Moving to Iraq from Sao Tome and Principe

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What to Expect

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

If you moved from Sao Tome and Principe to Iraq, and you’d need to navigate life in Arabic, Aramaic and Sorani.

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Key Indicator Comparison

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

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2013

per 100,000 people per year

ST
3.2
IQ
9.4
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

ST
11.7
IQ
21.5

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

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

ST
$355
IQ
$843
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

ST
4.9
IQ
10.1

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

ST
85.0
IQ
87.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

ST
0.6t
IQ
5.2t

Sao Tome and Principe performs better than Iraq 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

ST
2.0
IQ
14.4
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

ST
1.9%
IQ
59.6%

Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on infrastructure, though Iraq leads in broadband per 100 people.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

ST
14.2%
IQ
15.5%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

ST
$5,500
IQ
$12,600

Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on employment & economy, though Iraq leads in gdp per capita.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

ST
67.1 yrs
IQ
73.2 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

ST
44.4
IQ
19.6

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

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

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Sao Tome and Principe passport

Sao Tome and Principe passport holder visiting Iraq

Visa Required
Sao Tome and Principe passport holders need a visa to enter Iraq.
Iraq passport

Iraq passport holder visiting Sao Tome and Principe

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Iraq?

Connectivity is usually fine (Iraq: 14.4 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Iraq offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Iraq safe for expats?

Sao Tome and Principe performs better than Iraq across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Iraq is 9.4 per 100,000 people, compared to 3.2 in Sao Tome and Principe.

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

Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Iraq leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 10.1 doctors per 10,000 people in Iraq, compared to 4.9 in Sao Tome and Principe. Iraq scores 59 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Sao Tome and Principe: 59).

What language do they speak in Iraq?

The official languages in Iraq are Arabic, Aramaic and Sorani. In Sao Tome and Principe, the official language is Portuguese.

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At a Glance

ST IQ
Population 217,164 40,462,701
Currency São Tomé and Príncipe Dobra (STD) Iraqi Dinar (IQD)
Languages Portuguese Arabic, Aramaic, Sorani
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +239 +964
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 104