Sao Tome and Principe has a GDP of $981M compared to $427B for South Africa, ranking 189/197 and 40/197 by economy size, respectively.
Sao Tome and Principe has $546M in government debt (55.7% of GDP), compared to $336B (78.6% of GDP) in South Africa.
Sao Tome and Principe vs South Africa GDP by year
| Year | GDP, current $ | |
|---|---|---|
Sao Tome
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2025 | $981,293,587 | $427,184,325,997 |
| 2024 | $824,992,558 | $401,144,998,374 |
| 2023 | $690,456,807 | $381,440,724,491 |
| 2022 | $540,809,499 | $407,596,043,068 |
| 2021 | $524,402,456 | $419,986,284,375 |
| 2020 | $471,229,485 | $337,974,655,408 |
| 2019 | $412,976,083 | $389,330,032,224 |
| 2018 | $383,717,328 | $405,260,723,893 |
| 2017 | $322,002,845 | $381,448,814,653 |
| 2016 | $292,267,272 | $323,585,509,674 |
| 2015 | $259,999,643 | $346,709,790,459 |
| 2014 | $293,119,143 | $381,198,869,776 |
| 2013 | $267,041,748 | $400,886,013,596 |
| 2012 | $229,371,348 | $434,400,545,086 |
| 2011 | $226,455,001 | $458,199,494,831 |
| 2010 | $190,021,192 | $417,363,822,802 |
| 2009 | $200,668,065 | $329,754,060,647 |
| 2008 | $188,021,165 | $316,131,258,616 |
| 2007 | $149,146,919 | $333,077,117,254 |
| 2006 | $142,775,104 | $303,858,675,364 |
| 2005 | $136,450,662 | $288,867,217,197 |
| 2004 | $114,582,284 | $255,806,908,595 |
| 2003 | $102,085,769 | $197,018,965,309 |
| 2002 | $85,171,074 | $129,087,556,612 |
| 2001 | $75,951,133 | $135,429,905,923 |
| 2000 | $76,198,395 | $151,752,757,215 |
| 1999 | $77,302,212 | $151,516,957,079 |
| 1998 | $72,285,404 | $152,982,984,557 |
| 1997 | $91,920,274 | $168,978,057,328 |
| 1996 | $135,188,166 | $163,234,925,381 |
| 1995 | $103,695,237 | $171,735,933,897 |
| 1994 | $131,338,415 | $153,512,712,382 |
| 1993 | $125,742,229 | $147,194,747,566 |
| 1992 | $94,861,781 | $146,956,150,987 |
| 1991 | $107,484,143 | $135,203,698,238 |
| 1990 | $119,297,933 | $126,048,140,142 |
| 1989 | $98,545,367 | $108,055,624,082 |
| 1988 | $99,000,764 | $103,976,831,871 |
| 1987 | $115,952,925 | $96,535,763,418 |
| 1986 | $115,928,907 | $73,354,771,399 |
| 1985 | $82,733,069 | $64,459,376,087 |
| 1984 | $78,213,796 | $84,870,163,366 |
| 1983 | $75,110,289 | $96,204,110,942 |
| 1982 | $80,307,763 | $85,904,057,409 |
| 1981 | $83,499,264 | $93,141,472,164 |
| 1980 | $81,662,231 | $89,411,864,402 |
| 1979 | $65,755,928 | $63,038,658,089 |
| 1978 | $55,044,563 | $51,607,412,902 |
| 1977 | $49,207,692 | $45,328,411,332 |
| 1976 | $52,039,421 | $41,150,460,288 |
| 1975 | $60,101,710 | $42,906,905,672 |
| 1974 | $57,817,591 | $41,389,186,095 |
| 1973 | $56,011,245 | $33,262,772,008 |
