Topic 05 of 18 · Country Index 2026
São Tomé and Príncipe: Health & Wellbeing
How long, and how well fed, do people live?
São Tomé and Príncipe is placed joint 110th of 200 countries on health & wellbeing in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Life Expectancy at Birth 69.72 (2023); Under-Five Mortality Rate 13.55 (2024).
Share
Health & Wellbeing
joint110th
of 200 countries placed
Placed from 3 of 4 key statistics
- 69.72Life Expectancy at Birth, 2023Years a newborn would live at current death rates
- 13.55Under-Five Mortality Rate, 2024Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births)
- 11.74Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five, 2024Children under 5 who are stunted (%)
- —Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity, 2024No reading for this country
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place São Tomé and Príncipe on health & wellbeing — 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 1 of 4
Life Expectancy at Birth
UN DESA Population Division
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
69.72
Years a newborn would live at current death rates
Higher is better
São Tomé and Príncipe: 69.72. Across the 222 countries in this edition, values run from 54.46 (Nigeria) to 86.37 (Monaco); the world median is 74.63.
- World median
- 74.63
- Best in Middle Africa
- 69.72 São Tomé and Príncipe
Key 2 of 4
Under-Five Mortality Rate
UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME)
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
13.55
Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births)
Lower is better
São Tomé and Príncipe: 13.55. Across the 200 countries in this edition, values run from 1.26 (San Marino) to 115.65 (Nigeria); the world median is 14.54.
- World median
- 14.54
- Best in Middle Africa
- 13.55 São Tomé and Príncipe
Key 3 of 4
Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five
UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates)
Latest reading per country, 2014–2024 · São Tomé and Príncipe’s is from 2019 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
11.74
Children under 5 who are stunted (%)
Lower is better
São Tomé and Príncipe: 11.74. Across the 162 countries at their latest reading, values run from 0.518 (Latvia) to 52.8 (Burundi); the world median is 13.8.
- World median
- 13.8
- Best in Middle Africa
- 11.74 São Tomé and Príncipe
Key 4 of 4
Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0
No reading
Population in severe food insecurity (%)
Lower is better
FAO publishes no 2024 figure for São Tomé and Príncipe, so the standing rests on the other keys.
Across the 125 countries in this edition, values run from 0.6 (Brazil) to 62.9 (South Sudan); the world median is 4.9.
- World median
- 4.9
- Best in Middle Africa
- 16.2 Angola
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.
Life Expectancy at Birth
Years a newborn would live at current death rates · higher is better
São Tomé and PríncipeWorld median
São Tomé and Príncipe rose from 61.21 in 2000 to 69.72 in 2023; the world median went from 70.68 to 74.63.
Every year’s figures
Year São Tomé and Príncipe World median 2023 69.72 74.630 2022 69.24 74.313 2021 68.03 72.433 2020 67.98 73.063 2019 68.04 74.196 2018 67.60 74.081 2017 67.07 74.029 2016 66.56 74.013 2015 66.02 73.783 2014 65.48 73.330 2013 64.93 73.386 2012 64.51 73.210 2011 64.12 73.003 2010 63.87 72.827 2009 63.67 72.426 2008 63.45 72.264 2007 63.34 72.113 2006 63.04 72.027 2005 62.43 71.876 2004 62.56 71.477 2003 62.16 71.409 2002 61.83 71.173 2001 61.50 70.926 2000 61.21 70.678 Under-Five Mortality Rate
Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births) · lower is better
São Tomé and PríncipeWorld median
São Tomé and Príncipe fell from 82.17 in 2000 to 13.55 in 2024; the world median went from 30.43 to 14.54.
