Country profile

São Tomé and Príncipe: Costs, Safety, Relocation and Quality of Life

São Tomé and Príncipe is best read in the Nomadino comparison through the lens of everyday costs, housing and recurring expenses as well as safety, stability and risk exposure. The current data points to a mixed overall picture; its strongest main categories are Costs and Safety & Risk, while Conflicts & Political Security, Vacation Costs and Personal Services stand out at topic level. Before making a decision, check infrastructure, mobility and digital usability as well as residence, visas and settling abroad more closely, because the largest deductions come from Basic Infrastructure & Logistics, Internet & Connectivity and Wages & Purchasing Power.

Overall rating 53.94 points
Global rank Rank 159 globally
Continental rank Rank 13 in Africa

View main country ranking

Decision areas

The following entry points link directly to detailed articles that are especially relevant for relocation, longer stays, daily life and travel planning.

Key questions about São Tomé and Príncipe

Why is São Tomé and Príncipe especially relevant in this comparison?

The profile is shaped mainly by everyday costs, housing and recurring expenses as well as safety, stability and risk exposure; its strongest main categories are Costs and Safety & Risk.

Which topics stand out positively for São Tomé and Príncipe?

Conflicts & Political Security, Vacation Costs and Personal Services show the strongest topic-level results.

What should be checked before making a decision?

infrastructure, mobility and digital usability as well as residence, visas and settling abroad deserve closer attention; the largest deductions come from Basic Infrastructure & Logistics, Internet & Connectivity and Wages & Purchasing Power.

How important is lower-cost living and longer stays for São Tomé and Príncipe?

The detailed articles below help check whether the rating fits residence, work, costs, healthcare, safety or travel.

Strengths and weaknesses

This section only shows categories, topic areas and indicators where São Tomé and Príncipe ranks in the top three or bottom three globally or continentally and shares the same score with no more than two other countries. Global ranks take priority over continental ranks.

Strengths

Weaknesses

Comparisons and related countries

São Tomé and Príncipe is especially useful to compare with United States, Portugal and Spain, because those countries sit closer to its overall rating profile. Denmark and Germany work as contrast comparisons when everyday costs, housing and recurring expenses as well as safety, stability and risk exposure need to be weighed against different priorities; infrastructure, mobility and digital usability as well as residence, visas and settling abroad still deserve closer attention.

Static comparisons

All ratings and indicators for São Tomé and Príncipe

58 topic areas and 342 indicators are linked directly in the static HTML. Categories and topic areas are collapsed to keep the country profile easy to scan.

🛡️ Safety & Risk ShowHide

Safety & Crime

6 indicators

74
/ 100
ShowHide
Homicide Rate
Rank 119 globally 88
Petty Crime Index
Rank 113 globally 57
Women's Safety
Rank 110 globally 59
Organized Crime
Rank 18 globally 71
Kidnapping Risk
Rank 80 globally 84
BAC Limit (‰)
Rank 1 globally 100
92
/ 100
ShowHide
Active Conflicts & War Risk
Rank 7 globally 96
Political Violence
Rank 57 globally 85
Geopolitical Risk
Rank 42 globally 92
Terrorism Risk
Rank 1 globally 100

Natural Hazards

8 indicators

80
/ 100
ShowHide
Flood Risk
Rank 1 globally 92
Storm Risk
Rank 126 globally 71
Earthquake Risk
Rank 17 globally 92
Drought Risk
Rank 35 globally 82
Wildfire Risk
Rank 98 globally 50
Landslide Risk
Rank 51 globally 67
Tsunami Risk
Rank 64 globally 83
Volcano Risk
Rank 105 globally 98

Privacy & Surveillance

6 indicators

62
/ 100
ShowHide
State Surveillance
Rank 116 globally 64
Internet Censorship
Rank 114 globally 69
Internet Freedom
Rank 112 globally 64
Data Protection Laws
Rank 147 globally 41
VPN Access
Rank 122 globally 71
Cybercrime Risk
Rank 96 globally 62
51
/ 100
ShowHide
Rule of Law
Rank 120 globally 51
Property Rights Security
Rank 134 globally 48
Corruption Perception
Rank 107 globally 48
Police Effectiveness
Rank 113 globally 60
Expropriation Risk
Rank 123 globally 55
Extradition Risk
Rank 9 globally 57

