2017 Edition

CIA World Factbook 2017 Archive (HTML)

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Countries

268

Data Records

71,914

Sao Tome and Principe

2017 Edition · 305 data fields

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Introduction

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 four failed, non-violent coup attempts in 1995, 1998, 2003, and 2009. In 2012, three opposition parties combined in a no confidence vote to bring down the majority government of former Prime Minister Patrice TROVOADA, but in 2014, legislative elections returned him to the office. President Evaristo CARVALHO, of the same political party as Prime Minister TROVOADA, was elected in September 2016, marking a rare instance in which the positions of president and prime minister are held by the same party. New oil discoveries in the Gulf of Guinea may attract increased attention to the small island nation.

Geography

Area

964 sq km 964 sq km 0 sq km
land: 964 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

NA lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Pico de Sao Tome 2,024 m
elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Pico de Sao Tome 2,024 m
mean elevation: NA

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

100 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

50.7% arable land 9.1%; permanent crops 40.6%; permanent pasture 1% 28.1% 21.2% (2011 est.)
agricultural land: 50.7%
forest: 28.1%
other: 21.2% (2011 est.)

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

flooding

Natural resources

fish, hydropower

Population - distribution

Sao Tome, the capital city, has roughly a quarter of the nation's population; Santo Antonio is the largest town on Principe; the northern areas of both islands have the highest population densities

Terrain

volcanic, mountainous

People and Society

Age structure

41.85% (male 42,781/female 41,354) 20.68% (male 21,070/female 20,507) 30.82% (male 30,454/female 31,509) 3.81% (male 3,515/female 4,140) 2.83% (male 2,523/female 3,172) (2017 est.)
0-14 years: 41.85% (male 42,781/female 41,354)
15-24 years: 20.68% (male 21,070/female 20,507)
25-54 years: 30.82% (male 30,454/female 31,509)
55-64 years: 3.81% (male 3,515/female 4,140)
65 years and over: 2.83% (male 2,523/female 3,172) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

32.4 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

8.8% (2014)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

40.6% (2014)

Death rate

6.8 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Demographic profile

Sao Tome and Principe’s youthful age structure – more than 60% of the population is under the age of 25 – and high fertility rate ensure future population growth. Although Sao Tome has a net negative international migration rate, emigration is not a sufficient safety valve to reduce already high levels of unemployment and poverty. While literacy and primary school attendance have improved in recent years, Sao Tome still struggles to improve its educational quality and to increase its secondary school completion rate. Despite some improvements in education and access to healthcare, Sao Tome and Principe has much to do to decrease its high poverty rate, create jobs, and increase its economic growth. The population of Sao Tome and Principe descends primarily from the islands’ colonial Portuguese settlers, who first arrived in the late 15th century, and the much larger number of African slaves brought in for sugar production and the slave trade. For about 100 years after the abolition of slavery in 1876, the population was further shaped by the widespread use of imported unskilled contract laborers from Portugal’s other African colonies, who worked on coffee and cocoa plantations. In the first decades after abolition, most workers were brought from Angola under a system similar to slavery. While Angolan laborers were technically free, they were forced or coerced into long contracts that were automatically renewed and extended to their children. Other contract workers from Mozambique and famine-stricken Cape Verde first arrived in the early 20th century under short-term contracts and had the option of repatriation, although some chose to remain in Sao Tome and Principe. Today’s Sao Tomean population consists of mesticos (creole descendants of the European immigrants and African slaves that first inhabited the islands), forros (descendants of freed African slaves), angolares (descendants of runaway African slaves that formed a community in the south of Sao Tome Island and today are fishermen), servicais (contract laborers from Angola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde), tongas (locally born children of contract laborers), and lesser numbers of Europeans and Asians.

