Moving to Sao Tome and Principe from South Korea

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What to Expect

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

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

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Key Indicator Comparison

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

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

KR
0.5
ST
3.2
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

KR
6.9
ST
11.7

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

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2024

annual government + private spending per person

KR
$5,081
ST
$355
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

affects wait times and access to care

KR
25.2
ST
4.9

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

KR
19.0
ST
85.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

KR
11.4t
ST
0.6t

South Korea 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

KR
45.4
ST
2.0
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

KR
85.2%
ST
1.9%

South Korea 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

KR
2.6%
ST
14.2%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

KR
$50,600
ST
$5,500

South Korea 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

KR
83.0 yrs
ST
67.1 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

KR
2.9
ST
44.4

South Korea 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 South Korea 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.

South Korea passport

South Korea passport holder visiting Sao Tome and Principe

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

Sao Tome and Principe passport holder visiting South Korea

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

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?

South Korea performs better than Sao Tome and Principe across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Sao Tome and Principe is 3.2 per 100,000 people, compared to 0.5 in South Korea.

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

South Korea generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Sao Tome and Principe leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 4.9 doctors per 10,000 people in Sao Tome and Principe, compared to 25.2 in South Korea. Sao Tome and Principe scores 59 on the WHO universal health coverage index (South Korea: 89).

What language do they speak in Sao Tome and Principe?

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

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At a Glance

KR ST
Population 51,844,834 217,164
Currency South Korean Won (₩) São Tomé and Príncipe Dobra (STD)
Languages Korean Portuguese
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +82 +239
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 112