Internet Adoption Statistics in Sao Tome and Principe (2026)

59.1% of the population in Sao Tome and Principe used the internet in 2024, World Bank World Development Indicators data show. Up from 58.7% in 2023 to 59.1% in 2024 (+0.4 percentage points). Sao Tome and Principe ranks #11 of 46 economies in Sub-Saharan Africa on this measure, and #140 of 188 globally.

Latest value (2024)
59.1% (2024)
Internet Adoption in Sao Tome and Principe as of 2024, the most recent observation in World Bank World Development Indicators data.
Change since 2023
+0.4 pp (2024)
Up from 58.7% in 2023 to 59.1% in 2024 (+0.4 percentage points).
Earliest value in this dataset (1990)
0% (1990)
Earliest observation in this dataset, which covers 1990 onward (the source series may begin earlier). Up from 0% in 1990 to 59.1% in 2024.
Record high (2024)
59.1% (2024)
The 2024 value is the highest in the available World Bank World Development Indicators series for Sao Tome and Principe.
Rank in Sub-Saharan Africa
#11 of 46 (2024)
Sao Tome and Principe ranks 11 of 46 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa with data, based on each country's latest value.
Global rank
#140 of 188 (2024)
Sao Tome and Principe ranks 140 of 188 countries with data globally.
Sub-Saharan Africa average
39.9% (2024)
Sao Tome and Principe (59.1%) is above the average of 39.9% across the 46 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa with data.
Projected 2026 value
70.1% (2026)
Projection based on 7-year trend (CAGR 8.9%); not an official figure.
Internet use in Sao Tome and Principe (2024)
59.1% (2024)
59.1% of the population in Sao Tome and Principe used the internet in 2024 (World Bank); shown for context only.
Population (2024)
235,536 (2024)
Sao Tome and Principe had a population of 235,536 in 2024 (World Bank); shown for scale only.
Internet Adoption in Sao Tome and Principe by year (% of population)
Year % of population Change
2024 59.1%+0.4 pp
2023 58.7%+0.1 pp
2022 58.6%+3.6 pp
2021 54.9%+3.4 pp
2020 51.6%+7.3 pp
2019 44.3%+6.3 pp
2018 38%+5.4 pp
2017 32.6%+4.6 pp
2016 28%+2.2 pp
2015 25.8%+1.4 pp
2014 24.4%+1.4 pp
2013 23%+1.4 pp
2012 21.6%+1.4 pp
2011 20.2%+1.4 pp
2010 18.8%+2.3 pp
2009 16.4%+0.9 pp
2008 15.5%+0.9 pp
2007 14.6%+0.4 pp
2006 14.2%+0.4 pp
2005 13.8%+0.4 pp
2004 13.3%+3.2 pp
2003 10.2%+2.6 pp
2002 7.6%+1.3 pp
2001 6.3%+1.7 pp
2000 4.6%+4.3 pp
1999 0.4%+0.1 pp
1998 0.3%+0.3 pp
1990 0%
Internet Adoption in Sao Tome and Principe, 1990–2024Line chart of 28 observations from 1990 to 2024. Values range from 0% to 59.1%; the series starts at 0% in 1990 and ends at 59.1% in 2024.0%20%40%60%19902000201020240%59.1%
Fig. 1 — Internet Adoption in Sao Tome and Principe, 1990–2024

Frequently asked questions

What share of people in Sao Tome and Principe used the internet?

59.1% of the population in Sao Tome and Principe used the internet in 2024, according to World Bank World Development Indicators data.

Where does Sao Tome and Principe rank globally on internet adoption?

Sao Tome and Principe ranks 140 of 188 countries with data globally, based on the latest World Bank World Development Indicators value for each country.

What could internet adoption in Sao Tome and Principe look like in 2026?

A trend-based projection puts it at 70.1% in 2026. Projection based on 7-year trend (CAGR 8.9%); not an official figure.

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators, indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS, retrieved .

Figures are shown exactly as published in the source dataset; only the change column of the trend table is computed from adjacent published values.Read more on the methodology page. All figures are estimates and projections; this is not financial advice.

Last updated .