Economy — São Tomé and Príncipe
GDP, employment, industries, public finance, and currency.
Profile updated 2026-06-02
⚡ Economy at a glance
GDP, employment, industries, public finance, and currency. Key figure for São Tomé and Príncipe: São Tomé and Príncipe is a small island nation with an economy that is heavily reliant on agriculture, fisheries, and international aid. Here's an overview of the economy of São Tomé and Príncipe: Agriculture: Agriculture is the backbone of São Tomé and Príncipe's economy, employing a significant port…
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Economic overview
- Economic Overview
- Agriculture: Agriculture is the backbone of São Tomé and Príncipe's economy, employing a significant portion of the population and contributing to both domestic food supply and export revenue. The main agricultural products include cocoa, coffee, palm oil, coconuts, and bananas. Cocoa is the country's primary export crop, with São Tomé and Príncipe
- being known for producing high-quality cocoa beans. Fisheries: The fisheries sector plays an essential role in São Tomé and Príncipe's economy, providing employment opportunities and a vital source of protein for the population. The country's waters are rich in fish and other marine resources, making fisheries a significant contribu
- tor to both domestic consumption and export earnings. Tourism: Tourism has the potential to become a significant driver of economic growth in São Tomé and Príncipe due to the country's natural beauty, pristine beaches, and unique biodiversity. However, the tourism industry is still relatively underdeveloped compared to other tropical destinations. Efforts are underway to promote tourism and attract investment in infrastructure and hospitality servic
- es to capitalize on the sector's potential. International Aid: São Tomé and Príncipe relies heavily on international aid and assistance to support its development efforts, address socio-economic challenges, and finance public projects. Development partners, including bilateral and multilateral organizations, provide financial aid, technical assistance, and capacity-building support to the government in various sectors such as healthcare, education, infrastructure,
- and governance. Challenges: Despite its potential, São Tomé and Príncipe faces several economic challenges, including limited infrastructure, high unemployment rates, poverty, and vulnerability to external shocks. The country's small size, isolation, and susceptibility to natural disasters further
- exacerbate these challenges. Efforts to Diversify the Economy: São Tomé and Príncipe's government has recognized the need to diversify the economy away from its heavy dependence on agriculture and fisheries. Efforts are underway to promote economic diversification, attract foreign investment, improve infrastructure, enhance human capital development, and create a more conducive business environment to stimulate private sector growth and reduce reliance on external aid.
- Industries
- light construction, textiles, soap, beer
- fish processing
- timber
- GDP - per capita (PPP)
$3,400.00 (USD)
- GDP - real growth rate
5%
GDP & growth
- GDP - Gross Domestic Product (PPP)
$890,000,000 (USD)
- GDP Per Capita
$3,400.00 (USD)
- GDP - real growth rate
5%
- GDP - official exchange rate
$326,000,000 (USD)
- GDP - composition, by end use
- household consumption: 85%
- government consumption: 13.2%
- investment in fixed capital: 48.4%
- investment in inventories: -0.1%
- exports of goods and services: 12.3%
- imports of goods and services: -58.8%
- GDP by Sector- agriculture
18.4%
- GDP by Sector- Industry
16%
- GDP by Sector- services
65.6%
- Industrial Growth Rate
7%
Prices & money
- Inflation Rate
13%
- Exchange Rate per US Dollar
dobra (STD)
- Currency Name and Code
Dobra (STD)
- Fiscal Year
calendar year
- Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate
26%
Employment & labor
- Labor Force
52,490
- Major Industries
- light construction, textiles, soap, beer
- fish processing
- timber
- Agriculture Products
- cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, copra, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, bananas, papayas, beans
- poultry
- fish
- Population Below Poverty Line
54%
- Child Labor - # of children ages 5-14
3,235
- Child Labor - % of children ages 5-14
8%
Labor notes
- Labor Force by Occupation - note
population mainly engaged in subsistence agriculture and fishing; shortages of skilled workers
Public finance
- Annual Budget
$35,560,000 (USD)
- Budget Surplus or Deficit - percent of GDP
-11.7%
- Taxes and other revenues - percent of GDP
27%