Sao Tome and Principe Factsheet Population & Demographics

 Population & Demographics 

Total population and density

- 2025 estimates: 234,100 – 242,685 

- Population density: 219–250 inhabitants/km² (highest along coastal areas)

Urbanisation and distribution

Urban population: 73–78%

Distribution between the two main islands: 

– São Tomé island: ≈ 95–95.3% of total population (≈ 199,000–230,000) 

– Príncipe island (Autonomous Region): ≈ 4.7–5% (≈ 9,830–10,000 inhabitants)

Distribution within São Tomé island

– Água Grande (capital district incl. São Tomé city): ≈ 35–38% (≈ 79,000–85,000) – by far the most densely populated – Mé-Zóchi: ≈ 20% 

– Lobata: ≈ 9–10% 

– Cantagalo: ≈ 8–9% 

– Caué (southern, least populated): ≈ 6–7% 

– Lembá: ≈ 6–7% 

– Autonomous Region of Príncipe: ≈ 5%

Age structure, life expectancy, health indicators

- Extremely young population: ~37–40% under 15 years; ~62% under 25 years

- Median age: 19.5–20.4 years

- Life expectancy: 67.8–69.9 years (women ≈ 73, men ≈ 66)

- Birth rate: ≈ 27.4 / 1,000

- Infant mortality: ≈ 27 / 1,000 live births

- Total fertility rate: 3.41 children per woman

Ethnic groups

- Predominantly mestizo (mixed African–Portuguese descent)

- Historic groups: Forros (descendants of freed slaves), Angolares (descendants of escaped Angolan slaves), Tongas (children of contract workers)

- Smaller communities from Cape Verde, Angola, Mozambique, Portugal, and Asia

Languages

Official language: Portuguese (spoken by ≈ 98.4%)

Portuguese-based creoles:  

- Forro (São Tomé Creole): ≈ 36.2% – 

- Cabo Verdean Creole: ≈ 8.5% 

- Angolar: ≈ 6.6% 

- Principense (Lunguyê): ≈ 1% (critically endangered)

Religion

Literacy and education

 Literacy rate (age 15+): 92.8–95% – one of the highest in sub-Saharan Africa Education compulsory and free until age 15; high enrolment, but secondary/tertiary infrastructure remains limited outside the capital.