Every year’s figures
Year São Tomé and Príncipe World median 2024 13.6 14.5 2023 14.1 15.2 2022 14.7 14.7 2021 15.3 15.1 2020 16.1 15.3 2019 17.1 15.7 2018 18.2 16.3 2017 19.6 16.8 2016 21.3 17.5 2015 23.3 17.9 2014 25.5 18.3 2013 27.9 18.7 2012 30.4 18.8 2011 33.2 19.0 2010 36.2 19.2 2009 39.5 20.8 2008 43.1 20.7 2007 46.9 21.8 2006 51.1 22.8 2005 55.7 24.0 2004 60.5 25.9 2003 65.7 26.9 2002 71.1 28.0 2001 76.7 29.1 2000 82.2 30.4 Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity
Population in severe food insecurity (%) · lower is better
São Tomé and PríncipeWorld median
São Tomé and Príncipe was at 14.1 in both 2020 and 2022; the world median went from 5.6 to 5.45.
Every year’s figures
Year São Tomé and Príncipe World median 2024 — 4.9 2023 — 4.7 2022 14 5.4 2021 14 5.7 2020 14 5.6 2019 — 5.0 2018 — 4.2 2017 — 4.0 2016 — 3.4 2015 — 3.4
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 200 countries on health & wellbeing, 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 200; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Life Expectancy at BirthYears a newborn would live at current death rates | Under-Five Mortality RateDeaths before age five (per 1,000 live births) | Stunting Prevalence in Children Under FiveChildren under 5 who are stunted (%) | Prevalence of Severe Food InsecurityPopulation in severe food insecurity (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| São Tomé and Príncipe | =110th | 69.72 | 13.55 | 11.74 | — |
 Gabon | 139th | 68.34 | 32.63 | 14.36 | — |
 Republic of the Congo | 158th | 65.77 | 39.11 | 21.19 | — |
 Angola | 178th | 64.62 | 49 | 37.57 | 16.2 |
 Cameroon | 180th | 63.7 | 64.84 | 28.93 | 23.9 |
 Equatorial Guinea | =192nd | 63.71 | 67.97 | 26.2 | — |
 Chad | 195th | 55.07 | 97.26 | 31.92 | 25.2 |
 Central African Republic | =197th | 57.41 | 89.73 | 37.9 | — |
 DR Congo | =197th | 61.9 | 89.68 | 44.7 | 43.9 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Middle Africa
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 200.
Placed either side on health & wellbeing
The countries immediately above and below São Tomé and Príncipe in the topic’s list.
Seychelles108th
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines109th
Libya=110th- São Tomé and Príncipe=110th
Guyana112th
Iraq113th
Dominican Republic114th
04Context, no vote
Where São Tomé and Príncipe is ahead of the world, and behind
49 more statistics filed under health & wellbeing, 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 median13
Statistics on which São Tomé and Príncipe does better than the middle country measured.
HPV Vaccination Coverage, GirlsWUENIC · 2025 · world median 65.59765.5▲ Improved since 2021
São Tomé and Príncipe: 97 · world median 65.5 · Girls in the target group given the final dose of HPV vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 99; higher is better.
Fruit Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 84.83192.1584.83▼ Worsened since 2013
São Tomé and Príncipe: 192.15 · world median 84.83 · Fruit available as food, excluding wine (kg per person per year). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 4.27 to 379.63; higher is better.
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.
Days Above 35°CECMWF · 2025 · world median 3.4803.48No real change since 2015
São Tomé and Príncipe: 0 · world median 3.48 · Days a year with a maximum temperature above 35°C, averaged over the country’s land. World Bank Group (Climate Change Knowledge Portal), from Copernicus ERA5 (ECMWF), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 222.89; lower is better.
Care-Seeking for Children with Symptoms of PneumoniaUNICEF · 2024 · world median 67.782.467.7No earlier reading
São Tomé and Príncipe: 82.4 · world median 67.7 · Children under 5 with pneumonia symptoms taken to a health provider (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 14 to 99.1; higher is better.
Position 22nd of 127 · derived.
Postnatal Care for Newborns Within Two DaysUNICEF · 2025 · world median 82.992.382.9No earlier reading
São Tomé and Príncipe: 92.3 · world median 82.9 · Newborns with a health check within 2 days of birth (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 7.3 to 99.9; higher is better.
Position 35th of 109 · 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.
Coefficient of Variation of Habitual Caloric ConsumptionFAO · 2024 · world median 0.250.240.25▲ Improved since 2014
São Tomé and Príncipe: 0.24 · world median 0.25 · Coefficient of variation of habitual calorie consumption across the population (standard deviation ÷ mean). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.17 to 0.4; lower is better.
