Moving to Sao Tome and Principe from Ecuador

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What to Expect

Considering a move from Ecuador to Sao Tome and Principe? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from Ecuador to Sao Tome and Principe, and you’d need to navigate life in Portuguese.

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Sao Tome and Principe compared to Ecuador.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

EC
27.0
ST
3.2
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

EC
23.4
ST
11.7

Sao Tome and Principe performs significantly better than Ecuador across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

EC
$1,238
ST
$355
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2020

affects wait times and access to care

EC
23.1
ST
4.9

Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Ecuador leads in doctors per 10,000 people.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

EC
23.0
ST
85.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

EC
2.6t
ST
0.6t

Ecuador generally does better on environment, though Sao Tome and Principe leads in co₂ emissions per capita.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

EC
15.0
ST
2.0
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

EC
6.8%
ST
1.9%

Ecuador generally does better on infrastructure, though Sao Tome and Principe leads in water stress level.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

EC
3.4%
ST
14.2%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

EC
$14,300
ST
$5,500

Ecuador performs better than Sao Tome and Principe across all employment & economy metrics.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

EC
77.5 yrs
ST
67.1 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

EC
18.1
ST
44.4

Ecuador generally does better on family life, though Sao Tome and Principe leads in education spending.

Data: The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Ecuador and Sao Tome and Principe. To live, work, or study long-term in Sao Tome and Principe, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Sao Tome and Principe's immigration authority.

Ecuador passport

Ecuador passport holder visiting Sao Tome and Principe

Visa Online (e-Visa)
Ecuador passport holders need to apply for an e-Visa before travelling to Sao Tome and Principe.
Sao Tome and Principe passport

Sao Tome and Principe passport holder visiting Ecuador

Visa Free
Sao Tome and Principe passport holders can enter Ecuador without a visa.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Sao Tome and Principe?

Connectivity is usually fine (Sao Tome and Principe: 2.0 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Sao Tome and Principe offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Sao Tome and Principe safe for expats?

Sao Tome and Principe performs significantly better than Ecuador across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Sao Tome and Principe is 3.2 per 100,000 people, compared to 27.0 in Ecuador.

How is healthcare in Sao Tome and Principe compared to Ecuador?

Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Ecuador leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 4.9 doctors per 10,000 people in Sao Tome and Principe, compared to 23.1 in Ecuador. Sao Tome and Principe scores 59 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Ecuador: 77).

What language do they speak in Sao Tome and Principe?

The official language in Sao Tome and Principe is Portuguese. In Ecuador, the official language is Spanish.

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At a Glance

EC ST
Population 17,289,554 217,164
Currency United States Dollar ($) São Tomé and Príncipe Dobra (STD)
Languages Spanish Portuguese
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +593 +239
Time zones 2 1
Emergency number 911