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São Tomé and Príncipe vs Seychelles
Side-by-side comparison of São Tomé and Príncipe and Seychelles from official statistics: size, economy, people, trade, natural resources, health, infrastructure and military, with world ranks, years and sources.
São Tomé and Príncipe
Sub-Saharan Africa · nation age 51 years
Seychelles
Sub-Saharan Africa · nation age 50 years
In short
Seychelles scores 44.1 in the NationsTree Index (112th in the world) and São Tomé and Príncipe scores 30.3 (163rd), a gap of 13.8 points. Their trees are 0.7 m and 1.2 m tall; tree height grows with real GDP and is adjusted by the index.
São Tomé and Príncipe has 96% more people than Seychelles. São Tomé and Príncipe is 2.1 times larger than Seychelles by land area. Seychelles has an economy 2.9 times the size of São Tomé and Príncipe (GDP at purchasing power parity). Population: São Tomé and Príncipe 240,254 and Seychelles 122,730 (2025).
GDP per person at purchasing power parity is $35,854 in Seychelles and $6,388 in São Tomé and Príncipe (2025, international dollars). People in Seychelles live on average 6.4 years longer (76.3 vs 69.9 years).
Of 27 indicators reported by both countries, São Tomé and Príncipe ranks higher in the world on 5 and Seychelles on 22. São Tomé and Príncipe is clearly stronger in environment & energy, natural resources and land & people. Seychelles is clearly stronger in infrastructure & digital, economy and institutions & safety.
As a nation, São Tomé and Príncipe is the older of the two (statehood since 1975, 51 years), compared with Seychelles (since 1976). Over the last five years São Tomé and Príncipe improved faster (direction score 53 vs 4 out of 100).
Where they differ most
The indicators with the biggest gap in world position between São Tomé and Príncipe and Seychelles.
São Tomé and Príncipebetter
29.3%
16th of 168
Seychelles
0.1%
161st of 168
Access to electricityInfrastructure & digital
São Tomé and Príncipe
77.7%
172nd of 215
Seychellesbetter
100.0%
1st of 215
InflationEconomy
São Tomé and Príncipe
11.0%
160th of 180
Seychellesbetter
0.3%
19th of 180
PhysiciansSociety & health
São Tomé and Príncipe
0.46
126th of 174
Seychellesbetter
6.60
3rd of 174
GDP growthEconomy
São Tomé and Príncipe
1.0%
173rd of 210
Seychellesbetter
5.8%
38th of 210
Over time
How the two countries moved against each other, from the yearly data.
Seychelles has been ahead of São Tomé and Príncipe in the NationsTree Index in every year since 1998.
Seychelles has been ahead of São Tomé and Príncipe in GDP per person (PPP), GDP (PPP) and life expectancy in every year since 1990.
São Tomé and Príncipe has been ahead of Seychelles in population in every year since 1990.
Strength by category
Average world percentile of the indicators in each category (0–100, direction taken into account). i
São Tomé and PríncipeSeychelles All indicators
Latest available value for each country with its year and world rank. Green: the better world position of the two, red: the weaker one.
| Indicator | São Tomé and Príncipe | Seychelles |
|---|---|---|
| Land & people | ||
| Surface area km² | 960178th/216 · 2024 | 457191st/216 · 2024 |
| Land area km² | 960177th/216 · 2024 | 457190th/216 · 2024 |
| Population people | 240,254181st/217 · 2025 | 122,730188th/217 · 2025 |
| Population growth % | 1.98%51st/217 · 2025 | 1.13%95th/217 · 2025 |
| Population density people/km² | 245.457th/216 · 2024 | 265.548th/216 · 2024 |
| Urban population % | 69.2%94th/217 · 2025 | 45.5%160th/217 · 2025 |
| Population aged 0–14 % | 37.5%39th/217 · 2025 | 19.8%126th/217 · 2025 |
| Population aged 65+ % | 3.9%168th/217 · 2025 | 8.7%108th/217 · 2025 |
| Economy | ||
| GDP USD | $981.3 m200th/210 · 2025 | $2.39 bn186th/210 · 2025 |
| GDP (PPP) intl. USD | $1.53 bn190th/199 · 2025 | $4.40 bn179th/199 · 2025 |
| Real GDP (PPP, constant 2021 prices) intl. USD 2021 | $1.31 bn190th/199 · 2025 | $3.76 bn179th/199 · 2025 |
| GDP per person USD | $4,084149th/210 · 2025 | $19,44979th/210 · 2025 |
| GDP per person (PPP) intl. USD | $6,388158th/199 · 2025 | $35,85471st/199 · 2025 |
