Country explorer: Sao Tome and Principe

Sao Tome and Principe has experienced a significant transformation in its economy, characterized by a steady increase in GDP per capita, a reduction in the proportion of the population living in poverty, a fluctuating but generally improving unemployment rate, and varying inflation rates, indicating a mixed but gradually improving economic landscape compared to its lower-middle-income peers.

Sao Tome and Principe has experienced moderate population growth, with a notable reduction in net migration losses, a gradual decrease in fertility rates, and a significant improvement in life expectancy, mirroring broader trends observed in lower-middle-income countries.

Sao Tome and Principe have shown a notable progression in increasing access to electricity and safely managed drinking water, albeit with a gradual improvement in safely managed sanitation facilities and minimal growth in access to clean cooking fuels, reflecting an ongoing struggle with basic needs that aligns with broader challenges faced by lower-middle-income countries.

Sao Tome and Principe has seen consistent improvements across key human development indicators, marked by a noticeable increase in the Human Development Index, a significant reduction in child mortality rates, and a substantial rise in both literacy rates and educational outcomes, paralleling trends observed in other lower-middle-income countries.

Sao Tome and Principe has shown a commitment to sustainable environmental practices, evidenced by a gradual decrease in per capita CO₂ emissions and a subtle increase then decrease in forest area, alongside efforts to diversify electricity production with an increase in renewable sources, reflecting a balance between economic development and environmental conservation similar to trends in other lower-middle-income countries.

Sao Tome and Principe has seen a steady rise in internet usage and mobile subscriptions, indicative of its growing digital connectivity, albeit with limited data on R&D and scientific publishing when compared to its peers.

Sao Tome and Principe has witnessed a reduction in gender inequality and a moderate fluctuation in its age dependency ratio, reflecting a slow but positive societal transformation towards greater gender parity and a stable demographic structure, mirroring trends seen in lower-middle-income countries.

Sao Tome and Principe has seen gradual improvements in governance indicators, showing a steady increase in the rule of law index, a consistent perception of corruption mitigation, and sustained commitment to political civil liberties, which sets it apart from many of its peers by demonstrating progress and stability in these areas.