National Debt (% of GDP): São Tomé and Príncipe

Analysis# São Tomé and Príncipe National Debt (% of GDP) São Tomé and Príncipe's national debt stood at 45.4% of GDP in 2026, marking a dramatic recovery from its catastrophic 418.4% peak in 2001. This represents an 89.1% decline over the quarter-century span, positioning the island nation at its lowest debt-to-GDP ratio in the entire data range. The current level aligns with many emerging market benchmarks, reflecting substantial fiscal consolidation. A decisive shift began around 2017, when debt exceeded 92% of GDP. Over the following nine years, consecutive annual reductions accelerated the downward trajectory, declining from 98.6% in 2019 to 51.4% by 2025. The sustained momentum—averaging roughly 6 percentage points annually since 2020—suggests São Tomé and Príncipe has successfully stabilized its public finances. If current trends persist, debt-to-GDP ratios should remain in the 40–50% range through 2030.