| 1972 | $41,430,257 | $24,515,919,217 |
| 1971 | $37,288,845 | $23,411,076,638 |
| 1970 | $37,211,826 | $21,218,391,513 |
| 1969 | - | $19,256,992,297 |
| 1968 | - | $17,124,793,150 |
| 1967 | - | $15,821,393,671 |
| 1966 | - | $14,211,394,315 |
| 1965 | - | $13,068,994,772 |
| 1964 | - | $11,955,995,218 |
| 1963 | - | $10,854,195,658 |
| 1962 | - | $9,813,996,074 |
| 1961 | - | $9,225,996,310 |
| 1960 | - | $8,748,596,501 |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/economy/sao-tome-and-principe/south-africa | CC BY 
GDP per capita in Sao Tome and Principe vs South Africa by year
| Year | Current $ | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Sao Tome
|
South Africa
|
|||
| GDP per capita | GDP per capita, PPP | GDP per capita | GDP per capita, PPP | |
| 2025 | $4,084 | - | $6,598 | - |
| 2024 | $3,503 | $6,242 | $6,267 | $15,456 |
| 2023 | $2,991 | $6,150 | $6,034 | $15,200 |
| 2022 | $2,390 | $6,034 | $6,534 | $14,749 |
| 2021 | $2,363 | $5,733 | $6,829 | $13,682 |
| 2020 | $2,167 | $5,145 | $5,581 | $12,671 |
| 2019 | $1,935 | $4,655 | $6,534 | $13,361 |
| 2018 | $1,826 | $3,941 | $6,914 | $13,347 |
| 2017 | $1,556 | $3,436 | $6,618 | $13,738 |
| 2016 | $1,435 | $3,320 | $5,651 | $13,519 |
| 2015 | $1,298 | $3,172 | $6,112 | $13,398 |
| 2014 | $1,490 | $3,233 | $6,857 | $13,359 |
| 2013 | $1,383 | $2,946 | $7,332 | $13,369 |
| 2012 | $1,211 | $2,653 | $8,077 | $12,987 |
| 2011 | $1,220 | $2,914 | $8,646 | $13,143 |
| 2010 | $1,045 | $2,859 | $7,973 | $12,637 |
| 2009 | $1,128 | $2,846 | $6,375 | $12,261 |
| 2008 | $1,082 | $2,802 | $6,185 | $12,525 |
| 2007 | $879 | $2,650 | $6,592 | $12,047 |
| 2006 | $862 | $2,551 | $6,077 | $11,250 |
| 2005 | $844 | $2,329 | $5,837 | $10,441 |
| 2004 | $727 | $2,171 | $5,221 | $9,714 |
| 2003 | $664 | $2,094 | $4,062 | $9,139 |
| 2002 | $568 | $1,945 | $2,688 | $8,792 |
| 2001 | $519 | $1,898 | $2,847 | $8,428 |
| 2000 | $529 | $1,830 | $3,218 | $8,095 |
| 1999 | $543 | $1,802 | $3,242 | $7,667 |
| 1998 | $514 | $1,754 | $3,310 | $7,463 |
| 1997 | $662 | $1,714 | $3,700 | $7,433 |
| 1996 | $987 | $1,693 | $3,618 | $7,208 |
| 1995 | $769 | $1,663 | $3,856 | $6,875 |
| 1994 | $990 | $1,623 | $3,489 | $6,611 |
| 1993 | $964 | $1,581 | $3,400 | $6,375 |
| 1992 | $740 | $1,556 | $3,462 | $6,275 |
| 1991 | $855 | $1,540 | $3,243 | $6,383 |
| 1990 | $970 | $1,504 | $3,093 | $6,382 |
| 1989 | $821 | - | $2,727 | - |
| 1988 | $847 | - | $2,702 | - |
| 1987 | $1,018 | - | $2,586 | - |
| 1986 | $1,043 | - | $2,027 | - |
| 1985 | $761 | - | $1,839 | - |
| 1984 | $735 | - | $2,504 | - |
| 1983 | $720 | - | $2,938 | - |
| 1982 | $783 | - | $2,717 | - |
