This entry lists a country's mineral, petroleum, hydropower, and other resources of commercial importance, such as rare earth elements (REEs). In general, products appear only if they make a significant contribution to the economy, or are likely to do so in the future.

Topic: Afghanistannatural gas, petroleum, coal, copper, chromite, talc, barites, sulfur, lead, zinc, iron ore, salt, precious and semiprecious stones, arable land

Topic: Albaniapetroleum, natural gas, coal, bauxite, chromite, copper, iron ore, nickel, salt, timber, hydropower, arable land

Topic: Algeriapetroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, uranium, lead, zinc

Topic: American Samoapumice, pumicite

Topic: Andorrahydropower, mineral water, timber, iron ore, lead

Topic: Angolapetroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper, feldspar, gold, bauxite, uranium

Topic: Anguillasalt, fish, lobster

Topic: Antarcticairon ore, chromium, copper, gold, nickel, platinum and other minerals, and coal and hydrocarbons have been found in small noncommercial quantities; mineral exploitation except for scientific research is banned by the Environmental Protocol to the Antarctic Treaty; krill, icefish, toothfish, and crab have been taken by commercial fisheries, which are managed through the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Living Marine Resources (CCAMLR)

Topic: Antigua and BarbudaNEGL; pleasant climate fosters tourism

Topic: Arctic Oceansand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, polymetallic nodules, oil and gas fields, fish, marine mammals (seals and whales)

Topic: Argentinafertile plains of the pampas, lead, zinc, tin, copper, iron ore, manganese, petroleum, uranium, arable land

Topic: Armeniasmall deposits of gold, copper, molybdenum, zinc, bauxite

Topic: ArubaNEGL; white sandy beaches foster tourism

Topic: Ashmore and Cartier Islandsfish

Topic: Atlantic Oceanoil and gas fields, fish, marine mammals (seals and whales), sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, polymetallic nodules, precious stones

Topic: Australiaalumina, coal, iron ore, copper, tin, gold, silver, uranium, nickel, tungsten, rare earth elements, mineral sands, lead, zinc, diamonds, opals, natural gas, petroleum; note - Australia is the world's largest net exporter of coal accounting for 29% of global coal exports; as well, Australia is by far the world's largest supplier of opals

Topic: Austriaoil, coal, lignite, timber, iron ore, copper, zinc, antimony, magnesite, tungsten, graphite, salt, hydropower

Topic: Azerbaijanpetroleum, natural gas, iron ore, nonferrous metals, bauxite

Topic: Bahamas, Thesalt, aragonite, timber, arable land

Topic: Bahrainoil, associated and nonassociated natural gas, fish, pearls

Topic: Bangladeshnatural gas, arable land, timber, coal

Topic: Barbadospetroleum, fish, natural gas

Topic: Belarustimber, peat deposits, small quantities of oil and natural gas, granite, dolomitic limestone, marl, chalk, sand, gravel, clay

Topic: Belgiumconstruction materials, silica sand, carbonates, arable land

Topic: Belizearable land potential, timber, fish, hydropower

Topic: Beninsmall offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber

Topic: Bermudalimestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism

Topic: Bhutantimber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbonate

Topic: Boliviatin, natural gas, petroleum, zinc, tungsten, antimony, silver, iron, lead, gold, timber, hydropower

Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovinacoal, iron ore, antimony, bauxite, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, cobalt, manganese, nickel, clay, gypsum, salt, sand, timber, hydropower

Topic: Botswanadiamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver

Topic: Bouvet Islandnone

Topic: Brazilalumina, bauxite, beryllium, gold, iron ore, manganese, nickel, niobium, phosphates, platinum, tantalum, tin, rare earth elements, uranium, petroleum, hydropower, timber

Topic: British Indian Ocean Territorycoconuts, fish, sugarcane

Topic: British Virgin IslandsNEGL; pleasant climate, beaches foster tourism

Topic: Bruneipetroleum, natural gas, timber

Topic: Bulgariabauxite, copper, lead, zinc, coal, timber, arable land

Topic: Burkina Fasogold, manganese, zinc, limestone, marble, phosphates, pumice, salt

Topic: Burmapetroleum, timber, tin, antimony, zinc, copper, tungsten, lead, coal, marble, limestone, precious stones, natural gas, hydropower, arable land

Topic: Burundinickel, uranium, rare earth oxides, peat, cobalt, copper, platinum, vanadium, arable land, hydropower, niobium, tantalum, gold, tin, tungsten, kaolin, limestone

Topic: Cabo Verdesalt, basalt rock, limestone, kaolin, fish, clay, gypsum

Topic: Cambodiaoil and gas, timber, gemstones, iron ore, manganese, phosphates, hydropower potential, arable land

Topic: Cameroonpetroleum, bauxite, iron ore, timber, hydropower

Topic: Canadabauxite, iron ore, nickel, zinc, copper, gold, lead, uranium, rare earth elements, molybdenum, potash, diamonds, silver, fish, timber, wildlife, coal, petroleum, natural gas, hydropower

Topic: Cayman Islandsfish, climate and beaches that foster tourism

Topic: Central African Republicdiamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil, hydropower

Topic: Chadpetroleum, uranium, natron, kaolin, fish (Lake Chad), gold, limestone, sand and gravel, salt

Topic: Chilecopper, timber, iron ore, nitrates, precious metals, molybdenum, hydropower

Topic: Chinacoal, iron ore, helium, petroleum, natural gas, arsenic, bismuth, cobalt, cadmium, ferrosilicon, gallium, germanium, hafnium, indium, lithium, mercury, tantalum, tellurium, tin, titanium, tungsten, antimony, manganese, magnesium, molybdenum, selenium, strontium, vanadium, magnetite, aluminum, lead, zinc, rare earth elements, uranium, hydropower potential (world's largest), arable land

Topic: Christmas Islandphosphate, beaches

Topic: Clipperton Islandfish

Topic: Cocos (Keeling) Islandsfish

Topic: Colombiapetroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel, gold, copper, emeralds, hydropower

Topic: Comorosfish

Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of thecobalt, copper, niobium, tantalum, petroleum, industrial and gem diamonds, gold, silver, zinc, manganese, tin, uranium, coal, hydropower, timber

Topic: Congo, Republic of thepetroleum, timber, potash, lead, zinc, uranium, copper, phosphates, gold, magnesium, natural gas, hydropower

Topic: Cook Islandscoconuts (copra)

