Sao Tome and Principe has a population of 236K (ranked 176/197), compared with 64M in South Africa (ranked 24/197). Sao Tome and Principe's land area is 371 sq mi versus 468,377 sq mi for South Africa (ranked 172nd vs. 24th).
By GDP, Sao Tome and Principe ranks 189/197 ($822M) and South Africa ranks 40/197 ($401B). By GDP per capita, Sao Tome and Principe ranks 134/197 ($3,491), while South Africa ranks 111/197 ($6,267).
Main facts and rankings
Sao Tome
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Population |
246362
|
65683993
|
| Population rank | 176/197 | 24/197 |
| GDP |
$822M
2024 |
$401B
2024 |
| GDP rank | 189/197 | 40/197 |
| GDP per capita |
$3,491
2024 |
$6,267
2024 |
| GDP per capita rank | 134/197 | 111/197 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$6,242
2024 |
$15,456
2024 |
| Government debt |
$533M
2024 |
$305B
2024 |
| Debt-to-GDP ratio |
64.8%
2024 |
76%
2024 |
| Government debt per person |
$2,262
2024 |
$4,761
2024 |
| Government debt per person rank | 116/185 | 83/185 |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$3,111
2026 |
$15,431
2026 |
| Land area | 371 sq mi | 468,377 sq mi |
| Population density |
661 ppl/mi²
2026 |
139.8 ppl/mi²
2026 |
| Fertility rate |
3.64
2023 |
2.22
2023 |
| Median age |
20.3 years
2024 |
29.5 years
2024 |
| Life expectancy |
70.3 years
2026 |
66.7 years
2026 |
Sao Tome and Principe and South Africa: Comparison Charts
Sao Tome and Principe and South Africa economies compared
| Year | GDP | |
|---|---|---|
|
Sao Tome
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | $822,154,621 | $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 | $225,815,132 | $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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/sao-tome-and-principe/south-africa | CC BY 
Sao Tome and Principe and South Africa economies compared
| Year | GDP per capita | |
|---|---|---|
|
Sao Tome
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | $3,491 | $6,267 |
| 2023 | $2,991 | $6,034 |
| 2022 | $2,390 | $6,534 |
| 2021 | $2,363 | $6,829 |
| 2020 | $2,167 | $5,581 |
| 2019 | $1,935 | $6,534 |
| 2018 | $1,826 | $6,914 |
| 2017 | $1,556 | $6,618 |
| 2016 | $1,435 | $5,651 |
| 2015 | $1,298 | $6,112 |
| 2014 | $1,490 | $6,857 |
| 2013 | $1,383 | $7,332 |
| 2012 | $1,192 | $8,077 |
| 2011 | $1,220 | $8,646 |
| 2010 | $1,045 | $7,973 |
| 2009 | $1,128 | $6,375 |
| 2008 | $1,082 | $6,185 |
| 2007 | $879 | $6,592 |
| 2006 | $862 | $6,077 |
| 2005 | $844 | $5,837 |
| 2004 | $727 | $5,221 |
| 2003 | $664 | $4,062 |
| 2002 | $568 | $2,688 |
| 2001 | $519 | $2,847 |
| 2000 | $529 | $3,218 |
| 1999 | $543 | $3,242 |
| 1998 | $514 | $3,310 |
| 1997 | $662 | $3,700 |
| 1996 | $987 | $3,618 |
| 1995 | $769 | $3,856 |
