Sao Tome and Principe
| Capital: | Sao Tome |
| Area size: | 960 sq. km Approximately six times the size of Washington D.C |
| Time zone: | GMT |
| Currency: | Dobra |
| Area code: | (+) 239 |
| Driving: | Right |
| Climate description: | The islands are volcanic with dense rainforests, a tropical climate and heavy rainfall from October to May. |
People
Standard of living
Economy & aid
Health
Disasters, conflict & migration
Language
Portuguese is the official language. Forro and Crioulo (a dialect with Portugese and African elements) are also spoken.
Source: New Internationalist World Guide
Population
Future population estimates
0.2 million (2050)
Source: U.N. DESA (2006)
Ethnic groups
Most are Africans of Bantu origin. People were formerly classified according to waves of migration - descendants of the first enslaved workers brought to the islands and mixed with the Portuguese, descendants of Angolans, freed slaves, migrant workers from Mozambique, Angola and Cape Verde, and native Tongans. These classifications have begun to dissipate since independence in 1975.
Source: NI World Guide
Religion
About 81 percent Roman Catholic. The rest are mostly Protestant, predominantly Seventh Day Adventist and followers of an indigenous evangelical church.
Source: NI World Guide
Percentage urban population
Year women granted right to vote
1975
Source: U.N. Development Programme (UNDP) Human Development Report
Where two figures are shown, the first refers to a partial recognition of the right to vote and the second to the year women received the right to vote on a universal and equal basis.
Net percentage of girls enrolled in primary education
No data available (2006)
Percentage of population under 15
Portuguese is the official language. Forro and Crioulo (a dialect with Portugese and African elements) are also spoken.
Source: New Internationalist World Guide
Population
| 2007 | 0.2 million | U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) Population Division (2006) |
| 2006 | 0.2 million | U.N. DESA (2006) |
| 2005 | 0.2 million | U.N. DESA (2006) |
| 2004 | 0.2 million | U.N. DESA (2006) |
| 2003 | 0.1 million | U.N. DESA (2006) |
| 2002 | 0.1 million | U.N. DESA (2006) |
| 2001 | 0.1 million | U.N. DESA (2006) |
| 2000 | 0.1 million | U.N. DESA (2006) |
Future population estimates
0.2 million (2050)
Source: U.N. DESA (2006)
Ethnic groups
Most are Africans of Bantu origin. People were formerly classified according to waves of migration - descendants of the first enslaved workers brought to the islands and mixed with the Portuguese, descendants of Angolans, freed slaves, migrant workers from Mozambique, Angola and Cape Verde, and native Tongans. These classifications have begun to dissipate since independence in 1975.
Source: NI World Guide
Religion
About 81 percent Roman Catholic. The rest are mostly Protestant, predominantly Seventh Day Adventist and followers of an indigenous evangelical church.
Source: NI World Guide
Percentage urban population
| 2007 | 59.8 percent | U.N. DESA - World Urbanisation Prospects 2005 |
| 2006 | 58.9 percent | U.N. DESA (2005) |
| 2005 | 58.0 percent | U.N. DESA (2005) |
| 2004 | 57.1 percent | U.N. DESA (2005) |
| 2003 | 56.2 percent | U.N. DESA (2005) |
| 2002 | 55.3 percent | U.N. DESA (2005) |
| 2001 | 54.4 percent | U.N. DESA (2005) |
| 2000 | 53.4 percent | U.N. DESA (2005) |
Year women granted right to vote
1975
Source: U.N. Development Programme (UNDP) Human Development Report
Where two figures are shown, the first refers to a partial recognition of the right to vote and the second to the year women received the right to vote on a universal and equal basis.
Net percentage of girls enrolled in primary education
No data available (2006)
Percentage of population under 15
| 2005 | 41.6 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008 |
| 2004 | 39.8 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
| 2003 | 40.1 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2002 | 40.2 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 2001 | 41.2 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
| 2000 | No data available percent |
Average life expectancy
Life expectancy - male
Life expectancy - female
Infant mortality
Child mortality - deaths before the age of five
Births attended by skilled personnel
Maternal mortality
No data available per 100,000 live births
Human development index (HDI rank)
Percentage of children under weight for age (under age 5)
Percentage of undernourished population
Food intake falls below the minimum requirement.