Long-Term Stability

4 indicators

58
/ 100
ShowHide
Political Stability
Rank 93 globally 68
Economic Resilience
Rank 176 globally 51
Government Efficiency
Rank 139 globally 52
Climate Vulnerability
Rank 102 globally 59
❤️ Health ShowHide

Healthcare & Access

12 indicators

54
/ 100
ShowHide
Healthcare Quality
Rank 162 globally 49
Universal Healthcare Coverage
Rank 133 globally 64
Emergency Care
Rank 146 globally 52
Medicine Access
Rank 143 globally 59
Hospital Infections & Patient Safety
Rank 146 globally 51
Health Insurance for Foreigners
Rank 183 globally 47
Out-of-Pocket Health Expenditure
Rank 83 globally 79
Doctor Density
Rank 177 globally 17
Hospital Beds
Rank 84 globally 47
Healthcare Coverage (%)
Rank 174 globally 74
Specialist Visit Cost
Rank 54 globally 74
English-Speaking Doctors
Rank 172 globally 34

Environmental Health

6 indicators

41
/ 100
ShowHide
Fine Particulate Matter Exposure (PM2.5)
Rank 171 globally 50
Noise Pollution
Rank 41 globally 70
UV Radiation
Rank 103 globally 26
Tap Water Safety
Rank 195 globally 43
Sanitation
Rank 172 globally 38
Waste Management
Rank 188 globally 14
66
/ 100
ShowHide
Life Expectancy
Rank 164 globally 57
Infectious Diseases
Rank 170 globally 55
Obesity Rate
Rank 71 globally 78
Infant Mortality (per 1,000)
Rank 104 globally 50
Mental Health
Rank 91 globally 66
Suicide Rate
Rank 1 globally 100
Maternal Mortality
Rank 151 globally 49
Vaccination Rate
Rank 134 globally 87
Alcohol & Tobacco Consumption
Rank 57 globally 77
Drug and Substance-Use Burden
Rank 83 globally 81
💸 Finance & Taxes ShowHide

Taxes & Finance

10 indicators

76
/ 100
ShowHide
Effective Income Tax Rate (%)
Rank 36 globally 93
Top Income Tax Rate
Rank 75 globally 66
Social Security Burden
Rank 109 globally 74
VAT / GST Rate
Rank 99 globally 53
Capital Gains Tax
Rank 1 globally 100
Dividend Tax Rate
Rank 91 globally 79
Inheritance / Estate Tax
Rank 1 globally 100
Territorial Tax System
Rank 30 globally 85
Tax Filing Effort (hours/year)
Rank 212 globally 28
Double Taxation Agreements
Rank 174 globally 5
46
/ 100
ShowHide
Capital Flow Freedom
Rank 168 globally 58
Capital Market Depth
Rank 200 globally 45
Business Credit Access
Rank 201 globally 38
Investor Protection
Rank 130 globally 49
Foreign Investment Openness
Rank 141 globally 47
Currency Convertibility & Transferability
Rank 198 globally 55
Venture Capital & Startup Financing
Rank 204 globally 33
Alternative Financing Access
Rank 209 globally 28

Banking & Fintech

8 indicators

48
/ 100
ShowHide
Expat Banking Ease
Rank 159 globally 28
Banking Stability
Rank 209 globally 35
SWIFT / Wire Access
Rank 192 globally 70
Fintech Development
Rank 209 globally 8
ATM Availability
Rank 142 globally 66
Banking Secrecy Index
Rank 27 globally 55
Automatic Tax Information Exchange
Rank 15 globally 93
Cash Transaction Limit
Rank 1 globally 100

Bitcoin & Crypto

6 indicators

26
/ 100
ShowHide
Crypto Adoption
Rank 189 globally 16
Crypto Regulation
Rank 159 globally 29
Legal Status
Rank 168 globally 31
Bitcoin Merchant Acceptance
Rank 177 globally 8
Crypto Tax Rate
Rank 93 globally 74
Bitcoin Cash Access
Rank 175 globally 6

