Sao Tome and Principe Population Pyramid (2026)
Sao Tome and Principe has a population of 244,994 in 2026, according to the UN World Population Prospects 2024 (projection for 1 July). That is the 175th-largest population in the world and less than 0.01% of the global total of 8.30 billion. Children under 15 make up 37.2% of the population and people aged 65 and over 4.0%, with 98.7 males for every 100 females.
Sao Tome and Principe Demographics
Sao Tome and Principe has 244,994 people in 2026, up 215.6% from 77,627 in 1970.
Births outnumber deaths by 5,442 (UN projection for 2026).
Median age 19.7 — the 34th-lowest of 194 countries.
Under-15 share 37.2% — the 36th-highest of 194 countries.
Largest generation: Gen Z — 31.7% (77,572)
All generations in Sao Tome and Principe →Population pyramid, 1950 to 2026
Watch how Sao Tome and Principe's population structure evolved from 1950 to 2026
Page Navigation(Quick jump to sections)
Sex Ratio & Gender Distribution
Sao Tome and Principe has 98.7 males per 100 females (sex ratio)
Women outnumber men by 1,646 (0.7% of the population).
Male Statistics
- Population:121,674
- Percentage:49.7%
Female Statistics
- Population:123,320
- Percentage:50.3%
- Ratio Format:1:1.014
Sex Ratio Analysis
The sex ratio of Sao Tome and Principe indicates more females than males.
Birth Statistics & Natality Data
Estimated births today
Simulated from the UN WPP 2024 projection of 6,777 births in 2026.
Current Birth Metrics (2026)
Temporal Distribution
Averages from the UN annual births, 2026 projection
Historical Birth Rate Trends, 1950 to 2026
Birth Statistics, 2021 to 2026
| Year | Births | Birth Rate (per 1,000) | TFR (children/woman) | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,330 | 28.5 | 3.76 | estimate |
| 2022 | 6,399 | 28.3 | 3.70 | estimate |
| 2023 | 6,507 | 28.2 | 3.64 | estimate |
| 2024 | 6,617 | 28.1 | 3.60 | projection |
| 2025 | 6,688 | 27.8 | 3.53 | projection |
| 2026 | 6,777 | 27.7 | 3.47 | projection |
Historical Analysis
Global Context (2026)
Source: UN WPP 2024: births, birth rate and fertility for 2024 and later are medium-variant projections; 1950–2023 are estimates. The live counter is a uniform simulation of the 2026 projection (6,777 births), not a real-time feed.
Median Age Analysis
Sao Tome and Principe's median age is 19.7 years
Half the population is younger than 19.7 years, half is older — indicating a very young society
Complete Age Distribution & Youth Demographics
| Age Group | Population | % | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-4 | 32,177 | 13.1% | Youth |
| 5-9 | 29,420 | 12.0% | Youth |
| 10-14 | 29,456 | 12.0% | Youth |
| 15-19 | 27,628 | 11.3% | Young Adult |
| 20-24 | 24,344 | 9.9% | Young Adult |
| 25-29 | 18,506 | 7.6% | Working Age |
| 30-34 | 14,775 | 6.0% | Working Age |
| 35-39 | 13,187 | 5.4% | Working Age |
| 40-44 | 13,228 | 5.4% | Working Age |
| 45-49 | 11,488 | 4.7% | Working Age |
| 50-54 | 8,808 | 3.6% | Working Age |
| 55-59 | 6,820 | 2.8% | Working Age |
| 60-64 | 5,359 | 2.2% | Working Age |
| 65-69 | 3,936 | 1.6% | Senior |
| 70-74 | 2,596 | 1.1% | Senior |
| 75-79 | 1,556 | 0.6% | Senior |
| 80-84 | 991 | 0.4% | Senior |
| 85-89 | 544 | 0.2% | Senior |
| 90-94 | 150 | 0.1% | Senior |
| 95-99 | 22 | 0.0% | Senior |
| 100+ | 1 | 0.0% | Senior |
Demographic Transition Model (DTM) Stage
Stage 3 (falling birth rate): 3.47 children per woman and 27.7 births per 1,000, with a low death rate (5.4). Read more about Stage 3 of the Demographic Transition Model.
Fertility Rate & Birth Statistics
Sao Tome and Principe Total Fertility Rate: 3.47 children per woman
Above the replacement level of 2.1
Fertility Rate Trends
Historical data (solid line) and future projections (dashed line)
Historical Fertility Trends
| Year | Total Fertility Rate | Birth Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3.76 | 28.5 | |
| 2022 | 3.70 | 28.3 | ↓0.06 |
| 2023 | 3.64 | 28.2 | ↓0.06 |
| 2024 | 3.60 | 28.1 | ↓0.04 |
| 2025 | 3.53 | 27.8 | ↓0.07 |
| 2026 | 3.47 | 27.7 | ↓0.06 |
Global Context
- • World Average: 2.23 children per woman
- • Comparison: Above global average
- • UN projection for 2030: 3.26
Sao Tome and Principe's total fertility rate is 3.47 children per woman in 2026 (above replacement), above the replacement level of 2.1. Sao Tome and Principe ranks 41 of 194 for fertility rate (1 = highest), in the highest third of countries. The fertility rate has changed by −44.3% since 1950.