| 1994 | $990 | $3,489 |
| 1993 | $964 | $3,400 |
| 1992 | $740 | $3,462 |
| 1991 | $855 | $3,243 |
| 1990 | $970 | $3,093 |
| 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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/sao-tome-and-principe/south-africa | CC BY
Sao Tome and Principe vs. South Africa life expectancy calculator
| Year | Life expectancy, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
Sao Tome
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2026 | 70.3 | 66.7 |
| 2025 | 70.1 | 66.5 |
| 2024 | 69.9 | 66.3 |
| 2023 | 69.7 | 66.1 |
| 2022 | 69.2 | 65.5 |
| 2021 | 68 | 62 |
| 2020 | 68 | 65.2 |
| 2019 | 68 | 66.1 |
| 2018 | 67.6 | 65.7 |
| 2017 | 67.1 | 65.4 |
| 2016 | 66.6 | 64.7 |
| 2015 | 66 | 64.1 |
| 2014 | 65.5 | 63.2 |
| 2013 | 64.9 | 62.4 |
| 2012 | 64.5 | 61.7 |
| 2011 | 64.1 | 60.6 |
| 2010 | 63.9 | 58.9 |
| 2009 | 63.7 | 57.4 |
| 2008 | 63.4 | 56 |
| 2007 | 63.3 | 54.9 |
| 2006 | 63 | 54.2 |
| 2005 | 62.4 | 53.9 |
| 2004 | 62.6 | 54 |
| 2003 | 62.2 | 54.2 |
| 2002 | 61.8 | 55.6 |
| 2001 | 61.5 | 57.2 |
| 2000 | 61.2 | 58.4 |
| 1999 | 61 | 59.2 |
| 1998 | 60.8 | 59.9 |
| 1997 | 60.6 | 60.5 |
| 1996 | 60.6 | 61.1 |
| 1995 | 60.5 | 61.6 |
| 1994 | 60.6 | 62.1 |
| 1993 | 60.6 | 62.6 |
| 1992 | 60.7 | 62.8 |
| 1991 | 60.8 | 63 |
| 1990 | 60.7 | 62.9 |
| 1989 | 59.7 | 63 |
| 1988 | 60.8 | 62.9 |
| 1987 | 60.7 | 62.7 |
| 1986 | 57.6 | 62.4 |
| 1985 | 60.1 | 62.2 |
| 1984 | 59.9 | 61.8 |
| 1983 | 59.7 | 61.4 |
| 1982 | 59.5 | 60.9 |
| 1981 | 59.4 | 60.4 |
| 1980 | 59.4 | 60 |
| 1979 | 59.3 | 59.5 |
| 1978 | 59.1 | 59 |
| 1977 | 59 | 58.5 |
| 1976 | 58.8 | 58 |
| 1975 | 58.6 | 57.6 |
| 1974 | 58.3 | 57.1 |
| 1973 | 57.9 | 56.7 |
| 1972 | 57.4 | 56.4 |
| 1971 | 57 | 56 |
| 1970 | 56.3 | 55.7 |
| 1969 | 55.4 | 55.4 |
| 1968 | 54.5 | 55.2 |
| 1967 | 53.4 | 55 |
| 1966 | 52.3 | 54.7 |
| 1965 | 51.1 | 54.4 |
| 1964 | 49.7 | 54.2 |
| 1963 | 48.4 | 53.9 |
| 1962 | 46.8 | 53.6 |
| 1961 | 45.2 | 53.1 |
| 1960 | 43.6 | 52.6 |
| 1959 | 42.1 | 51.9 |
| 1958 | 41 | 51.1 |
| 1957 | 40.1 | 50.2 |
| 1956 | 39.5 | 49.2 |
| 1955 | 39.3 | 48.2 |
| 1954 | 39.2 | 47.1 |
| 1953 | 39.1 | 46.1 |
| 1952 | 39.1 | 45 |
| 1951 | 39.1 | 44.1 |
| 1950 | 39.1 | 43.1 |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).
GeoRank.org/facts/sao-tome-and-principe/south-africa | CC BY
Sao Tome and Principe and South Africa population clocks and comparison
| Year | Population | |
|---|---|---|
|
Sao Tome
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | 235,536 | 64,007,187 |
| 2023 | 230,871 | 63,212,384 |
| 2022 | 226,305 | 62,378,410 |
| 2021 | 221,961 | 61,502,603 |
| 2020 | 217,435 | 60,562,381 |
| 2019 | 213,392 | 59,587,885 |
| 2018 | 210,187 | 58,613,001 |
| 2017 | 206,970 | 57,635,162 |