| GNI per person (Atlas) USD | $3,800143rd/201 · 2025 | $19,20069th/201 · 2025 |
| GDP growth % | 1.0%173rd/210 · 2025 | 5.8%38th/210 · 2025 |
| Inflation % | 11.0%160th/180 · 2025 | 0.3%19th/180 · 2025 |
| Unemployment % | 9.1%144th/187 · 2025 | — |
| Central government debt % of GDP | — | 174.7%2008 |
| General government gross debt % of GDP | 59.1%110th/189 · 2025 | 51.2%85th/189 · 2025 |
| Government budget balance % of GDP | -3.4%116th/192 · 2025 | -1.0%54th/192 · 2025 |
| Main industries | ||
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing % of GDP | 12.2%61st/197 · 2025 | 2.6%137th/197 · 2025 |
| Industry incl. construction % of GDP | 2.2%200th/200 · 2025 | 14.3%164th/200 · 2025 |
| Manufacturing % of GDP | 0.6%189th/192 · 2025 | 5.4%147th/192 · 2025 |
| Services % of GDP | 81.4%10th/200 · 2025 | 67.9%42nd/200 · 2025 |
| Trade | ||
| Exports of goods & services USD | $130.2 m176th/182 · 2025 | $1.90 bn150th/182 · 2025 |
| Imports of goods & services USD | $326.8 m179th/182 · 2025 | $2.21 bn157th/182 · 2025 |
| Exports % of GDP | 13.3%167th/183 · 2025 | 79.6%17th/183 · 2025 |
| Imports % of GDP | 33.3%121st/183 · 2025 | 92.7%13th/183 · 2025 |
| Trade openness % of GDP | 46.6%149th/183 · 2025 | 172.3%12th/183 · 2025 |
| Fuel exports % of merchandise exports | 0.0%153rd/170 · 2022 | 0.0%165th/170 · 2024 |
| Manufactures exports % of merchandise exports | 1.5%165th/171 · 2023 | 0.3%169th/171 · 2024 |
| Food exports % of merchandise exports | 98.2%1st/171 · 2023 | 85.9%10th/171 · 2024 |
| Ores & metals exports % of merchandise exports | 0.2%161st/171 · 2023 | 13.7%35th/171 · 2024 |
| High-tech exports % of manufactured exports | 29.3%16th/168 · 2023 | 0.1%161st/168 · 2024 |
| Current account balance % of GDP | -4.3%135th/191 · 2025 | -7.7%162nd/191 · 2025 |
| Foreign direct investment, inflows % of GDP | 10.5%17th/196 · 2025 | 10.0%20th/196 · 2025 |
| Natural resources | ||
| Natural resource rents % of GDP | 1.9%98th/209 · 2021 | 0.1%153rd/209 · 2021 |
| Oil rents % of GDP | 0.00%120th/197 · 2021 | 0.00%120th/197 · 2021 |
| Natural gas rents % of GDP | 0.00%100th/197 · 2021 | 0.00%100th/197 · 2021 |
| Coal rents % of GDP | 0.00%68th/195 · 2021 | 0.00%68th/195 · 2021 |
| Mineral rents % of GDP | 0.00%91st/209 · 2021 | 0.00%91st/209 · 2021 |
| Forest rents % of GDP | 1.88%38th/209 · 2021 | 0.12%109th/209 · 2021 |
| Arable land % of land area | 4.2%144th/206 · 2024 | 0.3%200th/206 · 2024 |
| Renewable freshwater per person m³ | 9,63347th/183 · 2022 | — |
| Tourism | ||
| International tourist arrivals arrivals | 33,400181st/194 · 2018 | 124,500161st/194 · 2020 |
| Tourism receipts USD | $71.9 m148th/175 · 2018 | $228.0 m120th/175 · 2020 |
| Tourism receipts % of exports | 73.2%8th/168 · 2018 | 18.4%36th/168 · 2020 |
| Outbound trips departures | 10,3002008 | 19,000103rd/107 · 2020 |
| Society & health | ||
| Life expectancy years | 69.9155th/217 · 2024 | 76.397th/217 · 2024 |
| Under-5 mortality per 1,000 births | 13.695th/196 · 2024 | 14.096th/196 · 2024 |
| Physicians per 1,000 people | 0.46126th/174 · 2022 | 6.603rd/174 · 2022 |
| Hospital beds per 1,000 people | 2.960th/145 · 2019 | 2.668th/145 · 2023 |
| DPT immunization % of children 12–23 months | 87%121st/193 · 2024 | 94%66th/193 · 2024 |
| Completed lower secondary, 25+ % of adults | 38.9%2012 | 79.6%72nd/153 · 2023 |
| Secondary enrolment % gross | 90.4%2017 | 70.8%138th/173 · 2024 |
| Social protection coverage (incl. pensions) % of population | 16.1%2017 | — |
| Old-age dependency ratio % of working-age population | 6.7%165th/217 · 2025 | 12.2%116th/217 · 2025 |
| Health spending % of GDP | 5.8%109th/193 · 2023 | 4.5%140th/193 · 2023 |
| Adult literacy % | 87.4%2019 | 93.9%2010 |
| Tertiary enrolment % gross | 12.8%2015 | 14.5%131st/150 · 2024 |
| Human Development Index index 0–1 | 0.637141st/193 · 2023 | 0.84854th/193 · 2023 |
| Income inequality (Gini) index | 40.72017 | 32.12018 |
| Extreme poverty % of population | 13.0%2017 | 0.7%2018 |
| Infrastructure & digital | ||
| Access to electricity % of population | 77.7%172nd/215 · 2024 | 100.0%1st/215 · 2024 |
