2014 Edition

Background

Discovered and claimed by Portugal in the late 15th century, the islands' sugar-based economy gave way to coffee and cocoa in the 19th century - all grown with African plantation slave labor, a form of which lingered into the 20th century. While independence was achieved in 1975, democratic reforms were not instituted until the late 1980s. The country held its first free elections in 1991, but frequent internal wrangling between the various political parties precipitated repeated changes in leadership and two failed coup attempts in 1995 and 2003. In 2012, three opposition parties combined in a no confidence vote to bring down the majority government of former Prime Minister Patrice TROVOADA. The new government of Prime Minister Gabriel Arcanjo Ferreira DA COSTA is entirely composed of opposition party members with limited experience in governance. New oil discoveries in the Gulf of Guinea may attract increased attention to the small island nation.

Area

964 sq km 964 sq km 0 sq km

total

964 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

more than five times the size of Washington, DC

Climate

tropical; hot, humid; one rainy season (October to May)

Coastline

209 km

Elevation extremes

Atlantic Ocean 0 m Pico de Sao Tome 2,024 m

highest point

Pico de Sao Tome 2,024 m

lowest point

Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

deforestation; soil erosion and exhaustion

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands none of the selected agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates

1 00 N, 7 00 E

Geography - note

the smallest country in Africa; the two main islands form part of a chain of extinct volcanoes and both are mountainous

Irrigated land

97 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

9.06% 40.62% 50.31% (2011)

arable land

9.06%

other

50.31% (2011)

permanent crops

40.62%

Location

Central Africa, islands in the Gulf of Guinea, just north of the Equator, west of Gabon

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

measured from claimed archipelagic baselines 12 nm 200 nm

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

NA

Natural resources

fish, hydropower

Terrain

volcanic, mountainous

Age structure

43.5% (male 42,170/female 40,750) 19.8% (male 19,085/female 18,573) 30.3% (male 28,232/female 29,410) 3.5% (male 3,010/female 3,612) 3% (male 2,523/female 3,063) (2014 est.)

0-14 years

43.5% (male 42,170/female 40,750)

15-24 years

19.8% (male 19,085/female 18,573)

25-54 years

30.3% (male 28,232/female 29,410)

55-64 years

3.5% (male 3,010/female 3,612)

65 years and over

3% (male 2,523/female 3,063) (2014 est.)

Birth rate

35.12 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

3,235 8 % (2006 est.)

percentage

8 % (2006 est.)

total number

3,235

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

14.4% (2009)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

38.4% (2008/09)

Death rate

7.45 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Dependency ratios

81.3 % 75.3 % 6 % 16.7 (2014 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

6 %

potential support ratio

16.7 (2014 est.)

total dependency ratio

81.3 %

youth dependency ratio

75.3 %

Drinking water source

urban: 98.9% of population rural: 93.6% of population total: 97% of population urban: 1.1% of population rural: 6.4% of population total: 3% of population (2012 est.)

rural

6.4% of population

total

3% of population (2012 est.)

urban

1.1% of population

Education expenditures

9.5% of GDP (2010)

Ethnic groups

mestico, angolares (descendants of Angolan slaves), forros (descendants of freed slaves), servicais (contract laborers from Angola, Mozambique, and Cabo Verde), tongas (children of servicais born on the islands), Europeans (primarily Portuguese), Asians (mostly Chinese)

Health expenditures

7.7% of GDP (2011)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

1% (2012 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

100 (2012 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

1,400 (2012 est.)

Hospital bed density

2.9 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

49.16 deaths/1,000 live births 51.16 deaths/1,000 live births 47.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

female

47.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

total

49.16 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Portuguese 98.4% (official), Forro 36.2%, Cabo Verdian 8.5%, French 6.8%, Angolar 6.6%, English 4.9%, Lunguie 1%, other (including sign language) 2.4% shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census (2012 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

64.22 years 62.94 years 65.53 years (2014 est.)

female

65.53 years (2014 est.)

total population

64.22 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 69.5% 80.3% 60.1% (2008 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

60.1% (2008 est.)

male

80.3%

total population

69.5%

Major infectious diseases

high bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria and dengue fever schistosomiasis (2013)

degree of risk

high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases

malaria and dengue fever

water contact disease

schistosomiasis (2013)

Major urban areas - population

SAO TOME (capital) 64,000 (2011)

Maternal mortality rate

70 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

17.8 years 17.3 years 18.2 years (2014 est.)

female

18.2 years (2014 est.)

male

17.3 years

total

17.8 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

19.4 median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2008-09 est.)

