Merchandise imports by the reporting economy (current US$) in Sao Tome and Principe
Sao Tome and Principe: Merchandise imports by the reporting economy (current US$) was 181.65 million current US$ in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Merchandise imports by the reporting economy in Sao Tome and Principe, 1969–2023
Source: Staff estimates, World Bank (WB). Measured in current US$.
Analysis
In 2023, merchandise imports by the reporting economy in Sao Tome and Principe stood at 181.65 million current US$.
That represents a change of down 5.6% on the previous year and up 19.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, merchandise imports by the reporting economy in Sao Tome and Principe peaked at 192.35 million current US$ in 2022 and was at its lowest, 7.47 million current US$, in 1983.
That places Sao Tome and Principe 204th out of 206 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Merchandise imports by the reporting economy (current US$) in Sao Tome and Principe, year by year
| Year | current US$ | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1969 | 7.50 million current US$ | — |
| 1970 | 8.80 million current US$ | +17.3% |
| 1973 | 9.60 million current US$ | +9.1% |
| 1974 | 8.80 million current US$ | -8.3% |
| 1975 | 10.30 million current US$ | +17.0% |
| 1976 | 8.40 million current US$ | -18.4% |
| 1977 | 12.00 million current US$ | +42.9% |
| 1981 | 19.67 million current US$ | +63.9% |
| 1982 | 18.90 million current US$ | -3.9% |
| 1983 | 7.47 million current US$ | -60.5% |
| 1984 | 8.92 million current US$ | +19.4% |
| 1985 | 10.45 million current US$ | +17.2% |
| 1986 | 10.91 million current US$ | +4.4% |
| 1987 | 14.90 million current US$ | +36.6% |
| 1988 | 37.09 million current US$ | +148.9% |
| 1989 | 41.74 million current US$ | +12.5% |
| 1990 | 45.18 million current US$ | +8.2% |
| 1991 | 33.40 million current US$ | -26.1% |
| 1992 | 33.26 million current US$ | -0.4% |
| 1993 | 39.39 million current US$ | +18.4% |
| 1994 | 52.62 million current US$ | +33.6% |
| 1995 | 42.53 million current US$ | -19.2% |
| 1996 | 34.66 million current US$ | -18.5% |
| 1997 | 41.31 million current US$ | +19.2% |
| 1998 | 48.45 million current US$ | +17.3% |
| 1999 | 53.18 million current US$ | +9.8% |
| 2000 | 29.73 million current US$ | -44.1% |
| 2001 | 28.40 million current US$ | -4.5% |
| 2002 | 31.03 million current US$ | +9.3% |
| 2003 | 40.77 million current US$ | +31.4% |
| 2004 | 41.11 million current US$ | +0.8% |
| 2005 | 49.73 million current US$ | +21.0% |
| 2006 | 70.43 million current US$ | +41.6% |
| 2007 | 79.21 million current US$ | +12.5% |
| 2008 | 112.80 million current US$ | +42.4% |
| 2009 | 101.59 million current US$ | -9.9% |
| 2010 | 111.29 million current US$ | +9.5% |
| 2011 | 133.71 million current US$ | +20.1% |
| 2012 | 141.25 million current US$ | +5.6% |
| 2013 | 152.04 million current US$ | +7.6% |
| 2014 | 169.71 million current US$ | +11.6% |
| 2015 | 141.84 million current US$ | -16.4% |
| 2016 | 139.78 million current US$ | -1.5% |
| 2017 | 150.85 million current US$ | +7.9% |
| 2018 | 148.28 million current US$ | -1.7% |
| 2019 | 147.65 million current US$ | -0.4% |
| 2020 | 138.22 million current US$ | -6.4% |
| 2021 | 167.77 million current US$ | +21.4% |
| 2022 | 192.35 million current US$ | +14.6% |
| 2023 | 181.65 million current US$ | -5.6% |
Sao Tome and Principe compared with similar countries
- Sao Tome and Principe's 181.65 million current US$ is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 8.62 billion current US$, 2% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
- Sao Tome and Principe's 181.65 million current US$ is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 4.61 billion current US$, 4% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Merchandise imports by the reporting economy (current US$) 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | +148.9% | 14.90 million current US$ | 37.09 million current US$ |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 7.50 million current US$ | 7.50 million current US$ | 7.50 million current US$ | 1 |
| 1970s | 9.65 million current US$ | 8.40 million current US$ | 12.00 million current US$ | 6 |
| 1980s | 18.90 million current US$ | 7.47 million current US$ | 41.74 million current US$ | 9 |
| 1990s | 42.40 million current US$ | 33.26 million current US$ | 53.18 million current US$ | 10 |
| 2000s | 58.48 million current US$ | 28.40 million current US$ | 112.80 million current US$ | 10 |
| 2010s | 143.64 million current US$ | 111.29 million current US$ | 169.71 million current US$ | 10 |
| 2020s | 170.00 million current US$ | 138.22 million current US$ | 192.35 million current US$ | 4 |
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)
- Commercial service imports 231.13 million current US$ (2025)
- Food exports 98.2% (2023)
- Manufactures exports 1.5% (2023)
- Merchandise exports 38.00 million current US$ (2025)
- Commercial service exports 105.01 million current US$ (2025)
- Merchandise exports (current US$), per capita 158.17 current US$ per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is merchandise imports by the reporting economy in Sao Tome and Principe?
- Merchandise imports by the reporting economy in Sao Tome and Principe was 181.65 million current US$ in 2023, according to Staff estimates, World Bank (WB).
- What is the highest merchandise imports by the reporting economy recorded in Sao Tome and Principe?
- The highest recorded value was 192.35 million current US$ in 2022.
- What is the lowest merchandise imports by the reporting economy recorded in Sao Tome and Principe?
- The lowest recorded value was 7.47 million current US$ in 1983.
- How does Sao Tome and Principe rank for merchandise imports by the reporting economy?
- Sao Tome and Principe ranks 204th out of 206 countries with data for 2023.
- Is merchandise imports by the reporting economy rising or falling in Sao Tome and Principe?
- Over the last ten years it is up 19.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sao Tome and Principe data come from?
- The figures come from Staff estimates, World Bank (WB), published as part of Merchandise imports by the reporting economy (current US$). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Merchandise imports by the reporting economy are the total merchandise imports by the reporting economy from the rest of the world, as reported in the IMF's Direction of trade database. Data are in current U.S. dollars.