Sao Tome and Principe ranked 189/197 by economy size with a GDP of $822M and 134/197 by GDP per capita at $3,491. Sao Tome and Principe has $533M in government debt, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 64.8%.
In 2024, Sao Tome and Principe made up 0.0007% of the world's economy, compared to 0.001% in 1970.
Sao Tome and Principe GDP & GDP growth by year
| Year | GDP | GDP growth |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $822,154,621 | 1.1% |
| 2023 | $690,456,807 | 0.37% |
| 2022 | $540,809,499 | 0.17% |
| 2021 | $524,402,456 | 1.9% |
| 2020 | $471,229,485 | 2.62% |
| 2019 | $412,976,083 | 2.01% |
| 2018 | $383,717,328 | 4.38% |
| 2017 | $322,002,845 | 4.11% |
| 2016 | $292,267,272 | 5.18% |
| 2015 | $259,999,643 | 1.54% |
| 2014 | $293,119,143 | 4.91% |
| 2013 | $267,041,748 | 5.12% |
| 2012 | $225,815,132 | 2.94% |
| 2011 | $226,455,001 | 2% |
| 2010 | $190,021,192 | 1.45% |
| 2009 | $200,668,065 | 3.3% |
| 2008 | $188,021,165 | 6.23% |
| 2007 | $149,146,919 | 3.64% |
| 2006 | $142,775,104 | 8.87% |
| 2005 | $136,450,662 | 6.61% |
| 2004 | $114,582,284 | 3.54% |
| 2003 | $102,085,769 | 8.29% |
| 2002 | $85,171,074 | 3.36% |
| 2001 | $75,951,133 | 3.06% |
| 2000 | $76,198,395 | 0.45% |
| 1999 | $77,302,212 | 2.5% |
| 1998 | $72,285,404 | 2.5% |
| 1997 | $91,920,274 | 1% |
| 1996 | $135,188,166 | 1.5% |
| 1995 | $103,695,237 | 2% |
| 1994 | $131,338,415 | 2.2% |
| 1993 | $125,742,229 | 1.1% |
| 1992 | $94,861,781 | 0.7% |
| 1991 | $107,484,143 | 1.2% |
| 1990 | $119,297,933 | -2.15% |
| 1989 | $98,545,367 | 3.14% |
| 1988 | $99,000,764 | 2% |
| 1987 | $115,952,925 | -2.93% |
| 1986 | $115,928,907 | -5.83% |
| 1985 | $82,733,069 | 9.3% |
| 1984 | $78,213,796 | -6.03% |
| 1983 | $75,110,289 | -3.87% |
| 1982 | $80,307,763 | 3.09% |
| 1981 | $83,499,264 | -10.3% |
| 1980 | $81,662,231 | -1.08% |
| 1979 | $65,755,928 | 16.3% |
| 1978 | $55,044,563 | 2.9% |
| 1977 | $49,207,692 | 23.4% |
| 1976 | $52,039,421 | 1.64% |
| 1975 | $60,101,710 | 5.38% |
| 1974 | $57,817,591 | 5.68% |
| 1973 | $56,011,245 | 1.59% |
| 1972 | $41,430,257 | 2.29% |
| 1971 | $37,288,845 | 5.38% |
| 1970 | $37,211,826 | - |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/economy/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY 
Sao Tome and Principe GDP per capita by year
| Year | Current $ | |
|---|---|---|
| GDP per capita | GDP per capita, PPP | |
| 2024 | $3,491 | $6,242 |
| 2023 | $2,991 | $6,150 |
| 2022 | $2,390 | $6,034 |
| 2021 | $2,363 | $5,733 |
| 2020 | $2,167 | $5,145 |
| 2019 | $1,935 | $4,655 |
| 2018 | $1,826 | $3,941 |
| 2017 | $1,556 | $3,436 |
| 2016 | $1,435 | $3,320 |
| 2015 | $1,298 | $3,172 |
| 2014 | $1,490 | $3,233 |
| 2013 | $1,383 | $2,946 |
| 2012 | $1,192 | $2,653 |
| 2011 | $1,220 | $2,914 |
| 2010 | $1,045 | $2,859 |
| 2009 | $1,128 | $2,846 |
| 2008 | $1,082 | $2,802 |
| 2007 | $879 | $2,650 |
| 2006 | $862 | $2,551 |
| 2005 | $844 | $2,329 |
| 2004 | $727 | $2,171 |
