Share of population living in cities in Sao Tome and Principe
Sao Tome and Principe: Share of population living in cities was 62.1% in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Share of population living in cities in Sao Tome and Principe, 1950–2020
Source: European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2020, share of population living in cities in Sao Tome and Principe stood at 62.1%. That is the highest value across all 15 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 12.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of population living in cities in Sao Tome and Principe peaked at 62.1% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 0.0%, in 1950.
Sao Tome and Principe ranks 31st of 236 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Share of population living in cities in Sao Tome and Principe, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 0.0% | — |
| 1955 | 0.0% | — |
| 1960 | 0.0% | — |
| 1965 | 0.0% | — |
| 1970 | 0.0% | — |
| 1975 | 0.0% | — |
| 1980 | 0.0% | — |
| 1985 | 0.0% | — |
| 1990 | 47.9% | — |
| 1995 | 49.3% | +3.0% |
| 2000 | 54.1% | +9.7% |
| 2005 | 54.5% | +0.8% |
| 2010 | 55.1% | +1.1% |
| 2015 | 57.2% | +3.7% |
| 2020 | 62.1% | +8.7% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 2 |
| 1960s | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 2 |
| 1970s | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 2 |
| 1980s | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 2 |
| 1990s | 48.6% | 47.9% | 49.3% | 2 |
| 2000s | 54.3% | 54.1% | 54.5% | 2 |
| 2010s | 56.2% | 55.1% | 57.2% | 2 |
| 2020s | 62.1% | 62.1% | 62.1% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Sao Tome and Principe
More population data for Sao Tome and Principe
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.2436 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.2548 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -8.57 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.2548 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development 0.2% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 34,182 people (2100)
- Population density 556.27 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth 0.2% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.518 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 1.9 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of population living in cities in Sao Tome and Principe?
- Share of population living in cities in Sao Tome and Principe was 62.1% in 2020, according to European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of population living in cities recorded in Sao Tome and Principe?
- The highest recorded value was 62.1% in 2020.
- What is the lowest share of population living in cities recorded in Sao Tome and Principe?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0% in 1950.
- How does Sao Tome and Principe rank for share of population living in cities?
- Sao Tome and Principe ranks 31st out of 236 countries with data for 2020.
- Is share of population living in cities rising or falling in Sao Tome and Principe?
- Over the last ten years it is up 12.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sao Tome and Principe data come from?
- The figures come from European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of population living in cities. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated share of the population living in cities. Cities are identified using satellite imagery and population data, applying the same definitions across countries.