Topic 06 of 18 · Country Index 2026
São Tomé and Príncipe: Development & Human Capital
Is a country turning its resources into better lives?
São Tomé and Príncipe is placed joint 136th of 196 countries on development & human capital in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics. Readings behind it: Social Protection Coverage 22.1 (2025); Maternal Mortality Ratio 75.36 (2023).
Share
Development & Human Capital
joint136th
of 196 countries placed
Placed from 3 of 3 key statistics
01The evidence
The 3 key statistics that decide it
Only these place São Tomé and Príncipe on development & human capital — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used — or, for a survey-based key, each country’s latest reading; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 2 of 3
Maternal Mortality Ratio
UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG)
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
75.36
Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births
Lower is better
São Tomé and Príncipe: 75.36. Across the 195 countries in this edition, values run from 0.11 (Cook Islands) to 992.83 (Nigeria); the world median is 46.65.
- World median
- 46.65
- Best in Middle Africa
- 75.36 São Tomé and Príncipe
Key 3 of 3
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report Office
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
0.637
HDI score (0–1)
Higher is better
Ranked 141st of 193 by UNDP Human Development Report Office
São Tomé and Príncipe: 0.637. Across the 193 countries in this edition, values run from 0.388 (South Sudan) to 0.972 (Iceland); the world median is 0.762.
- World median
- 0.762
- Best in Middle Africa
- 0.733 Gabon
02Over time
Which way São Tomé and Príncipe is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Maternal Mortality Ratio
Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births · lower is better
São Tomé and PríncipeWorld median
São Tomé and Príncipe fell from 180.15 in 2000 to 75.36 in 2023; the world median went from 70.99 to 46.65.
Every year’s figures
Year São Tomé and Príncipe World median 2023 75.4 46.7 2022 82.5 53.0 2021 97.7 76.6 2020 92.4 56.0 2019 94.8 48.4 2018 100.3 49.3 2017 110.2 47.2 2016 119.4 50.6 2015 127.8 51.9 2014 138.4 52.8 2013 149.7 53.3 2012 158.4 54.6 2011 164.3 55.0 2010 169.7 56.1 2009 171.8 56.3 2008 173.6 55.8 2007 173.9 56.8 2006 176.9 58.1 2005 181.1 60.1 2004 177.5 63.0 2003 178.5 66.8 2002 178.6 66.0 2001 178.4 68.1 2000 180.2 71.0 Human Development Index
HDI score (0–1) · higher is better
São Tomé and PríncipeWorld median
São Tomé and Príncipe rose from 0.535 in 2005 to 0.637 in 2023; the world median went from 0.696 to 0.762.
Every year’s figures
Year São Tomé and Príncipe World median 2023 0.637 0.7620 2022 0.636 0.7610 2021 0.631 0.7450 2020 0.628 0.7425 2019 0.625 0.7515 2018 0.621 0.7520 2017 0.617 0.7480 2016 0.613 0.7500 2015 0.608 0.7430 2014 0.596 0.7410 2013 0.585 0.7390 2012 0.574 0.7350 2011 0.569 0.7250 2010 0.564 0.7250 2009 0.561 0.7220 2008 0.557 0.7180 2007 0.552 0.7100 2006 0.546 0.7045 2005 0.535 0.6960 2004 — 0.6960 2003 — 0.6910 2002 — 0.6845 2001 — 0.6770 2000 — 0.6720
03In context
São Tomé and Príncipe beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 196 countries on development & human capital, never a place within the region.
São Tomé and Príncipe and Middle Africa
São Tomé and Príncipe has no land border, so the table compares it with its sub-region. Standing among all 196; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Social Protection CoveragePopulation covered by at least one social protection benefit (%) | Maternal Mortality RatioMaternal deaths per 100,000 live births | Human Development IndexHDI score (0–1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| São Tomé and Príncipe | =136th | 22.1 | 75.36 | 0.637 |
 Gabon | =140th | — | 232.66 | 0.733 |
 Republic of the Congo | 153rd | — | 241.09 | 0.649 |
 Equatorial Guinea | 156th | 5.2 | 173.66 | 0.674 |
 Angola | 157th | 8.7 | 183.2 | 0.616 |
 Cameroon | 166th | 10 | 258.23 | 0.588 |
 DR Congo | 187th | 5.2 | 427.05 | 0.522 |
 Central African Republic | 193rd | 3.5 | 691.74 | 0.414 |
 Chad | =194th | 2.5 | 747.54 | 0.416 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Middle Africa
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 196.
