Moving to Sao Tome and Principe from Namibia

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What to Expect

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

If you moved from Namibia to Sao Tome and Principe, and you’d need to navigate life in Portuguese. You’ll also switch from driving on the left to the right.

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Key Indicator Comparison

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

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

NA
12.4
ST
3.2
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

NA
22.0
ST
11.7

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

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

NA
$1,068
ST
$355
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

NA
5.4
ST
4.9

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

NA
43.0
ST
85.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

NA
1.2t
ST
0.6t

Namibia 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

NA
3.9
ST
2.0
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

NA
0.9%
ST
1.9%

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

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

NA
19.4%
ST
14.2%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

NA
$11,500
ST
$5,500

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

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

NA
66.5 yrs
ST
67.1 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

NA
29.4
ST
44.4

Namibia generally does better on family life, though Sao Tome and Principe leads in life expectancy.

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

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Namibia 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.

Namibia passport

Namibia passport holder visiting Sao Tome and Principe

Visa Online (e-Visa)
Namibia 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 Namibia

Visa on Arrival
Sao Tome and Principe passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Namibia.

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 Namibia across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Sao Tome and Principe is 3.2 per 100,000 people, compared to 12.4 in Namibia.

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

Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Namibia leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 4.9 doctors per 10,000 people in Sao Tome and Principe, compared to 5.4 in Namibia. Sao Tome and Principe scores 59 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Namibia: 63).

What language do they speak in Sao Tome and Principe?

The official language in Sao Tome and Principe is Portuguese. In Namibia, the official languages are Afrikaans, English, German, Herero, Khoekhoe, Kwangali, Lozi, Ndonga and Tswana.

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At a Glance

NA ST
Population 2,727,409 217,164
Currency Namibian Dollar (NAD) São Tomé and Príncipe Dobra (STD)
Languages Afrikaans, English, German, Herero, Khoekhoe, Kwangali, Lozi, Ndonga, Tswana Portuguese
Driving side Left Right
Calling code +264 +239
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 10111