| 2016 | 203,689 | 57,259,551 |
| 2015 | 200,291 | 56,723,537 |
| 2014 | 196,767 | 55,594,838 |
| 2013 | 193,148 | 54,678,791 |
| 2012 | 189,439 | 53,782,567 |
| 2011 | 185,649 | 52,995,205 |
| 2010 | 181,802 | 52,344,051 |
| 2009 | 177,853 | 51,728,516 |
| 2008 | 173,793 | 51,114,599 |
| 2007 | 169,700 | 50,528,584 |
| 2006 | 165,638 | 49,998,277 |
| 2005 | 161,639 | 49,490,033 |
| 2004 | 157,705 | 48,991,421 |
| 2003 | 153,814 | 48,500,348 |
| 2002 | 149,922 | 48,019,415 |
| 2001 | 146,375 | 47,566,800 |
| 2000 | 144,018 | 47,159,719 |
| 1999 | 142,442 | 46,730,335 |
| 1998 | 140,751 | 46,223,880 |
| 1997 | 138,922 | 45,666,838 |
| 1996 | 136,962 | 45,123,018 |
| 1995 | 134,895 | 44,541,554 |
| 1994 | 132,732 | 44,004,139 |
| 1993 | 130,467 | 43,297,156 |
| 1992 | 128,110 | 42,443,509 |
| 1991 | 125,697 | 41,687,898 |
| 1990 | 122,980 | 40,746,268 |
| 1989 | 119,979 | 39,628,575 |
| 1988 | 116,939 | 38,480,649 |
| 1987 | 113,919 | 37,326,190 |
| 1986 | 111,150 | 36,180,515 |
| 1985 | 108,658 | 35,042,093 |
| 1984 | 106,394 | 33,892,788 |
| 1983 | 104,380 | 32,739,304 |
| 1982 | 102,508 | 31,615,339 |
| 1981 | 100,615 | 30,541,044 |
| 1980 | 98,544 | 29,518,857 |
| 1979 | 96,252 | 28,634,162 |
| 1978 | 93,794 | 27,869,507 |
| 1977 | 91,301 | 27,118,952 |
| 1976 | 88,922 | 26,395,450 |
| 1975 | 86,708 | 25,690,940 |
| 1974 | 84,672 | 24,989,108 |
| 1973 | 82,798 | 24,294,263 |
| 1972 | 81,041 | 23,609,456 |
| 1971 | 79,330 | 22,942,143 |
| 1970 | 77,626 | 22,279,984 |
| 1969 | 76,083 | 21,614,676 |
| 1968 | 74,765 | 20,957,287 |
| 1967 | 73,596 | 20,314,066 |
| 1966 | 72,576 | 19,690,087 |
| 1965 | 71,680 | 19,089,380 |
| 1964 | 70,865 | 18,511,361 |
| 1963 | 70,112 | 17,954,564 |
| 1962 | 69,403 | 17,418,522 |
| 1961 | 68,707 | 16,908,035 |
| 1960 | 68,012 | 16,440,172 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/sao-tome-and-principe/south-africa | CC BY
Fertility rates in Sao Tome and Principe and South Africa
| Year | Fertility rate | |
|---|---|---|
|
Sao Tome
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2023 | 3.64 | 2.22 |
| 2022 | 3.7 | 2.23 |
| 2021 | 3.76 | 2.25 |
| 2020 | 3.83 | 2.26 |
| 2019 | 3.9 | 2.26 |
| 2018 | 3.98 | 2.27 |
| 2017 | 4.07 | 2.28 |
| 2016 | 4.2 | 2.26 |
| 2015 | 4.35 | 2.36 |
| 2014 | 4.49 | 2.42 |
| 2013 | 4.58 | 2.43 |
| 2012 | 4.66 | 2.45 |
| 2011 | 4.72 | 2.44 |
| 2010 | 4.77 | 2.44 |
| 2009 | 4.84 | 2.5 |
| 2008 | 4.91 | 2.68 |
| 2007 | 4.96 | 2.55 |
| 2006 | 4.93 | 2.55 |
| 2005 | 4.94 | 2.51 |
| 2004 | 4.96 | 2.44 |
| 2003 | 5.01 | 2.36 |
| 2002 | 5.06 | 2.32 |
| 2001 | 5.1 | 2.37 |
| 2000 | 5.16 | 2.41 |
| 1999 | 5.23 | 2.56 |
| 1998 | 5.3 | 2.63 |
| 1997 | 5.4 | 2.73 |
| 1996 | 5.47 | 2.99 |
| 1995 | 5.55 | 3.17 |
| 1994 | 5.56 | 3.26 |
