Moving to Sao Tome and Principe from Ghana

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What to Expect

Everything you need to know before relocating from Ghana to Sao Tome and Principe — costs, safety, healthcare, and practical first steps.

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

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Key Indicator Comparison

Key indicators for anyone considering a move from Ghana to Sao Tome and Principe.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

GH
1.8
ST
3.2
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

GH
25.9
ST
11.7

Ghana generally does better on safety, though Sao Tome and Principe leads in road traffic deaths.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

GH
$234
ST
$355
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

GH
1.4
ST
4.9

Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Ghana leads in healthcare spending per person.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

GH
89.0
ST
85.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

GH
0.7t
ST
0.6t

Sao Tome and Principe performs significantly better than Ghana across all environment metrics.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

GH
0.6
ST
2.0
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

GH
6.3%
ST
1.9%

Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on infrastructure, though Ghana leads in internet access.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

GH
3.1%
ST
14.2%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

GH
$6,700
ST
$5,500

Ghana 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

GH
69.4 yrs
ST
67.1 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

GH
32.6
ST
44.4

Ghana 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 Ghana 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.

Ghana passport

Ghana passport holder visiting Sao Tome and Principe

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

Sao Tome and Principe passport holder visiting Ghana

Visa Free
Sao Tome and Principe passport holders can enter Ghana 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?

Internet is rarely the blocker — Sao Tome and Principe has 2.0 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people. The real questions are legal: digital nomad visa eligibility, your employer's overseas-work policy, and tax residency in both countries.

Is Sao Tome and Principe safe for expats?

Ghana generally does better on safety, though Sao Tome and Principe leads in road traffic deaths. The homicide rate in Sao Tome and Principe is 3.2 per 100,000 people, compared to 1.8 in Ghana.

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

Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Ghana leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 4.9 doctors per 10,000 people in Sao Tome and Principe, compared to 1.4 in Ghana. Sao Tome and Principe scores 59 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Ghana: 48).

What language do they speak in Sao Tome and Principe?

The official language in Sao Tome and Principe is Portuguese. In Ghana, the official language is English.

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At a Glance

GH ST
Population 33,107,275 217,164
Currency Ghanaian Cedi (GHS) São Tomé and Príncipe Dobra (STD)
Languages English Portuguese
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +233 +239
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 112