Computer, communications and other services in Sao Tome and Principe
Sao Tome and Principe: Computer, communications and other services was 35.9% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Computer, communications and other services in Sao Tome and Principe, 1974–2024
Source: Balance of Payments Statistics Yearbook and data files, International Monetary Fund (IMF). Measured in % of commercial service imports.
Analysis
In 2024, computer, communications and other services in Sao Tome and Principe stood at 35.9%.
That represents a change of down 10.0% on the previous year and down 17.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, computer, communications and other services in Sao Tome and Principe peaked at 73.9% in 2022 and was at its lowest, 0.6%, in 1986.
Sao Tome and Principe ranks 100th of 198 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Computer, communications and other services in Sao Tome and Principe, year by year
| Year | % of commercial service imports | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1974 | 23.3% | — |
| 1975 | 11.4% | -50.9% |
| 1976 | 13.6% | +19.6% |
| 1977 | 5.9% | -56.9% |
| 1978 | 1.5% | -74.1% |
| 1979 | 3.4% | +126.0% |
| 1980 | 3.8% | +11.6% |
| 1981 | 3.7% | -3.5% |
| 1982 | 4.6% | +23.0% |
| 1983 | 3.5% | -22.5% |
| 1984 | 3.0% | -16.1% |
| 1985 | 2.4% | -17.9% |
| 1986 | 0.6% | -77.0% |
| 1987 | 2.6% | +368.3% |
| 1988 | 3.5% | +31.8% |
| 1989 | 5.4% | +54.6% |
| 1990 | 4.1% | -22.7% |
| 1997 | 19.2% | +363.2% |
| 1998 | 17.2% | -10.4% |
| 1999 | 15.1% | -12.3% |
| 2000 | 14.0% | -7.2% |
| 2001 | 13.6% | -2.8% |
| 2002 | 12.2% | -10.0% |
| 2003 | 11.2% | -8.2% |
| 2004 | 11.1% | -1.4% |
| 2005 | 2.8% | -75.1% |
| 2006 | 4.5% | +61.9% |
| 2007 | 2.9% | -34.4% |
| 2008 | 1.1% | -63.6% |
| 2009 | 1.3% | +18.0% |
| 2010 | 1.5% | +17.8% |
| 2011 | 3.2% | +118.4% |
| 2012 | 3.9% | +19.8% |
| 2013 | 47.7% | +1130.2% |
| 2014 | 43.3% | -9.3% |
| 2015 | 27.4% | -36.8% |
| 2016 | 31.4% | +14.8% |
| 2017 | 28.1% | -10.6% |
| 2018 | 33.9% | +20.9% |
| 2019 | 32.0% | -5.7% |
| 2020 | 26.0% | -18.7% |
| 2021 | 20.4% | -21.4% |
| 2022 | 73.9% | +261.6% |
| 2023 | 39.9% | -46.0% |
| 2024 | 35.9% | -10.0% |
Sao Tome and Principe compared with similar countries
- Sao Tome and Principe's 35.9% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 27.1%, 1.3× the median. (47 countries reporting)
- Sao Tome and Principe's 35.9% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 33.3%, 1.1× the median. (46 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Computer, communications and other services in Sao Tome and Principe changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | +1130.2% | 3.9% | 47.7% |
| 1987 | +368.3% | 0.6% | 2.6% |
| 1997 | +363.2% | 4.1% | 19.2% |
| 2022 | +261.6% | 20.4% | 73.9% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 9.9% | 1.5% | 23.3% | 6 |
| 1980s | 3.3% | 0.6% | 5.4% | 10 |
| 1990s | 13.9% | 4.1% | 19.2% | 4 |
| 2000s | 7.5% | 1.1% | 14.0% | 10 |
| 2010s | 25.2% | 1.5% | 47.7% | 10 |
| 2020s | 39.2% | 20.4% | 73.9% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Sao Tome and Principe
More private sector data for Sao Tome and Principe
- Merchandise trade 22.5% (2025)
- Food imports 31.8% (2023)
- Manufactures imports 37.1% (2023)
- Merchandise imports 183.00 million current US$ (2025)
- Food exports 98.2% (2023)
- Manufactures exports 1.5% (2023)
- Merchandise exports 38.00 million current US$ (2025)
- Merchandise exports (current US$), per capita 158.17 current US$ per person (2025)
- Merchandise exports (current US$), per unit of GDP 0.0387 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Merchandise exports (current US$), annual growth rate 31.03 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is computer, communications and other services in Sao Tome and Principe?
- Computer, communications and other services in Sao Tome and Principe was 35.9% in 2024, according to Balance of Payments Statistics Yearbook and data files, International Monetary Fund (IMF).
- What is the highest computer, communications and other services recorded in Sao Tome and Principe?
- The highest recorded value was 73.9% in 2022.
- What is the lowest computer, communications and other services recorded in Sao Tome and Principe?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.6% in 1986.
- How does Sao Tome and Principe rank for computer, communications and other services?
- Sao Tome and Principe ranks 100th out of 198 countries with data for 2024.
- Is computer, communications and other services rising or falling in Sao Tome and Principe?
- Over the last ten years it is down 17.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sao Tome and Principe data come from?
- The figures come from Balance of Payments Statistics Yearbook and data files, International Monetary Fund (IMF), published as part of Computer, communications and other services (% of commercial service imports). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Computer, communications and other services include such activities as international telecommunications, and postal and courier services; computer data; news-related service transactions between residents and nonresidents; construction services; royalties and license fees; miscellaneous business, professional, and technical services; and personal, cultural, and recreational services. This indicator is expressed as a percentage of service imports which are commercial services provided by non-residents to residents.