| 1993 | 5.64 | 3.37 |
| 1992 | 5.7 | 3.48 |
| 1991 | 5.77 | 3.62 |
| 1990 | 5.83 | 3.72 |
| 1989 | 5.88 | 3.98 |
| 1988 | 5.94 | 4.18 |
| 1987 | 5.99 | 4.35 |
| 1986 | 6.05 | 4.41 |
| 1985 | 6.1 | 4.5 |
| 1984 | 6.16 | 4.57 |
| 1983 | 6.22 | 4.63 |
| 1982 | 6.28 | 4.7 |
| 1981 | 6.33 | 4.71 |
| 1980 | 6.39 | 4.78 |
| 1979 | 6.43 | 4.82 |
| 1978 | 6.47 | 4.85 |
| 1977 | 6.5 | 4.94 |
| 1976 | 6.52 | 5.07 |
| 1975 | 6.53 | 5.19 |
| 1974 | 6.53 | 5.3 |
| 1973 | 6.53 | 5.41 |
| 1972 | 6.51 | 5.49 |
| 1971 | 6.49 | 5.57 |
| 1970 | 6.47 | 5.63 |
| 1969 | 6.44 | 5.72 |
| 1968 | 6.42 | 5.78 |
| 1967 | 6.39 | 5.85 |
| 1966 | 6.37 | 5.91 |
| 1965 | 6.35 | 5.89 |
| 1964 | 6.33 | 5.96 |
| 1963 | 6.31 | 6.01 |
| 1962 | 6.28 | 6.05 |
| 1961 | 6.26 | 6.08 |
| 1960 | 6.24 | 6.11 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/sao-tome-and-principe/south-africa | CC BY
Sao Tome and Principe and South Africa demographics compared
| Year | Median age, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
Sao Tome
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | 20.3 | 29.5 |
| 2023 | 20.1 | 29.2 |
| 2022 | 19.9 | 28.9 |
| 2021 | 19.7 | 28.6 |
| 2020 | 19.5 | 28.3 |
| 2019 | 19.4 | 27.9 |
| 2018 | 19.3 | 27.5 |
| 2017 | 19.1 | 27 |
| 2016 | 19 | 26.7 |
| 2015 | 19 | 26.4 |
| 2014 | 18.9 | 26 |
| 2013 | 18.9 | 25.7 |
| 2012 | 18.9 | 25.3 |
| 2011 | 18.9 | 25 |
| 2010 | 18.8 | 24.6 |
| 2009 | 18.7 | 24.3 |
| 2008 | 18.7 | 24 |
| 2007 | 18.7 | 23.8 |
| 2006 | 18.6 | 23.5 |
| 2005 | 18.5 | 23.3 |
| 2004 | 18.4 | 23.1 |
| 2003 | 18.3 | 22.8 |
| 2002 | 18.1 | 22.4 |
| 2001 | 18 | 22.2 |
| 2000 | 17.9 | 21.9 |
| 1999 | 17.7 | 21.6 |
| 1998 | 17.5 | 21.4 |
| 1997 | 17.4 | 21.2 |
| 1996 | 17.3 | 21.2 |
| 1995 | 17.3 | 21.5 |
| 1994 | 17.2 | 22 |
| 1993 | 17.2 | 21.9 |
| 1992 | 17.3 | 21.5 |
| 1991 | 17.3 | 21.5 |
| 1990 | 17.4 | 21.3 |
| 1989 | 17.4 | 21.1 |
| 1988 | 17.4 | 20.9 |
| 1987 | 17.4 | 20.7 |
| 1986 | 17.4 | 20.5 |
| 1985 | 17.4 | 20.4 |
| 1984 | 17.4 | 20.2 |
| 1983 | 17.4 | 20 |
| 1982 | 17.4 | 19.8 |
| 1981 | 17.4 | 19.6 |
| 1980 | 17.3 | 19.4 |
| 1979 | 17.3 | 19.3 |
| 1978 | 17.2 | 19.2 |
| 1977 | 17.2 | 19.1 |
| 1976 | 17.1 | 19 |
| 1975 | 17.1 | 18.9 |
| 1974 | 17.1 | 18.9 |
| 1973 | 17 | 18.8 |
| 1972 | 17 | 18.8 |
| 1971 | 16.9 | 18.8 |
| 1970 | 16.9 | 18.8 |
| 1969 | 17.2 | 18.8 |
| 1968 | 17.7 | 18.8 |
| 1967 | 18.5 | 18.8 |
| 1966 | 19.5 | 18.8 |
| 1965 | 21 | 18.8 |
| 1964 | 22.4 | 18.9 |
| 1963 | 23.5 | 18.9 |
| 1962 | 24.1 | 18.9 |
| 1961 | 24.3 | 19 |
| 1960 | 24.2 | 19 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/sao-tome-and-principe/south-africa | CC BY
Interactive Maps
Use the buttons below to switch between world maps comparing statistics for Sao Tome and Principe and South Africa.