| 2003 | $664 | $2,094 |
| 2002 | $568 | $1,945 |
| 2001 | $519 | $1,898 |
| 2000 | $529 | $1,830 |
| 1999 | $543 | $1,802 |
| 1998 | $514 | $1,754 |
| 1997 | $662 | $1,714 |
| 1996 | $987 | $1,693 |
| 1995 | $769 | $1,663 |
| 1994 | $990 | $1,623 |
| 1993 | $964 | $1,581 |
| 1992 | $740 | $1,556 |
| 1991 | $855 | $1,540 |
| 1990 | $970 | $1,504 |
| 1989 | $821 | - |
| 1988 | $847 | - |
| 1987 | $1,018 | - |
| 1986 | $1,043 | - |
| 1985 | $761 | - |
| 1984 | $735 | - |
| 1983 | $720 | - |
| 1982 | $783 | - |
| 1981 | $830 | - |
| 1980 | $829 | - |
| 1979 | $683 | - |
| 1978 | $587 | - |
| 1977 | $539 | - |
| 1976 | $585 | - |
| 1975 | $693 | - |
| 1974 | $683 | - |
| 1973 | $676 | - |
| 1972 | $511 | - |
| 1971 | $470 | - |
| 1970 | $479 | - |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/economy/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY
Sao Tome and Principe has a GDP per capita of $3,491, ranking 134/197, a GDP per capita based on purchasing power parity (PPP) of $6,242, ranking 151/197, and a median annual after tax income of $3,111, ranking 140/197.
Sao Tome and Principe GDP rankings by year
| Year | Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| GDP | GDP per capita | GDP per capita, PPP | |
| 2024 | 178 | 125 | 139 |
| 2023 | 185 | 137 | 145 |
| 2022 | 187 | 144 | 144 |
| 2021 | 186 | 145 | 144 |
| 2020 | 188 | 143 | 145 |
| 2019 | 188 | 153 | 148 |
| 2018 | 189 | 153 | 152 |
| 2017 | 189 | 155 | 155 |
| 2016 | 190 | 155 | 155 |
| 2015 | 191 | 160 | 156 |
| 2014 | 190 | 154 | 156 |
| 2013 | 190 | 156 | 158 |
| 2012 | 190 | 165 | 161 |
| 2011 | 191 | 161 | 156 |
| 2010 | 191 | 163 | 155 |
| 2009 | 191 | 156 | 156 |
| 2008 | 191 | 157 | 152 |
| 2007 | 191 | 160 | 151 |
| 2006 | 191 | 156 | 150 |
| 2005 | 190 | 150 | 153 |
| 2004 | 190 | 152 | 154 |
| 2003 | 190 | 150 | 154 |
| 2002 | 190 | 151 | 155 |
| 2001 | 190 | 153 | 155 |
| 2000 | 190 | 152 | 154 |
| 1999 | 189 | 148 | 152 |
| 1998 | 189 | 149 | 151 |
| 1997 | 188 | 142 | 151 |
| 1996 | 185 | 120 | 146 |
| 1995 | 186 | 131 | 143 |
| 1994 | 180 | 114 | 140 |
| 1993 | 180 | 113 | 140 |
| 1992 | 180 | 127 | 141 |
| 1991 | 178 | 120 | 140 |
| 1990 | 175 | 111 | 140 |
| 1989 | 160 | 109 | - |
| 1988 | 161 | 103 | - |
| 1987 | 156 | 92 | - |
| 1986 | 151 | 88 | - |
| 1985 | 152 | 101 | - |
| 1984 | 150 | 101 | - |
| 1983 | 148 | 106 | - |
| 1982 | 148 | 100 | - |
| 1981 | 146 | 99 | - |
| 1980 | 146 | 97 | - |
| 1979 | 138 | 99 | - |
| 1978 | 138 | 100 | - |
| 1977 | 137 | 99 | - |
| 1976 | 133 | 87 | - |
| 1975 | 133 | 78 | - |
| 1974 | 132 | 74 | - |
| 1973 | 130 | 62 | - |
| 1972 | 130 | 67 | - |
| 1971 | 131 | 60 | - |
| 1970 | 130 | 58 | - |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/economy/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY
Compared with 2000, in 2024 Sao Tome and Principe is ranked 178th out of 182 by GDP (up from 190th), 125th by GDP per capita (up from 152nd), and 139th by GDP per capita PPP (up from 154th).