Placed either side on development & human capital
The countries immediately above and below São Tomé and Príncipe in the topic’s list.
Marshall Islands134th
Nicaragua135th
Samoa=136th- São Tomé and Príncipe=136th
Bangladesh138th
Kiribati139th- Gabon=140th
04Context, no vote
Where São Tomé and Príncipe is ahead of the world, and behind
45 more statistics filed under development & human capital, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median9
Statistics on which São Tomé and Príncipe does better than the middle country measured.
Exclusive Breastfeeding Under Six MonthsUNICEF · 2024 · world median 40.7463.0640.74No earlier reading
São Tomé and Príncipe: 63.06 · world median 40.74 · Infants under 6 months exclusively breastfed (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.497 to 83.3; higher is better.
Position 19th of 136 · derived.
Gender Development IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.9710.980.971▲ Improved since 2013
São Tomé and Príncipe: 0.98 · world median 0.971 · Gender Development Index (1.000 = parity). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.407 to 1.038; higher is better.
Position 65th of 184 · derived.
Malaria Mortality (P. falciparum)MAP · 2024 · world median 8.1061.4358.106No real change since 2014
São Tomé and Príncipe: 1.435 · world median 8.106 · Deaths from P. falciparum malaria per 100,000 people per year. Malaria Atlas Project (MAP), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 133.27; lower is better.
Infant Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 12.269.16612.26▲ Improved since 2014
São Tomé and Príncipe: 9.166 · world median 12.26 · Deaths before age one (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.214 to 71.87; lower is better.
Position 119th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Neonatal Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 8.1346.4048.134▲ Improved since 2014
São Tomé and Príncipe: 6.404 · world median 8.134 · Deaths in the first 28 days (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.544 to 39.47; lower is better.
Position 119th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Stunting Prevalence in Children Under FiveUNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · 2024 · world median 13.811.7413.8No earlier reading
São Tomé and Príncipe: 11.74 · world median 13.8 · Children under 5 who are stunted (%). UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.518 to 52.8; lower is better.
Position 92nd of 162 · derived, 1st = worst.
Malaria Incidence (P. falciparum)MAP · 2025 · world median 52.4733.4652.47▲ Improved since 2015
São Tomé and Príncipe: 33.46 · world median 52.47 · New P. falciparum malaria cases per 1,000 people per year. Malaria Atlas Project (MAP), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 334.75; lower is better.
Completeness of Birth RegistrationUNICEF · 2025 · world median 98.498.698.4No earlier reading
São Tomé and Príncipe: 98.6 · world median 98.4 · Children under 5 whose birth is registered (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.7 to 100; higher is better.
Under-Five Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 14.5413.5514.54▲ Improved since 2014
São Tomé and Príncipe: 13.55 · world median 14.54 · Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.26 to 115.65; lower is better.
Position 103rd of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Behind the world median32
Statistics on which São Tomé and Príncipe does worse than the middle country measured.
Mortality Rate, Ages 5–14UN IGME · 2024 · world median 2.8582.9142.858▲ Improved since 2014
São Tomé and Príncipe: 2.914 · world median 2.858 · Deaths between ages 5 and 14 (per 1,000 children aged 5). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.392 to 59.04; lower is better.
Position 99th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Global Multidimensional Poverty IndexOPHI · 2025 · world median 0.0390.0480.039▼ Worsened since 2018
São Tomé and Príncipe: 0.048 · world median 0.039 · MPI (0–1). Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 0.517; lower is better.
Position 54th of 109 · derived, 1st = worst.
Wasting Prevalence in Children Under FiveUNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · 2024 · world median 3.5464.0943.546No earlier reading
São Tomé and Príncipe: 4.094 · world median 3.546 · Children under 5 who are wasted (%). UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.1 to 22.74; lower is better.
Position 75th of 163 · derived, 1st = worst.
Stillbirth RateUN IGME · 2023 · world median 8.1639.1138.163▲ Improved since 2013
São Tomé and Príncipe: 9.113 · world median 8.163 · Stillbirths (per 1,000 total births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.18 to 34.9; lower is better.
