As of 2024, the top 1% in Sao Tome and Principe earned 15.98% of total national income, while the bottom 50% received just 13.04%. Sao Tome and Principe’s income inequality has increased since 1980, when the top 1% share was 9.13%.
Key Income Distribution Metrics for Sao Tome and Principe in 2024
In 2024, income in Sao Tome and Principe was distributed as follows: the wealthiest 1% of the population captured 15.98% of total national income, which is roughly on par with the global average of 16.17%. Meanwhile, the bottom half of earners received 13.04% of income, slightly lower than the global average of 14.97%.
| Metric | Sao Tome and Principe | Global Average |
|---|---|---|
| Top 1% Income Share | 15.98% | 16.17% |
| Top 10% Income Share | 50.61% | 45.21% |
| Bottom 50% Income Share | 13.04% | 14.97% |
How Has Income Inequality Changed in Sao Tome and Principe?
Top 1% Income Share Trend (1980-2024)
The share of income going to Sao Tome and Principe’s top 1% has increased over the past 44 years. In 1980, the top 1% captured 9.13% of national income. By 2024, this figure had risen by 6.85 percentage points to 15.98%.
Top 10% vs Bottom 50% Income Gap Over Time
The income gap between the top 10% and bottom 50% in Sao Tome and Principe has widened over this period. In 1980, the top 10% earned 39.69% while the bottom 50% received 16.84%. By 2024, these figures shifted to 50.61% and 13.04% respectively.
| Year | Top 1% | Top 10% | Bottom 50% | Gap (Top 10 – Bottom 50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 9.13% | 39.69% | 16.84% | 22.85 pp |
| 1986 | 9.13% | 39.69% | 16.84% | 22.85 pp |
| 1992 | 9.13% | 39.69% | 16.84% | 22.85 pp |
| 1998 | 9.13% | 39.69% | 16.84% | 22.85 pp |
| 2004 | 9.06% | 39.56% | 17.10% | 22.46 pp |
| 2010 | 8.95% | 39.38% | 17.50% | 21.88 pp |
| 2016 | 14.98% | 49.01% | 13.67% | 35.34 pp |
| 2022 | 15.98% | 50.61% | 13.04% | 37.57 pp |
How Sao Tome and Principe Compares Globally
Sao Tome and Principe vs Africa Average
Compared to other countries in Africa, Sao Tome and Principe’s top 1% income share of 15.98% is roughly on par with the regional average of 15.62%. The bottom 50% in Sao Tome and Principe receives 13.04% of income, compared to the Africa average of 13.46%.
Where Sao Tome and Principe Ranks Among All Countries
- Top 1% income concentration: Sao Tome and Principe ranks 94th out of 184 countries (higher rank = more concentrated wealth at the top)
- Bottom 50% income share: Sao Tome and Principe ranks 128th out of 184 countries (higher rank = larger share for the bottom half)
Countries with similar income inequality levels to Sao Tome and Principe include income distribution in Gambia, Mongolia, Mauritius's income inequality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income share of the top 1% in Sao Tome and Principe?
As of 2024, the top 1% in Sao Tome and Principe earned 15.98% of total national income. This level of concentration is considered high by international standards.
Is income inequality increasing or decreasing in Sao Tome and Principe?
Income inequality in Sao Tome and Principe has increased since 1980. The top 1% income share moved from 9.13% in 1980 to 15.98% in 2024.
What percentage of income goes to the bottom 50% in Sao Tome and Principe?
In 2024, the bottom 50% of earners in Sao Tome and Principe received 13.04% of total national income. This compares with the top 10% who captured 50.61%.
Last updated: April 8, 2026
Data source: World Inequality Database (WID). This dataset covers income distribution metrics for 199 countries from 1980 to 2024.