Imports of goods and services in Sao Tome and Principe
Sao Tome and Principe: Imports of goods and services was 23.3% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Imports of goods and services in Sao Tome and Principe, 2009–2025
Source: Country official statistics, National Statistical Offices (NSOs). Measured in annual % growth.
Analysis
In 2025, imports of goods and services in Sao Tome and Principe stood at 23.3%.
That represents a change of up 625.6% on the previous year and up 591.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, imports of goods and services in Sao Tome and Principe peaked at 36.5% in 2014 and was at its lowest, -19.7%, in 2023.
Sao Tome and Principe ranks 8th of 178 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Imports of goods and services in Sao Tome and Principe, year by year
| Year | annual % growth | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 6.9% | — |
| 2010 | 22.5% | +225.6% |
| 2011 | 9.9% | -55.8% |
| 2012 | -1.6% | -115.7% |
| 2013 | -1.6% | +5.6% |
| 2014 | 36.5% | -2314.9% |
| 2015 | -4.7% | -113.0% |
| 2016 | -4.8% | +0.2% |
| 2017 | 1.7% | -135.5% |
| 2018 | -5.5% | -426.0% |
| 2019 | -3.8% | -30.2% |
| 2020 | -13.4% | +248.9% |
| 2021 | 9.1% | -168.2% |
| 2022 | 17.4% | +90.8% |
| 2023 | -19.7% | -213.2% |
| 2024 | -4.4% | -77.5% |
| 2025 | 23.3% | -625.6% |
Sao Tome and Principe compared with similar countries
- Sao Tome and Principe's 23.3% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 4.7%, 5.0× the median. (45 countries reporting)
- Sao Tome and Principe's 23.3% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 4.0%, 5.8× the median. (45 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Imports of goods and services in Sao Tome and Principe changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | +2314.9% | -1.6% | 36.5% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 6.9% | 6.9% | 6.9% | 1 |
| 2010s | 4.9% | -5.5% | 36.5% | 10 |
| 2020s | 2.0% | -19.7% | 23.3% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Sao Tome and Principe
More economy & growth data for Sao Tome and Principe
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 04 - Annual real GDP 1.41 Percent per annum (2029)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 02 - Annual real GDP 3.35 Percent per annum (2029)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), gaps 3.83 million BoP, current US$ (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.0046 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 16.27 BoP, current US$ per person (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), gaps filled -16.68 million BoP, current US$ (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), annual 35.34 % change on previous year (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per unit -0.0202 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per capita -70.83 BoP, current US$ per person (2024)
- Total reserves (includes gold, current US$), annual growth rate 27.12 % change on previous year (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is imports of goods and services in Sao Tome and Principe?
- Imports of goods and services in Sao Tome and Principe was 23.3% in 2025, according to Country official statistics, National Statistical Offices (NSOs).
- What is the highest imports of goods and services recorded in Sao Tome and Principe?
- The highest recorded value was 36.5% in 2014.
- What is the lowest imports of goods and services recorded in Sao Tome and Principe?
- The lowest recorded value was -19.7% in 2023.
- How does Sao Tome and Principe rank for imports of goods and services?
- Sao Tome and Principe ranks 8th out of 178 countries with data for 2025.
- Is imports of goods and services rising or falling in Sao Tome and Principe?
- Over the last ten years it is up 591.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sao Tome and Principe data come from?
- The figures come from Country official statistics, National Statistical Offices (NSOs), published as part of Imports of goods and services (annual % growth). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Imports of goods includes change in the economic ownership of goods from non-residents to residents of the compiling economy, irrespective of physical movement of goods across national borders. Imports of services includes services provided by non-residents to residents. This indicator denotes the percentage change over each previous year of the constant price (base year 2015) series in United States dollars.