Population with access to improved water
Population with access to improved sanitation
Literacy - average
Literacy - male
No data available percent
Literacy - female
No data available percent
Landlines telephones
Cellular telephone subscribers
Internet users
Transparency International corruption ranking (1=least corrupt, 179=most corrupt)
Signatory of International Convention on the Prevention and Punishment for the crime of Genocide
No (1948)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report
Signatory of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
Signed but not yet ratified (1984)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report
Signatory of the Convention on the Rights of the Child
Yes (1989)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report
| 2005 | 64.9 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008 |
| 2004 | 63.2 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
| 2003 | 63.0 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2002 | 69.9 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 2001 | 69.4 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
| 2000 | 65.1 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2002 |
Life expectancy - male
| 2005 | 63.0 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008 |
| 2004 | 62.1 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
| 2003 | 62.0 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2002 | 66.9 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 2001 | 66.6 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
| 2000 | No data available years |
Life expectancy - female
| 2005 | 66.7 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008 |
| 2004 | 64.2 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
| 2003 | 64.0 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2002 | 72.7 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 2001 | 72.4 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
| 2000 | No data available years |
Infant mortality
| 2006 | 63 per 1,000 live births | UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2008 |
| 2005 | 75 per 1,000 live births | U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) - State of the World's Children 2007 |
| 2004 | 75 per 1,000 live births | UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2006 |
| 2003 | 75 per 1,000 live births | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2002 | 75 per 1,000 live births | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 2001 | 57 per 1,000 live births | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
| 2000 | 58 per 1,000 live births | UNDP - Human Development Report 2002 |
Child mortality - deaths before the age of five
| 2006 | 96 per 1,000 live births | UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2008 |
| 2005 | 118 per 1,000 live births | UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2007 |
| 2004 | 118 per 1,000 live births | UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2006 |
Births attended by skilled personnel
| 1997-2005 | 76 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008 |
| 1996-2004 | 76 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
| 1995-2003 | 79 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 1995-2002 | 79 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 1995-2001 | No data available percent | |
| 1995-2000 | No data available percent |
Maternal mortality
No data available per 100,000 live births
Human development index (HDI rank)
| 2005 | 123 | UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008 |
| 2004 | 127 | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
| 2003 | 126 | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2002 | 123 | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 2001 | 122 | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
| 2000 | 119 | UNDP - Human Development Report 2002 |
Percentage of children under weight for age (under age 5)
| 2000-2006 | 9 percent | UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2008 |
| 1996-2005 | 13 percent | UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2007 |
| 1996-2004 | 13 percent | UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2006 |
| 1995-2003 | 13 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 1995-2002 | 13 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 1995-2001 | 16 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
| 1995-2000 | 16 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2002 |
Percentage of undernourished population
| 2002-2004 average | 10 percent | U.N. Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) 2006 |
| 2001-2003average | 12 percent | FAO 2006 |
| 1999-2001average | No data available percent | |
| 1998-2000average | No data available percent |
Food intake falls below the minimum requirement.
Population with access to improved water
| 2004 | 79 percent | UNICEF and World Health Organisation (WHO) 2006 |
| 2002 | 79 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2000 | No data available percent |
Population with access to improved sanitation
| 2004 | 25 percent | UNICEF and WHO 2006 |
| 2002 | 24 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
Literacy - average
| 2004 | No data available percent | |
| 2003 | No data available percent | |
| 2002 | 83.1 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 2001 | 83.1 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
| 2000 | 83.1 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2002 |
Literacy - male
No data available percent
Literacy - female
No data available percent
Landlines telephones
| 2006 | 45 per 1,000 people | International Telecommunication Union (ITU) 2007 |
| 2005 | 45 per 1,000 people | ITU 2007 |
| 2004 | 46 per 1,000 people | ITU 2007 |
| 2003 | 47 per 1,000 people | ITU 2007 |
| 2002 | 44 per 1,000 people | ITU 2007 |
| 2001 | 38 per 1,000 people | ITU 2007 |
| 2000 | 33 per 1,000 people | ITU 2007 |
Cellular telephone subscribers
| 2006 | 76 per 1,000 people | ITU 2007 |
| 2005 | 76 per 1,000 people | ITU 2007 |
| 2004 | 51 per 1,000 people | ITU 2007 |
| 2003 | 32 per 1,000 people | ITU 2007 |
| 2002 | 14 per 1,000 people | ITU 2007 |
| 2001 | No data available per 1,000 people | |
| 2000 | No data available per 1,000 people |
Internet users
| 2006 | 147 per 1,000 people | ITU 2007 |
| 2005 | 147 per 1,000 people | ITU 2007 |
| 2004 | 131 per 1,000 people | ITU 2007 |
| 2003 | 100 per 1,000 people | ITU 2007 |
| 2002 | 75 per 1,000 people | ITU 2007 |
| 2001 | 63 per 1,000 people | ITU 2007 |
| 2000 | 47 per 1,000 people | ITU 2007 |
Transparency International corruption ranking (1=least corrupt, 179=most corrupt)
| 2007 | 118 (joint) | Transparency International 2007 |
| 2006 | Not ranked |
Signatory of International Convention on the Prevention and Punishment for the crime of Genocide
No (1948)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report
Signatory of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
Signed but not yet ratified (1984)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report
Signatory of the Convention on the Rights of the Child
Yes (1989)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report
International humanitarian aid flows
Access the Financial Tracking Service, a global real-time database which records all reported humanitarian aid - including that for NGOs, the Red Cross/Crescent Movement, bilateral aid, in-kind aid and private donations - searchable by country.