Position 87th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Child and Family Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 23.7517.223.75No earlier reading
São Tomé and Príncipe: 17.2 · world median 23.75 · Children or households with children receiving child or family cash benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Low Birthweight PrevalenceUNICEF and WHO (Joint Low Birthweight Estimates) · 2020 · world median 10.2111.1110.21▼ Worsened since 2010
São Tomé and Príncipe: 11.11 · world median 10.21 · Live births weighing under 2,500 g (%). UNICEF and WHO (Joint Low Birthweight Estimates), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 3.993 to 27.44; lower is better.
Position 68th of 158 · derived, 1st = worst.
Immunisation Coverage, Measles First Dose (MCV1)WUENIC · 2025 · world median 908790▼ Worsened since 2015
São Tomé and Príncipe: 87 · world median 90 · Infants given a first dose of measles vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 13 to 99; higher is better.
Expected Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 13.3412.8613.34▲ Improved since 2013
São Tomé and Príncipe: 12.86 · world median 13.34 · Expected years of schooling. UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 5.635 to 21.69; higher is better.
Position 118th of 195 · derived.
Employment Injury Protection CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 45.934.945.9No earlier reading
São Tomé and Príncipe: 34.9 · world median 45.9 · Labour force covered in the event of a work injury (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Immunisation Coverage, DTP3WUENIC · 2025 · world median 918791▼ Worsened since 2015
São Tomé and Príncipe: 87 · world median 91 · Infants given a third dose of DTP vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 39 to 99; higher is better.
Old-Age Pension CoverageILO · 2025 · world median 80.854.880.8No earlier reading
São Tomé and Príncipe: 54.8 · world median 80.8 · People above statutory pensionable age receiving an old-age pension (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Human Capital Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 25,23014,95825,230No real change since 2010
São Tomé and Príncipe: 14,958 · world median 25,230 · Human capital per person — present value of future earnings (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 700.38 to 735,422; higher is better.
Position 95th of 151 · derived.
Coefficient of Human InequalityUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 17.0523.6517.05▼ Worsened since 2013
São Tomé and Príncipe: 23.65 · world median 17.05 · Coefficient of Human Inequality (%). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 4.865 to 43.08; lower is better.
Position 60th of 169 · derived, 1st = worst.
Cereal YieldFAO · 2023 · world median 3,0722,0043,072▼ Worsened since 2013
São Tomé and Príncipe: 2,004 · world median 3,072 · Cereal yield (kg per hectare). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 23 to 29,147; higher is better.
Position 120th of 179 · derived.
Productive Capacities IndexUNCTAD · 2022 · world median 46.6740.8746.67No real change since 2012
São Tomé and Príncipe: 40.87 · world median 46.67 · Productive Capacities Index (1–100). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 17.8 to 71.02; higher is better.
Position 132nd of 195 · derived.
GNI per Capita (PPP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 14,2736,63214,273▲ Improved since 2015
São Tomé and Príncipe: 6,632 · world median 14,273 · GNI per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1,181 to 116,633; higher is better.
Position 70th of 102 · derived.
Inequality-adjusted Human Development IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.6090.4780.609▼ Worsened since 2013
São Tomé and Príncipe: 0.478 · world median 0.609 · IHDI (0–1). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.226 to 0.923; higher is better.
Position 115th of 169 · derived.
Poverty Headcount at $3.00 a Day, Line-up EstimatesWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 2.113.162.1▼ Worsened since 2014
São Tomé and Príncipe: 13.16 · world median 2.1 · Population below $3.00 a day, 2021 PPP, World Bank line-up estimate (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 89.54; lower is better.
Country Policy and Institutional AssessmentWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 3.2462.9423.246▼ Worsened since 2015
São Tomé and Príncipe: 2.942 · world median 3.246 · IDA Resource Allocation Index (1 = low to 6 = high). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.617 to 4.225; higher is better.
Position 56th of 78 · derived.
Life Expectancy at BirthUN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 74.6369.7274.63▲ Improved since 2013
São Tomé and Príncipe: 69.72 · world median 74.63 · Years a newborn would live at current death rates. UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 54.46 to 86.37; higher is better.
Position 159th of 222 · derived.
Disability Benefit CoverageILO · 2025 · world median 43.910.943.9No earlier reading
São Tomé and Príncipe: 10.9 · world median 43.9 · People with severe disabilities receiving disability benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Violent Discipline of ChildrenUNICEF · 2025 · world median 75.883.575.8No earlier reading
São Tomé and Príncipe: 83.5 · world median 75.8 · Children aged 1-14 experiencing violent discipline (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 37.6 to 94; lower is better.
