São Tomé and Príncipe : Country Profile

Research & Recommendations

Freedom in the World 2024

PR Political Rights	35 40
CL Civil Liberties	49 60

Last Year's Score & Status

84 100 Free

Global freedom statuses are calculated on a weighted scale. See the methodology.

Overview

São Tomé and Príncipe holds regular, competitive elections and has undergone multiple transfers of power between rival parties. Civil liberties are generally respected, but poverty and corruption have weakened some institutions and contributed to dysfunction in the justice system.

Read the full São Tomé and Príncipe Report

Previous Reports: 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024

Freedom in the World 2024 Policy Recommendations

Read all recommendations

Provide steady support and flexible funding to those on the front lines of the struggle against tyranny.

Democratic governments and donors must increase and sustain support for those working to defend and promote fundamental freedoms around the world. Failure to do so emboldens autocrats and can result in the loss of hard-won progress.

Uphold the rights of people living in disputed territories.

The events of the past year in places such as Nagorno-Karabakh and the Gaza Strip provided stark evidence that populations without self-determination are at greater risk of extreme human rights abuses or atrocities.

Protect free and fair elections in 2024.

At least 40 countries are holding national-level elections in 2024, and many more will conduct other types of balloting. Free and fair elections are a cornerstone of any democracy, and independent and transparent electoral processes are necessary to foster genuine competition and public trust.