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.
Antenatal Care Coverage, At Least Four VisitsUNICEF · 2025 · world median 8183.681No earlier reading
São Tomé and Príncipe: 83.6 · world median 81 · Women with a live birth who had 4+ antenatal visits (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 22.6 to 100; higher is better.
Position 70th of 153 · derived.
Oral Rehydration Salts for Children with DiarrhoeaUNICEF · 2024 · world median 41.541.641.5No earlier reading
São Tomé and Príncipe: 41.6 · world median 41.5 · Children under 5 with diarrhoea given oral rehydration salts (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 9.9 to 95.4; higher is better.
Position 63rd of 127 · derived.
Behind the world median26
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.
Minimum Dietary Diversity, Children Aged 6–23 MonthsUNICEF · 2025 · world median 37.5732.2737.57No earlier reading
São Tomé and Príncipe: 32.27 · world median 37.57 · Children aged 6-23 months fed from at least 5 of 8 food groups (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 8.089 to 85.88; higher is better.
Position 63rd of 115 · derived.
Institutional DeliveriesUNICEF · 2025 · world median 96.995.496.9No earlier reading
São Tomé and Príncipe: 95.4 · world median 96.9 · Live births delivered in a health facility (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.5 to 100; higher is better.
Severe Child Food Poverty, Children Aged 6–23 MonthsUNICEF · 2024 · world median 21.2622.3221.26No earlier reading
São Tomé and Príncipe: 22.32 · world median 21.26 · Children aged 6-23 months fed from at most 2 of 8 food groups (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.169 to 63.08; lower is better.
Position 51st of 113 · derived, 1st = worst.
PM2.5 Air Pollution ExposureAtmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis · 2023 · world median 14.4515.914.45▼ Worsened since 2013
São Tomé and Príncipe: 15.9 · world median 14.45 · Population-weighted PM2.5 concentration (µg/m³). Atmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2.5 to 68.2; lower is better.
Position 98th of 220 · derived, 1st = worst.
Overweight Prevalence in Children Under FiveUNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · 2024 · world median 5.56.4155.5▼ Worsened since 2014
São Tomé and Príncipe: 6.415 · world median 5.5 · Children under 5 who are overweight (%). UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.623 to 26.43; lower is better.
Position 72nd 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.
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.
Share of Dietary Energy Supply from Cereals, Roots and TubersFAO · 2022 · world median 414641▼ Worsened since 2012
São Tomé and Príncipe: 46 · world median 41 · Share of dietary energy supply from cereals, roots and tubers (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 21 to 82; lower is better.
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.
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.
Maternal Mortality RatioMMEIG · 2023 · world median 46.6575.3646.65▲ Improved since 2013
São Tomé and Príncipe: 75.36 · world median 46.65 · Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.11 to 992.83; lower is better.
Position 76th of 195 · derived, 1st = worst.
Demand for Family Planning Satisfied by Modern MethodsUN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 71.256171.25▲ Improved since 2013
São Tomé and Príncipe: 61 · world median 71.25 · Share of women aged 15–49 wanting to avoid pregnancy who use a modern method (%). UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 8.4 to 92.4; higher is better.
Position 127th of 196 · derived.
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.
Human Development IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.7620.6370.762No real change since 2013
São Tomé and Príncipe: 0.637 · world median 0.762 · HDI score (0–1). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.388 to 0.972; higher is better.
Ranked 141st of 193 by UNDP Human Development Report Office.
Share of Population Unable to Afford a Healthy DietFAO · 2025 · world median 26.451.126.4▼ Worsened since 2017
São Tomé and Príncipe: 51.1 · world median 26.4 · Share of the population unable to afford a healthy diet (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.6 to 93.9; lower is better.
Position 39th of 145 · derived, 1st = worst.
Life Expectancy at Age 65UN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 16.3914.3316.39▲ Improved since 2013
São Tomé and Príncipe: 14.33 · world median 16.39 · Further years a 65-year-old would live at current death rates. UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 12.13 to 23.21; higher is better.
