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🇸🇹São Tomé and Principe Political Stability: 31.2/100

São Tomé and Principe scores 31.2 out of 100 on the Political Stability Index, rated "Weak" based on World Bank 2023 Worldwide Governance Indicators across six governance dimensions.

Weak
Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution

Composite score is the unweighted average of six governance dimensions, each measured on a 0-100 percentile scale.

São Tomé and Príncipe is located in the equatorial Atlantic, about 300 km off the coast of Gabon. It consists of two volcanic islands, São Tomé and Príncipe, with mountainous terrain and lush landscapes. The climate is tropical, with average temperatures around 26 °C and a rainy season from October to May.

The population of São Tomé and Príncipe is approximately 201,800, with the majority residing on São Tomé. Portuguese is the official language, spoken by about 98.4% of the population, along with several creole languages. The predominant religion is Catholicism, with significant Protestant and Muslim minorities.

Governance Indicators

Control of Corruption55/100
Political Stability47/100
Voice & Accountability47/100
Rule of Law19/100
Government Effectiveness10/100
Regulatory Quality9/100

Governance Profile: São Tomé and Principe

World Bank governance: rule of law 19th percentile, corruption control 55th percentile, political stability 47th percentile.

São Tomé and Principe's strongest governance dimension is Control of Corruption at 55/100, placing it in the upper half globally. This indicates relatively effective mechanisms for limiting misuse of public office for private gain.

The weakest dimension is Regulatory Quality at 9/100. Regulatory challenges may create an unpredictable environment for economic activity and daily life.

A wide 46-point gap between the highest and lowest indicators signals deeply uneven governance. Strong performance in Control of Corruption contrasts sharply with weakness in Regulatory Quality. This kind of imbalance often means that day-to-day experiences can vary dramatically depending on which government functions are involved.

Weak governance indicators for São Tomé and Principe mean travelers should exercise heightened caution. Government services may be limited or unreliable, corruption can affect interactions with officials, and legal protections may not function as expected. Thorough preparation and situational awareness are essential.

The U.S. State Department currently rates São Tomé and Principe as Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution). This aligns with a governance profile that, while not without challenges, provides a baseline of institutional functioning.

AF Governance Comparison

Top governance performers in AF based on the corruption composite ranking (weighted: 60% corruption control, 25% rule of law, 15% government effectiveness).

CountryScore
🇸🇨Seychelles72.9
🇨🇻Cape Verde61.9
🇲🇺Mauritius61.3
🇧🇼Botswana60.4
🇷🇼Rwanda59.1
🇸🇹São Tomé and Principe39.3

Common Questions About São Tomé and Principe's Political Stability

What is São Tomé and Principe's political stability score?+
São Tomé and Principe has a composite political stability score of 31.2 out of 100, placing it in the "Weak" category. This score is the average of six World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators for 2023: Voice & Accountability, Political Stability, Government Effectiveness, Regulatory Quality, Rule of Law, and Control of Corruption.
What do the World Bank governance indicators measure?+
The six indicators come from the World Bank's Worldwide Governance Indicators (WGI) project. Each measures a different dimension of governance on a 0-100 percentile scale. Voice & Accountability captures perceptions of citizen participation and media freedom. Political Stability measures the likelihood of political instability or violence. Government Effectiveness assesses the quality of public services and policy implementation. Regulatory Quality evaluates the government's ability to formulate sound policies. Rule of Law captures confidence in contract enforcement, property rights, and courts. Control of Corruption measures the extent to which public power is exercised for private gain.
How does São Tomé and Principe's stability affect travel safety?+
Governance indicators provide context beyond traditional travel advisories. São Tomé and Principe's strongest area is Control of Corruption (55/100) and its weakest is Regulatory Quality (9/100). Weak governance indicators suggest travelers should prepare for limited institutional support and exercise heightened caution.
How does São Tomé and Principe compare to other countries in AF?+
Within AF, São Tomé and Principe ranks among 6 peer countries with available governance data. Its composite score of 31.2/100 places it in the lower half of the regional ranking.
When was this data last updated?+
The governance data on this page is from the World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators 2023 dataset. The WGI project publishes annual updates covering over 200 countries. This page is refreshed every six hours to incorporate any new data from our sources.

More São Tomé and Principe Data

São Tomé and Principe Travel Advisory

Safety ratings, regional breakdown, and entry requirements.

São Tomé and Principe Freedom Score

Free — 84/100 on the Freedom House index.

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Official State Dept. Page →

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