São Tomé and Principe Current Account Balance
Current account balance as % of GDP BN.CAB.XOKA.GD.ZS
São Tomé and Principe's current account balance was -3.26% in 2025, ranked 117th globally. This represents a 164.5% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1974–2025.
Overview
São Tomé and Principe's current account balance stood at -3.26% in 2025, a decline of +8.31% from 2024. The IMF projects -3.26% by 2025. São Tomé and Principe ranked 117th globally.
São Tomé and Principe's current account balance has exhibited significant volatility over the past five decades, with a notable peak in 1977 when it reached 16.45, a level surpassed only by a few countries in the region. Conversely, the country's balance plummeted to a record low of -49.73 in 2008, indicating a substantial deterioration in its trade position during that period. In recent years, São Tomé and Principe's current account balance has improved, albeit modestly, with a value of -3.26 in 2025, still ranking among the lowest globally. Comparative analysis with peer countries suggests that the country's current account position is comparable to that of Tunisia, which also struggled with a trade deficit in 2025. However, the country's trajectory has yet to demonstrate a consistent path towards improvement, and a sustained increase in export revenues or a decrease in import costs would be necessary to alter the current trend.
Data & projection
| Year | Current Account Balance | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030* IMF | -3.72% | - | - |
| 2029* IMF | -3.99% | - | - |
| 2028* IMF | -4.04% | - | - |
| 2027* IMF | -3.94% | - | - |
| 2026* IMF | -3.57% | - | - |
| 2025* IMF | -3.26% | - | - |
| 2025 | -3.26% | −8.31% | #117 |
| 2024 | 5.05% | +17.34% | #157 |
| 2023 | 3.03% | +17.54% | #148 |
| 2022 | -4.73% | +8.32% | #74 |
| 2021 | -18.16% | −6.97% | #10 |
| 2020 | -12.65% | +0.13% | #25 |
| 2019 | -21.80% | −8.85% | #7 |
| 2018 | -19.58% | −4.29% | #9 |
| 2017 | -22.72% | −15.53% | #2 |
| 2016 | -21.04% | −6.50% | #9 |
| 2015 | -26.42% | −1.89% | #4 |
| 2014 | -35.46% | −19.11% | #1 |
| 2013 | -30.43% | −6.55% | #5 |
| 2012 | -43.78% | −15.22% | #2 |
| 2011 | -46.70% | −23.11% | #3 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
São Tomé and Principe matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 2024. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw current account balance improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
São Tomé and Principe's current account balance was -3.26% in 2025. Ranked 117th globally. This represents a 164.5% decrease from the previous year.
São Tomé and Principe's current account balance peaked at 16.45% in 1977.
The lowest current account balance in São Tomé and Principe was -49.73% in 2008.
São Tomé and Principe ranks 117th globally in current account balance as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is BN.CAB.XOKA.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
São Tomé and Principe's current account balance is projected to reach -3.26% by 2025 based on IMF projection.
The current account balance of São Tomé and Principe in 2025 was -3.26%. This ranks 117th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_s-o-tom-and-principe_current-account,
title = {São Tomé and Principe Current Account Balance},
url = {https://historysaid.com/s-o-tom-and-principe/current-account/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}