Dependency ratios

86.7 81.1 5.6 17.8 (2015 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 5.6
potential support ratio: 17.8 (2015 est.)
total dependency ratio: 86.7
youth dependency ratio: 81.1

Drinking water source

urban: 98.9% of population rural: 93.6% of population total: 97.1% of population urban: 1.1% of population rural: 6.4% of population total: 2.9% of population (2015 est.)
rural: 6.4% of population
total: 2.9% of population (2015 est.)
urban: 1.1% of population

Education expenditures

3.9% of GDP (2014)

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

8.4% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

HIV/AIDS - deaths

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

Hospital bed density

2.9 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

45.3 deaths/1,000 live births 47.2 deaths/1,000 live births 43.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)
female: 43.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)
male: 47.2 deaths/1,000 live births
total: 45.3 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.)
note: shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census (2012 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

65.3 years 63.9 years 66.7 years (2017 est.)
female: 66.7 years (2017 est.)
male: 63.9 years
total population: 65.3 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 74.9% 81.8% 68.4% (2015 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
female: 68.4% (2015 est.)
male: 81.8%
total population: 74.9%

Major infectious diseases

high bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria and dengue fever schistosomiasis (2016)
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 (2016)

Major urban areas - population

SAO TOME (capital) 71,000 (2014)

Maternal mortality rate

156 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

18.4 years 18 years 18.8 years (2017 est.)
female: 18.8 years (2017 est.)
male: 18 years
total: 18.4 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

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

-8.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

12.4% (2016)

Population

201,025 (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

Sao Tome, the capital city, has roughly a quarter of the nation's population; Santo Antonio is the largest town on Principe; the northern areas of both islands have the highest population densities

Population growth rate

1.72% (2017 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: 34.7% of population urban: 59.2% of population rural: 76.7% of population total: 65.3% of population (2015 est.)
rural: 76.7% of population
total: 65.3% of population (2015 est.)
urban: 59.2% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

13 years 13 years 13 years (2015)
female: 13 years (2015)
male: 13 years
total: 13 years

Sex ratio

1.03 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female 0.84 male(s)/female 0.81 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2016 est.)
0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.84 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

4.25 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

20.8% NA NA (2012 est.)
female: NA (2012 est.)
male: NA
total: 20.8%

Urbanization

66.2% of total population (2017) 3.03% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
rate of urbanization: 3.03% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
urban population: 66.2% of total population (2017)

Government

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)

Citizenship

no at least one parent must be a citizen of Sao Tome and Principe no 5 years
citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Sao Tome and Principe
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

Constitution

approved 5 November 1975 proposed by the National Assembly; passage requires two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly; the Assembly can propose to the president of the republic that an amendment be submitted to a referendum; revised several times, last in 2006 (2017)
amendments: proposed by the National Assembly; passage requires two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly; the Assembly can propose to the president of the republic that an amendment be submitted to a referendum; revised several times, last in 2006 (2017)
history: approved 5 November 1975

Country name

Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe Sao Tome and Principe Republica Democratica de Sao Tome e Principe Sao Tome e Principe Sao Tome was named after Saint THOMAS the Apostle by the Portuguese who discovered the island on 21 December 1470 (or 1471), the saint's feast day; Principe is a shortening of the original Portuguese name of "Ilha do Principe" (Isle of the Prince) referring to the Prince of Portugal to whom duties on the island's sugar crop were paid
conventional long form: Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe
conventional short form: Sao Tome and Principe
etymology: Sao Tome was named after Saint THOMAS the Apostle by the Portuguese who discovered the island on 21 December 1470 (or 1471), the saint's feast day; Principe is a shortening of the original Portuguese name of "Ilha do Principe" (Isle of the Prince) referring to the Prince of Portugal to whom duties on the island's sugar crop were paid
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 US Ambassador to Gabon is accredited to Sao Tome and Principe on a nonresident basis

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Carlos Filomeno Azevedo Agostinho das NEVES (since 3 December 2013) 675 Third Avenue, Suite 1807, New York, NY 10017 [1] (212) 651-8116 [1] (212) 651-8117
chancery: 675 Third Avenue, Suite 1807, New York, NY 10017
chief of mission: Ambassador Carlos Filomeno Azevedo Agostinho das NEVES (since 3 December 2013)
FAX: [1] (212) 651-8117
telephone: [1] (212) 651-8116

