 1994 | 3,860 |
| 1995 | 3,948 |
| 1996 | 3,993 |
| 1997 | 4,041 |
| 1998 | 4,120 |
| 1999 | 4,221 |
| 2000 | 4,334 |
| 2001 | 4,471 |
| 2002 | 4,591 |
| 2003 | 4,702 |
| 2004 | 4,810 |
| 2005 | 4,897 |
| 2006 | 5,057 |
| 2007 | 5,226 |
| 2008 | 5,297 |
| 2009 | 5,349 |
| 2010 | 5,391 |
| 2011 | 5,445 |
| 2012 | 5,501 |
| 2013 | 5,449 |
| 2014 | 5,381 |
| 2015 | 5,269 |
| 2016 | 5,125 |
| 2017 | 5,007 |
| 2018 | 4,957 |
| 2019 | 4,932 |
| 2020 | 4,874 |
| 2021 | 4,954 |
| 2022 | 5,102 |
| 2023 | 5,221 |
Fertility rates around the globe
Fertility rate
Maternal mortality chart
The maternal mortality rate in Sao Tome and Principe was 75 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023 — a 0.08% chance of dying during childbirth or within 42 days of pregnancy termination. This is a -58.3% decrease compared to the year 2000.
Sao Tome and Principe
World's average
| Year | Maternal mortality per 100K births | |
|---|---|---|
|
Sao Tome
|
World
|
|
| 1985 | 159 | 460 |
| 1986 | 175 | 438 |
| 1987 | 161 | 429 |
| 1988 | 157 | 414 |
| 1989 | 167 | 401 |
| 1990 | 164 | 391 |
| 1991 | 166 | 395 |
| 1992 | 164 | 395 |
| 1993 | 166 | 389 |
| 1994 | 168 | 382 |
| 1995 | 172 | 371 |
| 1996 | 171 | 366 |
| 1997 | 173 | 358 |
| 1998 | 175 | 360 |
| 1999 | 179 | 340 |
| 2000 | 180 | 328 |
| 2001 | 178 | 321 |
| 2002 | 179 | 311 |
| 2003 | 178 | 301 |
| 2004 | 177 | 291 |
| 2005 | 181 | 283 |
| 2006 | 177 | 276 |
| 2007 | 174 | 269 |
| 2008 | 174 | 264 |
| 2009 | 172 | 258 |
| 2010 | 170 | 253 |
| 2011 | 164 | 247 |
| 2012 | 158 | 239 |
| 2013 | 150 | 235 |
| 2014 | 138 | 231 |
| 2015 | 128 | 228 |
| 2016 | 119 | 220 |
| 2017 | 110 | 215 |
| 2018 | 100 | 211 |
| 2019 | 95 | 207 |
| 2020 | 92 | 211 |
| 2021 | 98 | 242 |
| 2022 | 82 | 203 |
| 2023 | 75 | 197 |
Under-five mortality rate chart
The under-5 mortality rate in Sao Tome and Principe was 13.9 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2023 — a 1.39% chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five. This is down from 82.1 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2000.
Sao Tome and Principe
World's average
Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five
| Year | Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age, per 1,000 live births | |
|---|---|---|
|
Sao Tome
|
World
|
|
| 1960 | - | 18.5% |
| 1961 | - | 18.1% |
| 1962 | - | 17.8% |
| 1963 | - | 17.5% |
| 1964 | - | 17.7% |
| 1965 | 9.56% | 17.5% |
| 1966 | 9.29% | 17.3% |
| 1967 | 9.04% | 17% |
| 1968 | 8.85% | 16.5% |
| 1969 | 8.71% | 15.5% |
| 1970 | 8.64% | 15.2% |
| 1971 | 8.63% | 15.1% |
| 1972 | 8.67% | 14.4% |
| 1973 | 8.73% | 14.1% |
| 1974 | 8.79% | 13.7% |
| 1975 | 8.85% | 13.4% |
| 1976 | 8.89% | 13% |
| 1977 | 8.93% | 12.5% |
| 1978 | 8.96% | 12.1% |
| 1979 | 9.02% | 11.7% |
| 1980 | 9.1% | 11.4% |
| 1981 | 9.21% | 11% |
| 1982 | 9.37% | 10.8% |
| 1983 | 9.56% | 10.6% |
| 1984 | 9.77% | 10.4% |
| 1985 | 9.99% | 10.1% |
| 1986 | 11.4% | 9.81% |
| 1987 | 10.4% | 9.47% |
| 1988 | 10.6% | 9.31% |
| 1989 | 10.7% | 9.02% |
| 1990 | 10.8% | 8.81% |
| 1991 | 10.9% | 8.66% |
| 1992 | 10.9% | 8.46% |
| 1993 | 10.8% | 8.19% |
| 1994 | 10.7% | 7.98% |
| 1995 | 10.4% | 7.76% |
| 1996 | 10.1% | 7.52% |
| 1997 | 9.73% | 7.28% |
| 1998 | 9.26% | 7.05% |
| 1999 | 8.76% | 6.76% |
| 2000 | 8.21% | 6.48% |
| 2001 | 7.66% | 6.21% |
| 2002 | 7.1% | 5.94% |
| 2003 | 6.57% | 5.65% |
| 2004 | 6.05% | 5.43% |
| 2005 | 5.56% | 5.16% |
| 2006 | 5.11% | 4.92% |
| 2007 | 4.68% | 4.7% |
| 2008 | 4.3% | 4.5% |
| 2009 | 3.95% | 4.31% |
| 2010 | 3.63% | 4.11% |
| 2011 | 3.33% | 3.97% |
| 2012 | 3.04% | 3.77% |
| 2013 | 2.77% | 3.61% |
| 2014 | 2.54% | 3.48% |
| 2015 | 2.31% | 3.35% |
| 2016 | 2.11% | 3.23% |
| 2017 | 1.95% | 3.11% |
| 2018 | 1.81% | 2.97% |
| 2019 | 1.7% | 2.86% |
| 2020 | 1.6% | 2.75% |
| 2021 | 1.53% | 2.66% |
| 2022 | 1.46% | 2.59% |
| 2023 | 1.39% | 2.49% |
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