Topic: Coral Sea Islandsfish

Topic: Costa Ricahydropower

Topic: Cote d'Ivoirepetroleum, natural gas, diamonds, manganese, iron ore, cobalt, bauxite, copper, gold, nickel, tantalum, silica sand, clay, cocoa beans, coffee, palm oil, hydropower

Topic: Croatiaoil, some coal, bauxite, low-grade iron ore, calcium, gypsum, natural asphalt, silica, mica, clays, salt, hydropower

Topic: Cubacobalt, nickel, iron ore, chromium, copper, salt, timber, silica, petroleum, arable land

Topic: Curacaocalcium phosphates, protected harbors, hot springscalcium phosphates, protected harbors, hot springs

Topic: Cypruscopper, pyrites, asbestos, gypsum, timber, salt, marble, clay earth pigment

Topic: Czechiahard coal, soft coal, kaolin, clay, graphite, timber, arable land

Topic: Denmarkpetroleum, natural gas, fish, arable land, salt, limestone, chalk, stone, gravel and sand

Topic: Djiboutipotential geothermal power, gold, clay, granite, limestone, marble, salt, diatomite, gypsum, pumice, petroleum

Topic: Dominicatimber, hydropower, arable land

Topic: Dominican Republicnickel, bauxite, gold, silver, arable land

Topic: Ecuadorpetroleum, fish, timber, hydropower

Topic: Egyptpetroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, manganese, limestone, gypsum, talc, asbestos, lead, rare earth elements, zinc

Topic: El Salvadorhydropower, geothermal power, petroleum, arable land

Topic: Equatorial Guineapetroleum, natural gas, timber, gold, bauxite, diamonds, tantalum, sand and gravel, clay

Topic: Eritreagold, potash, zinc, copper, salt, possibly oil and natural gas, fish

Topic: Estoniaoil shale, peat, rare earth elements, phosphorite, clay, limestone, sand, dolomite, arable land, sea mud

Topic: Eswatiniasbestos, coal, clay, cassiterite, hydropower, forests, small gold and diamond deposits, quarry stone, and talc

Topic: Ethiopiasmall reserves of gold, platinum, copper, potash, natural gas, hydropower

Topic: European Unioniron ore, natural gas, petroleum, coal, copper, lead, zinc, bauxite, uranium, potash, salt, hydropower, arable land, timber, fish

Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)fish, squid, wildlife, calcified seaweed, sphagnum moss

Topic: Faroe Islandsfish, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas

Topic: Fijitimber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil potential, hydropower

Topic: Finlandtimber, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, nickel, gold, silver, limestone

Topic: Francemetropolitan France: coal, iron ore, bauxite, zinc, uranium, antimony, arsenic, potash, feldspar, fluorspar, gypsum, timber, arable land, fish, French Guiana, gold deposits, petroleum, kaolin, niobium, tantalum, clay

Topic: French Polynesiatimber, fish, cobalt, hydropower

Topic: French Southern and Antarctic Landsfish, crayfish, note, Glorioso Islands and Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses) have guano, phosphates, and coconuts

note - in the 1950's and 1960's, several species of trout were introduced to Iles Kerguelen of which two, Brown trout and Brook trout, survived to establish wild populations; reindeer were also introduced to Iles Kerguelen in 1956 as a source of fresh meat for whaling crews, the herd today, one of two in the Southern Hemisphere, is estimated to number around 4,000

Topic: Gabonpetroleum, natural gas, diamond, niobium, manganese, uranium, gold, timber, iron ore, hydropower

Topic: Gambia, Thefish, clay, silica sand, titanium (rutile and ilmenite), tin, zircon

Topic: Gaza Striparable land, natural gas

Topic: Georgiatimber, hydropower, manganese deposits, iron ore, copper, minor coal and oil deposits; coastal climate and soils allow for important tea and citrus growth

Topic: Germanycoal, lignite, natural gas, iron ore, copper, nickel, uranium, potash, salt, construction materials, timber, arable land

Topic: Ghanagold, timber, industrial diamonds, bauxite, manganese, fish, rubber, hydropower, petroleum, silver, salt, limestone

Topic: Gibraltarnone

Topic: Greecelignite, petroleum, iron ore, bauxite, lead, zinc, nickel, magnesite, marble, salt, hydropower potential

Topic: Greenlandcoal, iron ore, lead, zinc, molybdenum, diamonds, gold, platinum, niobium, tantalite, uranium, fish, seals, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas

Topic: Grenadatimber, tropical fruit

Topic: Guamaquatic wildlife (supporting tourism), fishing (largely undeveloped)

Topic: Guatemalapetroleum, nickel, rare woods, fish, chicle, hydropower

Topic: Guernseycropland

Topic: Guineabauxite, iron ore, diamonds, gold, uranium, hydropower, fish, salt

Topic: Guinea-Bissaufish, timber, phosphates, bauxite, clay, granite, limestone, unexploited deposits of petroleum

Topic: Guyanabauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber, shrimp, fish

Topic: Haitibauxite, copper, calcium carbonate, gold, marble, hydropower, arable land

Topic: Heard Island and McDonald Islandsfish

Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)none

Topic: Hondurastimber, gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, iron ore, antimony, coal, fish, hydropower

Topic: Hong Kongoutstanding deepwater harbor, feldspar

Topic: Hungarybauxite, coal, natural gas, fertile soils, arable land

Topic: Icelandfish, hydropower, geothermal power, diatomite

Topic: Indiacoal (fourth-largest reserves in the world), antimony, iron ore, lead, manganese, mica, bauxite, rare earth elements, titanium ore, chromite, natural gas, diamonds, petroleum, limestone, arable land

Topic: Indian Oceanoil and gas fields, fish, shrimp, sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, polymetallic nodules

Topic: Indonesiapetroleum, tin, natural gas, nickel, timber, bauxite, copper, fertile soils, coal, gold, silver

Topic: Iranpetroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper, iron ore, lead, manganese, zinc, sulfur

Topic: Iraqpetroleum, natural gas, phosphates, sulfur

Topic: Irelandnatural gas, peat, copper, lead, zinc, silver, barite, gypsum, limestone, dolomite

Topic: Isle of Mannone

Topic: Israeltimber, potash, copper ore, natural gas, phosphate rock, magnesium bromide, clays, sand

Topic: Italycoal, antimony, mercury, zinc, potash, marble, barite, asbestos, pumice, fluorspar, feldspar, pyrite (sulfur), natural gas and crude oil reserves, fish, arable land