Position 164th of 222 · derived.
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.
Prevalence of UndernourishmentFAO · 2023 · world median 5.217.45.2▲ Improved since 2013
São Tomé and Príncipe: 17.4 · world median 5.2 · Population undernourished (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2.5 to 54.2; lower is better.
Position 32nd of 104 · derived, 1st = worst.
Adult Mortality (Probability of Dying Between 15 and 60)UN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 133.7213.73133.7▲ Improved since 2013
São Tomé and Príncipe: 213.73 · world median 133.7 · Deaths before age 60 per 1,000 people alive at 15, at that year's death rates. UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 25.15 to 415.44; lower is better.
Position 42nd of 222 · derived, 1st = worst.
Early Initiation of BreastfeedingUNICEF · 2024 · world median 52.9535.6652.95No earlier reading
São Tomé and Príncipe: 35.66 · world median 52.95 · Newborns put to the breast within one hour of birth (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 7.749 to 93.1; higher is better.
Position 112th of 136 · derived.
Adolescent Birth Rate (Ages 15–19)UN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 27.4686.1927.46No real change since 2013
São Tomé and Príncipe: 86.19 · world median 27.46 · Live births per 1,000 women aged 15–19. UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.465 to 163.09; lower is better.
Position 28th of 222 · derived, 1st = worst.
Vegetable Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 102.6932.02102.69▲ Improved since 2013
São Tomé and Príncipe: 32.02 · world median 102.69 · Vegetables available as food (kg per person per year). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 6.89 to 412.72; higher is better.
Dietary Energy SupplyFAO · 2024 · world median 2,9822,2792,982▼ Worsened since 2014
São Tomé and Príncipe: 2,279 · world median 2,982 · Dietary energy supply (kcal per person per day). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1,757 to 3,962; higher is better.
Position 141st of 155 · derived.
No better end10
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Average Weekly Hours WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 38.894938.89Moved since 2015
São Tomé and Príncipe: 49 · world median 38.89 · Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.64 to 54.7.
Position 3rd of 182 · 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.
Fish and Seafood Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 16.1726.5216.17Moved since 2013
São Tomé and Príncipe: 26.52 · world median 16.17 · Fish and seafood available as food (kg per person per year, live-weight equivalent). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.38 to 83.81.
Cost of a Healthy DietFAO · 2025 · world median 4.554.914.55Moved since 2017
São Tomé and Príncipe: 4.91 · world median 4.55 · Cost of the cheapest locally available healthy diet, PPP dollars per person per day. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.66 to 8.27.
Modern Contraceptive PrevalenceUN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 35.434.935.4Moved since 2013
São Tomé and Príncipe: 34.9 · world median 35.4 · Share of all women aged 15–49 using a modern contraceptive method (%). UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2 to 73.8.
Contraceptive Prevalence (Any Method)UN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 41.2537.641.25Moved since 2013
São Tomé and Príncipe: 37.6 · world median 41.25 · Share of all women aged 15–49 using any contraceptive method (%). UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 6.6 to 78.7.
Catastrophic Out-of-Pocket Health SpendingWorld Bank Group · 2019 · world median 6.884.8286.88No earlier reading
São Tomé and Príncipe: 4.828 · world median 6.88 · Population in households spending more than 10% of their budget on health out of pocket (%). World Bank Group, 2019 edition, data for 2019.
Published values in that edition run from 0.133 to 31.21.
Caesarean Section RateUNICEF · 2025 · world median 20.6510.220.65No earlier reading
São Tomé and Príncipe: 10.2 · world median 20.65 · Live births delivered by caesarean section (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.6 to 72.2.
Meat Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 57.8325.1957.83Moved since 2013
São Tomé and Príncipe: 25.19 · world median 57.83 · Meat available as food (kg per person per year, carcass weight). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 3.49 to 156.95.
Pesticide Use per HectareFAO · 2024 · world median 1.730.411.73Moved since 2014
São Tomé and Príncipe: 0.41 · world median 1.73 · Pesticide use (kg per hectare of cropland). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 37.72.
