MigrantoImmigrants in Sao Tome and Principe
1.9K foreigners live in Sao Tome and Principe — 1% of the country's population
Immigrants in Sao Tome and Principe by country
The 3 largest groups make up 84% of all immigrants
| Country | Immigrants |
|---|---|
| Cape Verde | 1115 |
| Angola | 292 |
| Gabon | 192 |
| Equatorial Guinea | 118 |
| Portugal | 95 |
| Mozambique | 93 |
By region of origin
95% of immigrants come from Africa
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Key facts
Immigrants in Sao Tome and Principe in numbers
Cape Verdeans are the largest group by a wide margin
59% of all immigrants were born in Cape Verde, while the next group accounts for just 15%.
Immigrants come from a wider range of countries than in 1990
The largest group's share fell from 78% to 59%.
Immigrant population in Sao Tome and Principe over time
Foreigners living in Sao Tome and Principe, by year
| Year | Immigrants |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 5483 |
| 1995 | 4846 |
| 2000 | 4277 |
| 2005 | 3360 |
| 2010 | 2640 |
| 2015 | 2338 |
| 2020 | 2084 |
| 2024 | 1905 |
Largest groups over time
The 5 largest groups in Sao Tome and Principe, by year
| Year | Cape Verdeans | Angolans | Gabonese | Equatoguineans | Portuguese |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 4250 | 468 | 11 | 305 | 206 |
| 1995 | 3343 | 556 | 221 | 286 | 212 |
| 2000 | 2488 | 654 | 436 | 268 | 218 |
| 2005 | 1956 | 514 | 342 | 210 | 171 |
| 2010 | 1538 | 404 | 268 | 165 | 134 |
| 2015 | 1363 | 358 | 237 | 146 | 118 |
| 2020 | 1220 | 319 | 210 | 129 | 104 |
| 2024 | 1115 | 292 | 192 | 118 | 95 |
Fastest-changing groups
How each group's numbers have changed since the selected year
Share of each diaspora living in Sao Tome and Principe
Of each group's emigrants worldwide, the share who live in Sao Tome and Principe
Data source: International Migrant Stock 2024 (UN DESA, Population Division)
Frequently asked questions
How many foreigners live in Sao Tome and Principe?
Around 1.9K immigrants live in Sao Tome and Principe — the world's #221 largest immigrant population.
What percentage of the population of Sao Tome and Principe are immigrants?
Immigrants make up around 1% of the population of Sao Tome and Principe — that's 1.9K out of a total population of 235.5K.
Where do most immigrants in Sao Tome and Principe come from?
Most immigrants in Sao Tome and Principe come from Cape Verde, Angola and Gabon — these three countries account for about 84% of all immigrants.
How many Cape Verdeans live in Sao Tome and Principe?
Around 1.1K Cape Verdeans live in Sao Tome and Principe — about 59% of all immigrants, the largest group.
Is the immigrant population in Sao Tome and Principe growing?
No — over the past decade, the number of immigrants in Sao Tome and Principe has fallen from 2.3K to 1.9K, about 19%.
Where does the data on immigrants in Sao Tome and Principe come from?
The source is International Migrant Stock 2024 (UN DESA, Population Division). It counts people born abroad who now live in Sao Tome and Principe. Their children born in Sao Tome and Principe are not included.
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Living in Sao Tome and Principe
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