Topic: Jamaicabauxite, alumina, gypsum, limestone

Topic: Jan Mayennone

Topic: Japannegligible mineral resources, fish; note - with virtually no natural energy resources, Japan is the world's largest importer of coal and liquefied natural gas, as well as the second largest importer of oil

Topic: Jerseyarable land

Topic: Jordanphosphates, potash, shale oil

Topic: Kazakhstanmajor deposits of petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, manganese, chrome ore, nickel, cobalt, copper, molybdenum, lead, zinc, bauxite, gold, uranium

Topic: Kenyalimestone, soda ash, salt, gemstones, fluorspar, zinc, diatomite, gypsum, wildlife, hydropower

Topic: Kiribatiphosphate (production discontinued in 1979), coconuts (copra), fish

Topic: Korea, Northcoal, iron ore, limestone, magnesite, graphite, copper, zinc, lead, precious metals, hydropower

Topic: Korea, Southcoal, tungsten, graphite, molybdenum, lead, hydropower potential

Topic: Kosovonickel, lead, zinc, magnesium, lignite, kaolin, chrome, bauxite

Topic: Kuwaitpetroleum, fish, shrimp, natural gas

Topic: Kyrgyzstanabundant hydropower; gold, rare earth metals; locally exploitable coal, oil, and natural gas; other deposits of nepheline, mercury, bismuth, lead, and zinc

Topic: Laostimber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones

Topic: Latviapeat, limestone, dolomite, amber, hydropower, timber, arable land

Topic: Lebanonlimestone, iron ore, salt, water-surplus state in a water-deficit region, arable land

Topic: Lesothowater, agricultural and grazing land, diamonds, sand, clay, building stone

Topic: Liberiairon ore, timber, diamonds, gold, hydropower

Topic: Libyapetroleum, natural gas, gypsum

Topic: Liechtensteinhydroelectric potential, arable land

Topic: Lithuaniapeat, arable land, amber

Topic: Luxembourgiron ore (no longer exploited), arable land

Topic: MacauNEGL

Topic: Madagascargraphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, rare earth elements, salt, quartz, tar sands, semiprecious stones, mica, fish, hydropower

Topic: Malawilimestone, arable land, hydropower, unexploited deposits of uranium, coal, and bauxite

Topic: Malaysiatin, petroleum, timber, copper, iron ore, natural gas, bauxite

Topic: Maldivesfish

Topic: Maligold, phosphates, kaolin, salt, limestone, uranium, gypsum, granite, hydropower, note, bauxite, iron ore, manganese, tin, and copper deposits are known but not exploited

Topic: Maltalimestone, salt, arable land

Topic: Marshall Islandscoconut products, marine products, deep seabed minerals

Topic: Mauritaniairon ore, gypsum, copper, phosphate, diamonds, gold, oil, fish

Topic: Mauritiusarable land, fish

Topic: Mexicopetroleum, silver, antimony, copper, gold, lead, zinc, natural gas, timber

Topic: Micronesia, Federated States oftimber, marine products, deep-seabed minerals, phosphate

Topic: Moldovalignite, phosphorites, gypsum, limestone, arable land

Topic: Monaconone

Topic: Mongoliaoil, coal, copper, molybdenum, tungsten, phosphates, tin, nickel, zinc, fluorspar, gold, silver, iron

Topic: Montenegrobauxite, hydroelectricity

Topic: MontserratNEGL

Topic: Moroccophosphates, iron ore, manganese, lead, zinc, fish, salt

Topic: Mozambiquecoal, titanium, natural gas, hydropower, tantalum, graphite

Topic: Namibiadiamonds, copper, uranium, gold, silver, lead, tin, lithium, cadmium, tungsten, zinc, salt, hydropower, fish, note, suspected deposits of oil, coal, and iron ore

Topic: Nauruphosphates, fish

Topic: Navassa Islandguano (mining discontinued in 1898)

Topic: Nepalquartz, water, timber, hydropower, scenic beauty, small deposits of lignite, copper, cobalt, iron ore

Topic: Netherlandsnatural gas, petroleum, peat, limestone, salt, sand and gravel, arable land

Topic: New Caledonianickel, chrome, iron, cobalt, manganese, silver, gold, lead, copper

Topic: New Zealandnatural gas, iron ore, sand, coal, timber, hydropower, gold, limestone

Topic: Nicaraguagold, silver, copper, tungsten, lead, zinc, timber, fish

Topic: Nigeruranium, coal, iron ore, tin, phosphates, gold, molybdenum, gypsum, salt, petroleum

Topic: Nigerianatural gas, petroleum, tin, iron ore, coal, limestone, niobium, lead, zinc, arable land

Topic: Niuearable land, fish

Topic: Norfolk Islandfish

Topic: North Macedonialow-grade iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, manganese, nickel, tungsten, gold, silver, asbestos, gypsum, timber, arable land

Topic: Northern Mariana Islandsarable land, fish

Topic: Norwaypetroleum, natural gas, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, titanium, pyrites, nickel, fish, timber, hydropower

Topic: Omanpetroleum, copper, asbestos, some marble, limestone, chromium, gypsum, natural gas

Topic: Pacific Oceanoil and gas fields, polymetallic nodules, sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, fish

Topic: Pakistanarable land, extensive natural gas reserves, limited petroleum, poor quality coal, iron ore, copper, salt, limestone

Topic: Palauforests, minerals (especially gold), marine products, deep-seabed minerals

Topic: Panamacopper, mahogany forests, shrimp, hydropower

Topic: Papua New Guineagold, copper, silver, natural gas, timber, oil, fisheries

Topic: Paracel Islandsnone

Topic: Paraguayhydropower, timber, iron ore, manganese, limestone

Topic: Perucopper, silver, gold, petroleum, timber, fish, iron ore, coal, phosphate, potash, hydropower, natural gas

Topic: Philippinestimber, petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver, gold, salt, copper

Topic: Pitcairn Islandsmiro trees (used for handicrafts), fish; note - manganese, iron, copper, gold, silver, and zinc have been discovered offshore

Topic: Polandcoal, sulfur, copper, natural gas, silver, lead, salt, amber, arable land

Topic: Portugalfish, forests (cork), iron ore, copper, zinc, tin, tungsten, silver, gold, uranium, marble, clay, gypsum, salt, arable land, hydropower

Topic: Puerto Ricosome copper and nickel; potential for onshore and offshore oil

Topic: Qatarpetroleum, fish, natural gas

Topic: Romaniapetroleum (reserves declining), timber, natural gas, coal, iron ore, salt, arable land, hydropower

