Moving to North Korea from Sao Tome and Principe

moving to

What to Expect

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

If you moved from Sao Tome and Principe to North Korea, and you’d need to navigate life in Korean.

Planning this move? Get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes from vetted international movers. Get free quotes ↓

Get free moving quotes to North Korea

We've teamed up with a vetted network of international movers to help MyLifeElsewhere readers plan their move with confidence. Tell us about your move and get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes in under 2 minutes.

  • ✅ Up to 5 quotes from screened movers
  • ✅ Licensed and insured providers only
  • ✅ 100% free — you choose who contacts you

Key Indicator Comparison

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

How's the healthcare?

Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

affects wait times and access to care

ST
4.9
KP
36.7
Health coverage index United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

WHO index from 0–100 measuring essential service access

ST
59
KP
68

North Korea generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Sao Tome and Principe leads in suicide rate.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

ST
85.0
KP
86.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

ST
0.6t
KP
2.5t

Sao Tome and Principe performs better than North Korea across all environment metrics.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

ST
1.9%
KP
27.7%

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

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

ST
14.2%
KP
3.0%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

ST
$5,500
KP
$1,700

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

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

ST
67.1 yrs
KP
71.8 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

ST
44.4
KP
22.2

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

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

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Sao Tome and Principe passport

Sao Tome and Principe passport holder visiting North Korea

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

North Korea passport holder visiting Sao Tome and Principe

Visa Online (e-Visa)
North Korea 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 North Korea?

From major North Korea cities the network usually holds up. Visa rules, your employer's stance on overseas employees, and tax residency in Sao Tome and Principe and North Korea are what actually decide it long-term.

How is healthcare in North Korea compared to Sao Tome and Principe?

North Korea generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Sao Tome and Principe leads in suicide rate. There are 36.7 doctors per 10,000 people in North Korea, compared to 4.9 in Sao Tome and Principe. North Korea scores 68 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Sao Tome and Principe: 59).

What language do they speak in North Korea?

The official language in North Korea is Korean. In Sao Tome and Principe, the official language is Portuguese.

Share this

At a Glance

ST KP
Population 217,164 25,955,138
Currency São Tomé and Príncipe Dobra (STD) North Korean Won (KPW)
Languages Portuguese Korean
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +239 +850
Time zones 1 1