Urban and rural population in Sao Tome and Principe
Sao Tome and Principe: Urban and rural population was 166,189 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
166,189
Change on year
up 2.4%
World rank
187th
of 236 countries
All-time high
166,189
in 2025
All-time low
8,087
in 1950
Years of data
76
1950–2025
Urban and rural population in Sao Tome and Principe, 1950–2025
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for urban and rural population in Sao Tome and Principe is 166,189, measured in 2025. That is the highest value across all 76 years on record.
The figure is up 2.4% on the previous year and up 23.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, urban and rural population in Sao Tome and Principe peaked at 166,189 in 2025 and was at its lowest, 8,087, in 1950.
That places Sao Tome and Principe 187th out of 236 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Urban and rural population in Sao Tome and Principe, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 8,087 | — |
| 1951 | 8,238 | +1.9% |
| 1952 | 8,385 | +1.8% |
| 1953 | 8,554 | +2.0% |
| 1954 | 8,745 | +2.2% |
| 1955 | 8,962 | +2.5% |
| 1956 | 9,209 | +2.8% |
| 1957 | 9,487 | +3.0% |
| 1958 | 9,798 | +3.3% |
| 1959 | 10,140 | +3.5% |
| 1960 | 10,494 | +3.5% |
| 1961 | 10,942 | +4.3% |
| 1962 | 11,723 | +7.1% |
| 1963 | 12,818 | +9.3% |
| 1964 | 14,158 | +10.5% |
| 1965 | 15,669 | +10.7% |
| 1966 | 17,275 | +10.2% |
| 1967 | 18,904 | +9.4% |
| 1968 | 20,479 | +8.3% |
| 1969 | 21,908 | +7.0% |
| 1970 | 23,100 | +5.4% |
| 1971 | 24,077 | +4.2% |
| 1972 | 24,969 | +3.7% |
| 1973 | 25,824 | +3.4% |
| 1974 | 26,679 | +3.3% |
| 1975 | 27,564 | +3.3% |
| 1976 | 28,502 | +3.4% |
| 1977 | 29,507 | +3.5% |
| 1978 | 30,585 | +3.7% |
| 1979 | 31,708 | +3.7% |
| 1980 | 32,858 | +3.6% |
| 1981 | 34,038 | +3.6% |
| 1982 | 35,335 | +3.8% |
| 1983 | 36,864 | +4.3% |
| 1984 | 38,654 | +4.9% |
| 1985 | 40,719 | +5.3% |
| 1986 | 43,022 | +5.7% |
| 1987 | 45,554 | +5.9% |
| 1988 | 48,272 | +6.0% |
| 1989 | 51,040 | +5.7% |
| 1990 | 53,784 | +5.4% |
| 1991 | 56,331 | +4.7% |
| 1992 | 58,670 | +4.2% |
| 1993 | 60,966 | +3.9% |
| 1994 | 63,215 | +3.7% |
| 1995 | 65,424 | +3.5% |
| 1996 | 67,611 | +3.3% |
| 1997 | 69,782 | +3.2% |
| 1998 | 71,940 | +3.1% |
| 1999 | 74,098 | +3.0% |
| 2000 | 76,281 | +2.9% |
| 2001 | 78,986 | +3.5% |
| 2002 | 82,589 | +4.6% |
| 2003 | 86,771 | +5.1% |
| 2004 | 91,276 | +5.2% |
| 2005 | 96,044 | +5.2% |
| 2006 | 100,995 | +5.2% |
| 2007 | 106,025 | +5.0% |
| 2008 | 111,000 | +4.7% |
| 2009 | 115,752 | +4.3% |
| 2010 | 120,093 | +3.8% |
| 2011 | 123,879 | +3.2% |
| 2012 | 126,988 | +2.5% |
| 2013 | 129,662 | +2.1% |
| 2014 | 132,347 | +2.1% |
| 2015 | 134,979 | +2.0% |
| 2016 | 137,535 | +1.9% |
| 2017 | 140,019 | +1.8% |
| 2018 | 142,471 | +1.8% |
| 2019 | 144,921 | +1.7% |
| 2020 | 147,951 | +2.1% |
| 2021 | 151,319 | +2.3% |
| 2022 | 154,729 | +2.3% |
| 2023 | 158,388 | +2.4% |
| 2024 | 162,216 | +2.4% |
| 2025 | 166,189 | +2.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 8,961 | 8,087 | 10,140 | 10 |
| 1960s | 15,437 | 10,494 | 21,908 | 10 |
| 1970s | 27,251 | 23,100 | 31,708 | 10 |
| 1980s | 40,636 | 32,858 | 51,040 | 10 |
| 1990s | 64,182 | 53,784 | 74,098 | 10 |
| 2000s | 94,572 | 76,281 | 115,752 | 10 |
| 2010s | 133,289 | 120,093 | 144,921 | 10 |
| 2020s | 156,799 | 147,951 | 166,189 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Sao Tome and Principe
More population data for Sao Tome and Principe
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -8.57 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.2548 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.2436 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 366.66 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 1.9 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.518 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate 0.248 (2100)
- Population density 556.27 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 34,182 (2100)
- Population growth rate by level of development 0.248 (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is urban and rural population in Sao Tome and Principe?
- Urban and rural population in Sao Tome and Principe was 166,189 in 2025, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest urban and rural population recorded in Sao Tome and Principe?
- The highest recorded value was 166,189 in 2025.
- What is the lowest urban and rural population recorded in Sao Tome and Principe?
- The lowest recorded value was 8,087 in 1950.
- How does Sao Tome and Principe rank for urban and rural population?
- Sao Tome and Principe ranks 187th out of 236 countries with data for 2025.
- Is urban and rural population rising or falling in Sao Tome and Principe?
- Over the last ten years it is up 23.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sao Tome and Principe data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Urban and rural population. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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