The population of Sao Tome and Principe is expected to grow by 4,740 in 2026 and reach 249,788 in 2027. Migration (including immigration and emigration) decreases population by 691 people yearly. On average there are 6,781 births and 1,337 deaths in Sao Tome and Principe per year. Rate of natural increase is approximately 2.22 percent per year. The population density of Sao Tome and Principe has changed from 102.7 in 1980 to 245.4 in 2024.
| Current population | 249,052 people at present (Thursday 5th of November 2026) | |
| Median Age | 25.2 years |
| Life expectancy | 70.3 years | |
| Population density | 255.2 per km2 |
| Year | Population | Year change | Migrants | Median age | Fertility rate | Density (Ppl/km2) | Urban population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 244,994 | 4,740 (1.9%) | -691 | 25.2 | 3.48 | 255 | 170,291 (69.5%) |
| 2025 | 240,254 | 4,718 (2.0%) | -650 | 25.1 | 3.54 | 250 | 166,189 (69.2%) |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 (0.0%) | -604 | 25.0 | 3.60 | 245 | 162,216 (68.9%) |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 (0.0%) | -592 | 24.8 | 3.64 | 240 | 158,388 (68.6%) |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 (0.0%) | -592 | 24.7 | 3.70 | 236 | 154,729 (68.4%) |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 (0.0%) | -782 | 24.6 | 3.76 | 231 | 151,319 (68.2%) |
| 2020 | 217,435 | 4,043 (1.9%) | 0 | 24.5 | 3.83 | 226 | 147,951 (68.0%) |
| 2019 | 0 | 0 (0.0%) | -1,716 | 24.3 | 3.90 | 222 | 144,921 (67.9%) |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 (0.0%) | -1,757 | 24.1 | 3.98 | 219 | 142,471 (67.8%) |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 (0.0%) | -1,779 | 23.9 | 4.07 | 216 | 140,019 (67.7%) |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 (0.0%) | -1,793 | 23.7 | 4.20 | 212 | 137,535 (67.5%) |
| 2015 | 200,291 | 3,524 (1.8%) | -1,809 | 23.5 | 4.35 | 209 | 134,979 (67.4%) |
| 2010 | 181,802 | 3,949 (2.2%) | -1,529 | 22.9 | 4.77 | 189 | 120,093 (66.1%) |
| 2005 | 161,639 | 3,934 (2.4%) | -941 | 22.7 | 4.94 | 168 | 96,044 (59.4%) |
| 2000 | 144,018 | 1,576 (1.1%) | -2,798 | 22.6 | 5.16 | 150 | 76,281 (53.0%) |
| 1995 | 134,895 | 2,163 (1.6%) | -1,829 | 22.5 | 5.55 | 141 | 65,425 (48.5%) |
| 1990 | 122,980 | 3,001 (2.4%) | -727 | 22.6 | 5.83 | 128 | 53,784 (43.7%) |
| 1985 | 108,658 | 2,264 (2.1%) | -828 | 22.9 | 6.10 | 113 | 40,719 (37.5%) |
| 1980 | 98,544 | 2,292 (2.3%) | -770 | 23.0 | 6.39 | 103 | 32,858 (33.3%) |
| 1975 | 86,708 | 2,036 (2.4%) | -392 | 23.0 | 6.53 | 90 | 27,564 (31.8%) |
| 1970 | 77,626 | 1,543 (2.0%) | -279 | 22.9 | 6.47 | 81 | 23,100 (29.8%) |
| 1965 | 71,680 | 815 (1.1%) | -765 | 24.6 | 6.35 | 75 | 15,669 (21.9%) |
| 1960 | 68,012 | 695 (1.0%) | -860 | 25.7 | 6.24 | 71 | 10,494 (15.4%) |
In 2025 the population of Sao Tome and Principe was 240,254 and the average age decreased from 25.7 in 1960 to 25.1. Urban population has increased from 76,281 (53.0%) in 2000 to 170,291 (69.5%) in the current year. The population density of Sao Tome and Principe has changed from 102.7 in 1980 to 245.4 in 2024.
| Year | Population | Year change | Migrants | Median age | Fertility rate | Density (Ppl/km2) | Urban population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 0 | 0 (0.0%) | 0 | 24.5 | 3.83 | 226 | 147,951 (68.0%) |
| 2025 | 0 | 0 (0.0%) | -650 | 25.1 | 3.54 | 250 | 166,189 (69.2%) |
| 2030 | 264,565 | 4,968 (1.9%) | -724 | 25.7 | 3.26 | 276 | 188,381 (71.2%) |
| 2035 | 290,088 | 5,168 (1.8%) | -736 | 26.4 | 3.04 | 302 | 215,049 (74.1%) |
| 2040 | 315,842 | 5,106 (1.6%) | -775 | 27.2 | 2.87 | 329 | 246,308 (78.0%) |
| 2045 | 340,926 | 4,998 (1.5%) | -722 | 28.2 | 2.73 | 355 | 282,248 (82.8%) |
| 2050 | 365,115 | 4,754 (1.3%) | -754 | 29.2 | 2.59 | 380 | 323,388 (88.6%) |
The life expectancy at birth should reach 74.3 (70.7 years for male and 77.8 years for females). Population density will go up to 380.3 people per square kilometer.
The population growth rate is 1.97% (4,718 residents, including 1,303 deaths). The demographics of Sao Tome and Principe constitutes of 123,320 women and 121,674 men, which means there are 987 men per 1000 women. As far as age distribution goes, 48.5% of population (118,700) is 19 or younger, 47.6% of population (116,568) is between age 20 and 64 and 4.0% of population (9,824) is over 65.