National statistics comparison
Finance
|
Sao Tome
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| GNI, Atlas method |
$671M
2024 |
$391B
2024 |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP |
24.7%
2024 |
33%
2024 |
| Education expenditure, % of GDP |
5.03%
2023 |
6.02%
2024 |
| Military expenditure, % of GDP | n/a |
0.7%
2024 |
| Armed forces personnel |
1,000
1999 |
89,000
2020 |
| Deficit/surplus, % of GDP |
+0.92%
2024 |
-5.79%
2024 |
| Unemployment rate |
6.66%
2017 |
32.3%
2024 |
| Services, % of GDP |
80.3%
2024 |
63%
2024 |
| Industry, % of GDP |
2.83%
2024 |
24.3%
2024 |
| Economic freedom index |
60.6
2026 |
58.6
2026 |
| Income share by richest 10% |
32.8%
2017 |
50.5%
2014 |
| Income share by poorest 10% |
2.6%
2017 |
0.9%
2014 |
| Number of millionaires | n/a |
90,595
2025 |
| Percentage of millionaires | n/a |
0.22%
2025 |
| Number of billionaires | n/a |
7
2025 |
| Percentage of billionaires | n/a |
0.00002%
2025 |
| Listed domestic companies | n/a |
220
2024 |
| Market capitalization of domestic companies | n/a |
$986B
2024 |
| Total reserves including gold |
$46.2M
2023 |
$65.4B
2024 |
| Personal remittances received |
$80.1M
2024 |
$855M
2024 |
| International tourist arrivals |
33,400
2018 |
3,886,600
2020 |
| International tourism as share of exports |
73.2%
2018 |
2.89%
2020 |
| Banked people share | n/a |
81.1%
2024 |
Energy
|
Sao Tome
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita |
259.3 kg
2007 |
1,939 kg
2023 |
| GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use |
$10.2
2007 |
$7.84
2023 |
| Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions |
0.15 megatons
2024 |
440 megatons
2024 |
| CO2 emissions per capita |
0.63 tons
2024 |
6.88 tons
2024 |
| Fossil fuel energy use share |
0%
2007 |
93.3%
2022 |
| Renewable energy use share |
42.5%
2022 |
9.7%
2021 |
| Alternative and nuclear energy use share | n/a |
3.58%
2023 |
| Net energy imports use share | n/a |
-12.5%
2023 |
| Electric power consumption per capita | n/a |
3,247 kWh
2023 |
| Renewable electricity output share |
6.06%
2021 |
6.45%
2021 |
| Hydroelectric share |
5.85%
2021 |
2.91%
2023 |
| Nuclear share |
0%
2021 |
3.73%
2023 |
| Electricity access |
81.3%
2023 |
87.7%
2023 |
Society
|
Sao Tome
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world population |
0.003%
2024 |
0.79%
2024 |
| Annual migration change |
-650
2025 |
+146,370
2025 |
| Urban population |
68.9%
2024 |
63.7%
2024 |
| Male:Female ratio |
49.7:50.3
2024 |
48.7:51.3
2024 |
| Average male height |
5.59 ft
2025 |
5.56 ft
2025 |
| Average female height |
5.24 ft
2025 |
5.2 ft
2025 |
| Quality of life index |
32.3
2026 |
42.1
2026 |
| Corruption Perceptions Index |
45
2025 |
41
2025 |
| Higher education index | n/a |
81
2026 |
| Homicides per 100K people |
3.23
2011 |
45.5
2022 |
| Road traffic mortality per 100K people |
27.9
2019 |
22.2
2019 |
| Visa free countries |
70
2025 |
109
2025 |
| Adult literacy rate |
93.8%
2022 |
91.2%
2024 |
| English speaking |
4.9%
2025 |
31%
2023 |
| People using the Internet |
61.5%
2023 |
75.7%
2023 |
Health
|
Sao Tome
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Government health expenditure per capita |
$171.1
2023 |
$537
2023 |
| Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita |
$28.5
2023 |
$35.9
2023 |
| Life expectancy |
70.3 years
2026 |
66.7 years
2026 |
| Foreign aid share of health expenditure |
43.9%
2023 |
2.06%
2023 |
| Physicians per 1,000 people |
0.46
2022 |
0.79
2022 |
| Age at first childbirth |
19.4 years
2025 |
n/a |
| Maternal mortality per 100K births |
75
2023 |
118
2023 |
| Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age |
13.9
2023 |
34.7
2023 |
| Obesity rate |
17.2%
2022 |
31.4%
2022 |
| Diabetes prevalence |
12.1%
2024 |
7.2%
2024 |
| Air quality index |
24
2026 |
39
2026 |
| Tobacco use prevalence |
7.8%
2022 |
20.7%
2022 |
| Pure alcohol consumption per capita |
4.79 liters
2020 |
7.13 liters
2020 |
Territory
|
Sao Tome
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world land |
0.0006%
2026 |
0.81%
2026 |
| Land area per capita |
1,574 sq mi
2024 |
7,318 sq mi
2024 |
| Agricultural land area |
166 sq mi
2026 |
371,975 sq mi
2026 |
| Forest area |
193.2 sq mi
2026 |
65,409 sq mi
2026 |
| Roads length |
808 mi
2018 |
466,028 mi
2016 |
In-depth comparisons
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
- World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
- The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
- EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)
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