Employment rate in Sao Tome and Principe
Sao Tome and Principe: Employment rate was 21.2% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Latest (2025)
21.2%
Change on year
down 0.3%
World rank
186th
of 186 countries
All-time high
21.8%
in 2017
All-time low
19.8%
in 2002
Years of data
35
1991–2025
Employment rate in Sao Tome and Principe, 1991–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
Sao Tome and Principe recorded 21.2% for employment rate in 2025.
The figure is down 0.3% on the previous year and down 1.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, employment rate in Sao Tome and Principe peaked at 21.8% in 2017 and was at its lowest, 19.8%, in 2002.
That places Sao Tome and Principe 186th out of 186 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the bottom quarter.
Employment rate in Sao Tome and Principe, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 21.1% | — |
| 1992 | 21.1% | -0.1% |
| 1993 | 21.1% | +0.2% |
| 1994 | 21.1% | -0.0% |
| 1995 | 21.1% | -0.1% |
| 1996 | 21.1% | -0.2% |
| 1997 | 21.0% | -0.4% |
| 1998 | 20.9% | -0.4% |
| 1999 | 20.8% | -0.4% |
| 2000 | 20.7% | -0.5% |
| 2001 | 20.3% | -1.8% |
| 2002 | 19.8% | -2.4% |
| 2003 | 20.1% | +1.4% |
| 2004 | 20.2% | +0.2% |
| 2005 | 20.1% | -0.5% |
| 2006 | 20.0% | -0.2% |
| 2007 | 20.2% | +0.8% |
| 2008 | 20.3% | +0.8% |
| 2009 | 20.4% | +0.4% |
| 2010 | 20.5% | +0.6% |
| 2011 | 20.6% | +0.4% |
| 2012 | 20.7% | +0.7% |
| 2013 | 21.0% | +1.3% |
| 2014 | 21.3% | +1.2% |
| 2015 | 21.5% | +0.8% |
| 2016 | 21.6% | +0.8% |
| 2017 | 21.8% | +0.7% |
| 2018 | 21.7% | -0.3% |
| 2019 | 21.6% | -0.6% |
| 2020 | 20.9% | -3.3% |
| 2021 | 21.1% | +0.9% |
| 2022 | 21.4% | +1.5% |
| 2023 | 21.3% | -0.3% |
| 2024 | 21.3% | -0.3% |
| 2025 | 21.2% | -0.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 21.0% | 20.8% | 21.1% | 9 |
| 2000s | 20.2% | 19.8% | 20.7% | 10 |
| 2010s | 21.2% | 20.5% | 21.8% | 10 |
| 2020s | 21.2% | 20.9% | 21.4% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Sao Tome and Principe
More work & labour data for Sao Tome and Principe
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.2544 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.2707 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.2382 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate 0.0643 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 1.73 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 323.75 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 56 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 271.01 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 263 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 534.01 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is employment rate in Sao Tome and Principe?
- Employment rate in Sao Tome and Principe was 21.2% in 2025, according to ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest employment rate recorded in Sao Tome and Principe?
- The highest recorded value was 21.8% in 2017.
- What is the lowest employment rate recorded in Sao Tome and Principe?
- The lowest recorded value was 19.8% in 2002.
- How does Sao Tome and Principe rank for employment rate?
- Sao Tome and Principe ranks 186th out of 186 countries with data for 2025.
- Is employment rate rising or falling in Sao Tome and Principe?
- Over the last ten years it is down 1.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Sao Tome and Principe data come from?
- The figures come from ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Employment rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Share of the working-age population (ages 15 and older) who are employed.