Position 26th of 90 · derived, 1st = worst.
Child MarriageUNICEF · 2025 · world median 17.12817.1No earlier reading
São Tomé and Príncipe: 28 · world median 17.1 · Women 20–24 married before 18 (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 76.3; lower is better.
Position 39th of 143 · derived, 1st = worst.
Gender Inequality IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.3510.4920.351▼ Worsened since 2013
São Tomé and Príncipe: 0.492 · world median 0.351 · GII (0 = full equality, 1 = maximum inequality). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.003 to 0.838; lower is better.
Ranked 130th of 172 by UNDP Human Development Report Office.
Multidimensional Poverty MeasureWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 4.25237.954.252No earlier reading
São Tomé and Príncipe: 37.95 · world median 4.252 · Multidimensional poverty headcount ratio (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 87.96; lower is better.
Position 39th of 157 · derived, 1st = worst.
Historical GDP per Capita (Maddison)GGDC · 2022 · world median 12,8903,75212,890No real change since 2012
São Tomé and Príncipe: 3,752 · world median 12,890 · GDP per capita (2011 international $). Maddison Project, Groningen Growth and Development Centre (GGDC), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 596.39 to 149,171; higher is better.
Position 129th of 166 · derived.
Access to Electricity, RuralWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 10075.1100No real change since 2014
São Tomé and Príncipe: 75.1 · world median 100 · Rural population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.7 to 100; higher is better.
GDP per Capita (PPP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 17,2655,45917,265▼ Worsened since 2015
São Tomé and Príncipe: 5,459 · world median 17,265 · GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1,067 to 139,593; higher is better.
Position 146th of 185 · derived.
Access to ElectricityWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 10077.7100▼ Worsened since 2014
São Tomé and Príncipe: 77.7 · world median 100 · Population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 5.4 to 100; higher is better.
Mean Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 9.9335.9889.933▼ Worsened since 2013
São Tomé and Príncipe: 5.988 · world median 9.933 · Mean years of schooling (adults 25+). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.412 to 14.3; higher is better.
Position 156th of 193 · derived.
Statistical Performance IndicatorsWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 69.352.9769.3▼ Worsened since 2016
São Tomé and Príncipe: 52.97 · world median 69.3 · SPI overall score (0–100). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 27.12 to 94.14; higher is better.
Position 155th of 188 · derived.
Adequacy of Social Protection and Labour BenefitsWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 18.654.6818.65No earlier reading
São Tomé and Príncipe: 4.68 · world median 18.65 · Benefits received as a share of beneficiaries' total income or consumption (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.455 to 90.86; higher is better.
Level with the median, or no median to compare1
Unemployment Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 000No earlier reading
São Tomé and Príncipe: 0 · world median 0 · Unemployed people receiving unemployment benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
No better end3
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Net Official Development Assistance ReceivedOECD Development Assistance Committee · 2023 · world median 2.57911.512.579Moved since 2013
São Tomé and Príncipe: 11.51 · world median 2.579 · Net ODA received (% of GNI). OECD Development Assistance Committee, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from -0.001 to 101.78.
Position 19th of 130 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Children with Functional DifficultiesUNICEF · 2024 · world median 1320.313No earlier reading
São Tomé and Príncipe: 20.3 · world median 13 · Children aged 5-17 with a functional difficulty (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.9 to 35.2.
Manufacturing Value Added (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 11.260.59411.26Moved since 2015
São Tomé and Príncipe: 0.594 · world median 11.26 · Manufacturing value added (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.481 to 43.97.
