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Sao Tome and Principe

Africa · Middle Africa · STP · 964 km²
Population
235,536
Year 2024

Total number of people living in the country.

Population Density
240.5/km²

How many people live per square kilometer of land.

Life Expectancy
69.7 years
♂ 66.2 / ♀ 73.7

How long a newborn baby can expect to live on average.

Fertility Rate (TFR)
3.64
children per woman

Average number of children born to each woman. About 2.1 is needed to keep population stable.

Median Age
25.4 years

Half the population is younger and half is older than this age.

Net Migration
-604

Difference between people moving in and out. Positive means more arrivals.

Key demographic indicators for Sao Tome and Principe as of 2024. These numbers give a quick overview of the country's population size, density, birth rates, life expectancy, and migration patterns.

Population Trend

How the total population has changed over the decades. A rising line means the country has been growing, a flat or falling line indicates stagnation or decline.

Population Projection to 2100

Estimated future population based on current trends in birth rates, death rates, and migration. The dashed line shows this is a projection, not actual data.

Birth Rate vs Death Rate

Birth rate (green) vs. death rate (red) per 1,000 people per year. When the birth rate is higher than the death rate, the population grows naturally.

Life Expectancy (Male vs Female)

Average number of years a newborn can expect to live. Blue shows men, red shows women. Women typically live longer in most countries.

Fertility Rate Trend

Total Fertility Rate — the average number of children per woman. A rate of about 2.1 is needed to maintain the population without immigration.

Population Pyramid

Shows the age distribution of the population. Blue bars (left) represent men, red bars (right) represent women. A wide base means a young population, a wide top means an aging population.

Historical Data

Detailed numbers for selected years showing how the country's key indicators have changed over time. Click column headers to sort.

Year Population Growth Rate Fertility Rate (TFR) Life Expectancy Median Age Birth Rate Death Rate
1960 68,012 0.00% 6.24 43.6 28.5 44.6‰ 21.8‰
1965 71,680 1.14% 6.35 51.1 22.7 38.6‰ 16.2‰
1970 77,626 2.01% 6.47 56.3 18.9 38.8‰ 13.3‰
1975 86,708 2.38% 6.53 58.6 19.5 40.9‰ 11.9‰
1980 98,544 2.35% 6.39 59.4 20.0 41.6‰ 11.5‰
1985 108,658 2.11% 6.10 60.1 20.4 41.0‰ 11.2‰
1990 122,980 2.47% 5.83 60.7 19.9 40.7‰ 10.5‰
1995 134,895 1.62% 5.55 60.5 20.0 39.5‰ 10.3‰
2000 144,018 1.10% 5.16 61.2 21.8 39.7‰ 9.7‰
2005 161,639 2.46% 4.94 62.4 22.4 39.0‰ 8.7‰
2010 181,802 2.20% 4.77 63.9 22.3 37.3‰ 7.7‰
2015 200,291 1.78% 4.35 66.0 22.4 33.0‰ 6.7‰
2020 217,435 1.88% 3.83 68.0 24.0 28.6‰ 6.2‰
2024 235,536 2.00% 3.64 69.7 25.4 28.2‰ 5.6‰
2025 240,248 2.00% 3.64 69.8 25.5 28.2‰ 5.6‰
2030 264,220 1.87% 3.52 70.3 25.7 27.0‰ 5.8‰
2035 288,688 1.73% 3.40 70.8 26.0 25.8‰ 6.0‰
2040 313,361 1.60% 3.28 71.3 26.2 24.5‰ 6.3‰
2045 337,918 1.47% 3.15 71.8 26.5 23.3‰ 6.5‰
2050 362,011 1.33% 3.03 72.3 26.7 22.1‰ 6.7‰
2055 385,278 1.20% 2.91 72.8 27.0 20.9‰ 6.9‰
2060 407,348 1.07% 2.78 73.3 27.2 19.7‰ 7.2‰
2065 427,849 0.93% 2.66 73.8 27.5 18.5‰ 7.4‰
2070 446,422 0.80% 2.54 74.3 27.7 17.3‰ 7.6‰
2075 462,730 0.67% 2.41 74.8 28.0 16.1‰ 7.9‰
2080 476,467 0.53% 2.29 75.3 28.2 14.8‰ 8.1‰
2085 487,367 0.40% 2.17 75.8 28.5 13.6‰ 8.3‰
2090 495,217 0.27% 2.05 76.3 28.7 12.4‰ 8.5‰
2095 499,857 0.13% 1.92 76.8 29.0 11.2‰ 8.8‰
2100 501,192 0.00% 1.80 77.3 29.2 10.0‰ 9.0‰

About Country — Sao Tome and Principe

Sao Tome and Principe is a country in Africa (Middle Africa) with a total population of 235,536 as of 2024. It covers an area of 964 km², resulting in a population density of 240.5 people per km².