Economic indicators
Sao Tome
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| Gross domestic product |
$822M
2024 |
189/197 |
| GDP growth |
1.1%
2023-2024 |
156/194 |
| GDP per capita |
$3,491
2024 |
134/197 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$6,242
2024 |
151/197 |
| Government debt |
$533M
2024 |
174/185 |
| Debt-to-GDP ratio |
64.8%
2024 |
69/185 |
| Government debt per person |
$2,262
2024 |
116/185 |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$3,111
2026 |
140/197 |
| Income share by richest 10% |
32.8%
2017 |
33/169 |
| Income share by poorest 10% |
2.6%
2017 |
103/169 |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP |
24.7%
2024 |
124/195 |
| Consumer prices inflation |
14.4%
2023-2024 |
23/195 |
| Unemployment rate |
6.66%
2017 |
70/196 |
| Population |
246362
|
176/197 |
Government spending, deficit, and debt by year
| Year | % of GDP | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Government spending | Government debt | Government deficit/surplus | |
| 2024 | 24.7% | 64.8% | 0.92% |
| 2023 | 23.9% | 73.2% | -2.13% |
| 2022 | 27.7% | 86.8% | -2.24% |
| 2021 | 25.6% | 85.1% | -1.52% |
| 2020 | 23.2% | 91% | 2.94% |
| 2019 | 22.8% | 98.6% | -0.07% |
| 2018 | 28% | 95.9% | -2.02% |
| 2017 | 31.9% | 92.3% | -3.11% |
| 2016 | 38.3% | 104.6% | -5.01% |
| 2015 | 41.6% | 101.1% | -7.6% |
| 2014 | 36% | 92.5% | -6.27% |
| 2013 | 35.5% | 76.8% | 2.13% |
| 2012 | 50.5% | 59.6% | -12.3% |
| 2011 | 53.4% | 86% | -13% |
| 2010 | 51.7% | 83% | -12.1% |
| 2009 | 48.6% | 70.3% | -18% |
| 2008 | 30.4% | 60.7% | 13.6% |
| 2007 | 38.9% | 110.1% | 125.1% |
| 2006 | 32.5% | 283.2% | 18% |
| 2005 | 43.7% | 334% | 26.8% |
| 2004 | 60.6% | 354% | -25.1% |
| 2003 | 51.9% | 329% | -15.9% |
| 2002 | 44.3% | 367% | -10.4% |
| 2001 | 52.8% | 418% | -13.5% |
| 2000 | 10.7% | - | 51.5% |
Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).
GeoRank.org/economy/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY
This chart shows Sao Tome and Principe's government spending, budget balance, and debt over time, each expressed as a share of GDP.
Over the past 25 years, Sao Tome and Principe recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of them, with an average annual surplus equal to 3.63% of GDP. In 2024, government spending reached $203M (24.7% of GDP), with a surplus of 0.92%.
The national debt reached $533M, ranking 174th out of 185 countries by total size, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 64.8%, ranking 69th.