| 1981 | $830 | - | $3,050 | - |
| 1980 | $829 | - | $3,029 | - |
| 1979 | $683 | - | $2,202 | - |
| 1978 | $587 | - | $1,852 | - |
| 1977 | $539 | - | $1,671 | - |
| 1976 | $585 | - | $1,559 | - |
| 1975 | $693 | - | $1,670 | - |
| 1974 | $683 | - | $1,656 | - |
| 1973 | $676 | - | $1,369 | - |
| 1972 | $511 | - | $1,038 | - |
| 1971 | $470 | - | $1,020 | - |
| 1970 | $479 | - | $952 | - |
| 1969 | - | - | $891 | - |
| 1968 | - | - | $817 | - |
| 1967 | - | - | $779 | - |
| 1966 | - | - | $722 | - |
| 1965 | - | - | $685 | - |
| 1964 | - | - | $646 | - |
| 1963 | - | - | $605 | - |
| 1962 | - | - | $563 | - |
| 1961 | - | - | $546 | - |
| 1960 | - | - | $532 | - |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/economy/sao-tome-and-principe/south-africa | CC BY
Sao Tome and Principe's GDP per capita is $4,084, ranking 132/197, compared to $6,598 in South Africa, ranking 109/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Sao Tome and Principe ranks 151st at $6,242, while South Africa ranks 112th at $15,456.
Economic indicators
|
Sao Tome
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Gross domestic product |
$981M
2025 |
$427B
2025 |
| GDP rank |
189/197
2025 |
40/197
2025 |
| GDP growth |
1.03%
2024-2025 |
1.11%
2024-2025 |
| GDP per capita |
$4,084
2025 |
$6,598
2025 |
| GDP per capita rank |
132/197
2025 |
109/197
2025 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$6,242
2024 |
$15,456
2024 |
| GDP per capita PPP rank |
151/197
2024 |
112/197
2024 |
| Government debt |
$546M
2025 |
$336B
2025 |
| Debt-to-GDP ratio |
55.7%
2025 |
78.6%
2025 |
| Government debt per person |
$2,275
2025 |
$5,189
2025 |
| Government debt per person rank |
115/185
2025 |
84/185
2025 |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$3,249
2026 |
$4,738
2026 |
| Market capitalization of domestic companies | n/a |
$1.4T
2025 |
| Number of millionaires | n/a |
97,000
2026 |
| Number of billionaires | n/a |
7
2026 |
| Income share by richest 10% |
32.8%
2017 |
42.1%
2022 |
| Income share by poorest 10% |
2.6%
2017 |
1.4%
2022 |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP |
21.2%
2025 |
34.2%
2025 |
| Consumer prices inflation |
0.9%
2024-2025 |
3.21%
2024-2025 |
| Central bank interest rate | n/a |
7%
2026 |
| Unemployment rate |
6.66%
2017 |
32.3%
2024 |
| Population |
247495
|
65829368
|
Spending and national debt comparison by year
| Year | % of GDP | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Sao Tome
|
South Africa
|
|||
| Government spending | Government debt | Government spending | Government debt | |
| 2025 | 21.2% | 55.7% | 34.2% | 78.6% |
| 2024 | 23.8% | 65.2% | 33% | 76% |