Topic: Russiawide natural resource base including major deposits of oil, natural gas, coal, and many strategic minerals, bauxite, reserves of rare earth elements, timber, note, formidable obstacles of climate, terrain, and distance hinder exploitation of natural resources

Topic: Rwandagold, cassiterite (tin ore), wolframite (tungsten ore), methane, hydropower, arable land

Topic: Saint Barthelemyfew natural resources; beaches foster tourism

Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunhafish, lobster

Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevisarable land

Topic: Saint Luciaforests, sandy beaches, minerals (pumice), mineral springs, geothermal potential

Topic: Saint Martinsalt

Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelonfish, deepwater ports

Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadineshydropower, arable land

Topic: Samoahardwood forests, fish, hydropower

Topic: San Marinobuilding stone

Topic: Sao Tome and Principefish, hydropower

Topic: Saudi Arabiapetroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper

Topic: Senegalfish, phosphates, iron ore

Topic: Serbiaoil, gas, coal, iron ore, copper, zinc, antimony, chromite, gold, silver, magnesium, pyrite, limestone, marble, salt, arable land

Topic: Seychellesfish, coconuts (copra), cinnamon trees

Topic: Sierra Leonediamonds, titanium ore, bauxite, iron ore, gold, chromite

Topic: Singaporefish, deepwater ports

Topic: Sint Maartenfish, saltfish, salt

Topic: Slovakialignite, small amounts of iron ore, copper and manganese ore; salt; arable land

Topic: Slovenialignite, lead, zinc, building stone, hydropower, forests

Topic: Solomon Islandsfish, forests, gold, bauxite, phosphates, lead, zinc, nickel

Topic: Somaliauranium and largely unexploited reserves of iron ore, tin, gypsum, bauxite, copper, salt, natural gas, likely oil reserves

Topic: South Africagold, chromium, antimony, coal, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, tin, rare earth elements, uranium, gem diamonds, platinum, copper, vanadium, salt, natural gas

Topic: South Georgia and South Sandwich Islandsfish

Topic: South Sudanhydropower, fertile agricultural land, gold, diamonds, petroleum, hardwoods, limestone, iron ore, copper, chromium ore, zinc, tungsten, mica, silver

Topic: Southern Oceanprobable large oil and gas fields on the continental margin; manganese nodules, possible placer deposits, sand and gravel, fresh water as icebergs; squid, whales, and seals - none exploited; krill, fish

Topic: Spaincoal, lignite, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, uranium, tungsten, mercury, pyrites, magnesite, fluorspar, gypsum, sepiolite, kaolin, potash, hydropower, arable land

Topic: Spratly Islandsfish, guano, undetermined oil and natural gas potential

Topic: Sri Lankalimestone, graphite, mineral sands, gems, phosphates, clay, hydropower, arable land

Topic: Sudanpetroleum; small reserves of iron ore, copper, chromium ore, zinc, tungsten, mica, silver, gold; hydropower

Topic: Surinametimber, hydropower, fish, kaolin, shrimp, bauxite, gold, and small amounts of nickel, copper, platinum, iron ore

Topic: Svalbardcoal, iron ore, copper, zinc, phosphate, wildlife, fish

Topic: Swedeniron ore, copper, lead, zinc, gold, silver, tungsten, uranium, arsenic, feldspar, timber, hydropower

Topic: Switzerlandhydropower potential, timber, salt

Topic: Syriapetroleum, phosphates, chrome and manganese ores, asphalt, iron ore, rock salt, marble, gypsum, hydropower

Topic: Taiwansmall deposits of coal, natural gas, limestone, marble, asbestos, arable land

Topic: Tajikistanhydropower, some petroleum, uranium, mercury, brown coal, lead, zinc, antimony, tungsten, silver, gold

Topic: Tanzaniahydropower, tin, phosphates, iron ore, coal, diamonds, gemstones (including tanzanite, found only in Tanzania), gold, natural gas, nickel

Topic: Thailandtin, rubber, natural gas, tungsten, tantalum, timber, lead, fish, gypsum, lignite, fluorite, arable land

Topic: Timor-Lestegold, petroleum, natural gas, manganese, marble

Topic: Togophosphates, limestone, marble, arable land

Topic: TokelauNEGL

Topic: Tongaarable land, fish

Topic: Trinidad and Tobagopetroleum, natural gas, asphalt

Topic: Tunisiapetroleum, phosphates, iron ore, lead, zinc, salt

Topic: Turkeycoal, iron ore, copper, chromium, antimony, mercury, gold, barite, borate, celestite (strontium), emery, feldspar, limestone, magnesite, marble, perlite, pumice, pyrites (sulfur), clay, arable land, hydropower

Topic: Turkmenistanpetroleum, natural gas, sulfur, salt

Topic: Turks and Caicos Islandsspiny lobster, conch

Topic: Tuvalufish, coconut (copra)

Topic: Ugandacopper, cobalt, hydropower, limestone, salt, arable land, gold

Topic: Ukraineiron ore, coal, manganese, natural gas, oil, salt, sulfur, graphite, titanium, magnesium, kaolin, nickel, mercury, timber, arable land

Topic: United Arab Emiratespetroleum, natural gas

Topic: United Kingdomcoal, petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, lead, zinc, gold, tin, limestone, salt, clay, chalk, gypsum, potash, silica sand, slate, arable land

Topic: United Statescoal, copper, lead, molybdenum, phosphates, rare earth elements, uranium, bauxite, gold, iron, mercury, nickel, potash, silver, tungsten, zinc, petroleum, natural gas, timber, arable land;

note 1: the US has the world's largest coal reserves with 491 billion short tons accounting for 27% of the world's total

note 2: the US is reliant on foreign imports for 100% of its needs for the following strategic resources - Arsenic, Cesium, Fluorspar, Gallium, Graphite, Indium, Manganese, Niobium, Rare Earths, Rubidium, Scandium, Tantalum, Yttrium; see Appendix H: Strategic Materials for further details

Topic: United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refugesterrestrial and aquatic wildlife

Topic: Uruguayarable land, hydropower, minor minerals, fish

Topic: Uzbekistannatural gas, petroleum, coal, gold, uranium, silver, copper, lead and zinc, tungsten, molybdenum

Topic: Vanuatumanganese, hardwood forests, fish

Topic: Venezuelapetroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, bauxite, other minerals, hydropower, diamonds

