Sao Tome & Principe GDP Growth Rate (2026)
Sao Tome & Principe has a small island economy supported by agriculture, tourism, services, external assistance, and household consumption. This page examines its GDP growth trend, historical performance, regional position, and outlook.
GDP Growth Rate 2026
+3.4%
Annual real GDP growth
World Rank
#77
Out of 195 countries
Change vs 2025
+1.3 pp
2025: +2.1%
Africa Rank
#36
Out of 54 countries
1. Sao Tome & Principe GDP Growth Rate in 2026
Economic growth is influenced by tourism, agriculture, public investment, external support, and domestic demand.
2. Sao Tome & Principe GDP Growth Rate Trends (1980–2026)
The country’s growth history has been shaped by cocoa production, development assistance, public spending, and gradual tourism expansion.
3. Sao Tome & Principe GDP Growth Rate (Historical Data)
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | +3.4% | +1.3 pp |
| 2025 | +2.1% | +1.0 pp |
| 2024 | +1.1% | +0.7 pp |
| 2023 | +0.4% | +0.2 pp |
| 2022 | +0.2% | -1.7 pp |
| 2021 | +1.9% | -0.7 pp |
| 2020 | +2.6% | +0.6 pp |
| 2019 | +2.0% | -2.4 pp |
| 2018 | +4.4% | +0.3 pp |
| 2017 | +4.1% | -1.1 pp |
| 2016 | +5.2% | +3.7 pp |
| 2015 | +1.5% | -3.4 pp |
| 2014 | +4.9% | -0.2 pp |
| 2013 | +5.1% | +2.2 pp |
| 2012 | +2.9% | +0.9 pp |
| 2011 | +2.0% | +0.6 pp |
| 2010 | +1.4% | -1.9 pp |
| 2009 | +3.3% | -4.9 pp |
| 2008 | +8.2% | +4.9 pp |
| 2007 | +3.3% | -5.8 pp |
| 2006 | +9.1% | +2.0 pp |
| 2005 | +7.1% | +3.3 pp |
| 2004 | +3.8% | -2.8 pp |
| 2003 | +6.6% | +4.2 pp |
| 2002 | +2.4% | 0.0 pp |
| 2001 | +2.4% | +2.0 pp |
| 2000 | +0.4% | -2.1 pp |
| 1999 | +2.5% | 0.0 pp |
| 1998 | +2.5% | +1.5 pp |
| 1997 | +1.0% | -0.5 pp |
| 1996 | +1.5% | -0.5 pp |
| 1995 | +2.0% | -0.2 pp |
| 1994 | +2.2% | +1.1 pp |
| 1993 | +1.1% | +0.4 pp |
| 1992 | +0.7% | -0.5 pp |
| 1991 | +1.2% | +3.4 pp |
| 1990 | -2.2% | -5.3 pp |
| 1989 | +3.1% | +1.1 pp |
| 1988 | +2.0% | +4.9 pp |
| 1987 | -2.9% | +2.9 pp |
| 1986 | -5.8% | -15.1 pp |
| 1985 | +9.3% | +15.3 pp |
| 1984 | -6.0% | -2.1 pp |
| 1983 | -3.9% | -7.0 pp |
| 1982 | +3.1% | +13.4 pp |
| 1981 | -10.3% | -9.2 pp |
| 1980 | -1.1% | — |
4. Sao Tome & Principe GDP Growth Performance
Current Growth Rate
+3.4%
(2026 to 2026)
5-Year Average
+1.4%
(2022 to 2026)
10-Year Average
+2.2%
(2017 to 2026)
20-Year Average
+3.0%
(2007 to 2026)
The economy benefits from tourism potential and international support, but weak infrastructure and a very small domestic market constrain development.
5. Sao Tome & Principe GDP Growth Rate vs Africa and World
Sao Tome & Principe
+3.4%
Africa Average
+4.1%
World Average
+2.8%
0.0%
2.1%
4.1%
Annual real GDP growth (%)
Sao Tome & Principe’s GDP growth rate is approximately
0.7 pp
below the
Africa average
and
0.6 pp
above the world average.
6. Sao Tome & Principe GDP Growth Rate Ranking in Africa
| Rank | Country | GDP Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| #33 | Burundi | +3.8% |
| #34 | Algeria | +3.8% |
| #35 | Madagascar | +3.6% |
| #36 | Mauritius | +3.4% |
| #37 | Sao Tome & Principe | +3.4% |
| #38 | Cameroon | +3.3% |
| #39 | Congo | +2.8% |
| #40 | Eritrea | +2.8% |
| #41 | Gabon | +2.7% |
7. Top 10 Fastest-Growing Countries in the World (2026)
8. GDP Growth Rate and Economy Size in Sao Tome & Principe
Sao Tome & Principe GDP (Nominal)
$1.2 Billion
(2026)
Sao Tome & Principe GDP Growth Rate
+3.4%
(2026)
Sao Tome & Principe generally grows from a low base and can outperform mature economies, though structural limitations create vulnerability.
Explore more:
Sao Tome & Principe GDP
9. Sao Tome & Principe GDP Growth Rate Forecast
The outlook depends on tourism, agriculture, investment, infrastructure, and fiscal stability. External financing and climate risks remain important.
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | +3.9% | +0.5 pp |
| 2028 | +3.3% | -0.6 pp |
| 2029 | +3.3% | 0.0 pp |
| 2030 | +3.3% | 0.0 pp |
10. Sao Tome & Principe GDP Growth Rate: Key Findings
Sao Tome & Principe GDP growth rate is estimated at +3.4% in 2026.
It ranks #77 globally and #36 in Africa by annual GDP growth rate.
The growth rate accelerated by 1.3 percentage points compared with 2025.
The 5-year average GDP growth rate is +1.4%.
The 10-year average GDP growth rate is +2.2%.
The current rate is 0.7 percentage points below the Africa average.
The current rate is 0.6 percentage points above the world average.
The forecast GDP growth rate is +3.3% in 2030, 0.1 percentage points below the 2026 rate.
11. What Is GDP Growth Rate?
GDP growth rate measures the percentage change in a country’s real gross domestic product from one period to the next, usually year over year.
GDP Growth Rate
=
(Real GDPₜ − Real GDPₜ₋₁)
÷
Real GDPₜ₋₁ × 100
A positive rate indicates economic expansion, while a negative rate indicates contraction. Real GDP growth is preferred for growth comparisons because it adjusts for price changes.
12. Methodology and Data Sources
Primary Source:
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Additional Source:
World Bank
Measure:
Annual percentage change in real GDP
Unit:
Percent (%)
Comparisons:
Year-to-year rate differences are shown in percentage points (pp)
Update Frequency:
Annually and when new forecasts are released
Last Updated:
November 2026
13. Sao Tome & Principe GDP Growth Rate FAQs
Sao Tome & Principe GDP growth rate is estimated at +3.4% in 2026.
Sao Tome & Principe ranks #77 globally and #36 in Africa by annual GDP growth rate.
The economy is expanding, with real GDP growth of approximately +3.4% in 2026.
Sao Tome & Principe GDP growth rate was +1.5% in 2015.
Sao Tome & Principe GDP growth rate is 0.7 percentage points below the Africa average.
15. Explore GDP Growth Rate
Disclaimer:
All data are estimates based on IMF, World Bank,
United Nations and related economic datasets.
Figures may differ from official national statistics.