| 2023 | 23.9% | 73.2% | 32.5% | 73.2% |
| 2022 | 27.7% | 86.8% | 31.9% | 70.7% |
| 2021 | 25.6% | 85.1% | 32.7% | 68.8% |
| 2020 | 23.2% | 91% | 34.6% | 68.9% |
| 2019 | 22.8% | 98.6% | 31.4% | 56.1% |
| 2018 | 28% | 95.9% | 30.2% | 51.5% |
| 2017 | 31.9% | 92.3% | 29.9% | 48.6% |
| 2016 | 38.3% | 104.6% | 29.9% | 47.1% |
| 2015 | 41.6% | 101.1% | 30.2% | 45.2% |
| 2014 | 36% | 92.5% | 29.3% | 43.3% |
| 2013 | 35.5% | 76.8% | 28.9% | 40.4% |
| 2012 | 50.5% | 59.6% | 28.6% | 37.4% |
| 2011 | 53.4% | 86% | 28.1% | 34.7% |
| 2010 | 51.7% | 83% | 28.3% | 31.2% |
| 2009 | 48.6% | 70.3% | 28.5% | 27% |
| 2008 | 30.4% | 60.7% | 26% | 24% |
| 2007 | 38.9% | 110.1% | 24.4% | 24.3% |
| 2006 | 32.5% | 283.2% | 24.7% | 28% |
| 2005 | 43.7% | 334% | 25.1% | 29.6% |
| 2004 | 60.6% | 354% | 22.7% | 30.7% |
| 2003 | 51.9% | 329% | 22.6% | 31.5% |
| 2002 | 44.3% | 367% | 22.2% | 31.8% |
| 2001 | 52.8% | 418% | 22.6% | 38% |
| 2000 | 10.7% | - | 22.6% | 37.9% |
| 1999 | - | - | 26.7% | 45.9% |
| 1998 | - | - | 27.1% | 45.8% |
| 1997 | - | - | 27.9% | 45.8% |
| 1996 | - | - | 28.5% | 44.3% |
| 1995 | - | - | 27.2% | 47% |
| 1994 | - | - | 31.3% | 46.4% |
| 1993 | - | - | 29.1% | 39.8% |
| 1992 | - | - | 29.8% | 34.8% |
| 1991 | - | - | 27.8% | 34.7% |
| 1990 | - | - | 28.7% | 31.8% |
| 1989 | - | - | 29.6% | 33.3% |
| 1988 | - | - | 23.9% | 30.6% |
| 1987 | - | - | 28% | 33.5% |
| 1986 | - | - | 27.8% | 32.5% |
| 1985 | - | - | 26.8% | 26.3% |
| 1984 | - | - | 25.2% | 23.2% |
| 1983 | - | - | 25.1% | 28.7% |
| 1982 | - | - | 23.8% | 31.3% |
| 1981 | - | - | 23.3% | 27.4% |
| 1980 | - | - | 21.8% | 33.3% |
| 1979 | - | - | 26.5% | 41.9% |
| 1978 | - | - | 26.8% | 44.7% |
| 1977 | - | - | 27.3% | 45.3% |
| 1976 | - | - | 23% | 35% |
| 1975 | - | - | 21.2% | 32.8% |
| 1974 | - | - | 19.1% | 33.7% |
| 1973 | - | - | 21% | 38.2% |
| 1972 | - | - | 22.9% | 41.1% |
| 1971 | - | - | 19.9% | 41.1% |
| 1970 | - | - | 20% | 43.3% |
| 1969 | - | - | 18.8% | 44.4% |
| 1968 | - | - | 19.4% | 42.7% |
| 1967 | - | - | 18.8% | 41.1% |
| 1966 | - | - | 18.3% | 41.4% |
| 1965 | - | - | 18.2% | 42.7% |
| 1964 | - | - | 11.3% | 30% |
| 1963 | - | - | 15.9% | 43.4% |
| 1962 | - | - | 15.9% | 45.7% |
| 1961 | - | - | 15.7% | 52.8% |
| 1960 | - | - | 16.7% | 52.9% |
Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/economy/sao-tome-and-principe/south-africa | CC BY
In 2025, Sao Tome and Principe's government spending was $208M, accounting for 21.2% of its GDP, while South Africa spent $146B, or 34.2% of GDP.
Debt-to-GDP ratio is 55.7% in Sao Tome and Principe and 78.6% in South Africa, ranking 88/185 and 46/185, respectively.