Nationality

Sao Tomean(s) Sao Tomean

adjective

Sao Tomean

noun

Sao Tomean(s)

Net migration rate

-8.79 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

9.5% (2008)

Physicians density

0.49 physicians/1,000 population (2004)

Population

190,428 (July 2014 est.)

Population growth rate

1.89% (2014 est.)

Religions

Catholic 55.7%, Adventist 4.1%, Assembly of God 3.4%, New Apostolic 2.9%, Mana 2.3%, Universal Kingdom of God 2%, Jehovah's Witness 1.2%, other 6.2%, none 21.2%, unspecified 1% (2012 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 40.8% of population rural: 23.3% of population total: 34.4% of population urban: 59.2% of population rural: 76.7% of population total: 65.6% of population (2012 est.)

rural

76.7% of population

total

65.6% of population (2012 est.)

urban

59.2% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

11 years 11 years 11 years (2012)

female

11 years (2012)

male

11 years

total

11 years

Sex ratio

1.03 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.84 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

0-14 years

1.04 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.03 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.96 male(s)/female

55-64 years

1 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.84 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

1 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate

4.67 children born/woman (2014 est.)

Urbanization

62.7% of total population (2011) 3.01% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

3.01% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

62.7% of total population (2011)

Administrative divisions

2 provinces; Principe, Sao Tome

Capital

Sao Tome 0 20 N, 6 44 E UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

0 20 N, 6 44 E

name

Sao Tome

time difference

UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Constitution

approved 5 November 1975; revised several times, last in 2003 (2012)

Country name

Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe Sao Tome and Principe Republica Democratica de Sao Tome e Principe Sao Tome e Principe

conventional long form

Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe

conventional short form

Sao Tome and Principe

local long form

Republica Democratica de Sao Tome e Principe

local short form

Sao Tome e Principe

Diplomatic representation from the US

the US does not have an embassy in Sao Tome and Principe; the Ambassador to Gabon is accredited to Sao Tome and Principe on a nonresident basis and makes periodic visits to the islands

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Carlos Filomeno Azevedo AGOSTINHO das Neves (since 3 December 2013) 1211 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20036 [1] (202) 775-2075, 2076 [1] (202) 775-2077

chancery

1211 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20036

chief of mission

Ambassador Carlos Filomeno Azevedo AGOSTINHO das Neves (since 3 December 2013)

FAX

[1] (202) 775-2077

telephone

[1] (202) 775-2075, 2076

Executive branch

President Manuel Pinto DA COSTA (since 3 September 2011) Prime Minister Gabriel Arcanjo Ferreira DA COSTA (since 12 December 2012) Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the proposal of the prime minister president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 17 July and 7 August 2011 (next to be held in 2016); prime minister chosen by the National Assembly and approved by the president Manuel Pinto DA COSTA elected president in a run-off election; percent of vote - Manuel Pinto DA COSTA 52.9%, Evaristo CARVALHO 47.1%

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the proposal of the prime minister

chief of state

President Manuel Pinto DA COSTA (since 3 September 2011)

election results

Manuel Pinto DA COSTA elected president in a run-off election; percent of vote - Manuel Pinto DA COSTA 52.9%, Evaristo CARVALHO 47.1%

elections

president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 17 July and 7 August 2011 (next to be held in 2016); prime minister chosen by the National Assembly and approved by the president

head of government

Prime Minister Gabriel Arcanjo Ferreira DA COSTA (since 12 December 2012)

Flag description

three horizontal bands of green (top), yellow (double width), and green with two black five-pointed stars placed side by side in the center of the yellow band and a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; green stands for the country's rich vegetation, red recalls the struggle for independence, and yellow represents cocoa, one of the country's main agricultural products; the two stars symbolize the two main islands uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Government type

republic

Independence

12 July 1975 (from Portugal)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AOSIS, AU, CD, CPLP, EITI (candidate country), FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (consists of 5 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 5 judges, 3 of which are from the Supreme Court) Supreme Court judges appointed by the National Assembly; judge tenure NA; Constitutional Court judges nominated by the president of the republic and elected by the National Assembly for 5-year terms Court of First Instance; Audit Court

highest court(s)