Real Estate & Property

4 indicators

62
/ 100
ShowHide
Foreigner Ownership Rights
Rank 128 globally 40
Transaction Costs
Rank 164 globally 55
Affordability
Rank 17 globally 85
Gross Rental Yield
Rank 74 globally 68
39
/ 100
ShowHide
Corporate Tax Rate
Rank 107 globally 38
Cost to Start a Business
Rank 210 globally 25
Labor Market Flexibility
Rank 210 globally 41
Days to Register a Company
Rank 97 globally 56

Macroeconomics

9 indicators

52
/ 100
ShowHide
GDP per Capita (PPP, USD)
Rank 179 globally 37
Inflation Rate (CPI, %)
Rank 205 globally 38
Public Debt (% of GDP)
Rank 158 globally 46
GDP Growth Rate (%)
Rank 181 globally 66
Economic Freedom Index
Rank 134 globally 56
Tax Burden (% of GDP)
Rank 134 globally 79
Central Bank Independence
Rank 183 globally 54
Foreign Exchange Reserves (months of imports)
Rank 141 globally 55
Current Account Balance (% of GDP)
Rank 46 globally 87
23
/ 100
ShowHide
Avg. Monthly Net Salary ($/month)
Rank 190 globally 12
Purchasing Power Index
Rank 210 globally 7
Unemployment Rate (%)
Rank 165 globally 57
Wage Growth Rate (%)
Rank 117 globally 72
Salary-to-Rent Ratio
Rank 218 globally 16
Minimum Wage (USD/month)
Rank 188 globally 13
🏠 Costs ShowHide

Housing & Utilities

5 indicators

67
/ 100
ShowHide
City Rent per Square Meter
Rank 79 globally 52
Rural Rent per Square Meter
Rank 84 globally 63
Electricity Cost
Rank 142 globally 59
Heating & Gas Cost
Rank 1 globally 100
Water & Sewage Cost
Rank 51 globally 98

Food & Basic Goods

7 indicators

74
/ 100
ShowHide
Milk Price per Liter
Rank 77 globally 60
Bread Price per 500 Grams
Rank 80 globally 76
Egg Price for 12 Eggs
Rank 76 globally 71
Chicken Fillet Price per Kilogram
Rank 72 globally 77
Beef Round Price per Kilogram
Rank 69 globally 72
Vegetable Basket Price per Kilogram
Rank 74 globally 81
Water Price per Liter in Supermarket
Rank 86 globally 72

Dining & Going Out

9 indicators

80
/ 100
ShowHide
Price of an Inexpensive Restaurant Meal
Rank 87 globally 76
Burger Menu Price
Rank 92 globally 90
Cappuccino (Café)
Rank 117 globally 75
Local Beer (Restaurant)
Rank 101 globally 82
Local Beer Price in a Market
Rank 113 globally 86
Imported Beer Price in a Market
Rank 124 globally 80
Cocktail (Bar)
Rank 88 globally 83
Mid-Range Wine Bottle Price
Rank 133 globally 65
Soft Drink Price in a Market
Rank 119 globally 82

Mobility Costs

7 indicators

76
/ 100
ShowHide
Transit Cost
Rank 100 globally 92
Fuel Price ($/L)
Rank 138 globally 60
Car Rental ($/day)
Rank 86 globally 86
Car Insurance ($/yr)
Rank 47 globally 97
Car Purchase Index
Rank 153 globally 1
Driving License Cost ($)
Rank 82 globally 95
City Parking ($/hr)
Rank 69 globally 94
59
/ 100
ShowHide
Internet Cost
Rank 173 globally 46
Mobile Plan Cost
Rank 131 globally 60
Prepaid SIM & Data Package Cost
Rank 148 globally 71
eSIM & Travel Data Cost
Rank 157 globally 76
Coworking Day Pass Cost
Rank 95 globally 65

