Topic 02 of 18 · Country Index 2026
São Tomé and Príncipe: Economy & Innovation
What does an economy do for the people inside it?
São Tomé and Príncipe is placed 149th of 176 countries on economy & innovation in the Country Index 2026, from 2 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: GDP per Capita (PPP) 5,459 (2025); Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit 15.58 (2025).
Share
Economy & Innovation
149th
of 176 countries placed
Placed from 2 of 4 key statistics
- 5,459GDP per Capita (PPP), 2025GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)
- 15.58Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit, 2025Firms with a bank loan or line of credit (%)
- —Economic Complexity Index, 2024No reading for this country
- —Account Ownership at a Financial Institution, 2024No reading for this country
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place São Tomé and Príncipe on economy & innovation — 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.
5,459
GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)
Higher is better
São Tomé and Príncipe: 5,459. Across the 185 countries in this edition, values run from 1,067 (Burundi) to 139,593 (Singapore); the world median is 17,265.
- World median
- 17,265
- Best in Middle Africa
- 18,986 Gabon
Key 2 of 4
Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit
World Bank Group
Latest reading per country, 2016–2025 · São Tomé and Príncipe’s is from 2025 · CC BY 4.0
15.58
Firms with a bank loan or line of credit (%)
Higher is better
São Tomé and Príncipe: 15.58. Across the 179 countries at their latest reading, values run from 2.113 (Pakistan) to 88.52 (Israel); the world median is 35.95.
- World median
- 35.95
- Best in Middle Africa
- 52.24 Cameroon
Key 3 of 4
Economic Complexity Index
Growth Lab at Harvard University
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC0 1.0
No reading
ECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3)
Higher is better
Growth Lab at Harvard University publishes no 2024 figure for São Tomé and Príncipe, so the standing rests on the other keys.
Across the 145 countries in this edition, values run from -3.53 (Chad) to 1.729 (Japan); the world median is 0.131.
- World median
- 0.131
- Best in Middle Africa
- -0.768 Angola
Key 4 of 4
Account Ownership at a Financial Institution
World Bank Group
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0
No reading
Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+)
Higher is better
World Bank Group publishes no 2024 figure for São Tomé and Príncipe, so the standing rests on the other keys.
Across the 139 countries in this edition, values run from 14.83 (Niger) to 99.85 (Iceland); the world median is 72.83.
- World median
- 72.83
- Best in Middle Africa
- 68.18 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.
GDP per Capita (PPP)
GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP) · higher is better
São Tomé and PríncipeWorld median
São Tomé and Príncipe rose from 3,853 in 2000 to 5,459 in 2025; the world median went from 10,589 to 17,265.
Every year’s figures
Year São Tomé and Príncipe World median 2025 5,459 17,265 2024 5,512 18,108 2023 5,541 17,686 2022 5,632 16,933 2021 5,733 16,260 2020 5,743 15,631 2019 5,702 16,761 2018 5,675 16,349 2017 5,521 16,129 2016 5,389 15,512 2015 5,210 14,857 2014 5,223 14,475 2013 5,072 14,681 2012 4,920 14,631 2011 4,876 13,916 2010 4,882 14,101 2009 4,919 13,655 2008 4,873 14,030 2007 4,698 13,755 2006 4,644 12,983 2005 4,371 12,023 2004 4,203 11,608 2003 4,162 11,183 2002 3,943 11,144 2001 3,907 10,907 2000 3,853 10,589
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 176 countries on economy & innovation, 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 176; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | GDP per Capita (PPP)GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP) | Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of CreditFirms with a bank loan or line of credit (%) | Economic Complexity IndexECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3) | Account Ownership at a Financial InstitutionAdults with an account (% of population aged 15+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Gabon | =110th | 18,986 | 35.73 | -1.797 | 68.18 |
 Cameroon | 116th | 4,946 | 52.24 | -1.594 | 60.87 |
 Republic of the Congo | 142nd | 6,194 | 26.57 | -2.531 | 55.58 |
 Angola | 145th | 8,760 | 7.431 | -0.768 | — |
| São Tomé and Príncipe | 149th | 5,459 | 15.58 | — | — |
 Equatorial Guinea | 153rd | 13,786 | 12.47 | -2.731 | — |
 DR Congo | 172nd | 1,641 | 8.696 | -3.126 | 39.21 |
 Central African Republic | 174th | 1,123 | 8.853 | — | — |
 Chad | 175th | 2,481 | 9.312 | -3.53 | 20.9 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Middle Africa
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 176.