Government deficit by year
| Year | Deficit/surplus, % of GDP | |
|---|---|---|
|
Sao Tome
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2025 | -2.53% | -5.78% |
| 2024 | 0.92% | -5.67% |
| 2023 | -2.13% | -5.6% |
| 2022 | -2.24% | -4.25% |
| 2021 | -1.52% | -5.54% |
| 2020 | 2.94% | -9.62% |
| 2019 | -0.07% | -5.07% |
| 2018 | -2.02% | -3.73% |
| 2017 | -3.11% | -4.02% |
| 2016 | -5.01% | -3.72% |
| 2015 | -7.6% | -4.37% |
| 2014 | -6.27% | -3.93% |
| 2013 | 2.13% | -3.9% |
| 2012 | -12.3% | -4.04% |
| 2011 | -13% | -3.7% |
| 2010 | -12.1% | -4.51% |
| 2009 | -18% | -4.67% |
| 2008 | 13.6% | -0.49% |
| 2007 | 125.1% | 1.22% |
| 2006 | 18% | 0.81% |
| 2005 | 26.8% | -0.1% |
| 2004 | -25.1% | -1.04% |
| 2003 | -15.9% | -1.59% |
| 2002 | -10.4% | -0.96% |
| 2001 | -13.5% | -1.02% |
| 2000 | 51.5% | -1.38% |
| 1999 | - | -2.21% |
| 1998 | - | -2.56% |
| 1997 | - | -4.08% |
| 1996 | - | -4.53% |
| 1995 | - | -4.38% |
| 1994 | - | -8.09% |
| 1993 | - | -8.54% |
| 1992 | - | -7.09% |
| 1991 | - | -4.85% |
| 1990 | - | -3.82% |
| 1989 | - | -8.3% |
| 1988 | - | -3.29% |
| 1987 | - | -6.36% |
| 1986 | - | -5.69% |
| 1985 | - | -4.86% |
| 1984 | - | -5.24% |
| 1983 | - | -5.3% |
| 1982 | - | -3.88% |
| 1981 | - | -3.72% |
| 1980 | - | -1.91% |
| 1979 | - | -4.65% |
| 1978 | - | -5.42% |
| 1977 | - | -5.52% |
| 1976 | - | -4.19% |
| 1975 | - | -2.62% |
| 1974 | - | -1.5% |
| 1973 | - | -4.54% |
| 1972 | - | -5.39% |
| 1971 | - | -1.96% |
| 1970 | - | -3.19% |
| 1969 | - | -3.94% |
| 1968 | - | -3.38% |
| 1967 | - | -3.8% |
| 1966 | - | -3.04% |
| 1965 | - | -3.15% |
| 1964 | - | -1.19% |
| 1963 | - | -2.26% |
| 1962 | - | -1.4% |
| 1961 | - | -3.25% |
| 1960 | - | -2.36% |
| 1959 | - | -4.4% |
| 1958 | - | -3.5% |
| 1957 | - | -2.8% |
| 1956 | - | -2.12% |
| 1955 | - | -2.9% |
| 1954 | - | -2.53% |
| 1953 | - | -3.72% |
| 1952 | - | -4.14% |
| 1951 | - | -0.4% |
| 1950 | - | -2.33% |
| 1949 | - | -6.87% |
| 1948 | - | -6.03% |
| 1947 | - | -1.82% |
| 1946 | - | -4.03% |
| 1945 | - | -7.41% |
| 1944 | - | -8.94% |
| 1943 | - | -8.49% |
| 1942 | - | -9.08% |
| 1941 | - | -7.3% |
| 1940 | - | -10.9% |
| 1939 | - | -2.96% |
| 1938 | - | -3.91% |
| 1937 | - | -2.16% |
| 1936 | - | -2.58% |
| 1935 | - | -3.2% |
| 1934 | - | -3.29% |
| 1933 | - | -3.31% |
| 1932 | - | -4.72% |
| 1931 | - | -5.31% |
| 1930 | - | -5.19% |
| 1929 | - | -4.41% |
| 1928 | - | -3.29% |
| 1927 | - | -3.79% |
| 1926 | - | -4.76% |
| 1925 | - | -4.92% |
| 1924 | - | -4.72% |
| 1923 | - | -5.53% |
| 1922 | - | -4.51% |
| 1921 | - | -5.38% |
| 1920 | - | -5.52% |
| 1919 | - | -2.6% |
| 1918 | - | -3.7% |
| 1917 | - | -3.52% |
| 1916 | - | -2.57% |
| 1915 | - | -10.7% |
| 1914 | - | -11.6% |
| 1913 | - | -4.15% |
Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1913–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/economy/sao-tome-and-principe/south-africa | CC BY
In 2025, Sao Tome and Principe's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $24.8M, equivalent to 2.53% of GDP. This compares to South Africa's deficit of $24.7B, or 5.78% of GDP.