Topic: Vietnamantimony, phosphates, coal, manganese, rare earth elements, bauxite, chromate, offshore oil and gas deposits, timber, hydropower, arable land

Topic: Virgin Islandspleasant climate, beaches foster tourism

Topic: Wake Islandnone

Topic: Wallis and FutunaNEGL

Topic: West Bankarable land

Topic: Worldthe rapid depletion of nonrenewable mineral resources, the depletion of forest areas and wetlands, the extinction of animal and plant species, and the deterioration in air and water quality pose serious long-term problems

Topic: Yemenpetroleum, fish, rock salt, marble; small deposits of coal, gold, lead, nickel, and copper; fertile soil in west

Topic: Zambiacopper, cobalt, zinc, lead, coal, emeralds, gold, silver, uranium, hydropower

Topic: Zimbabwecoal, chromium ore, asbestos, gold, nickel, copper, iron ore, vanadium, lithium, tin, platinum group metals


Topic: Photos of Sao Tome and Principe

Topic: Introduction
Background: Portugal discovered and colonized the uninhabited islands in the late 15th century, setting up a sugar-based economy that gave way to coffee and cocoa in the 19th century - all grown with African plantation slave labor, a form of which lingered into the 20th century. While independence was achieved in 1975, democratic reforms were not instituted until the late 1980s. The country held its first free elections in 1991, but frequent internal wrangling between the various political parties precipitated repeated changes in leadership and four failed, non-violent coup attempts in 1995, 1998, 2003, and 2009. In 2012, three opposition parties combined in a no confidence vote to bring down the majority government of former Prime Minister Patrice TROVOADA, but in 2014, legislative elections returned him to the office. President Evaristo CARVALHO, of the same political party as Prime Minister TROVOADA, was elected in September 2016, marking a rare instance in which the positions of president and prime minister are held by the same party. Prime Minister TROVOADA resigned at the end of 2018 and was replaced by Jorge BOM JESUS. Carlos Vila NOVA was elected president in early September 2021 and was inaugurated 2 October 2021. New oil discoveries in the Gulf of Guinea may attract increased attention to the small island nation.Portugal discovered and colonized the uninhabited islands in the late 15th century, setting up a sugar-based economy that gave way to coffee and cocoa in the 19th century - all grown with African plantation slave labor, a form of which lingered into the 20th century. While independence was achieved in 1975, democratic reforms were not instituted until the late 1980s. The country held its first free elections in 1991, but frequent internal wrangling between the various political parties precipitated repeated changes in leadership and four failed, non-violent coup attempts in 1995, 1998, 2003, and 2009. In 2012, three opposition parties combined in a no confidence vote to bring down the majority government of former Prime Minister Patrice TROVOADA, but in 2014, legislative elections returned him to the office. President Evaristo CARVALHO, of the same political party as Prime Minister TROVOADA, was elected in September 2016, marking a rare instance in which the positions of president and prime minister are held by the same party. Prime Minister TROVOADA resigned at the end of 2018 and was replaced by Jorge BOM JESUS. Carlos Vila NOVA was elected president in early September 2021 and was inaugurated 2 October 2021. New oil discoveries in the Gulf of Guinea may attract increased attention to the small island nation.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.

Topic: Geography
Location: Central Africa, islands in the Gulf of Guinea, just north of the Equator, west of Gabon
Geographic coordinates: 1 00 N, 7 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 964 sq km

land: 964 sq km

water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: more than five times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 0 km
Coastline: 209 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
Climate: tropical; hot, humid; one rainy season (October to May)
Terrain: volcanic, mountainous
Elevation: highest point: Pico de Sao Tome 2,024 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
Natural resources: fish, hydropower
Land use: agricultural land: 50.7% (2018 est.)

arable land: 9.1% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 40.6% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 1% (2018 est.)

forest: 28.1% (2018 est.)

other: 21.2% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 100 sq km (2012)
Population distribution: Sao Tome, the capital city, has roughly a quarter of the nation's population; Santo Antonio is the largest town on Principe; the northern areas of both islands have the highest population densities as shown in this population distribution map
Natural hazards: flooding
Geography - note: the second-smallest African country (after the Seychelles); the two main islands form part of a chain of extinct volcanoes and both are mountainous
Map description: Sao Tome and Principe map showing the islands that make up this country in the Gulf of Guinea.Sao Tome and Principe map showing the islands that make up this country in the Gulf of Guinea.

Topic: People and Society
Population: 217,164 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: Sao Tomean(s)