Executive branch

President Evaristo CARVALHO (since 3 September 2016) Prime Minister Patrice Emery TROVOADA (since 29 November 2014) Council of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, appointed by the president president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 7 July 2016 and 7 August 2016 (next to be held in July 2021); prime minister chosen by the National Assembly and approved by the president Evaristo CARVALHO elected president; percent of vote - Evaristo CARVALHO (ADI) 49.8%, Manuel Pinto DA COSTA (independent) 24.8%, Maria DAS NEVES (MLSTP-PSD) 24.1%; note - first round results for CARVALHO were revised downward from just over 50%, prompting the 7 August runoff; however, on 1 August 2016 DA COSTA withdrew from the runoff, citing voting irregularities, and CARVALHO was declared the winner
cabinet: Council of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, appointed by the president
chief of state: President Evaristo CARVALHO (since 3 September 2016)
election results: Evaristo CARVALHO elected president; percent of vote - Evaristo CARVALHO (ADI) 49.8%, Manuel Pinto DA COSTA (independent) 24.8%, Maria DAS NEVES (MLSTP-PSD) 24.1%; note - first round results for CARVALHO were revised downward from just over 50%, prompting the 7 August runoff; however, on 1 August 2016 DA COSTA withdrew from the runoff, citing voting irregularities, and CARVALHO was declared the winner
elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 7 July 2016 and 7 August 2016 (next to be held in July 2021); prime minister chosen by the National Assembly and approved by the president
head of government: Prime Minister Patrice Emery TROVOADA (since 29 November 2014)

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
note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Government type

semi-presidential 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, CEMAC, 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), MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Supremo Tribunal Justica (consists of 5 judges); Constitutional Court or Tribunal Constitucional (consists of 5 judges, 3 of whom 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 or Supremo Tribunal Justica (consists of 5 judges); Constitutional Court or Tribunal Constitucional (consists of 5 judges, 3 of whom 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 directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms) last held on 12 October 2014 (next to be held in October 2018) percent of vote by party - ADI 52.6%, MLSTP-PSD 24.7%, PCD-GR 11%, other 11.7%; seats by party - ADI 33, MLSTP-PSD 16, PCD-GR 5, other 1
description: unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (55 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms)
election results: percent of vote by party - ADI 52.6%, MLSTP-PSD 24.7%, PCD-GR 11%, other 11.7%; seats by party - ADI 33, MLSTP-PSD 16, PCD-GR 5, other 1
elections: last held on 12 October 2014 (next to be held in October 2018)

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)
note: adopted 1975

National holiday

Independence Day, 12 July (1975)

National symbol(s)

palm tree; national colors: green, yellow, red, black
palm tree; national colors: green, yellow, red, black

Political parties and leaders

Force for Democratic Change Movement or MDFM [Fradique 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 media
other: media

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Economy

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

$105.6 million $120 million (2016 est.)
expenditures: $120 million (2016 est.)
revenues: $105.6 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-4.1% of GDP (2016 est.)

Central bank discount rate

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

Commercial bank prime lending rate

19.59% (31 December 2016 est.) 23.31% (31 December 2015 est.)

Current account balance

$-22 million (2016 est.) $-68.6 million (2015 est.)

Debt - external

$308.5 million (31 December 2016 est.) $249.4 million (31 December 2015 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 food, making it vulnerable to fluctuations in global commodity prices. Maintaining control of inflation, fiscal discipline, and increasing flows of foreign direct investment into the nascent oil sector are major economic problems facing the country. The government also has attempted to reduce price controls and subsidies. Over the years, Sao Tome and Principe has had difficulty servicing its external debt and has relied heavily on concessional aid and debt rescheduling. It benefited from $200 million in debt relief in December 2000 under the Highly Indebted Poor Countries program, which helped bring down the country's $300 million debt burden. 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. In 2016, Sao Tome and Portugal signed a five-year cooperation agreement worth approximately $64 million, some of which will be provided as loans. Considerable potential exists for development of a tourist industry, and the government has taken steps to expand facilities in recent years. Potential also 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. Volatile aid and investment inflows, even with a growing tourism sector, have kept growth moderate at around 4% annually, which is insufficient to alleviate poverty. The IMF in late 2016 expressed concern about the country’s banking sector vulnerabilities.

