The Democratic Republic of São Tome and Principe is one of Africa's smallest countries, and consists of two islands of volcanic origin and a number of smaller islets. While independence was achieved in July 1975, democratic reforms were not instituted until the late 1980s. The country has been plagued by continued instability, with frequent changes in leadership and coup attempts. Its economy is dependent on donors and cocoa exports, but will now attract more attention through the recent discovery of oil in the Gulf of Guinea. The country's official language is Portuguese.

Leader: President Fradique de Menezes
Capital city: Sao Tome

Economic profile

Monetary unit: Dobra
GDP per capita: $1 800 (2010) (CIA)
GDP composition by sector:
Agriculture: 14.7% (2010) (CIA)
Industry: 22.9% (2010) (CIA)
Services: 62.4% (2010) (CIA)
GDP growth rate: 4.5% (2010) (CIA)
Budget:
Government revenue, excluding grants: $35.56-million (2010) (CIA)
Government expenditure: $38.64-million (2010) (CIA)
Consumer price inflation: 13% (2010) (CIA)
Industries: Light construction, textiles, soap, beer, fish processing, and timber
Exports of goods and services: $13-million (2010) (CIA)
Imports of goods and services: $99-million (2010) (CIA)
Export commodities: Cocoa, copra, coffee, and palm oil
Import commodities: Machinery and electrical equipment, food products, and petroleum products
Trade balance: $-73-million (2010) (CIA)
Reserves: $46-million (2010) (CIA)
Total investment: 41% of GDP (2010) (CIA)
Market capitalisation of listed companies: Figures not available

Social profile

Population: 162 755 (2011) (World Bank)
Population growth: 1.6% (2011) (World Bank)
Life expectancy at birth: 65.8 years (2011) (World Bank)
Adult literacy: 89% (2009) (World Bank)
School enrolment primary: 131% (2009) (World Bank)
School enrolment secondary: 50% (2009) (World Bank)

School enrolment tertiary: 14% (2009) (World Bank)
Number of people living with HIV/Aids: Figures not available

Election profile

Pre-election report

Postelection report

São Tome and Principe