Supreme Court (consists of 5 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 5 judges, 3 of which are from the Supreme Court)

judge selection and term of office

Supreme Court judges appointed by the National Assembly; judge tenure NA; Constitutional Court judges nominated by the president of the republic and elected by the National Assembly for 5-year terms

subordinate courts

Court of First Instance; Audit Court

Legal system

mixed legal system of civil law base on the Portuguese model and customary law

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (55 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) last held on 1 August 2010 (next to be held in 2014) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ADI 26, MLSTP-PSD 21, PCD 7, MDFM 1

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ADI 26, MLSTP-PSD 21, PCD 7, MDFM 1

elections

last held on 1 August 2010 (next to be held in 2014)

National anthem

"Independencia total" (Total Independence) Alda Neves DA GRACA do Espirito Santo/Manuel dos Santos Barreto de Sousa e ALMEIDA adopted 1975

lyrics/music

Alda Neves DA GRACA do Espirito Santo/Manuel dos Santos Barreto de Sousa e ALMEIDA

name

"Independencia total" (Total Independence)

National holiday

Independence Day, 12 July (1975)

Political parties and leaders

Force for Change Democratic Movement or MDFM [Fradigue Bandeira Melo DE MENEZES] Independent Democratic Action or ADI [Patrice TROVOADA] Movement for the Liberation of Sao Tome and Principe-Social Democratic Party or MLSTP-PSD [Aurelio MARTINS] Party for Democratic Convergence-Reflection Group or PCD-GR [Leonel Mario D'ALVA] other small parties

Political pressure groups and leaders

Association of Sao Tome and Principe NGOs or FONG the media

other

the media

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, copra, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, bananas, papayas, beans; poultry; fish

Budget

$83.94 million $120.3 million (2013 est.)

expenditures

$120.3 million (2013 est.)

revenues

$83.94 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-11.7% of GDP (2013 est.)

Central bank discount rate

16% (31 December 2009) 28% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

26% (31 December 2013 est.) 26% (31 December 2012 est.)

Current account balance

-$59 million (2013 est.) -$58.7 million (2012 est.)

Debt - external

$406.8 million (31 December 2013 est.) $313.3 million (31 December 2012 est.)

Economy - overview

This small, poor island economy has become increasingly dependent on cocoa since independence in 1975. Cocoa production has substantially declined in recent years because of drought and mismanagement. Sao Tome and Principe has to import fuels, most manufactured goods, consumer goods, and a substantial amount of food, making it vulnerable to fluctuations in global commodity prices. Over the years, it has had difficulty servicing its external debt and has relied heavily on concessional aid and debt rescheduling. Sao Tome and Principe benefited from $200 million in debt relief in December 2000 under the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) program, which helped bring down the country's $300 million debt burden. In August 2005, the government signed on to a new 3-year IMF Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) program worth $4.3 million. In April 2011 the country completed a Threshold Country Program with The Millennium Challenge Corporation to help increase tax revenues, reform customs, and improve the business environment. Considerable potential exists for development of a tourist industry, and the government has taken steps to expand facilities in recent years. The government also has attempted to reduce price controls and subsidies. Potential exists for the development of petroleum resources in Sao Tome and Principe's territorial waters in the oil-rich Gulf of Guinea, which are being jointly developed in a 60-40 split with Nigeria, but any actual production is at least several years off. The first production licenses were sold in 2004, though a dispute over licensing with Nigeria delayed the country's receipt of more than $20 million in signing bonuses for almost a year. Maintaining control of inflation, fiscal discipline, and increasing flows of foreign direct investment into the oil sector are the major economic problems facing the country.

Exchange rates

dobras (STD) per US dollar - 18,702 (2013 est.) 19,068 (2012 est.) 18,499 (2010 est.) 16,209 (2009) 14,900 (2008)

Exports

$12.1 million (2013 est.) $12.2 million (2012 est.)