The average life expectancy is 69.7 years (66.2 for men, 73.7 for women). The fertility rate stands at 3.64 children per woman, and the median age of the population is 25.4 years.

The country's population growth rate is 2.00% per year. Net migration is -604 people, indicating that more people are leaving the country than arriving. The infant mortality rate is 9.4 per 1,000 live births.

Demographic Profile

Sao Tome and Principe is located in Middle Africa, a part of Africa, and covers an area of 964 km². With a population of 235,536, the country has a population density of 240.5 inhabitants per square kilometer, which is above the global average of approximately 60 people per km².

The demographic structure of Sao Tome and Principe reveals a population in demographic transition. The median age of 25.4 years means that half of the population is younger and half is older than this age. The population is in a transitional phase, with declining birth rates and improving life expectancy gradually shifting the age structure toward an older profile.

Health and Longevity

Life expectancy in Sao Tome and Principe stands at 69.7 years overall — 66.2 years for men and 73.7 years for women. This is close to the global average, indicating ongoing improvements in healthcare and living conditions. The infant mortality rate is 9.4 per 1,000 live births, which is considered very low and indicates excellent maternal and infant healthcare.

Fertility and Population Growth

The total fertility rate (TFR) of 3.64 children per woman is above the replacement level of 2.1, contributing to population growth. The population is growing at a rate of 2.00% per year. At this rate, the population could double within approximately 35 years if trends continue.

Migration

Net migration in Sao Tome and Principe is -604 people, meaning more people are leaving the country than arriving. Emigration may reflect economic challenges or conflict, and can lead to brain drain as skilled workers seek opportunities elsewhere.

Outlook

Based on current demographic trends, Sao Tome and Principe's population dynamics reflect broader patterns seen across Middle Africa. The ongoing demographic transition will require careful policy planning to harness the potential of a changing population structure.

Year Reviews

2024

In 2024, Sao Tome and Principe had a population of 235,536. Located in Africa (Middle Africa), the country experienced a population growth rate of 2.00%.

The total fertility rate stood at 3.64 children per woman. Life expectancy was 69.7 years overall, with men averaging 66.2 years and women 73.7 years. The median age of the population was 25.4 years.

The crude birth rate was 28.2 per 1,000 people, while the crude death rate was 5.6 per 1,000 people. Net migration amounted to -604 people. The infant mortality rate was 9.4 per 1,000 live births.

2000

In 2000, Sao Tome and Principe had a population of 144,018. Located in Africa (Middle Africa), the country experienced a population growth rate of 1.10%.

The total fertility rate stood at 5.16 children per woman. Life expectancy was 61.2 years overall, with men averaging 59.2 years and women 63.3 years. The median age of the population was 21.8 years.

The crude birth rate was 39.7 per 1,000 people, while the crude death rate was 9.7 per 1,000 people. Net migration amounted to -2,798 people. The infant mortality rate was 50.7 per 1,000 live births.

1974

In 1974, Sao Tome and Principe had a population of 84,672. Located in Africa (Middle Africa), the country experienced a population growth rate of 2.24%.

The total fertility rate stood at 6.53 children per woman. Life expectancy was 58.3 years overall, with men averaging 56.0 years and women 60.7 years. The median age of the population was 19.4 years.

The crude birth rate was 40.6 per 1,000 people, while the crude death rate was 12.0 per 1,000 people. Net migration amounted to -474 people. The infant mortality rate was 51.4 per 1,000 live births.

1964

In 1964, Sao Tome and Principe had a population of 70,865. Located in Africa (Middle Africa), the country experienced a population growth rate of 1.07%.

The total fertility rate stood at 6.33 children per woman. Life expectancy was 49.7 years overall, with men averaging 48.3 years and women 51.3 years. The median age of the population was 23.8 years.

The crude birth rate was 39.7 per 1,000 people, while the crude death rate was 17.1 per 1,000 people. Net migration amounted to -819 people. The infant mortality rate was 0.0 per 1,000 live births.

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