adjective: Sao Tomean
Ethnic groups: Mestico, Angolares (descendants of Angolan slaves), Forros (descendants of freed slaves), Servicais (contract laborers from Angola, Mozambique, and Cabo Verde), Tongas (children of servicais born on the islands), Europeans (primarily Portuguese), Asians (mostly Chinese)
Languages: Portuguese 98.4% (official), Forro 36.2%, Cabo Verdian 8.5%, French 6.8%, Angolar 6.6%, English 4.9%, Lunguie 1%, other (including sign language) 2.4%; note - shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census; other Portuguese-based Creoles are also spoken (2012 est.)
Religions: Catholic 55.7%, Adventist 4.1%, Assembly of God 3.4%, New Apostolic 2.9%, Mana 2.3%, Universal Kingdom of God 2%, Jehovah's Witness 1.2%, other 6.2%, none 21.2%, unspecified 1% (2012 est.)
Demographic profile: Sao Tome and Principe’s youthful age structure – more than 60% of the population is under the age of 25 – and high fertility rate ensure future population growth. Although Sao Tome has a net negative international migration rate, emigration is not a sufficient safety valve to reduce already high levels of unemployment and poverty. While literacy and primary school attendance have improved in recent years, Sao Tome still struggles to improve its educational quality and to increase its secondary school completion rate. Despite some improvements in education and access to healthcare, Sao Tome and Principe has much to do to decrease its high poverty rate, create jobs, and increase its economic growth.The population of Sao Tome and Principe descends primarily from the islands’ colonial Portuguese settlers, who first arrived in the late 15th century, and the much larger number of African slaves brought in for sugar production and the slave trade. For about 100 years after the abolition of slavery in 1876, the population was further shaped by the widespread use of imported unskilled contract laborers from Portugal’s other African colonies, who worked on coffee and cocoa plantations. In the first decades after abolition, most workers were brought from Angola under a system similar to slavery. While Angolan laborers were technically free, they were forced or coerced into long contracts that were automatically renewed and extended to their children. Other contract workers from Mozambique and famine-stricken Cape Verde first arrived in the early 20th century under short-term contracts and had the option of repatriation, although some chose to remain in Sao Tome and Principe.Today’s Sao Tomean population consists of mesticos (creole descendants of the European immigrants and African slaves that first inhabited the islands), forros (descendants of freed African slaves), angolares (descendants of runaway African slaves that formed a community in the south of Sao Tome Island and today are fishermen), servicais (contract laborers from Angola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde), tongas (locally born children of contract laborers), and lesser numbers of Europeans and Asians.Sao Tome and Principe’s youthful age structure – more than 60% of the population is under the age of 25 – and high fertility rate ensure future population growth. Although Sao Tome has a net negative international migration rate, emigration is not a sufficient safety valve to reduce already high levels of unemployment and poverty. While literacy and primary school attendance have improved in recent years, Sao Tome still struggles to improve its educational quality and to increase its secondary school completion rate. Despite some improvements in education and access to healthcare, Sao Tome and Principe has much to do to decrease its high poverty rate, create jobs, and increase its economic growth.The population of Sao Tome and Principe descends primarily from the islands’ colonial Portuguese settlers, who first arrived in the late 15th century, and the much larger number of African slaves brought in for sugar production and the slave trade. For about 100 years after the abolition of slavery in 1876, the population was further shaped by the widespread use of imported unskilled contract laborers from Portugal’s other African colonies, who worked on coffee and cocoa plantations. In the first decades after abolition, most workers were brought from Angola under a system similar to slavery. While Angolan laborers were technically free, they were forced or coerced into long contracts that were automatically renewed and extended to their children. Other contract workers from Mozambique and famine-stricken Cape Verde first arrived in the early 20th century under short-term contracts and had the option of repatriation, although some chose to remain in Sao Tome and Principe.Today’s Sao Tomean population consists of mesticos (creole descendants of the European immigrants and African slaves that first inhabited the islands), forros (descendants of freed African slaves), angolares (descendants of runaway African slaves that formed a community in the south of Sao Tome Island and today are fishermen), servicais (contract laborers from Angola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde), tongas (locally born children of contract laborers), and lesser numbers of Europeans and Asians.
Age structure: 0-14 years: 39.77% (male 42,690/female 41,277)

15-24 years: 21.59% (male 23,088/female 22,487)

25-54 years: 31.61% (male 32,900/female 33,834)

55-64 years: 4.17% (male 4,095/female 4,700)

65 years and over: 2.87% (2020 est.) (male 2,631/female 3,420)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 81

youth dependency ratio: 75.6

elderly dependency ratio: 5.4

potential support ratio: 18.4 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 19.3 years

male: 18.9 years

female: 19.7 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.48% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 28.19 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 6.2 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: -7.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: Sao Tome, the capital city, has roughly a quarter of the nation's population; Santo Antonio is the largest town on Principe; the northern areas of both islands have the highest population densities as shown in this population distribution map
Urbanization: urban population: 75.8% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 2.96% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 80,000 SAO TOME (capital) (2018)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 0.97 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.88 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth: 19.4 years (2008/09 est.)

note: median age at first birth among women 25-29
Maternal mortality ratio: 130 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 44.38 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 47.82 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 40.84 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 67.06 years

male: 65.44 years

female: 68.72 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.56 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: 49.7% (2019)
Drinking water source: improved: urban: 100% of population

rural: 94% of population

total: 98.5% of population

unimproved: urban: 0% of population

rural: 6% of population

total: 1.5% of population (2020 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 5.5% (2019)
Physicians density: 0.49 physicians/1,000 population (2019)
Hospital bed density: 2.9 beds/1,000 population (2011)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 57.1% of population

rural: 42.8% of population

total: 53.4% of population

unimproved: urban: 42.9% of population

rural: 57.2% of population

total: 46.6% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.3% (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: (2020) <1,000
HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020) <100
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020)

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever

water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 12.4% (2016)
Tobacco use: total: 5.7% (2020 est.)

male: 10.1% (2020 est.)

female: 1.3% (2020 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 5.4% (2019)
Child marriage: women married by age 15: 5.4%

women married by age 18: 28%

men married by age 18: 3.1% (2019 est.)
Education expenditures: 5.9% of GDP (2019)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 92.8%

male: 96.2%

female: 89.5% (2018)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 12 years

male: 12 years

female: 13 years (2015)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 20.8%

male: NA

female: (2012 est.) NA

Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: deforestation and illegal logging; soil erosion and exhaustion; inadequate sewage treatment in cities; biodiversity preservation
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 25.66 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 0.12 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 0.04 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: tropical; hot, humid; one rainy season (October to May)
Land use: agricultural land: 50.7% (2018 est.)

arable land: 9.1% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 40.6% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 1% (2018 est.)

forest: 28.1% (2018 est.)

other: 21.2% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 75.8% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 2.96% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 1.9% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020)

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever

water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 25,587 tons (2014 est.)
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 14.7 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 600,000 cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 25.6 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 2.18 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe

conventional short form: Sao Tome and Principe

local long form: Republica Democratica de Sao Tome e Principe

local short form: Sao Tome e Principe

etymology: Sao Tome was named after Saint THOMAS the Apostle by the Portuguese who discovered the island on 21 December 1470 (or 1471), the saint's feast day; Principe is a shortening of the original Portuguese name of "Ilha do Principe" (Isle of the Prince) referring to the Prince of Portugal to whom duties on the island's sugar crop were paid
Government type: semi-presidential republic
Capital: name: Sao Tome

geographic coordinates: 0 20 N, 6 44 E

time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: named after Saint Thomas the Apostle
Administrative divisions: 6 districts (distritos, singular - distrito), 1 autonomous region* (regiao autonoma); Agua Grande, Cantagalo, Caue, Lemba, Lobata, Me-Zochi, Principe*
Independence: 12 July 1975 (from Portugal)
National holiday: Independence Day, 12 July (1975)
Constitution: history: approved 5 November 1975

amendments: proposed by the National Assembly; passage requires two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly; the Assembly can propose to the president of the republic that an amendment be submitted to a referendum; revised several times, last in 2006
Legal system: mixed legal system of civil law based on the Portuguese model and customary law
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Sao Tome and Principe