Position 131st of 132 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for São Tomé and Príncipe
Account Ownership at a Financial Institution, Comprehensive Wealth per Capita (last 2019), Foundational ID Ownership, Human Capital Index, Malaria Incidence (P. vivax), Official Development Assistance Given (% of GNI), Planetary pressures-adjusted HDI, Poverty Gap at $3.00 a Day (last 2017), Poverty Headcount Ratio at $3.00 a Day (last 2017), Poverty Headcount Ratio at $4.20 a Day (last 2017), Poverty Headcount Ratio at $8.30 a Day (last 2017), Poverty Severity (Squared Poverty Gap) at $3.00 a Day (last 2017) and Prosperity Gap (last 2017). Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Development & Human Capital among São Tomé and Príncipe’s 15 topics
Development & Human Capital is São Tomé and Príncipe’s 10th best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Environment & Sustainability2nd of 1863/4 keys
- Peace & Security37th of 1773/4 keys
- Risk & Resiliencejoint 59th of 1933/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Libertiesjoint 62nd of 1984/4 keys
- Gender & Equality61st of 1833/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeingjoint 110th of 2003/4 keys
- Education & Knowledgejoint 114th of 1984/4 keys
- Governance & Institutionsjoint 127th of 1944/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture121st of 1843/4 keys
- Development & Human Capitaljoint 136th of 1963/3 keys
- Poverty & Inequalityjoint 125th of 1593/3 keys
- Economy & Innovation149th of 1762/4 keys
- Work & Labour165th of 1824/4 keys
- Digital & Technology181st of 1983/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade174th of 1772/4 keys
No standing on Energy: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on development & human capital
The three countries placed highest of 196, and the leaders São Tomé and Príncipe can most readily be measured against.
1
Cook IslandsPolynesia
1st of 196 · 2 of 3 keys
Photo: Benedict Adam · CC BY 2.0, greyscale
2
NorwayNorthern Europe
2nd of 196 · 3 of 3 keys
Photo: Ximonic , Simo Räsänen · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
DenmarkNorthern Europe
3rd of 196 · 3 of 3 keys
Photo: User:Aconcagua · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Africa
Seychelles74th3/3 keysHighest in Middle Africa
São Tomé and Príncipe=136th3/3 keys
Positions out of 196 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about São Tomé and Príncipe and development & human capital
On development & human capital
Global Hunger Index 2025: Countries with the Most Alarming Hunger Crisis
Thirteen countries scored across four editions — 2000, 2008, 2016 and 2025 — and five the report could not score at all. DR Congo and South Sudan share 121st place on 37.5.
On development & human capital
India vs Pakistan 2025: Comparison of Hunger Index, Happiness, HDI, Rule of Law, Literacy & GDP
India and Pakistan on six published measures: hunger, happiness, human development, rule of law, literacy and GDP per capita, each from its own publisher and year.
08Questions
São Tomé and Príncipe on development & human capital: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does São Tomé and Príncipe rank on development & human capital?
São Tomé and Príncipe is placed joint 136th of 196 countries on Development & Human Capital in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics (Social Protection Coverage, Maternal Mortality Ratio and Human Development Index). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Social Protection Coverage figure for São Tomé and Príncipe?
22.1 in 2025 (population covered by at least one social protection benefit (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 52.1.
What is the latest Maternal Mortality Ratio figure for São Tomé and Príncipe?
75.36 in 2023 (maternal deaths per 100,000 live births), according to UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG). The world median in the same edition was 46.65.
How have São Tomé and Príncipe’s development & human capital figures changed?
Maternal Mortality Ratio fell from 180.15 in 2000 to 75.36 in 2023; Human Development Index rose from 0.535 in 2005 to 0.637 in 2023.
Which development & human capital statistics are missing for São Tomé and Príncipe?
No current reading is published for São Tomé and Príncipe on Account Ownership at a Financial Institution, Comprehensive Wealth per Capita, Foundational ID Ownership, Human Capital Index, Malaria Incidence (P. vivax), Official Development Assistance Given (% of GNI), Planetary pressures-adjusted HDI, Poverty Gap at $3.00 a Day, Poverty Headcount Ratio at $3.00 a Day, Poverty Headcount Ratio at $4.20 a Day, Poverty Headcount Ratio at $8.30 a Day, Poverty Severity (Squared Poverty Gap) at $3.00 a Day and Prosperity Gap. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Poverty lines, inequality and aid received are published here as context rather than as keys, often because they cover fewer countries or are measured too rarely. Development is also not the same as economic size or growth, which belong to Economy & Innovation.
How the Development & Human Capital standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 3 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 3 keys to be placed.
The development & human capital method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Social Protection Coverage — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Maternal Mortality Ratio — UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG), CC BY 3.0 IGO
- Human Development Index — UNDP Human Development Report Office, CC BY 3.0 IGO
The other 45 statistics on this page come from 15 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
São Tomé and Príncipe’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Cook Islands — Benedict Adam, CC BY 2.0
- Norway — Ximonic , Simo Räsänen, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Denmark — User:Aconcagua, CC BY-SA 3.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). São Tomé and Príncipe: Development & Human Capital — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/sao-tome-and-principe/development