Personal Services

4 indicators

84
/ 100
ShowHide
Haircut Cost
Rank 98 globally 83
Fitness Club Monthly Fee
Rank 90 globally 87
Laundry & Dry Cleaning Cost
Rank 90 globally 85
Local Services Cost
Rank 101 globally 80
🏗️ Infrastructure ShowHide
10
/ 100
ShowHide
Logistics Performance
Rank 210 globally 5
Rail Network Density
Rank 134 globally 1
Airport Connectivity
Rank 153 globally 26
Port Connectivity
Rank 152 globally 12
54
/ 100
ShowHide
Road Quality
Rank 173 globally 33
Traffic Congestion
Rank 16 globally 80
Road Density
Rank 46 globally 71
Traffic Deaths
Rank 105 globally 75
EV Charging Infrastructure
Rank 175 globally 3

Electricity & Energy

6 indicators

54
/ 100
ShowHide
Power Outages
Rank 162 globally 62
Electrification Rate
Rank 179 globally 65
Energy Self-Sufficiency
Rank 166 globally 20
Renewable Energy Share
Rank 86 globally 45
CO2 Intensity
Rank 111 globally 42
Nuclear Exposure
Rank 1 globally 100
19
/ 100
ShowHide
Broadband Speed
Rank 184 globally 23
Fixed Broadband Subscriptions
Rank 168 globally 8
Mobile Speed
Rank 181 globally 34
5G Coverage
Rank 181 globally 2

Public Transport

4 indicators

35
/ 100
ShowHide
Transit Coverage
Rank 145 globally 35
Transit Punctuality
Rank 142 globally 50
Cycling Infrastructure
Rank 131 globally 10
Walkability Score
Rank 150 globally 45
🌿 Lifestyle ShowHide

Work-Life Balance

5 indicators

53
/ 100
ShowHide
Annual Working Hours
Rank 133 globally 48
Paid Vacation Days
Rank 81 globally 67
Happiness Index (UN)
Rank 168 globally 48
Burnout Risk
Rank 122 globally 48
Public Holidays
Rank 63 globally 52

Climate & Weather

6 indicators

64
/ 100
ShowHide
Temperature Comfort
Rank 113 globally 61
Sunshine Hours
Rank 215 globally 53
Humidity Comfort
Rank 213 globally 41
Rainy Days
Rank 212 globally 46
Extreme Heat Days
Rank 1 globally 100
Seasonal Variation
Rank 9 globally 98

Outdoor & Lifestyle

5 indicators

72
/ 100
ShowHide
Beach Quality
Rank 86 globally 69
Mountain Access
Rank 101 globally 42
Protected Land Area (%)
Rank 1 globally 100
Biodiversity Index
Rank 48 globally 76
Forest Cover
Rank 47 globally 70

Leisure & Recreation

4 indicators

45
/ 100
ShowHide
Sports & Fitness Facilities
Rank 187 globally 17
Urban Green Space Access
Rank 70 globally 70
Leisure Infrastructure
Rank 164 globally 26
Recovery Time
Rank 135 globally 65

Arts & Entertainment

6 indicators

29
/ 100
ShowHide
Museums per 100,000 People
Rank 114 globally 29
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Rank 191 globally 0
Music & Nightlife
Rank 161 globally 30
Cinema Density
Rank 138 globally 12
Cultural Freedom
Rank 107 globally 55
Football and Stadium Culture
Rank 185 globally 55
31
/ 100
ShowHide
Cuisine Diversity
Rank 165 globally 27
Restaurant Density
Rank 181 globally 25
Street Food Scene
Rank 160 globally 29
Local Market Quality
Rank 136 globally 42
Café Culture
Rank 184 globally 19
Local Freshness
Rank 127 globally 47
Local Authenticity
Rank 154 globally 29

Family-Friendly

7 indicators

40
/ 100
ShowHide
Childcare Cost ($/month)
Rank 29 globally 98
Paid Parental Leave (weeks)
Rank 97 globally 31
Child Benefit ($/month)
Rank 157 globally 19
Child Poverty Rate (%)
Rank 180 globally 50
Child Safety Score
Rank 162 globally 48
Childcare Coverage (%)
Rank 162 globally 8
Playground Density
Rank 180 globally 25