Inflation rate by year
| Year | Inflation |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 14.4% |
| 2023 | 21.2% |
| 2022 | 18% |
| 2021 | 8.1% |
| 2020 | 9.8% |
| 2019 | 7.7% |
| 2018 | 7.9% |
| 2017 | 5.7% |
| 2016 | 5.4% |
| 2015 | 6.1% |
| 2014 | 7% |
| 2013 | 8.1% |
| 2012 | 10.6% |
| 2011 | 14.3% |
| 2010 | 13.3% |
| 2009 | 17% |
| 2008 | 32% |
| 2007 | 18.6% |
| 2006 | 23.1% |
| 2005 | 17.2% |
| 2004 | 13.3% |
| 2003 | 9.8% |
| 2002 | 10.1% |
| 2001 | 9.2% |
| 2000 | 11% |
| 1999 | 11% |
| 1998 | 42.1% |
| 1997 | 69% |
| 1996 | 42% |
| 1995 | 36.8% |
| 1994 | 51.2% |
| 1993 | 25.5% |
| 1992 | 33.7% |
| 1991 | 46.5% |
| 1990 | 42.2% |
| 1989 | 42.9% |
| 1988 | 44.3% |
| 1987 | 25% |
| 1986 | 13.9% |
| 1985 | 0.1% |
| 1984 | 3.2% |
| 1983 | 7% |
| 1982 | 0.4% |
| 1981 | 11.5% |
| 1980 | 0.2% |
Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1980–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).
GeoRank.org/economy/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY
Over the past 20 years, Sao Tome and Principe has had an average annual inflation rate of 13.3%. In 2024, inflation was 14.4%. The bar chart above shows consumer price inflation by year.
Balance of trade
|
Sao Tome
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
|
Current account balance
|
$41.5M
2024 |
74/190 |
| Current account balance, % of GDP |
+5.05%
2024 |
32/190 |
| Goods imports |
$153M
2024 |
185/189 |
| Goods exports |
$29.3M
2024 |
183/189 |
| Service imports |
$83M
2024 |
185/189 |
| Service exports |
$88.2M
2024 |
173/189 |
| Exports of goods and services, % of GDP |
10%
2025 |
179/193 |
Sao Tome and Principe top 10 trading partners
Sao Tome and Principe's biggest trading partner accounting for 33.3% of all exports and imports is Portugal, with a trade balance between the two of -$65.6M: Sao Tome and Principe exports $784K worth of goods and services to Portugal and imports $66.4M.
Below is the list of the top 10 trade partners of Sao Tome and Principe.
| Rank | Country | Trade value | Share of total trade | Export to | Import from | Top export to | Top import from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Portugal
|
$67.2M | 33.3% | $784K | $66.4M | Processed food, beverages & tobacco | Processed food, beverages & tobacco |
| 2 |
Togo
|
$28.7M | 14.2% | $1K | $28.7M | Machinery & equipment | Raw materials & minerals |
| 3 |
Angola
|
$25.2M | 12.5% | $61K | $25.2M | Machinery & equipment | Raw materials & minerals |
| 4 |
Netherlands
|
$11.8M | 5.82% | $9.99M | $1.77M | Processed food, beverages & tobacco | Animal & marine products |
| 5 |
Japan
|
$10.2M | 5.07% | $0 | $10.2M | Animal & marine products | Raw agricultural goods |
| 6 |
Turkey
|
$9.58M | 4.75% | $0 | $9.58M | Animal & marine products | Machinery & equipment |
| 7 |
China
|
$8.3M | 4.11% | $0 | $8.3M | Chemicals & pharma | Machinery & equipment |
| 8 |
United States
|
$4.7M | 2.33% | $88K | $4.61M | Processed food, beverages & tobacco | Raw materials & minerals |
| 9 |
Gabon
|
$4.27M | 2.12% | $29K | $4.24M | Machinery & equipment | Machinery & equipment |
| 10 |
Belgium
|
$3.8M | 1.88% | $3.42M | $379K | Processed food, beverages & tobacco | Machinery & equipment |
Top 10 exports
|
Sao Tome
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| Transport & tourism services | $72.4M | 165/188 |
| Government & miscellaneous services | $16.2M | 128/180 |
| Processed food, beverages & tobacco | $15.8M | 155/192 |
| Business & finance services | $3.3M | 181/188 |
| IT & IP services | $1.12M | 177/183 |
| Manufacturing & construction services | $921K | 149/164 |
| Raw agricultural goods | $405K | 180/193 |
| Machinery & equipment | $182K | 186/193 |
| Animal & marine products | $47K | 188/192 |
| Textiles & consumer goods | $46K | 188/193 |
Top 10 imports
|
Sao Tome