Over the past 26 years, Sao Tome and Principe recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while South Africa ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Sao Tome and Principe posted an annual surplus equal to 3.39% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.33% of GDP for South Africa.
Inflation comparison by year
| Year | Consumer prices inflation | |
|---|---|---|
|
Sao Tome
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2025 | 0.9% | 3.21% |
| 2024 | 14.4% | 4.36% |
| 2023 | 21.1% | 6.08% |
| 2022 | 18.1% | 7.04% |
| 2021 | 8.1% | 4.62% |
| 2020 | 9.8% | 3.23% |
| 2019 | 7.7% | 4.1% |
| 2018 | 7.9% | 4.51% |
| 2017 | 5.7% | 5.19% |
| 2016 | 5.4% | 6.6% |
| 2015 | 6.1% | 4.52% |
| 2014 | 7% | 6.13% |
| 2013 | 8.1% | 5.78% |
| 2012 | 10.6% | 5.74% |
| 2011 | 14.3% | 5% |
| 2010 | 13.3% | 4.07% |
| 2009 | 17% | 7.24% |
| 2008 | 32% | 9.91% |
| 2007 | 18.6% | 6.18% |
| 2006 | 23.1% | 3.24% |
| 2005 | 17.2% | 2.06% |
| 2004 | 13.3% | -0.69% |
| 2003 | 9.8% | 5.68% |
| 2002 | 10.1% | 9.49% |
| 2001 | 9.2% | 5.7% |
| 2000 | 11% | 5.34% |
| 1999 | 11% | 5.18% |
| 1998 | 42.1% | 6.88% |
| 1997 | 69% | 8.6% |
Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/economy/sao-tome-and-principe/south-africa | CC BY
Over the past 29 years, Sao Tome and Principe has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 15.2%, compared with 5.34% in South Africa. In 2025, inflation was 0.9% in Sao Tome and Principe and 3.21% in South Africa.
Top exports between countries
|
Sao Tome
|
|
|---|---|
| Export category | Export value |
| Textiles & consumer goods | $6K |
| Machinery & equipment | $2K |
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|
| Export category | Export value |
| Chemicals & pharma | $602K |
| Machinery & equipment | $188K |
| Metals | $60K |
| Processed food, beverages & tobacco | $44K |
| Raw materials & minerals | $22K |
| Textiles & consumer goods | $20K |
| Animal & marine products | $14K |
| Raw agricultural goods | $4K |
| Wood & paper products | $1K |
Balance of trade
|
Sao Tome
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Current account balance
|
$41.5M
2024 |
-$1.81B
2025 |
| Current account balance ranking |
68/190
2024 |
135/190
2025 |
| Current account balance, % of GDP |
+5.03%
2024 |
-0.42%
2025 |
| Goods imports |
$153M
2024 |
$104B
2025 |
| Goods exports |
$29.3M
2024 |
$116B
2025 |
| Service imports |
$83M
2024 |
$21.8B
2025 |
| Service exports |
$88.2M
2024 |
$18.1B
2025 |
| Imports of goods and services, % of GDP |
33.3%
2025 |
29.5%
2025 |
| Exports of goods and services, % of GDP |
13.3%
2025 |
31.4%
2025 |
Economic freedom indices
The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.