Pet-Friendly

7 indicators

44
/ 100
ShowHide
Pet Entry Rules
Rank 152 globally 35
Veterinary Quality
Rank 178 globally 25
Vet Cost Affordability
Rank 89 globally 65
Pet Food Prices
Rank 88 globally 62
Animal Welfare Laws
Rank 160 globally 25
Pet-Friendly Housing
Rank 126 globally 48
Outdoor Pet Access
Rank 128 globally 48
✈️ Relocation & Residency ShowHide
48
/ 100
ShowHide
Residence Permit Ease
Rank 135 globally 64
E-Government
Rank 190 globally 41
Visa Processing Time
Rank 139 globally 48
Local Registration Requirements
Rank 169 globally 48
Foreign Document & Qualification Recognition
Rank 160 globally 48
Household Goods & Customs
Rank 182 globally 25
International Licence Compatibility
Rank 177 globally 42
48
/ 100
ShowHide
Visa-Free Tourist Stay Days
Rank 129 globally 35
Visa Application Ease
Rank 174 globally 47
Border Openness
Rank 157 globally 47
Travel & Entry Comfort
Rank 178 globally 34
Visa Income & Asset Requirements
Rank 28 globally 94
34
/ 100
ShowHide
Digital Nomad Visa
Rank 169 globally 31
Remote Work Legality
Rank 139 globally 50
Freelance Legal Framework
Rank 198 globally 42
Remote Job Market
Rank 198 globally 37
Coworking Density
Rank 177 globally 25
Nomad Community
Rank 183 globally 20
Avg. Remote Salary (USD)
Rank 207 globally 22
49
/ 100
ShowHide
Work Rights for Foreigners
Rank 152 globally 52
Work Permit Access for Foreigners
Rank 165 globally 52
Local Self-Employment and Freelancing Rights
Rank 182 globally 45
Employment Restrictions for Foreigners
Rank 155 globally 49
Professional Qualification Recognition
Rank 161 globally 46
Business Ownership by Foreigners
Rank 159 globally 50
49
/ 100
ShowHide
Time to Permanent Residency or Citizenship
Rank 124 globally 42
Family Reunification
Rank 140 globally 54
Naturalization Requirements
Rank 140 globally 54
Residence Status Stability
Rank 125 globally 59
Residence Status for Spouses and Children
Rank 141 globally 52
Passport Power (Henley Index)
Rank 172 globally 21
Dual Citizenship Allowed
Rank 57 globally 90
Citizenship by Investment
Rank 13 globally 0

Language & Integration

7 indicators

39
/ 100
ShowHide
English Proficiency (EF EPI)
Rank 189 globally 27
Local Language Barrier
Rank 193 globally 34
Integration Ease
Rank 172 globally 54
Cultural Etiquette Gap
Rank 146 globally 55
Expat Community Size
Rank 178 globally 26
Cultural Distance to West
Rank 153 globally 53
International Schools
Rank 204 globally 27
43
/ 100
ShowHide
Expat Welcome Culture
Rank 159 globally 44
Foreigner Discrimination
Rank 134 globally 41
Xenophobia Levels
Rank 138 globally 44
Racial Safety for Foreigners
Rank 131 globally 44
41
/ 100
ShowHide
Rental Access for Foreigners
Rank 162 globally 44
Tax Residency Clarity for Expats
Rank 171 globally 37
Local Contracts and Utilities Access
Rank 174 globally 41
Local Identity and Address Proof
Rank 179 globally 38
Everyday Accounts and Payments for Foreigners
Rank 180 globally 43
🏖️ Travel & Vacation ShowHide
39
/ 100
ShowHide
Hotel Quality
Rank 181 globally 35
Vacation Rental Quality
Rank 174 globally 40
Accommodation Availability
Rank 162 globally 37
Booking & Transparency
Rank 169 globally 43

