Population and Demographics of São Tomé and Príncipe
Population changed +2.02% in 2024 · median age 19 years
The age balance in São Tomé and Príncipe spans 37.83% under 15 and 3.90% aged 65 or older. The age structure puts 58.27% in the 15-to-64 band, leaving a 33.93-point gap between children and older adults. By 2050, the medium path points to 365.1 thousand, equivalent to a +55.0% change from the 2024 estimate.
Population Over Time in São Tomé and Príncipe
Since 2000, São Tomé and Príncipe's population has grown from 0.144M to 0.236M, a net shift of about 0.09 million. For 2050, the medium projection is 0.365M. That is a difference of about 0.13 million people from the 2024 estimate. The chart connects dated reference points only and should not be read as an annual interpolated series.
Age Structure and Sex Balance
The age distribution adds important context to São Tomé and Príncipe's 2024 population total and points to a very young profile. At 37.83%, the under-15 group is larger than the 3.90% aged 65+, while ages 15 to 64 account for 58.27%. The age balance is weighted toward younger residents.
Population by broad age group
São Tomé and Príncipe's 2024 population is 50.3% female and 49.7% male in the World Bank series. The split is close to even.
Female and male population share
Females made up 50.3% of the population in the World Bank's 2024 series, compared with 49.7% males.
What Is Shaping Population Change
The short-run measure for São Tomé and Príncipe is +2.02% population change in 2024, alongside fertility of 3.6, with age composition adding a 33.93-point gap between children and older adults.
Across the historical reference points, São Tomé and Príncipe moved +63.5% from 2000 to 2024, and the 2050 medium path differs from 2024 by +55.0%; interpreting the components of that change requires evidence not supplied by the aggregate series.
2024 estimate for São Tomé and Príncipe. The world comparison value is 2.25 children per woman.
São Tomé and Príncipe vs. World
Using one 2024 comparison table keeps the context consistent. São Tomé and Príncipe's population change is higher than the global rate, fertility is above the global level, and its population is younger than the world median-age profile.
| Indicator | São Tomé and Príncipe | World | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual population change | +2.02% | +0.87% | 2024 |
| Total fertility rate | 3.6 | 2.25 | 2024 |
| Median age | 19 | 30.6 | 2024 |
This comparison avoids mixed-year arithmetic by keeping São Tomé and Príncipe and the world on the same 2024 harmonized demographic table.
Key Takeaways
The 2024 total is 235,536 people. Annual change in the same harmonized table is +2.02%.
Broad age shares show 3.90% aged 65+ compared with 37.83% under 15; the 15 to 64 group accounts for 58.27%.
Females make up 50.3% of the 2024 population in the World Bank indicator, with males at 49.7%.
By 2050, the medium projection is 0.365M, differing from 2024 by roughly 0.13 million people.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of São Tomé and Príncipe?
The 2024 harmonized population estimate for São Tomé and Príncipe is 235,536 people.
Is the population of São Tomé and Príncipe growing or declining?
In the 2024 estimate, São Tomé and Príncipe's population is growing, with annual change of +2.02%.
What percentage of the population of São Tomé and Príncipe is aged 65 or older?
People aged 65 or older account for 3.90% of São Tomé and Príncipe's 2024 population in the UN WPP-based broad age data.
What is the projected population of São Tomé and Príncipe in 2050?
The UN World Population Prospects 2024 medium projection puts São Tomé and Príncipe's 2050 population at 365,115.
What is the fertility rate in São Tomé and Príncipe?
The 2024 harmonized fertility estimate for São Tomé and Príncipe is 3.6 children per woman.
Sources & methodology
This profile uses United Nations World Population Prospects 2024 as the primary framework for globally comparable population, age, fertility and projection data. The World Bank is the primary source for the female population share. Some country values were accessed through secondary retrieval interfaces that republish or organize UN data; those interfaces are identified below as secondary and are not treated as the original statistical publishers.
View sources used for this page
Primary global framework for the population estimates and projections.
Harmonized 2024 country table based on UN World Population Prospects 2024.
Harmonized broad age shares based on UN World Population Prospects 2024.
Harmonized reference for the 2000 population point.
Harmonized 2050 country projection based on UN World Population Prospects 2024.
Used for the 2024 female share; the male share is calculated as the remainder to 100%.