Placed either side on economy & innovation
The countries immediately above and below São Tomé and Príncipe in the topic’s list.
Tonga146th
Papua New Guinea147th
Ethiopia148th- São Tomé and Príncipe149th
Burkina Faso150th
Haiti=151st
Libya=151st
04Context, no vote
Where São Tomé and Príncipe is ahead of the world, and behind
40 more statistics filed under economy & innovation, 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 median6
Statistics on which São Tomé and Príncipe does better than the middle country measured.
Debt Service on External DebtWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 12.933.46712.93▲ Improved since 2014
São Tomé and Príncipe: 3.467 · world median 12.93 · Total debt service (% of exports of goods, services and primary income). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.285 to 96.2; lower is better.
Position 101st of 109 · derived, 1st = worst.
Interest Payments on External DebtWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 1.4510.271.451▲ Improved since 2014
São Tomé and Príncipe: 0.27 · world median 1.451 · Interest payments on external debt (% of GNI). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.069 to 17.92; lower is better.
Position 103rd of 112 · derived, 1st = worst.
Crop Production IndexFAO · 2022 · world median 106.23107.39106.23▼ Worsened since 2012
São Tomé and Príncipe: 107.39 · world median 106.23 · Crop production index (2014–2016 = 100). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 53.79 to 189.93; higher is better.
Position 90th of 195 · derived.
Food Production IndexFAO · 2022 · world median 106.08107.25106.08▼ Worsened since 2012
São Tomé and Príncipe: 107.25 · world median 106.08 · Food production index (2014–2016 = 100). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 71.08 to 177.49; higher is better.
Position 92nd of 195 · derived.
Livestock Production IndexFAO · 2022 · world median 107.06108.04107.06▲ Improved since 2012
São Tomé and Príncipe: 108.04 · world median 107.06 · Livestock production index (2014–2016 = 100). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 35.52 to 190.08; higher is better.
Position 94th of 194 · derived.
External Debt Stocks (% of GNI)World Bank Group · 2024 · world median 43.9442.7543.94▲ Improved since 2014
São Tomé and Príncipe: 42.75 · world median 43.94 · External debt stocks (% of GNI). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 2.213 to 350.57; lower is better.
Position 57th of 110 · derived, 1st = worst.
Behind the world median13
Statistics on which São Tomé and Príncipe does worse than the middle country measured.
Management Practices IndexWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 52.3950.952.39No earlier reading
São Tomé and Príncipe: 50.9 · world median 52.39 · Management practices index, medium and large firms (0–100). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 28.07 to 69.29; higher is better.
Position 97th of 169 · derived.
Firms with an International Quality CertificationWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 10.47.66310.4No earlier reading
São Tomé and Príncipe: 7.663 · world median 10.4 · Firms with an internationally recognised quality certification (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 45.77; higher is better.
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.
Actual Individual Consumption per Capita (PPP)World Bank Group · 2021 · world median 12,8006,02212,800▲ Improved since 2017
São Tomé and Príncipe: 6,022 · world median 12,800 · Actual individual consumption per capita (PPP, current international $). World Bank Group, 2021 edition, data for 2021.
Published values in that edition run from 688.7 to 52,654; higher is better.
Position 122nd of 173 · derived.