Exports - commodities

cocoa 80%, copra, coffee, palm oil

Exports - partners

Netherlands 33.3%, Belgium 21.8%, Spain 11%, Nigeria 5.6%, US 5.1% (2012)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

137.6% 12% 53.1% -1.4% 13.2% -114.5% (2013 est.)

exports of goods and services

13.2%

government consumption

12%

household consumption

137.6%

imports of goods and services

-114.5%

investment in fixed capital

53.1%

investment in inventories

-1.4%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

13.7% 19.5% 66.8% (2013 est.)

agriculture

13.7%

industry

19.5%

services

66.8% (2013 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$2,200 (2013 est.) $2,200 (2012 est.) $2,300 (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

4.5% (2013 est.) 4% (2012 est.) 4.9% (2011 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$311 million (2013 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$421 million (2013 est.) $402.4 million (2012 est.) $387.8 million (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

Gross national saving

32.7% of GDP (2013 est.) 27.4% of GDP (2012 est.) 16.8% of GDP (2011 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$112.8 million (2013 est.) $115.1 million (2012 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and electrical equipment, food products, petroleum products

Imports - partners

Portugal 63.1%, Gabon 5.4% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

4% (2013 est.)

Industries

light construction, textiles, soap, beer, fish processing, timber

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

8.7% (2013 est.) 10.6% (2012 est.)

Labor force

52,490 (2007)

Labor force - by occupation

population mainly engaged in subsistence agriculture and fishing; shortages of skilled workers

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

66.2% (2009 est.)

Public debt

65.5% of GDP (2013 est.) 75.5% of GDP (2012 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$46.6 million (31 December 2013 est.) $51.59 million (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of broad money

$109.9 million (31 December 2013 est.) $99.74 million (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$97.37 million (31 December 2013 est.) $94.99 million (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$47.43 million (31 December 2013 est.) $38.63 million (31 December 2012 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

27% of GDP (2013 est.)

Unemployment rate

NA%

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

151,600 Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.)

Electricity - consumption

27.9 million kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2012)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

57.1% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

42.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

14,000 kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

30 million kWh (2010 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

904 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

889 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Broadcast media

1 government-owned TV station; 1 government-owned radio station; 3 independent local radio stations authorized in 2005 with 2 operating at the end of 2006; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available (2007)

Internet country code

.st

Internet hosts

1,678 (2012)

Internet users

26,700 (2009)

Telephone system

local telephone network of adequate quality with most lines connected to digital switches combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 65 telephones per 100 persons country code - 239; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2010)

domestic

combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 65 telephones per 100 persons

general assessment

local telephone network of adequate quality with most lines connected to digital switches

international

country code - 239; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2010)

Telephones - main lines in use

8,000 (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

122,000 (2012)

Airports

2 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

1 (2013)

total

2

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 1, cargo 2 2 (China 1, Greece 1) (2010)

foreign-owned

2 (China 1, Greece 1) (2010)

total

3

Ports and terminals

Sao Tome

major seaport(s)

Sao Tome

Roadways

320 km 218 km 102 km (2000)

total

320 km

unpaved

102 km (2000)

Manpower available for military service

39,182 39,845 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

39,845 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

39,182

Manpower fit for military service

27,310 29,279 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

29,279 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

27,310

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

2,076 2,003 (2010 est.)

female

2,003 (2010 est.)

male

2,076

Military - note

Sao Tome and Principe's army is a tiny force with almost no resources at its disposal and would be wholly ineffective operating unilaterally; infantry equipment is considered simple to operate and maintain but may require refurbishment or replacement after 25 years in tropical climates; poor pay, working conditions, and alleged nepotism in the promotion of officers have been problems in the past, as reflected in the 1995 and 2003 coups; these issues are being addressed with foreign assistance aimed at improving the army and its focus on realistic security concerns; command is exercised from the president, through the Minister of Defense, to the Chief of the Armed Forces (infantry, technical issues) and the Chief of the General Staff (logistics, administration, finances) (2012)

Military branches

Armed Forces of Sao Tome and Principe (Forcas Armadas de Sao Tome e Principe, FASTP): Army, Coast Guard of Sao Tome e Principe (Guarda Costeira de Sao Tome e Principe, GCSTP); also called "Navy"), Presidential Guard (2013)

Armed Forces of Sao Tome and Principe (Forcas Armadas de Sao Tome e Principe, FASTP)

Army, Coast Guard of Sao Tome e Principe (Guarda Costeira de Sao Tome e Principe, GCSTP); also called "Navy"), Presidential Guard (2013)

Military service age and obligation

18 is the legal minimum age for compulsory military service; 17 is the legal minimum age for voluntary service (2012)

Disputes - international

none