|
Sao Tome
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Economic freedom | 60.6 | 58.6 |
| Economic freedom ranking | 93/197 | 110/197 |
| Property rights | 55.2 | 48.8 |
| Government integrity | 47.2 | 46.7 |
| Judicial effectiveness | 60.8 | 64.6 |
| Tax burden | 88.6 | 65.4 |
| Government spending | 80.6 | 68.4 |
| Fiscal health | 89.5 | 45.3 |
| Business freedom | 59.9 | 67.9 |
| Labor freedom | 40.8 | 70.8 |
| Monetary freedom | 59.4 | 75.8 |
| Trade freedom | 65 | 68.8 |
| Investment freedom | 50 | 40 |
| Financial freedom | 30 | 40 |
Economic freedom comparison by year
| Year | Economic freedom index | |
|---|---|---|
|
Sao Tome
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2026 | 60.6 | 58.6 |
| 2025 | 60.4 | 57.3 |
| 2024 | 60.5 | 55.3 |
| 2023 | 61.5 | 55.7 |
| 2022 | 60.3 | 56.2 |
| 2021 | 55.9 | 59.7 |
| 2020 | 56.2 | 58.8 |
| 2019 | 54 | 58.3 |
| 2018 | 53.6 | 63 |
| 2017 | 55.4 | 62.3 |
| 2016 | 56.7 | 61.9 |
| 2015 | 53.3 | 62.6 |
| 2014 | 48.8 | 62.5 |
| 2013 | 48 | 61.8 |
| 2012 | 50.2 | 62.7 |
| 2011 | 49.5 | 62.7 |
| 2010 | 48.8 | 62.8 |
| 2009 | 43.8 | 63.8 |
| 2008 | - | 63.4 |
| 2007 | - | 63.5 |
| 2006 | - | 63.7 |
| 2005 | - | 62.9 |
| 2004 | - | 66.3 |
| 2003 | - | 67.1 |
| 2002 | - | 64 |
| 2001 | - | 63.8 |
| 2000 | - | 63.7 |
| 1999 | - | 63.3 |
| 1998 | - | 64.3 |
| 1997 | - | 63.2 |
| 1996 | - | 62.5 |
| 1995 | - | 60.7 |
Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/economy/sao-tome-and-principe/south-africa | CC BY
The Economic Freedom Index for Sao Tome and Principe is 60.6, ranking 93/197, compared to 58.6 for South Africa, ranking 110/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.
Other economic metrics
|
Sao Tome
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Services, % of GDP |
81.4%
2025 |
63.1%
2025 |
| Industry, % of GDP |
2.23%
2025 |
24.1%
2025 |
| Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP |
12.2%
2025 |
2.83%
2025 |
|
GNI, Atlas method
|
$913M
2025 |
$406B
2025 |
| GNI per capita, PPP |
$6,920
2025 |
$15,600
2025 |
| Total reserves including gold |
$58.8M
2024 |
$76B
2025 |
| Total reserves ranking |
175/177
2024 |
35/177
2025 |
|
Net foreign direct investment
|
$20.5M
2024 |
-$1.85B
2025 |
|
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
|
-$16.7M
2024 |
$2.33B
2024 |
|
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
|
$3.83M
2024 |
-$1.26B
2024 |
|
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
|
0.62%
2024 |
5.74%
2024 |
| Poverty at national poverty lines |
66.2%
2020 |
37.9%
2022 |
|
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
|
8.74%
2025 |
13.9%
2025 |
GDP per capita map
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/economy/sao-tome-and-principe/south-africa | CC BY
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1913–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- TradeMap (2022–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)
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.
Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.