Moving to Sao Tome and Principe from Gabon

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What to Expect

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

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

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

What the data shows about people moving from Gabon to Sao Tome and Principe.

Living there in 2020
210 ↓ 11% vs 2015

people born in Gabon live in Sao Tome and Principe · UN DESA

Who's moving to Sao Tome and Principe?

Top countries of origin for Sao Tome and Principe's foreign-born residents.

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

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

Is it safe?

Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

GA
12.5
ST
11.7

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

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

GA
$673
ST
$355
Doctors per 10,000 people World Bank, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

GA
5.2
ST
4.6

Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Gabon 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

GA
53.0
ST
85.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

GA
2.0t
ST
0.6t

Gabon 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 World Bank, 2024

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

GA
4.7
ST
3.0
Water stress level World Bank, 2022

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

GA
0.5%
ST
1.9%

Gabon performs better than Sao Tome and Principe across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate World Bank, 2025

percentage of the labour force without work

GA
20.1%
ST
9.1%
GDP per capita World Bank, 2025

a broad measure of economic output per person

GA
$8,263
ST
$4,084

Gabon generally does better on employment & economy, though Sao Tome and Principe leads in unemployment rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy World Bank, 2024

average years of life at birth

GA
68.5 yrs
ST
69.9 yrs
Infant mortality World Bank, 2024

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

GA
25.9
ST
9.2

Sao Tome and Principe performs significantly better than Gabon across all family life metrics.

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Gabon 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.

Gabon passport

Gabon passport holder visiting Sao Tome and Principe

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

Sao Tome and Principe passport holder visiting Gabon

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

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: 3.0 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 Gabon across all safety metrics.

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

Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Gabon leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 4.6 doctors per 10,000 people in Sao Tome and Principe, compared to 5.2 in Gabon. Sao Tome and Principe scores 59 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Gabon: 49).

What language do they speak in Sao Tome and Principe?

The official language in Sao Tome and Principe is Portuguese. In Gabon, the official language is French.

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At a Glance

GA ST
Population 2,593,130 240,254
Currency CFA Franc BEAC (FCFA) São Tomé and Príncipe Dobra (STD)
Languages French Portuguese
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +241 +239
Time zones 1 1