Rural population density in Sao Tome and Principe
Sao Tome and Principe: Rural population density was 723.5 rural population per sq. km of arable land in 2011. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2011)
723.5 rural population per sq. km of arable land
Change on year
down 2.2%
World rank
7th
of 53 countries
All-time high
6,406 rural population per sq. km of arable land
in 1984
All-time low
700.71 rural population per sq. km of arable land
in 2009
Years of data
51
1961–2011
Rural population density in Sao Tome and Principe, 1961–2011
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization and World Bank population estimates. Measured in rural population per sq. km of arable land.
Analysis
The most recent figure for rural population density in Sao Tome and Principe is 723.5 rural population per sq. km of arable land, measured in 2011.
The figure is down 2.2% on the previous year and down 22.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, rural population density in Sao Tome and Principe peaked at 6,406 rural population per sq. km of arable land in 1984 and was at its lowest, 700.71 rural population per sq. km of arable land, in 2009.
That places Sao Tome and Principe 7th out of 53 countries with data for 2011, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Rural population density in Sao Tome and Principe, year by year
| Year | rural population per sq. km of arable land | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | 5,344 rural population per sq. km of arable land | — |
| 1962 | 5,263 rural population per sq. km of arable land | -1.5% |
| 1963 | 5,170 rural population per sq. km of arable land | -1.8% |
| 1964 | 5,097 rural population per sq. km of arable land | -1.4% |
| 1965 | 5,065 rural population per sq. km of arable land | -0.6% |
| 1966 | 5,055 rural population per sq. km of arable land | -0.2% |
| 1967 | 5,079 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +0.5% |
| 1968 | 5,123 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +0.9% |
| 1969 | 5,164 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +0.8% |
| 1970 | 5,190 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +0.5% |
| 1971 | 5,278 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +1.7% |
| 1972 | 5,355 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +1.5% |
| 1973 | 5,428 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +1.4% |
| 1974 | 5,512 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +1.5% |
| 1975 | 5,614 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +1.8% |
| 1976 | 5,742 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +2.3% |
| 1977 | 5,886 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +2.5% |
| 1978 | 6,035 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +2.5% |
| 1979 | 6,176 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +2.3% |
| 1980 | 6,298 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +2.0% |
| 1981 | 6,345 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +0.7% |
| 1982 | 6,372 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +0.4% |
| 1983 | 6,388 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +0.2% |
| 1984 | 6,406 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +0.3% |
| 1985 | 3,217 rural population per sq. km of arable land | -49.8% |
| 1986 | 3,226 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +0.3% |
| 1987 | 3,239 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +0.4% |
| 1988 | 3,253 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +0.4% |
| 1989 | 3,265 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +0.4% |
| 1990 | 3,272 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +0.2% |
| 1991 | 3,280 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +0.3% |
| 1992 | 3,284 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +0.1% |
| 1993 | 3,285 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +0.0% |
| 1994 | 2,190 rural population per sq. km of arable land | -33.3% |
| 1995 | 1,643 rural population per sq. km of arable land | -25.0% |
| 1996 | 1,645 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +0.1% |
| 1997 | 1,317 rural population per sq. km of arable land | -19.9% |
| 1998 | 1,317 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +0.0% |
| 1999 | 1,097 rural population per sq. km of arable land | -16.7% |
| 2000 | 1,095 rural population per sq. km of arable land | -0.2% |
| 2001 | 935.5 rural population per sq. km of arable land | -14.5% |
| 2002 | 931.55 rural population per sq. km of arable land | -0.4% |
| 2003 | 810.82 rural population per sq. km of arable land | -13.0% |
| 2004 | 805.98 rural population per sq. km of arable land | -0.6% |
| 2005 | 800.83 rural population per sq. km of arable land | -0.6% |
| 2006 | 797.79 rural population per sq. km of arable land | -0.4% |
| 2007 | 747.76 rural population per sq. km of arable land | -6.3% |
| 2008 | 703.31 rural population per sq. km of arable land | -5.9% |
| 2009 | 700.71 rural population per sq. km of arable land | -0.4% |
| 2010 | 739.65 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +5.6% |
| 2011 | 723.5 rural population per sq. km of arable land | -2.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 5,151 rural population per sq. km of arable land | 5,055 rural population per sq. km of arable land | 5,344 rural population per sq. km of arable land | 9 |
| 1970s | 5,622 rural population per sq. km of arable land | 5,190 rural population per sq. km of arable land | 6,176 rural population per sq. km of arable land | 10 |
| 1980s | 4,801 rural population per sq. km of arable land | 3,217 rural population per sq. km of arable land | 6,406 rural population per sq. km of arable land | 10 |
| 1990s | 2,233 rural population per sq. km of arable land | 1,097 rural population per sq. km of arable land | 3,285 rural population per sq. km of arable land | 10 |
| 2000s | 832.88 rural population per sq. km of arable land | 700.71 rural population per sq. km of arable land | 1,095 rural population per sq. km of arable land | 10 |
| 2010s | 731.58 rural population per sq. km of arable land | 723.5 rural population per sq. km of arable land | 739.65 rural population per sq. km of arable land | 2 |
Countries ranked near Sao Tome and Principe
- 4 Mauritius 959.63 rural population per sq. km of arable land compare
- 5 Burundi 830.23 rural population per sq. km of arable land compare
- 6 Rwanda 725.47 rural population per sq. km of arable land compare
- 8 Comoros 661.37 rural population per sq. km of arable land compare
- 9 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 654.87 rural population per sq. km of arable land compare
- 10 Eritrea 617.16 rural population per sq. km of arable land compare
More environment data for Sao Tome and Principe
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly -16.99 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly -12.85 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.214 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 1.16 °C (2025)
- Sawlogs and veneer logs — Production, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2024)
- Sawlogs and veneer logs, non-coniferous — Production, annual growth 0 % change on previous year (2024)
- Other industrial roundwood — Production, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2024)
- Wood charcoal — Production, annual growth rate 1.14 % change on previous year (2024)
- Sawnwood — Production, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is rural population density in Sao Tome and Principe?
- Rural population density in Sao Tome and Principe was 723.5 rural population per sq. km of arable land in 2011, according to Food and Agriculture Organization and World Bank population estimates.
- What is the highest rural population density recorded in Sao Tome and Principe?
- The highest recorded value was 6,406 rural population per sq. km of arable land in 1984.
- What is the lowest rural population density recorded in Sao Tome and Principe?
- The lowest recorded value was 700.71 rural population per sq. km of arable land in 2009.
- How does Sao Tome and Principe rank for rural population density?
- Sao Tome and Principe ranks 7th out of 53 countries with data for 2011.
- Is rural population density rising or falling in Sao Tome and Principe?
- Over the last ten years it is down 22.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sao Tome and Principe data come from?
- The figures come from Food and Agriculture Organization and World Bank population estimates, published as part of Rural population density (rural population per sq. km of arable land). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Rural population density is the rural population divided by the arable land area. Rural population is calculated as the difference between the total population and the urban population. Arable land includes land defined by the FAO as land under temporary crops (double-cropped areas are counted once), temporary meadows for mowing or for pasture, land under market or kitchen gardens, and land temporarily fallow. Land abandoned as a result of shifting cultivation is excluded.