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| Raw materials & minerals | $61M | 180/193 |
| Transport & tourism services | $45.3M | 182/188 |
| Machinery & equipment | $34.6M | 187/193 |
| Processed food, beverages & tobacco | $26.1M | 187/193 |
| Raw agricultural goods | $24.7M | 183/193 |
| Chemicals & pharma | $10.3M | 188/193 |
| Textiles & consumer goods | $9.28M | 190/193 |
| Business & finance services | $9.18M | 183/188 |
| Animal & marine products | $7.66M | 188/193 |
| Metals | $6.34M | 189/193 |
Economic freedom indices
|
Sao Tome
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| Economic freedom | 60.6 | 93/197 |
| Property rights | 55.2 | 79/182 |
| Government integrity | 47.2 | 73/182 |
| Judicial effectiveness | 60.8 | 61/182 |
| Tax burden | 88.6 | 38/182 |
| Government spending | 80.6 | 64/180 |
| Fiscal health | 89.5 | 51/181 |
| Business freedom | 59.9 | 112/182 |
| Labor freedom | 40.8 | 169/182 |
| Monetary freedom | 59.4 | 155/180 |
| Trade freedom | 65 | 131/181 |
| Investment freedom | 50 | 122/181 |
| Financial freedom | 30 | 147/181 |
Economic freedom by year
| Year | Index | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economic freedom | Judicial effectiveness | Tax burden | Government spending | Fiscal health | |
| 2026 | 60.6 | 60.8 | 88.6 | 80.6 | 89.5 |
| 2025 | 60.4 | 60.6 | 88.6 | 81.5 | 93.6 |
| 2024 | 60.5 | 61.4 | 88 | 80.5 | 87.8 |
| 2023 | 61.5 | 47.6 | 88 | 83 | 89.5 |
| 2022 | 60.3 | 62.2 | 88.2 | 83.1 | 85.9 |
| 2021 | 55.9 | 23.3 | 88.4 | 79.7 | 74.6 |
| 2020 | 56.2 | 26.5 | 88.3 | 77.1 | 73 |
| 2019 | 54 | 26.6 | 87.2 | 67 | 62.3 |
| 2018 | 53.6 | 28.2 | 82 | 69.5 | 45.8 |
| 2017 | 55.4 | 15.9 | 87.8 | 67.9 | 67.1 |
| 2016 | 56.7 | - | 87.4 | 70.1 | - |
| 2015 | 53.3 | - | 87.8 | 41.4 | - |
| 2014 | 48.8 | - | 86.9 | 27.9 | - |
| 2013 | 48 | - | 86.9 | 45.3 | - |
| 2012 | 50.2 | - | 87 | 49.1 | - |
| 2011 | 49.5 | - | 87.2 | 67.5 | - |
| 2010 | 48.8 | - | 87.1 | 52.5 | - |
| 2009 | 43.8 | - | 75 | 22 | - |
Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2009–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).
GeoRank.org/economy/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY
Sao Tome and Principe is ranked 83/174 for economic freedom with a score of 60.6, compared to 168/177 and a score of 43.8 in 2009.
Other economic metrics
|
Sao Tome
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| Services, % of GDP |
80.3%
2024 |
5/191 |
| Industry, % of GDP |
2.83%
2024 |
193/194 |
| Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP |
12.5%
2024 |
60/193 |
|
GNI, Atlas method
|
$671M
2024 |
188/194 |
| GNI per capita, PPP |
$6,240
2024 |
147/191 |
| Total reserves including gold |
$46.2M
2023 |
176/177 |
|
Net foreign direct investment
|
$20.5M
2024 |
36/189 |
|
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
|
-$16.7M
2024 |
175/193 |
|
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
|
$3.83M
2024 |
125/193 |
|
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
|
0.64%
2024 |
114/121 |
| Poverty at national poverty lines |
66.2%
2020 |
4/176 |
Compare Sao Tome and Principe vs other countries
GDP per capita map
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).
GeoRank.org/economy/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2009–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- TradeMap (2021–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
- LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.
The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.
Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.
A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).
Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.
Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.
Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.