Exchange rates

dobras (STD) per US dollar - 22,149 (2016 est.) 22,149 (2015 est.) 22,091 (2014 est.) 18,466 (2013 est.) 19,068 (2012 est.)

Exports

$13.6 million (2016 est.) $11.3 million (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

cocoa 80%, copra, coffee, palm oil (2010 est.)

Exports - partners

Germany 23.3%, Netherlands 13.8%, Portugal 10%, Angola 6.4%, South Korea 5.2%, Peru 4.5%, Dominican Republic 4.1% (2016)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

81.2% 20.8% 33.3% 0% 8.8% -44.2% (2016 est.)
exports of goods and services: 8.8%
government consumption: 20.8%
household consumption: 81.2%
imports of goods and services: -44.2% (2016 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 33.3%
investment in inventories: 0%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

12.1% 14.8% 73.2% (2016 est.)
agriculture: 12.1%
industry: 14.8%
services: 73.2% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$3,100 (2016 est.) $3,000 (2015 est.) $3,000 (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars
note: data are in 2016 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

4.1% (2016 est.) 4% (2015 est.) 4.1% (2014 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$351 million (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$638 million (2016 est.) $606 million (2015 est.) $576 million (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars
note: data are in 2016 dollars

Gross national saving

21.6% of GDP (2016 est.) 19.1% of GDP (2015 est.) 3.3% of GDP (2014 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%
highest 10%: NA%
lowest 10%: NA%

Imports

$119.1 million (2016 est.) $118.9 million (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and electrical equipment, food products, petroleum products

Imports - partners

Portugal 58.8%, Angola 15.2%, China 5.3% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

4.5% (2016 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

5.4% (2016 est.) 5.2% (2015 est.)

Labor force

67,870 (2016 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

26.1% 21.4% 52.5% (2014 est.)
agriculture: 26.1%
industry: 21.4%
services: 52.5% (2014 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

66.2% (2009 est.)

Public debt

58.8% of GDP (2016 est.) 56.7% of GDP (2015 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$61.5 million (31 December 2016 est.) $72.86 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of broad money

$116.3 million (31 December 2016 est.) $126.7 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$2.2 million (31 December 2016 est.) $2.5 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$430.3 million (31 December 2016 est.) $409.5 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$72.19 million (31 December 2016 est.) $72.71 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$65.47 million (31 December 2016 est.) $63.82 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

30.2% of GDP (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

12.6% (2016 est.) 13.6% (2015 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 users

50,000 25.8% (July 2016 est.)
percent of population: 25.8% (July 2016 est.)
total: 50,000

Telephone system

local telephone network of adequate quality with most lines connected to digital switches combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 70 telephones per 100 persons country code - 239; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2016)
domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 70 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) (2016)

Telephones - fixed lines

5,733 3 (July 2016 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (July 2016 est.)
total subscriptions: 5,733

Telephones - mobile cellular

132,000 68 (July 2016 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 68 (July 2016 est.)
total: 132,000

Transportation

Airports

2 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2017)
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2017)
total: 2

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

S9 (2016)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 1, cargo 2 2 (China 1, Greece 1) (2010)
by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 2
foreign-owned: 2 (China 1, Greece 1) (2010)
total: 3

National air transport system

50,716 0 mt-km (2015)
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 0 mt-km (2015)
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 50,716
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 1
number of registered air carriers: 1

Ports and terminals

Sao Tome
major seaport(s): Sao Tome

Roadways

320 km 218 km 102 km (2000)
paved: 218 km
total: 320 km
unpaved: 102 km (2000)

Military and Security

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, National Guard (2015)
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, National Guard (2015)

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)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international

none