Historical Demographic Changes
Between 1950 and 2026, Sao Tome and Principe's population has increased by 302.5%.
The median age has decreased from 23.7 in 1950 to 19.7 in 2026, indicating a younger demographic profile.
Understanding Sao Tome and Principe's Demographics
Sao Tome and Principe has an expansive population pyramid — a broad base of children that narrows steadily toward older ages.
Children under 15 make up 37.2% of the population and people aged 65 and over 4.0%.
The largest five-year age band is 0–4, at 13.1% of the population.
Demographic Analysis: Sao Tome and Principe's Population Structure
Demographic Dividend Window
Sao Tome and Principe's working-age share peaked in 1958 at 63.9% and is 58.8% in 2026.
Fertility Transition Stage
Sao Tome and Principe is in a period of above replacement, with a total fertility rate of 3.47 children per woman (2026, UN WPP 2024).
Population Aging Speed
Sao Tome and Principe's median age changed by +1.8 years from 2016 to 2026, slower than the world average (+2.6 years).
Key Demographics
| Total Population | 244,994 |
| Male Population | 121,674(49.7%) |
| Female Population | 123,320(50.3%) |
| Median Age | 19.7 years |
| Sex Ratio | 98.7 males per 100 females |
| Youth (0-14) | 91,053(37.2%) |
| Working Age (15-64) | 144,145(58.8%) |
| Elderly (65+) | 9,796(4.0%) |
| Total Dependency Ratio | 70.0 |
| Youth Dependency Ratio | 63.2 |
| Old Age Dependency Ratio | 6.8 |
| Pyramid Type | Expansive |
Dependency Ratios: Number of dependents per 100 working-age individuals.
Demographic Data Visualizations
Total population, 1950–2026 (UN WPP 2024; 2024 onward are projections).
Median age, 1950–2026 (UN WPP 2024; 2024 onward are projections).
Youth, working-age and elderly shares, 1950 vs 2026 (UN WPP 2024).
Age distribution in 2026: youth, working-age and elderly shares (UN WPP 2024; projection).
Life Expectancy in Sao Tome and Principe
How long the average person in Sao Tome and Principe is expected to live · sourced from UN WPP 2024
Historical Trend, 1950 → 2026 (plus UN projection to 2100)
Solid: actual · Dashed: medium-variant projectionFuture Demographic Trends
Sao Tome and Principe is projected to grow to 365,115 people by 2050 (+49.0% from 2026).
The median age rises from 19.7 in 2026 to 24.8 by 2050.
Sao Tome and Principe's Demographic Evolution by Decade
The population increased by 26.9%, growing from 0.1 million in 1970 to 0.1 million by 1980
The youth population share contracted by 1.2 percentage points.
Key Demographic Highlights
- • Population changed from 78K to 99K
- • Growth rate of 26.9% over the decade
- • Median age shifted from 15.7 to 16.2 years (+0.5y)
- • 65+ share changed by −0.2 points; under-15 share by −1.2 points
Frequently Asked Questions About Sao Tome and Principe
How does Sao Tome and Principe rank globally by population?
Sao Tome and Principe ranks 175th in the world by population with 244,994 people as of 2026.
What does Sao Tome and Principe's age structure reveal about its development?
Sao Tome and Principe's age structure — 37.2% under 15, 58.8% working-age (15–64) and 4.0% aged 65+ — is that of a country in Stage 3 of the demographic transition, with an expansive population pyramid. The median age is 19.7 years.
What is the dependency ratio in Sao Tome and Principe?
Sao Tome and Principe has 70.0 people under 15 or aged 65+ per 100 people aged 15–64 in 2026.
Is Sao Tome and Principe experiencing a demographic dividend?
Sao Tome and Principe has moved past its demographic-dividend window. Sao Tome and Principe's working-age share peaked in 1958 at 63.9% and is 58.8% in 2026. The demographic dividend occurs when falling fertility creates a bulge in the working-age population while dependency ratios stay manageable.
What are the gender dynamics in Sao Tome and Principe's population?
Sao Tome and Principe has more females than males, with 98.7 males per 100 females.
Compare with Other Countries
Data Sources & Methodology
All population data is sourced from the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. The data represents UN medium-variant projections.
Cite this page: Population Pyramids. (2026). Sao Tome and Principe Population Pyramid and Demographic Analysis. Retrieved from https://www.populationpyramids.org/sao-tome-and-principe
View UN World Population Prospects Data →