Moving to Saudi Arabia from Sao Tome and Principe

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What to Expect

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

If you moved from Sao Tome and Principe to Saudi Arabia, and you’d need to navigate life in Arabic.

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Key Indicator Comparison

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

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

per 100,000 people per year

ST
3.2
SA
0.8
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

ST
11.7
SA
18.5

Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on safety, though Saudi Arabia leads in homicide rate.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

ST
$355
SA
$3,475
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

ST
4.9
SA
30.8

Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Saudi Arabia 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
SA
91.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

ST
0.6t
SA
18.5t

Sao Tome and Principe performs better than Saudi Arabia 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
SA
37.0
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

ST
1.9%
SA
974.2%

Saudi Arabia generally does better on infrastructure, though Sao Tome and Principe leads in water stress level.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

ST
14.2%
SA
4.9%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

ST
$5,500
SA
$49,600

Saudi Arabia performs significantly 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

ST
67.1 yrs
SA
76.7 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

ST
44.4
SA
12.3

Saudi Arabia 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 Saudi Arabia. To live, work, or study long-term in Saudi Arabia, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Saudi Arabia's immigration authority.

Sao Tome and Principe passport

Sao Tome and Principe passport holder visiting Saudi Arabia

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

Saudi Arabia passport holder visiting Sao Tome and Principe

Visa Online (e-Visa)
Saudi Arabia 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 Saudi Arabia?

Connectivity is usually fine (Saudi Arabia: 37.0 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Saudi Arabia offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Saudi Arabia safe for expats?

Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on safety, though Saudi Arabia leads in homicide rate. The homicide rate in Saudi Arabia is 0.8 per 100,000 people, compared to 3.2 in Sao Tome and Principe.

How is healthcare in Saudi Arabia compared to Sao Tome and Principe?

Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Saudi Arabia leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 30.8 doctors per 10,000 people in Saudi Arabia, compared to 4.9 in Sao Tome and Principe. Saudi Arabia scores 74 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Sao Tome and Principe: 59).

What language do they speak in Saudi Arabia?

The official language in Saudi Arabia is Arabic. In Sao Tome and Principe, the official language is Portuguese.

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At a Glance

ST SA
Population 217,164 35,354,380
Currency São Tomé and Príncipe Dobra (STD) Saudi Riyal (SAR)
Languages Portuguese Arabic
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +239 +966
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 911