International São Tomé and Príncipe relations

Country profile & diplomacy overview · 6 relations tracked

São Tomé and Príncipe is a small island nation located in the Gulf of Guinea, off the western coast of Central Africa. It is made up of two main islands, São Tomé and Príncipe, and several smaller islands. The country has a total population of around 210,000 people and is known for its tropical climate, beautiful beaches, and rich biodiversity.

Population

220.0K#179 of 203

Land area

964 km²#175 of 203

GDP

$981.3M#189 of 197

Global influence

#197Very Low

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Closest relations Strained relations São Tomé and Príncipe No data

São Tomé and Príncipe gained independence from Portugal in 1975 and has since been a democratic republic. The country has a presidential system of government, with the president serving as both head of state and head of government. The capital city is São Tomé.

São Tomé and Príncipe has a diverse economy, with a mix of agriculture, forestry, and fishing. The country is also home to some small-scale industries, including food processing, textiles, and construction. The main exports of São Tomé and Príncipe are cocoa, coffee, and fish.

São Tomé and Príncipe is a member of the African Union and the Community of Portuguese Language Countries. It has strong ties to Portugal, Brazil, and other countries in the region. The country has a relatively stable political climate, with relatively few major conflicts or tensions. However, like many developing countries, it faces challenges such as poverty, lack of infrastructure, and limited access to healthcare and education.

Geography & terrain

A small, mountainous volcanic island nation in the Gulf of Guinea, densely forested with a tropical, humid climate. It is entirely coastal, with no land borders at all. Its remoteness has historically made outright land invasion unlikely, but small size and lack of any interior depth mean it has always been easy to blockade or dominate from the sea.

Key facts

Diverse sources: UN, World Bank, São Tomé and Príncipe Statistics Office/Department. Most recent available data
Capital	Sao Tome (71.9K people, 32.7% of total population)
Population	220.0K (#179 of 203 countries)
Land area	964 km² (#175 of 203 countries)
Main religion	Christianity
Life expectancy	65 years

Source: World Bank Open Data. Most recent available data (2025)
Currency	São Tomé and Príncipe Dobra
Main language(s)	Portuguese
Government type	Semi-presidential republic
Time zone	UTC+0.0
GDP	$981.3M (#189 of 197 countries)
GDP per capita	$4.1K (#134 of 198 countries)
International calling code	+239
Driving side	Right
UNESCO World Heritage Sites	0
Nuclear power	No
European Union	Not a member
NATO	Not a member
Other groups	African Union

Land borders

São Tomé and Príncipe has no land borders (it is an island nation or otherwise has no neighboring countries).

Most similar countries, by language, currency, GDP per capita, borders & international groups

Rank #197 Very Low International Influence

São Tomé and Príncipe's actions have no significant effect on the world, and a very limited impact on other countries.

See the full world influence ranking →

Most intense relations

Top 5 relations of São Tomé and Príncipe by overall intensity. Intensity reflects the level and significance of interaction—not whether the relationship is positive or negative.

Closest relations

Top 5 closest relations of São Tomé and Príncipe, by score

Most strained relations

Top 5 strained relations of São Tomé and Príncipe, by score

Relations by category

Excellent: 8-10 · Good: 6-8 · Neutral: 4-6 · Bad: 2-4 · Very bad: 0-2

relations

Good 3 · 50%
Neutral 3 · 50%

All relations of São Tomé and Príncipe

São Tomé and Príncipe has no historical data recorded yet with these countries. Their relation pages still exist, with a neutral starting score.

Undocumented relations of São Tomé and Príncipe