Merchandise trade (% of GDP) — all countries

Merchandise trade (% of GDP) — Sao Tome and Principe

Merchandise trade (% of GDP) in Sao Tome and Principe in 2025 — 22.52%. Ranked 182 in the world out of 189. Since 1970, the indicator has fallen by 23.16 pp.

2025 22.52% +0.46 pp vs 2024
World rank 182of 189
Period maximum 75.19%1977
Period minimum 15.52%1987

Trend over time

1970–2025 · % of GDP

Merchandise trade (% of GDP) — Sao Tome and Principe, 1970–202502040608019701976198219881994200020062012201820241970: 45.68%1971: 40.23%1972: 36.21%1973: 41.06%1974: 46.7%1975: 29.95%1976: 32.67%1977: 75.19%1978: 70.85%1979: 71.48%1980: 42.86%1981: 29.94%1982: 33.62%1983: 19.97%1984: 26.85%1985: 19.34%1986: 22.43%1987: 15.52%1988: 18.18%1989: 24.35%1990: 20.96%1991: 34.42%1992: 35.84%1993: 29.43%1994: 28.93%1995: 32.79%1996: 19.23%1997: 22.85%1998: 30.43%1999: 51.74%2000: 43.31%2001: 40.82%2002: 42.27%2003: 47.02%2004: 40.15%2005: 41.77%2006: 55.33%2007: 57.66%2008: 66.48%2009: 55.32%2010: 64.73%2011: 64.03%2012: 62.34%2013: 61.79%2014: 63.8%2015: 58.85%2016: 52.35%2017: 50.31%2018: 42.74%2019: 38.99%2020: 32.26%2021: 35.66%2022: 40.31%2023: 30.12%2024: 22.06%2025: 22.52%
Change over the period: −23.16 pp Annual average: -0.42 pp

Comparison, 2025

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Sao Tome and Principe

Sao Tome and Principe 22.52%
World 43.89%
Middle Africa computed 47.3%
Merchandise trade (% of GDP) — Sao Tome and Principe, by year Sao Tome and Principe All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 22.52 +0.46 pp
2024 22.06 −8.06 pp
2023 30.12 −10.18 pp
2022 40.31 +4.65 pp
2021 35.66 +3.4 pp
2020 32.26 −6.73 pp
2019 38.99 −3.75 pp
2018 42.74 −7.57 pp
2017 50.31 −2.04 pp
2016 52.35 −6.5 pp
2015 58.85 −4.95 pp
2014 63.8 +2.01 pp
2013 61.79 −0.56 pp
2012 62.34 −1.69 pp
2011 64.03 −0.7 pp
2010 64.73 +9.41 pp
2009 55.32 −11.17 pp
2008 66.48 +8.82 pp
2007 57.66 +2.33 pp
2006 55.33 +13.56 pp
2005 41.77 +1.63 pp
2004 40.15 −6.87 pp
2003 47.02 +4.75 pp
2002 42.27 +1.45 pp
2001 40.82 −2.49 pp
2000 43.31 −8.44 pp
1999 51.74 +21.31 pp
1998 30.43 +7.59 pp
1997 22.85 +3.61 pp
1996 19.23 −13.56 pp
1995 32.79 +3.86 pp
1994 28.93 −0.49 pp
1993 29.43 −6.42 pp
1992 35.84 +1.42 pp
1991 34.42 +13.47 pp
1990 20.96 −3.4 pp
1989 24.35 +6.17 pp
1988 18.18 +2.66 pp
1987 15.52 −6.9 pp
1986 22.43 +3.09 pp
1985 19.34 −7.51 pp
1984 26.85 +6.88 pp
1983 19.97 −13.65 pp
1982 33.62 +3.68 pp
1981 29.94 −12.92 pp
1980 42.86 −28.62 pp
1979 71.48 +0.62 pp
1978 70.85 −4.34 pp
1977 75.19 +42.52 pp
1976 32.67 +2.72 pp
1975 29.95 −16.75 pp
1974 46.7 +5.64 pp
1973 41.06 +4.86 pp
1972 36.21 −4.02 pp
1971 40.23 −5.46 pp
1970 45.68

About the indicator

The sum of exports and imports of goods as a percent of GDP. It differs from trade openness in that services are not counted here, and the difference between the two indicators is exactly what shows the weight of services in a country's foreign trade. The highest values come not from large exporters but from transshipment economies — Singapore, Hong Kong, Luxembourg — where goods are brought in to be sent out again, and both flows are counted in full.

Important: Goods only. The value can exceed 100% of GDP: exports and imports are counted at the full value of the goods while GDP is counted as value added, so in transshipment economies the values run to several hundred percent.

Source: World Development Indicators (World Bank), license CC BY 4.0.