Urban Population: São Tomé and Príncipe
São Tomé and Príncipe's urban population is currently 68.9% as of 2024. # São Tomé and Príncipe Urban Population As of 2024, 68.
Current (2024)
68.9%
+0.4% y/y
Peak (2024)
68.9%
Low (1960)
15.4%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Urban Population — São Tomé and Príncipe
1960 — 2024
Urban Population — São Tomé and Príncipe
Analysis# São Tomé and Príncipe Urban Population
As of 2024, 68.871% of São Tomé and Príncipe's population lives in urban areas, matching the all-time peak recorded that same year. This figure represents a dramatic shift from 1960, when only 15.43% of residents were urbanized—a total increase of 346.3% over six decades. The nation has transformed from a predominantly rural society into one where urban dwellers constitute the clear majority.
The steady upward trend from 2015 onward shows consistent annual growth, rising from 67.392% to 68.871% in nine years. This acceleration reflects ongoing migration from rural to urban centers, likely driven by economic opportunities and service availability in urban hubs. With urbanization now at nearly 69% and continuing to climb, São Tomé and Príncipe's demographic center of gravity remains firmly fixed on its cities.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 68.9% | +0.39% |
| 2023 | 68.6% | +0.34% |
| 2022 | 68.4% | +0.29% |
| 2021 | 68.2% | +0.19% |
| 2020 | 68.0% | +0.19% |
| 2019 | 67.9% | +0.19% |
| 2018 | 67.8% | +0.19% |
| 2017 | 67.7% | +0.19% |
| 2016 | 67.5% | +0.19% |
| 2015 | 67.4% | +0.19% |
| 2014 | 67.3% | +0.19% |
| 2013 | 67.1% | +0.14% |
| 2012 | 67.0% | +0.46% |
| 2011 | 66.7% | +1.02% |
| 2010 | 66.1% | +1.50% |
| 2009 | 65.1% | +1.90% |
| 2008 | 63.9% | +2.23% |
| 2007 | 62.5% | +2.47% |
| 2006 | 61.0% | +2.62% |
| 2005 | 59.4% | +2.66% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 57.9% | +2.60% |
| 2003 | 56.4% | +2.41% |
| 2002 | 55.1% | +2.09% |
| 2001 | 54.0% | +1.88% |
| 2000 | 53.0% | +1.82% |
| 1999 | 52.0% | +1.77% |
| 1998 | 51.1% | +1.75% |
| 1997 | 50.2% | +1.75% |
| 1996 | 49.4% | +1.78% |
| 1995 | 48.5% | +1.84% |
| 1994 | 47.6% | +1.92% |
| 1993 | 46.7% | +2.04% |
| 1992 | 45.8% | +2.19% |
| 1991 | 44.8% | +2.47% |
| 1990 | 43.7% | +2.80% |
| 1989 | 42.5% | +3.06% |
| 1988 | 41.3% | +3.23% |
| 1987 | 40.0% | +3.31% |
| 1986 | 38.7% | +3.29% |
| 1985 | 37.5% | +3.15% |
| 1984 | 36.3% | +2.87% |
| 1983 | 35.3% | +2.45% |
| 1982 | 34.5% | +1.89% |
| 1981 | 33.8% | +1.46% |
| 1980 | 33.3% | +1.22% |
| 1979 | 32.9% | +1.03% |
| 1978 | 32.6% | +0.90% |
| 1977 | 32.3% | +0.83% |
| 1976 | 32.1% | +0.82% |
| 1975 | 31.8% | +0.89% |
| 1974 | 31.5% | +1.03% |
| 1973 | 31.2% | +1.23% |
| 1972 | 30.8% | +1.52% |
| 1971 | 30.4% | +1.99% |
| 1970 | 29.8% | +3.35% |
| 1969 | 28.8% | +5.12% |
| 1968 | 27.4% | +6.63% |
| 1967 | 25.7% | +7.91% |
| 1966 | 23.8% | +8.89% |
| 1965 | 21.9% | +9.41% |
| 1964 | 20.0% | +9.28% |
| 1963 | 18.3% | +8.24% |
| 1962 | 16.9% | +6.06% |
| 1961 | 15.9% | +3.21% |
| 1960 | 15.4% | — |
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