Water-Use EfficiencyFAO · 2023 · world median 16.18.2116.1No real change since 2016
São Tomé and Príncipe: 8.21 · world median 16.1 · Value added per cubic metre of freshwater withdrawn (constant US$ per m³). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.38 to 1,378; higher is better.
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.
Frontier Technology Readiness IndexUNCTAD · 2023 · world median 0.4850.2560.485▼ Worsened since 2013
São Tomé and Príncipe: 0.256 · world median 0.485 · Frontier Technology Readiness Index (0–1). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1; higher is better.
Position 136th of 170 · derived.
GDP GrowthWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 3.3961.0283.396▼ Worsened since 2015
São Tomé and Príncipe: 1.028 · world median 3.396 · GDP growth (annual %). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -5.847 to 19.34; higher is better.
Position 158th of 186 · derived.
Regulatory QualityWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median -0.093-0.939-0.093▼ Worsened since 2015
São Tomé and Príncipe: -0.939 · world median -0.093 · Regulatory Quality (−2.5 to 2.5). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -2.106 to 2.113; higher is better.
Position 178th of 209 · derived.
Firms Competing Against Informal FirmsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 41.8166.8541.81No earlier reading
São Tomé and Príncipe: 66.85 · world median 41.81 · Firms competing against unregistered or informal firms (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.926 to 90.5; lower is better.
Position 20th of 181 · derived, 1st = worst.
Liner Shipping Connectivity IndexUNCTAD · 2026 · world median 56.2113.556.21▼ Worsened since 2016
São Tomé and Príncipe: 13.5 · world median 56.21 · LSCI (index, average Q1 2023 = 100). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 4.13 to 1,319; higher is better.
Ranked 159th of 175 by UNCTAD.
Government AI Readiness IndexOxford Insights · 2025 · world median 40.1918.3740.19▼ Worsened since 2022
São Tomé and Príncipe: 18.37 · world median 40.19 · AI readiness score (0–100). Oxford Insights, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 12.12 to 88.36; higher is better.
Ranked 180th of 195 by Oxford Insights.
No better end21
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Household ConsumptionWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 62.0410162.04No real change since 2015
São Tomé and Príncipe: 101 · world median 62.04 · Household and NPISH final consumption expenditure (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 25.21 to 133.34.
Position 3rd of 131 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Inflation, GDP DeflatorWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 3.30611.943.306Moved since 2015
São Tomé and Príncipe: 11.94 · world median 3.306 · Annual change in the GDP implicit deflator (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -7.93 to 227.09.
Terms of Trade IndexUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 103.23141.54103.23Moved since 2015
São Tomé and Príncipe: 141.54 · world median 103.23 · Terms of trade index (2015 = 100). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 38.2 to 1,448.
Export Concentration IndexUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 0.3060.4960.306Moved since 2015
São Tomé and Príncipe: 0.496 · world median 0.306 · Export concentration index (0–1, normalised Herfindahl–Hirschman). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.059 to 0.933.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 6.57212.196.572No real change since 2015
São Tomé and Príncipe: 12.19 · world median 6.572 · Agriculture, forestry and fishing value added (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.025 to 47.59.
Position 49th of 158 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Price Level of Household ConsumptionGGDC · 2023 · world median 0.5230.5630.523Moved since 2013
São Tomé and Príncipe: 0.563 · world median 0.523 · Price level of household consumption (US output price level in 2021 = 1). Groningen Growth and Development Centre (GGDC), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.177 to 65.54.
Total Natural Resources Rents (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2021 · world median 1.7081.8841.708Moved since 2011
São Tomé and Príncipe: 1.884 · world median 1.708 · Natural resources rents (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2021 edition, data for 2021.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 61.03.
Position 94th of 180 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Commodity Export DependenceUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 67.1767.1567.17Moved since 2014
São Tomé and Príncipe: 67.15 · world median 67.17 · Commodity exports (% of merchandise exports, three-year average). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 4.605 to 99.77.
