Understand the demographic development of Sao Tome and Principe through historical population data by age and sex.
Review the age and gender distribution of Sao Tome and Principe's population and compare demographic changes over time.
As of 2025, Sao Tome and Principe's population stands at approximately 240,254 people. Over the past five years it has grown by +10.49%, and over the past ten years by +19.95%.
Sao Tome and Principe ranks 181st of 217 countries by total population, and 48th by five-year population growth. Growth momentum is currently accelerating (+1.66% → +2.02% per year).
By gender, female residents make up the larger share of the population, at 50.3% (50.3% female vs 49.7% male).
By broad age group, the working-age (15-64) group accounts for the largest share of the population: 37.5% are under 15, 58.6% are aged 15-64, and 3.9% are aged 65 and above.
The share of the population under 15 is currently falling, and peaked at 46.2% in 1970.
The share of the population aged 60 and above has been rising, from 5.8% in 1960 to 6.1% in 2025.
Population of Sao Tome and Principe by Year: Total, Gender and Broad Age Groups
Data source: World Bank, World Development Indicators — Population, total (SP.POP.TOTL); population by gender (SP.POP.TOTL.MA.IN, SP.POP.TOTL.FE.IN); population by broad age group (SP.POP.0014.TO, SP.POP.1564.TO, SP.POP.65UP.TO). License: CC BY-4.0. Retrieved 2026-07-10.
Sao Tome and Principe Population by Five-Year Age Cohorts and Gender
Data source: World Bank, World Development Indicators — Population by five-year age groups and sex (SP.POP.0004.MA … SP.POP.80UP.FE). License: CC BY-4.0. Retrieved 2026-07-10.