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Carlos Manuel VILA NOVA (since 2 October 2021)

head of government: Prime Minister Jorge BOM JESUS (since 3 December 2018)

cabinet: Council of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, appointed by the president

elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 18 July 2021 and runoff on 5 September 2021 (next to be held in 2026); prime minister chosen by the National Assembly and approved by the president

election results:
2021: Carlos Manuel VILA NOVA elected president in the second round; percent of vote in the first round - Carlos Manuel VILA NOVA (IDA) 39.5%; Guilherme POSSER DA COSTA (MLSTP-PSD) 20.8%; Delfim NEVES (PCD-GR) 16.9%; Abel BOM JESUS (independent) 3.6%; Maria DAS NEVES (independent) 3.3%; other 15.9%; percent of the vote in the second round - Carlos Manuel VILA NOVA (IDA) 57.5%, Guilherme POSSER DA COSTA (MLSTP-PSD) 42.5%; note - VILA NOVA is scheduled to take office 29 September 2021

2016: Evaristo CARVALHO elected president; percent of vote - Evaristo CARVALHO (ADI) 49.8%, Manuel Pinto DA COSTA (independent) 24.8%, Maria DAS NEVES (MLSTP-PSD) 24.1%; note - first round results for CARVALHO were revised downward from just over 50%, prompting the 7 August runoff; however, on 1 August 2016 DA COSTA withdrew from the runoff, citing voting irregularities, and CARVALHO was declared the winner
Legislative branch: description: unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (55 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by closed party-list proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms)

elections: last held on 7 October 2018 (next to be held in October 2022)

election results: percent of vote by party - ADI 41.8%, MLSTP/PSD 40.3%, PCD-GR 9.5%, MCISTP 2.1%, other 6.3%; seats by party - ADI 25, MLSTP-PSD 23, PCD-MDFM-UDD 5, MCISTP 2; composition - men 45, women 10, percent of women 18.2%
Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court or Supremo Tribunal Justica (consists of 5 judges); Constitutional Court or Tribunal Constitucional (consists of 5 judges, 3 of whom are from the Supreme Court)

judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges appointed by the National Assembly; judge tenure NA; Constitutional Court judges nominated by the president and elected by the National Assembly for 5-year terms

subordinate courts: Court of First Instance; Audit Court
Political parties and leaders: Force for Democratic Change Movement or MDFM [Fradique Bandeira Melo DE MENEZES]
Independent Democratic Action or ADI [vacant]
Movement for the Liberation of Sao Tome and Principe-Social Democratic Party or MLSTP-PSD [Aurelio MARTINS]
Party for Democratic Convergence-Reflection Group or PCD-GR [Leonel Mario D'ALVA]
other small parties
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AOSIS, AU, CD, CEMAC, CPLP, EITI (candidate country), FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Carlos Filomeno Azevedo Agostinho das NEVES (since 3 December 2013)

chancery: 675 Third Avenue, Suite 1807, New York, NY 10017

telephone: [1] (212) 651-8116

FAX: [1] (212) 651-8117

email address and website:
rdstppmun@gmail.com
Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy: the US does not have an embassy in Sao Tome and Principe; the US Ambassador to Gabon is accredited to Sao Tome and Principe

mailing address: 2290 Sao Tome Place, Washington DC  20521-2290
Flag description: three horizontal bands of green (top), yellow (double width), and green with two black five-pointed stars placed side by side in the center of the yellow band and a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; green stands for the country's rich vegetation, red recalls the struggle for independence, and yellow represents cocoa, one of the country's main agricultural products; the two stars symbolize the two main islands

note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia
National symbol(s): palm tree; national colors: green, yellow, red, black
National anthem: name: "Independencia total" (Total Independence)

lyrics/music: Alda Neves DA GRACA do Espirito Santo/Manuel dos Santos Barreto de Sousa e ALMEIDA

note: adopted 1975

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: The economy of São Tomé and Príncipe is small, based mainly on agricultural production, and, since independence in 1975, increasingly dependent on the export of cocoa beans. Cocoa production has substantially declined in recent years because of drought and mismanagement. Sao Tome depends heavily on imports of food, fuels, most manufactured goods, and consumer goods, and changes in commodity prices affect the country’s inflation rate. Maintaining control of inflation, fiscal discipline, and increasing flows of foreign direct investment into the nascent oil sector are major economic problems facing the country. In recent years the government has attempted to reduce price controls and subsidies. In 2017, several business-related laws were enacted that aim to improve the business climate.   São Tomé and Príncipe has had difficulty servicing its external debt and has relied heavily on concessional aid and debt rescheduling. In April 2011, the country completed a Threshold Country Program with The Millennium Challenge Corporation to help increase tax revenues, reform customs, and improve the business environment. In 2016, Sao Tome and Portugal signed a five-year cooperation agreement worth approximately $64 million, some of which will be provided as loans. In 2017, China and São Tomé signed a mutual cooperation agreement in areas such as infrastructure, health, and agriculture worth approximately $146 million over five years.   Considerable potential exists for development of tourism, and the government has taken steps to expand tourist facilities in recent years. Potential also exists for the development of petroleum resources in São Tomé and Príncipe's territorial waters in the oil-rich Gulf of Guinea, some of which are being jointly developed in a 60-40 split with Nigeria, but production is at least several years off.   Volatile aid and investment inflows have limited growth, and poverty remains high. Restricteded capacity at the main port increases the periodic risk of shortages of consumer goods. Contract enforcement in the country’s judicial system is difficult. The IMF in late 2016 expressed concern about vulnerabilities in the country’s banking sector, although the country plans some austerity measures in line with IMF recommendations under their three year extended credit facility. Deforestation, coastal erosion, poor waste management, and misuse of natural resources also are challenging issues.The economy of São Tomé and Príncipe is small, based mainly on agricultural production, and, since independence in 1975, increasingly dependent on the export of cocoa beans. Cocoa production has substantially declined in recent years because of drought and mismanagement. Sao Tome depends heavily on imports of food, fuels, most manufactured goods, and consumer goods, and changes in commodity prices affect the country’s inflation rate. Maintaining control of inflation, fiscal discipline, and increasing flows of foreign direct investment into the nascent oil sector are major economic problems facing the country. In recent years the government has attempted to reduce price controls and subsidies. In 2017, several business-related laws were enacted that aim to improve the business climate. São Tomé and Príncipe has had difficulty servicing its external debt and has relied heavily on concessional aid and debt rescheduling. In April 2011, the country completed a Threshold Country Program with The Millennium Challenge Corporation to help increase tax revenues, reform customs, and improve the business environment. In 2016, Sao Tome and Portugal signed a five-year cooperation agreement worth approximately $64 million, some of which will be provided as loans. In 2017, China and São Tomé signed a mutual cooperation agreement in areas such as infrastructure, health, and agriculture worth approximately $146 million over five years. Considerable potential exists for development of tourism, and the government has taken steps to expand tourist facilities in recent years. Potential also exists for the development of petroleum resources in São Tomé and Príncipe's territorial waters in the oil-rich Gulf of Guinea, some of which are being jointly developed in a 60-40 split with Nigeria, but production is at least several years off. Volatile aid and investment inflows have limited growth, and poverty remains high. Restricteded capacity at the main port increases the periodic risk of shortages of consumer goods. Contract enforcement in the country’s judicial system is difficult. The IMF in late 2016 expressed concern about vulnerabilities in the country’s banking sector, although the country plans some austerity measures in line with IMF recommendations under their three year extended credit facility. Deforestation, coastal erosion, poor waste management, and misuse of natural resources also are challenging issues.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $890 million (2020 est.)