Services ExportsUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 9.6029.0459.602Moved since 2015
São Tomé and Príncipe: 9.045 · world median 9.602 · Services exports (% of GDP). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.085 to 166.21.
Imports of Goods and Services (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 41.7233.341.72Moved since 2015
São Tomé and Príncipe: 33.3 · world median 41.72 · Imports of goods and services (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.279 to 196.89.
Position 87th of 138 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Foreign Direct Investment InflowsUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 1.9680.9671.968Moved since 2015
São Tomé and Príncipe: 0.967 · world median 1.968 · FDI inflows (% of GDP). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -32.97 to 2,221.
Trade (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 79.6846.5779.68Moved since 2015
São Tomé and Príncipe: 46.57 · world median 79.68 · Exports plus imports (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.382 to 396.65.
Position 109th of 138 · derived, counted from the highest value.
General Government ConsumptionWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 16.2110.316.21Moved since 2015
São Tomé and Príncipe: 10.3 · world median 16.21 · General government final consumption expenditure (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 5.445 to 38.94.
Position 111th of 132 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Foreign Value Added Share of Gross ExportsOECD · 2022 · world median 27.4110.527.41Moved since 2012
São Tomé and Príncipe: 10.5 · world median 27.41 · Foreign value added (% of gross exports). OECD, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 4.491 to 66.08.
Scholarly ArticlesOurResearch · 2025 · world median 2,240502,240No real change since 2022
São Tomé and Príncipe: 50 · world median 2,240 · Articles with at least one author at an institution in the country (full counting). OpenAlex (OurResearch), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 1,094,890.
Exports of Goods and Services (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 36.3413.2636.34Moved since 2015
São Tomé and Príncipe: 13.26 · world median 36.34 · Exports of goods and services (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.103 to 199.76.
Position 129th of 138 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Gross Savings (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2024 · world median 22.069.01922.06Moved since 2014
São Tomé and Príncipe: 9.019 · world median 22.06 · Gross savings (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from -21.13 to 47.82.
Position 137th of 146 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Gross Capital Formation (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 22.938.74222.93Moved since 2015
São Tomé and Príncipe: 8.742 · world median 22.93 · Gross capital formation (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -3.679 to 45.27.
Position 127th of 131 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Merchant Fleet by Country of OwnershipUNCTAD · 2026 · world median 275.730275.73Moved since 2016
São Tomé and Príncipe: 0 · world median 275.73 · Merchant fleet owned (thousand dead-weight tons). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 397,071.
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.
Industry Value Added including Construction (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 24.652.22824.65Moved since 2015
São Tomé and Príncipe: 2.228 · world median 24.65 · Industry, including construction, value added (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.228 to 75.09.
Position 158th of 158 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for São Tomé and Príncipe
Account Ownership at a Financial Institution, Adjusted Net Savings, Average Monthly Earnings of Employees, Business Ready: Operational Efficiency, Business Ready: Public Services, Business Ready: Regulatory Framework, Complexity Outlook Index, Comprehensive Wealth per Capita (last 2019), Container Port Traffic (last 2019), Creative Goods Exports (last 2023), Creative Services Exports (last 2022), Digitally-Deliverable Services Exports (last 2022), Economic Complexity Index, Gini Index (last 2017), Gini Index of Disposable Income (SWIID) (last 2017), Global Innovation Index, ICT Goods Exports (last 2023), ICT Services Exports (last 2022), Income Share Held by Lowest 20% (last 2017), Income Share Held by Richest 10% (last 2017), Informal Output (DGE Model Estimate), Logistics Performance Index (last 2018), New Business Density (last 2020), Palma Ratio (last 2017), Research and Development Spending, Researchers per Million Inhabitants, Statutory Corporate Income Tax Rate, Statutory Minimum Wage, Tariff Rate, Applied, Weighted Mean, All Products (last 2019), Tax Revenue (% of GDP), Total Factor Productivity Level and World Energy Trilemma Index. 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
Economy & Innovation among São Tomé and Príncipe’s 15 topics
Economy & Innovation is São Tomé and Príncipe’s 12th 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 economy & innovation
The three countries placed highest of 176, and the leaders São Tomé and Príncipe can most readily be measured against.