Source: Financial Tracking Service, ReliefWeb
Percentage of population living on less than US$1 a day
No data available percent
GNI per capita, Atlas method
The purpose of the Atlas conversion factor is to reduce the impact of exchange rate fluctuations in a cross-country comparison of national incomes. The Atlas conversion factor for any year is the average of a country’s exchange rate (or alternative conversion factor) for that year and its exchange rates for the two preceding years.
GDP
Annual GDP growth
Annual inflation
Share of income or consumption (poorest 10 percent)
No data available
Share of income or consumption (richest 10 percent)
No data available
No data available percent
GNI per capita, Atlas method
| 2006 | 800 current US$ | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
| 2005 | current US$ | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
| 2004 | current US$ | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
| 2003 | current US$ | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
| 2002 | current US$ | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
| 2001 | current US$ | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
| 2000 | current US$ | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
The purpose of the Atlas conversion factor is to reduce the impact of exchange rate fluctuations in a cross-country comparison of national incomes. The Atlas conversion factor for any year is the average of a country’s exchange rate (or alternative conversion factor) for that year and its exchange rates for the two preceding years.
GDP
| 2005 | 0.1 current US$ billions | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2007 |
| 2004 | 0.1 current US$ billions | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
| 2003 | 0.1 current US$ billions | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
| 2002 | 0.1 current US$ billions | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
| 2001 | 0.1 current US$ billions | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
| 2000 | 0.0 current US$ billions | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
Annual GDP growth
| 2005 | 3.2 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2007 |
| 2004 | 3.8 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2007 |
| 2003 | 4 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2007 |
| 2002 | 4.1 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2007 |
| 2001 | 4 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2007 |
| 2000 | 3 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2007 |
Annual inflation
| 2005 | 14.8 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2007 |
| 2004 | 9.7 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2007 |
| 2003 | 9.2 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2007 |
| 2002 | 10.8 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2007 |
| 2001 | 9.8 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2007 |
| 2000 | 7.4 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2007 |
Share of income or consumption (poorest 10 percent)
No data available
Share of income or consumption (richest 10 percent)
No data available
Physicians
Percentage HIV+ (adults aged 15-49)
No data available percent
Malaria
Risk from P.falciparum throughout the year in the whole country. Resistance to chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine reported.
Source: WHO
TB cases
| 2000-2004 | 49 per 100,000 people | UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008 |
| 1990-2004 | 49 per 100,000 people | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
| 1990-2003 | 47 per 100,000 people | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 1990-2002 | 47 per 100,000 people | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
Percentage HIV+ (adults aged 15-49)
No data available percent
Malaria
Risk from P.falciparum throughout the year in the whole country. Resistance to chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine reported.
Source: WHO
TB cases
| 2006 | 103 per 100,000 people | WHO 2008 |
| 2005 | 105 per 100,000 people | WHO 2008 |
| 2004 | 106 per 100,000 people | WHO 2008 |
| 2003 | 108 per 100,000 people | WHO 2008 |
| 2002 | 110 per 100,000 people | WHO 2008 |
| 2001 | 112 per 100,000 people | WHO 2008 |
| 2000 | 114 per 100,000 people | WHO 2008 |
Chronology of natural disasters
Access EM-DAT, a database of natural disasters from 1900 to the present - death tolls and numbers of affected people - searchable by country.
Source: Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters, Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium
Number of refugees originating here
Number of refugees residing here
No data available
Number of internally displaced people\Estimate
Landmine casualties per year
Casualty figures may include both civilians and military personnel injured or killed by landmines and unexploded ordnance.
Signatory to landmine convention?
Yes (1998)
Source: Landmine Monitor Report
Percentage of GDP spent on military
No data available percent
Percentage of GDP spent on education
No data available percent
Percentage of GDP spent on health
| 2006 | 32 | Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) |
| 2005 | 24 | UNHCR |
| 2004 | 39 | UNHCR |
| 2003 | No data available | |
| 2002 | No data available | |
| 2001 | No data available | |
| 2000 | No data available |
Number of refugees residing here
No data available
Number of internally displaced people\Estimate
| No data available | |||
Landmine casualties per year
| 2004 | 0 | Landmine Monitor Report 2005 |
| 2003 | 0 | Landmine Monitor Report 2004 |
Casualty figures may include both civilians and military personnel injured or killed by landmines and unexploded ordnance.
Signatory to landmine convention?
Yes (1998)
Source: Landmine Monitor Report
Percentage of GDP spent on military
No data available percent
Percentage of GDP spent on education
No data available percent
Percentage of GDP spent on health
| 2004 | 9.9 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008 |
| 2003-2004 | 7.2 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
| 2002 | 9.7 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2001 | 1.5 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 2000 | 1.6 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
AlertNet makes every effort to ensure statistics are updated from the relevant sources as soon as they are available.
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