Tourism Infrastructure

4 indicators

40
/ 100
ShowHide
Airport-to-Destination Transfer
Rank 170 globally 34
Digital Travel Services
Rank 190 globally 37
Traveler Payment Infrastructure
Rank 191 globally 44
Tourist Information Quality
Rank 184 globally 44
45
/ 100
ShowHide
Major Attractions Density
Rank 190 globally 29
Guided Tours & Bookable Experiences
Rank 188 globally 40
Tourist Outdoor Activities
Rank 62 globally 73
Nightlife & Entertainment for Visitors
Rank 177 globally 37
67
/ 100
ShowHide
Tourist Beach Quality
Rank 114 globally 65
Swimming & Water Sports
Rank 141 globally 56
National Parks & Nature Access
Rank 50 globally 79

Vacation Costs

5 indicators

90
/ 100
ShowHide
Hotel Cost
Rank 64 globally 91
Vacation Rental Cost
Rank 67 globally 92
Attraction Entry Cost
Rank 89 globally 88
Tour & Activity Cost
Rank 82 globally 89
Tourist Taxes & Fees
Rank 1 globally 88
69
/ 100
ShowHide
High-Season Overcrowding
Rank 151 globally 82
Off-Season Usability
Rank 176 globally 59
Seasonal Capacity Shortage
Rank 182 globally 52
Seasonal Price Surcharges
Rank 81 globally 85
🌐 Society & Participation ShowHide

Society & Freedom

4 indicators

66
/ 100
ShowHide
Press Freedom
Rank 63 globally 70
Democracy Index
Rank 104 globally 65
Personal Freedom
Rank 114 globally 65
Freedom of Political Expression
Rank 104 globally 66

Education & Knowledge

5 indicators

54
/ 100
ShowHide
Adult Literacy Rate
Rank 147 globally 92
PISA Score
Rank 170 globally 16
Tertiary Enrollment Rate
Rank 147 globally 28
Education Expenditure
Rank 89 globally 75
School Life Expectancy
Rank 167 globally 60
24
/ 100
ShowHide
Pension Replacement Rate (%)
Rank 160 globally 0
Unemployment Benefit Duration (months)
Rank 151 globally 0
Social Spending (% of GDP)
Rank 168 globally 17
Gini Index
Rank 172 globally 40
Poverty Rate (%)
Rank 157 globally 20
Housing Support Score
Rank 180 globally 19
Social Mobility Score
Rank 176 globally 28
Social Cohesion
Rank 121 globally 54
55
/ 100
ShowHide
Gender Equality
Rank 100 globally 61
Women’s Rights & Equality
Rank 102 globally 59
Anti-Discrimination Protection
Rank 113 globally 51
Minority Rights Protection
Rank 123 globally 46
Everyday Discrimination Risk
Rank 125 globally 48

LGBTQ+ Friendliness

5 indicators

37
/ 100
ShowHide
Same-Sex Legal Status
Rank 120 globally 35
LGBTQ+ Anti-Discrimination
Rank 111 globally 39
LGBTQ+ Social Acceptance
Rank 130 globally 37
LGBTQ+ Rights
Rank 111 globally 39
Pride Culture
Rank 120 globally 29
38
/ 100
ShowHide
Disability Support Score
Rank 159 globally 35
Public Accessibility
Rank 154 globally 41
Digital Accessibility
Rank 168 globally 34
Inclusion in Education and Work
Rank 159 globally 43

Religion & Worldviews

4 indicators

63
/ 100
ShowHide
Religious Freedom Index
Rank 84 globally 81
Secularization Score
Rank 110 globally 43
Religious Diversity Index
Rank 103 globally 38
Religious Influence in Public Life
Rank 94 globally 69

Demography

10 indicators

56
/ 100
ShowHide
Median Age
Rank 18 globally 90
Fertility Rate
Rank 165 globally 45
Population Growth
Rank 49 globally 62
Net Migration Rate
Rank 194 globally 33
Urbanization Rate
Rank 81 globally 72
Foreign Population Share
Rank 128 globally 35
Population Density
Rank 160 globally 49
Gender Ratio (F/100 M)
Rank 131 globally 50
Youth Gender Ratio (15-29)
Rank 53 globally 90
Single-Person Households
Rank 136 globally 19