Gross external debt, Percent of GDP (Balance of Payments and) in Sao Tome and Principe
Sao Tome and Principe: Gross external debt, Percent of GDP (Balance of Payments and) was 25.1 in 2027. ◆ Volatile
Gross external debt, Percent of GDP (Balance of Payments and) in Sao Tome and Principe, 2000–2027
Source: International Monetary Fund.
Analysis
In 2027, gross external debt, percent of gdp (balance of payments and) in Sao Tome and Principe stood at 25.1.
That represents a change of down 6.5% on the previous year and down 57.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, gross external debt, percent of gdp (balance of payments and) in Sao Tome and Principe peaked at 410.14 in 2001 and was at its lowest, 18.13, in 2008.
That places Sao Tome and Principe 26th out of 45 countries with data for 2027, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Gross external debt, Percent of GDP (Balance of Payments and) in Sao Tome and Principe, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 358.11 | — |
| 2001 | 410.14 | +14.5% |
| 2002 | 362.38 | -11.6% |
| 2003 | 325.59 | -10.2% |
| 2004 | 347.38 | +6.7% |
| 2005 | 295.75 | -14.9% |
| 2006 | 269.64 | -8.8% |
| 2007 | 43.14 | -84.0% |
| 2008 | 18.13 | -58.0% |
| 2009 | 28.69 | +58.3% |
| 2010 | 40.27 | +40.3% |
| 2011 | 52.51 | +30.4% |
| 2012 | 61.12 | +16.4% |
| 2013 | 55.89 | -8.6% |
| 2014 | 55.6 | -0.5% |
| 2015 | 63.1 | +13.5% |
| 2016 | 59.73 | -5.3% |
| 2017 | 58.36 | -2.3% |
| 2018 | 49.33 | -15.5% |
| 2019 | 45.96 | -6.8% |
| 2020 | 46.1 | +0.3% |
| 2021 | 41.65 | -9.7% |
| 2022 | 40.71 | -2.2% |
| 2023 | 35.42 | -13.0% |
| 2024 | 33.53 | -5.3% |
| 2025 | 30.55 | -8.9% |
| 2026 | 26.84 | -12.1% |
| 2027 | 25.1 | -6.5% |
Sao Tome and Principe compared with similar countries
- Sao Tome and Principe's 25.1 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 26.53, 95% of the median. (45 countries reporting)
- Sao Tome and Principe's 25.1 is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 30.44, 82% of the median. (19 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Gross external debt, Percent of GDP (Balance of Payments and) 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | -84.0% | 269.64 | 43.14 |
| 2009 | +58.3% | 18.13 | 28.69 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 245.9 | 18.13 | 410.14 | 10 |
| 2010s | 54.19 | 40.27 | 63.1 | 10 |
| 2020s | 34.99 | 25.1 | 46.1 | 8 |
Countries ranked near Sao Tome and Principe
More external debt data for Sao Tome and Principe
- IFC, private nonguaranteed 0 NFL, US$ (2024)
- IFC, private nonguaranteed (NFL, US$), per capita 0 NFL, US$ per person (2024)
- IFC, private nonguaranteed (NFL, US$), per unit of GDP 0 NFL, US$ per US$ of GDP (2024)
- IFC, private nonguaranteed (NFL, US$), per square kilometre 0 NFL, US$ per square kilometre (2023)
- Public and publicly guaranteed debt service 0.4% (2024)
- Net financial flows, IDA -396,000 NFL, current US$ (2024)
- Net financial flows, IDA (NFL, current US$), per capita -1.68 NFL, current US$ per person (2024)
- Net financial flows, IDA (NFL, current US$), per unit of GDP -0.0005 NFL, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Public and publicly guaranteed debt service 2.3% (2024)
- Net financial flows, IDA (NFL, current US$), per square kilometre -320.83 NFL, current US$ per square kilometre (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is gross external debt, percent of gdp (balance of payments and) in Sao Tome and Principe?
- Gross external debt, percent of gdp (balance of payments and) in Sao Tome and Principe was 25.1 in 2027, according to International Monetary Fund.
- What is the highest gross external debt, percent of gdp (balance of payments and) recorded in Sao Tome and Principe?
- The highest recorded value was 410.14 in 2001.
- What is the lowest gross external debt, percent of gdp (balance of payments and) recorded in Sao Tome and Principe?
- The lowest recorded value was 18.13 in 2008.
- How does Sao Tome and Principe rank for gross external debt, percent of gdp (balance of payments and)?
- Sao Tome and Principe ranks 26th out of 45 countries with data for 2027.
- Is gross external debt, percent of gdp (balance of payments and) rising or falling in Sao Tome and Principe?
- Over the last ten years it is down 57.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sao Tome and Principe data come from?
- The figures come from International Monetary Fund, published as part of Gross external debt, Percent of GDP (Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual, Sixth Edition (BPM6)). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Economic Outlook (REO) provides information on recent economic developments and prospects for countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Data for the REO for sub-Saharan Africa are prepared in conjunction with the semi-annual World Economic Outlook (WEO) exercises, spring and fall.