$860 million (2019 est.)

$840 million (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 3.9% (2017 est.)

4.2% (2016 est.)

3.8% (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $4,100 (2020 est.)

$4,000 (2019 est.)

$4,000 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $0 (2018 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.8% (2018 est.)

5.6% (2017 est.)

5.7% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 11.8% (2017 est.)

industry: 14.8% (2017 est.)

services: 73.4% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 81.4% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 17.6% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 33.4% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 7.9% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -40.4% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: plantains, oil palm fruit, coconuts, taro, bananas, fruit, cocoa, yams, cassava, maize
Industries: light construction, textiles, soap, beer, fish processing, timber
Industrial production growth rate: 5% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 72,600 (2017 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 26.1%

industry: 21.4%

services: 52.5% (2014 est.)
Unemployment rate: 12.2% (2017 est.)

12.6% (2016 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 20.8%

male: NA

female: (2012 est.) NA
Population below poverty line: 66.7% (2017 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 56.3 (2017 est.)

32.1 (2000 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA
Budget: revenues: 103 million (2017 est.)

expenditures: 112.4 million (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -2.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 88.4% of GDP (2017 est.)

93.1% of GDP (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 26.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Current account balance: -$32 million (2017 est.)

-$23 million (2016 est.)
Exports: $50 million (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$70 million (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$100 million (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Exports - partners: Singapore 30%, Switzerland 24%, France 11%, Poland 7%, Belgium 7%, United States 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: gas turbines, cocoa beans, aircraft parts, iron products, chocolate (2019)
Imports: $160 million (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$190 million (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$200 million (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Imports - partners: Portugal 41%, Angola 17%, China 8% (2019 )
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, cars, rice, flavored water, postage stamps (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $58.95 million (31 December 2017 est.)

$61.5 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external: $292.9 million (31 December 2017 est.)

$308.5 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Exchange rates: dobras (STD) per US dollar -

22,689 (2017 est.)

21,797 (2016 est.)

22,149 (2015 est.)

22,091 (2014 est.)

18,466 (2013 est.)

Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 71% (2019)

electrification - urban areas: 87% (2019)

electrification - rural areas: 25% (2019)
Electricity - production: 66 million kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - consumption: 61.38 million kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2016)
Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity: 18,100 kW (2016 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels: 88% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels: 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants: 11% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources: 1% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Crude oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2018 est.)
Crude oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Crude oil - imports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Crude oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2018)
Refined petroleum products - production: 0 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - consumption: 1,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 1,027 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)

Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 2,790 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 174,203 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 79 (2020 est.)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: local telephone network of adequate quality with most lines connected to digital switches; mobile cellular superior choice to landland; dial-up quality low; broadband expensive (2018)

domestic: fixed-line roughly 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 79 telephones per 100 persons (2020)

international: country code - 239; landing points for the Ultramar GE and ACE submarine cables from South Africa to over 20 West African countries and Europe; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments
Broadcast media: 1 government-owned TV station; 1 government-owned radio station; 3 independent local radio stations authorized in 2005 with 2 operating at the end of 2006; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available
Internet country code: .st
Internet users: total: 72,323 (2020 est.)

percent of population: 33% (2020 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 2,512 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1.15 (2020 est.)

Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 1
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: S9
Airports: total: 2 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2021)
Roadways: total: 1,300 km (2018)

paved: 230 km (2018)

unpaved: 1,070 km (2018)
Merchant marine: total: 22

by type: general cargo 13, oil tanker 2, other 7 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Sao Tome

Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: Armed Forces of Sao Tome and Principe (Forcas Armadas de Sao Tome e Principe, FASTP): Army, Coast Guard of Sao Tome e Principe (Guarda Costeira de Sao Tome e Principe, GCSTP), Presidential Guard, National Guard (2022)
Military expenditures: Not available
Military and security service personnel strengths: the FASTP has approximately 400-500 personnel (2021)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the FASTP is lightly and poorly armed (2021)
Military service age and obligation: 18 is the legal minimum age for compulsory military service; 17 is the legal minimum age for voluntary service (2021)
Military - note: the FASTP is one of the smallest militaries in Africa and consists of only a few companies of ground troops and a few small patrol boats; as of 2021, it did not have an air forcethe FASTP is one of the smallest militaries in Africa and consists of only a few companies of ground troops and a few small patrol boats; as of 2021, it did not have an air force
Maritime threats: the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the Niger Delta and Gulf of Guinea remain a very high risk for piracy and armed robbery of ships; in 2021, there were 34 reported incidents of piracy and armed robbery at sea in the Gulf of Guinea region; although a significant decrease from the total number of 81 incidents in 2020, it included the one hijacking and three of five ships fired upon worldwide; while boarding and attempted boarding to steal valuables from ships and crews are the most common types of incidents, almost a third of all incidents involve a hijacking and/or kidnapping; in 2021, 57 crew members were kidnapped in seven separate incidents in the Gulf of Guinea, representing 100% of kidnappings worldwide; Nigerian pirates in particular are well armed and very aggressive, operating as far as 200 nm offshore; the Maritime Administration of the US Department of Transportation has issued a Maritime Advisory (2022-001 - Gulf of Guinea-Piracy/Armed Robbery/Kidnapping for Ransom) effective 4 January 2022, which states in part, "Piracy, armed robbery, and kidnapping for ransom continue to serve as significant threats to US-flagged vessels transiting or operating in the Gulf of Guinea"

Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none identifiednone identified