1
AustriaWestern Europe
1st of 176 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: chensiyuan · CC BY-SA 4.0, greyscale
2
JapanEastern Asia
2nd of 176 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: JurriaanH · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
GermanyWestern Europe
3rd of 176 · 4 of 4 keys
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Africa
Mauritius36th4/4 keysHighest in Middle Africa
Gabon=110th4/4 keysThis page
São Tomé and Príncipe149th2/4 keys
Positions out of 176 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 economy & innovation
On economy & innovation
China Leads Global High-Technology Exports
The world’s ten largest high-technology exporters as a treemap, with the rest of the world beside them. Each country’s figure is its own most recent year, between 2022 and 2024.
On economy & innovation
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.
On economy & innovation
Countries in Asia with the highest average salaries 2024
Thirteen Asian countries by gross average monthly wage, each carrying its WORLD rank rather than an Asian one — so the numbers skip, from 11th place to 45th.
08Questions
São Tomé and Príncipe on economy & innovation: 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 economy & innovation?
São Tomé and Príncipe is placed 149th of 176 countries on Economy & Innovation in the Country Index 2026, from 2 of its 4 key statistics (GDP per Capita (PPP) and Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest GDP per Capita (PPP) figure for São Tomé and Príncipe?
5,459 in 2025 (gDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)), according to World Bank Group. The world median in the same edition was 17,265.
What is the latest Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit figure for São Tomé and Príncipe?
15.58 in 2025 (firms with a bank loan or line of credit (%)), according to World Bank Group. The world median in the same edition was 35.95.
How have São Tomé and Príncipe’s economy & innovation figures changed?
GDP per Capita (PPP) rose from 3,853 in 2000 to 5,459 in 2025.
Which economy & innovation 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, Adjusted Net Savings, Average Monthly Earnings of Employees, Business Ready: Operational Efficiency, Business Ready: Public Services, Business Ready: Regulatory Framework, Complexity Outlook Index, Comprehensive Wealth per Capita, Container Port Traffic, Creative Goods Exports, Creative Services Exports, Digitally-Deliverable Services Exports, Economic Complexity Index, Gini Index, Gini Index of Disposable Income (SWIID), Global Innovation Index, ICT Goods Exports, ICT Services Exports, Income Share Held by Lowest 20%, Income Share Held by Richest 10%, Informal Output (DGE Model Estimate), Logistics Performance Index, New Business Density, Palma Ratio, Research and Development Spending, Researchers per Million Inhabitants, Statutory Corporate Income Tax Rate, Statutory Minimum Wage, Tariff Rate, Applied, Weighted Mean, All Products, Tax Revenue (% of GDP), Total Factor Productivity Level and World Energy Trilemma Index. 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
The total size of an economy is deliberately left out: a very large economy spread over a very large population is not doing more for each person. Growth rates, trade shares and the structure of output (how much is farming, industry or services) are published here as context, because they describe an economy's shape rather than how well it serves people. Jobs and wages have their own topic, Work & Labour.
How the Economy & Innovation standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 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 4 keys to be placed.
The economy & innovation method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- GDP per Capita (PPP) — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
- Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
- Economic Complexity Index — Growth Lab at Harvard University, CC0 1.0
- Account Ownership at a Financial Institution — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
The other 40 statistics on this page come from 8 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.
- Austria — chensiyuan, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Japan — JurriaanH, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Germany — dronepicr, CC BY 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). São Tomé and Príncipe: Economy & Innovation — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/sao-tome-and-principe/economy