Position 145th of 178 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for São Tomé and Príncipe
Adults Who Have Been Too Anxious or Depressed to Carry On, Agreement That Vaccines Are Safe, Births Attended by Skilled Health Staff (last 2019), Excess Mortality During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Fatal Occupational Injuries, Female Genital Mutilation Prevalence, Global Report on Food Crises, Human Capital Index, INFORM Severity Index, Insecticide-Treated Net Use, Malaria Incidence (P. vivax), Prevalence of Moderate or Severe Food Insecurity (last 2022) and Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity (last 2022). 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
Health & Wellbeing among São Tomé and Príncipe’s 15 topics
Health & Wellbeing is São Tomé and Príncipe’s 6th 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 health & wellbeing
The three countries placed highest of 200, and the leaders São Tomé and Príncipe can most readily be measured against.
1
San MarinoSouthern Europe
1st of 200 · 2 of 4 keys
Photo: Matl derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
MonacoWestern Europe
2nd of 200 · 2 of 4 keys
Photo: Martin Weber derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
AndorraSouthern Europe
3rd of 200 · 2 of 4 keys
Photo: Tiia Monto derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest placed on all 4 keys
South Korea5th4/4 keysHighest in Africa
Cabo Verde80th4/4 keysHighest in Middle Africa
São Tomé and Príncipe=110th3/4 keys
Positions out of 200 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 health & wellbeing
On health & wellbeing
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 health & wellbeing
World Happiness Report 2025: Finland Leads Again as the US and UK Face Major Declines
The ten highest life evaluations of 2025, drawn on a world map, and the six things the report uses to explain them. Costa Rica and Mexico are the only two outside Europe and the Middle East.
08Questions
São Tomé and Príncipe on health & wellbeing: 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 health & wellbeing?
São Tomé and Príncipe is placed joint 110th of 200 countries on Health & Wellbeing in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 4 key statistics (Life Expectancy at Birth, Under-Five Mortality Rate and Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Life Expectancy at Birth figure for São Tomé and Príncipe?
69.72 in 2023 (years a newborn would live at current death rates), according to UN DESA Population Division. The world median in the same edition was 74.63.
What is the latest Under-Five Mortality Rate figure for São Tomé and Príncipe?
13.55 in 2024 (deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births)), according to UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME). The world median in the same edition was 14.54.
How have São Tomé and Príncipe’s health & wellbeing figures changed?
Life Expectancy at Birth rose from 61.21 in 2000 to 69.72 in 2023; Under-Five Mortality Rate fell from 82.17 in 2000 to 13.55 in 2024; Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity was 14.1 in both 2020 and 2022.
Which health & wellbeing statistics are missing for São Tomé and Príncipe?
No current reading is published for São Tomé and Príncipe on Adults Who Have Been Too Anxious or Depressed to Carry On, Agreement That Vaccines Are Safe, Births Attended by Skilled Health Staff, Excess Mortality During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Fatal Occupational Injuries, Female Genital Mutilation Prevalence, Global Report on Food Crises, Human Capital Index, INFORM Severity Index, Insecticide-Treated Net Use, Malaria Incidence (P. vivax), Prevalence of Moderate or Severe Food Insecurity and Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity. 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
Health spending, hospital beds and doctors per person are not measured, because more of any of them does not guarantee better outcomes. Mental health and self-reported happiness are not part of this topic. Food supply per person is measured under Food & Agriculture. Maternal mortality and many other indicators are published here as context; maternal mortality is a key in Development & Human Capital instead.
How the Health & Wellbeing 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 health & wellbeing method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Life Expectancy at Birth — UN DESA Population Division, CC BY 3.0 IGO
- Under-Five Mortality Rate — UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), CC BY 3.0 IGO
- Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five — UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), CC BY 3.0 IGO
- Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity — Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), CC BY 4.0
The other 49 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.
- San Marino — Matl derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Monaco — Martin Weber derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Andorra — Tiia Monto derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). São Tomé and Príncipe: Health & Wellbeing — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/sao-tome-and-principe/health