Freedom Score in Sao Tome and Principe
Sao Tome and Principe: Freedom Score was 84 in 2025. ▬ Flat
Freedom Score in Sao Tome and Principe, 2002–2025
Source: Freedom House (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2025, freedom score in Sao Tome and Principe stood at 84.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 3.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, freedom score in Sao Tome and Principe peaked at 85 in 2002 and was at its lowest, 80, in 2005.
That places Sao Tome and Principe 55th out of 197 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
Freedom Score in Sao Tome and Principe, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 85 | — |
| 2003 | 81 | -4.7% |
| 2004 | 82 | +1.2% |
| 2005 | 80 | -2.4% |
| 2006 | 80 | +0.0% |
| 2007 | 80 | +0.0% |
| 2008 | 80 | +0.0% |
| 2009 | 80 | +0.0% |
| 2010 | 80 | +0.0% |
| 2011 | 80 | +0.0% |
| 2012 | 81 | +1.2% |
| 2013 | 81 | +0.0% |
| 2014 | 81 | +0.0% |
| 2015 | 81 | +0.0% |
| 2016 | 81 | +0.0% |
| 2017 | 82 | +1.2% |
| 2018 | 83 | +1.2% |
| 2019 | 84 | +1.2% |
| 2020 | 84 | +0.0% |
| 2021 | 84 | +0.0% |
| 2022 | 84 | +0.0% |
| 2023 | 84 | +0.0% |
| 2024 | 84 | +0.0% |
| 2025 | 84 | +0.0% |
Sao Tome and Principe compared with similar countries
- Sao Tome and Principe's 84 is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 41, 2.0× the median. (46 countries reporting)
- Sao Tome and Principe's 84 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 35, 2.4× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 81 | 80 | 85 | 8 |
| 2010s | 81.4 | 80 | 84 | 10 |
| 2020s | 84 | 84 | 84 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Sao Tome and Principe
More social development data for Sao Tome and Principe
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 8 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 2 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 2 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 8 (2025)
- Sovereign state gleditsch ward, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 60 % change on previous year (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is freedom score in Sao Tome and Principe?
- Freedom score in Sao Tome and Principe was 84 in 2025, according to Freedom House (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest freedom score recorded in Sao Tome and Principe?
- The highest recorded value was 85 in 2002.
- What is the lowest freedom score recorded in Sao Tome and Principe?
- The lowest recorded value was 80 in 2005.
- How does Sao Tome and Principe rank for freedom score?
- Sao Tome and Principe ranks 55th out of 197 countries with data for 2025.
- Is freedom score rising or falling in Sao Tome and Principe?
- Over the last ten years it is up 3.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Sao Tome and Principe data come from?
- The figures come from Freedom House (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Freedom Score. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Freedom House’s freedom score captures the extent of free and fair elections, political pluralism and participation, a functioning government, freedom of expression and association, the rule of law, and personal autonomy. Higher scores indicate more freedom.