| Safely managed drinking water % of population | 36.7%122nd/150 · 2024 | 64.7%97th/150 · 2024 |
| Safely managed sanitation % of population | 34.7%103rd/144 · 2024 | — |
| Internet users % of population | 59.1%140th/186 · 2024 | 87.8%70th/186 · 2024 |
| Mobile subscriptions per 100 people | 62189th/210 · 2024 | 12675th/210 · 2024 |
| Fixed broadband per 100 people | 3.0150th/208 · 2024 | 31.654th/208 · 2024 |
| Trade & transport infrastructure quality (LPI) score 1–5 | 2.33116th/164 · 2018 | — |
| Air passengers carried passengers | 38,767146th/161 · 2023 | 236,917127th/161 · 2023 |
| Environment & energy | ||
| CO₂ emissions per person t CO₂e | 0.6350th/203 · 2024 | 7.24172nd/203 · 2024 |
| Renewable energy % of final energy use | 42.5%56th/212 · 2022 | 1.9%181st/212 · 2022 |
| Air pollution (PM2.5) µg/m³ | 15.183rd/200 · 2023 | 9.341st/200 · 2023 |
| Forest area % of land area | 57.6%39th/214 · 2024 | 58.5%35th/214 · 2024 |
| Energy use per person kg oil eq. | 2592007 | 2,4112007 |
| Institutions & safety | ||
| Government effectiveness score 0–100 | 36.7161st/205 · 2025 | 68.053rd/205 · 2025 |
| Control of corruption score 0–100 | 50.685th/207 · 2025 | 72.827th/207 · 2025 |
| Rule of law score 0–100 | 51.2128th/207 · 2025 | 68.262nd/207 · 2025 |
| Political stability score 0–100 | 75.276th/207 · 2025 | 86.130th/207 · 2025 |
| Regulatory quality score 0–100 | 39.3174th/205 · 2025 | 60.971st/205 · 2025 |
| Voice & accountability score 0–100 | 61.391st/205 · 2025 | 70.258th/205 · 2025 |
| Homicide rate per 100,000 | 3.22011 | 8.0112th/145 · 2022 |
| Military | ||
| Military expenditure USD | — | $28.4 m149th/156 · 2025 |
| Military expenditure % of GDP | — | 1.2%103rd/156 · 2025 |
| Military expenditure % of government spending | — | 3.4%123rd/154 · 2025 |
| Armed forces personnel people | 1,0001999 | 0166th/170 · 2020 |
| Armed forces personnel % of labour force | 5.10%1999 | — |
| Arms imports (SIPRI TIV) TIV | — | 19.0 m91st/163 · 2021 |
| Arms exports (SIPRI TIV) TIV | — | 1.0 m1995 |
| Science & innovation | ||
| R&D spending % of GDP | — | 0.20%2016 |
| Patent applications by residents applications | — | 1126th/137 · 2023 |
| Scientific articles articles | 5188th/197 · 2023 | 15178th/197 · 2023 |
Questions and answers
Which has more people, São Tomé and Príncipe or Seychelles?
São Tomé and Príncipe has the larger population: 240,254 (2025) compared with 122,730 for Seychelles (2025). Source: World Bank, SP.POP.TOTL.
Which is bigger by area, São Tomé and Príncipe or Seychelles?
São Tomé and Príncipe is larger: 960 km² (2024) compared with 457 km² for Seychelles (2024). Source: World Bank, AG.SRF.TOTL.K2.
Which economy is larger, São Tomé and Príncipe or Seychelles?
Seychelles has the larger economy at purchasing power parity: $4.40 bn intl. (2025) compared with $1.53 bn intl. for São Tomé and Príncipe (2025). Source: World Bank, NY.GDP.MKTP.PP.CD.
Which is richer per person, São Tomé and Príncipe or Seychelles?
Seychelles has the higher GDP per person (PPP): $35,854 intl. (2025) compared with $6,388 intl. for São Tomé and Príncipe (2025). Source: World Bank, NY.GDP.PCAP.PP.CD.
Where do people live longer, in São Tomé and Príncipe or Seychelles?
Seychelles has the higher life expectancy at birth: 76.3 years (2024) compared with 69.9 years for São Tomé and Príncipe (2024). Source: World Bank, SP.DYN.LE00.IN.
Which ranks higher in the NationsTree Index, São Tomé and Príncipe or Seychelles?
Seychelles: 44.1 points (112th in the world); São Tomé and Príncipe: 30.3 points (163rd). The index combines foundations, economic strength, quality of life, problems and 5-year direction from public statistics.
Cabo Verde
Central African Republic
Comoros
Guinea-BissauSources
World Bank World Development Indicators and Worldwide Governance Indicators, compiling UN agencies, the IMF, WHO, SIPRI and national statistical offices; every row links to its world ranking with the source series. See Sources & licences and Methodology.
Cite as: NationsTree (2026). São Tomé and Príncipe vs Seychelles — country comparison. https://nationstree.org/compare/sao-tome-and-principe-vs-seychelles. Data as of 26 October 2026.