Quality of life comparison

compared to

If you lived in Philippines instead of Sao Tome and Principe, you would:

Health

live 3.1 years longer

In Sao Tome and Principe, the average life expectancy is 67 years (65 years for men, 69 years for women) as of 2022. In Philippines, that number is 70 years (67 years for men, 74 years for women) as of 2022.

be 48.4% less likely to be obese

In Sao Tome and Principe, 12.4% of adults are obese as of 2016. In Philippines, that number is 6.4% of people as of 2016.

Economy

make 76.4% more money

Sao Tome and Principe has a GDP per capita of $5,500 as of 2023, while in Philippines, the GDP per capita is $9,700 as of 2023.

be 84.3% less likely to be unemployed

In Sao Tome and Principe, 14.2% of adults are unemployed as of 2023. In Philippines, that number is 2.2% as of 2023.

be 67.4% less likely to live below the poverty line

In Sao Tome and Principe, 55.5% live below the poverty line as of 2017. In Philippines, however, that number is 18.1% as of 2021.

Life

be 46.6% less likely to die during childbirth

In Sao Tome and Principe, approximately 146.0 women per 100,000 births die during labor as of 2020. In Philippines, 78.0 women do as of 2020.

be 49.9% less likely to die during infancy

In Sao Tome and Principe, approximately 44.4 children (per 1,000 live births) die before they reach the age of one as of 2022. In Philippines, on the other hand, 22.2 children do as of 2022.

have 17.2% fewer children

In Sao Tome and Principe, there are approximately 26.7 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Philippines, there are 22.1 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.

Basic Needs

be 21.5% more likely to have access to electricity

In Sao Tome and Principe, approximately 78% of people have electricity access (80% in urban areas, and 74% in rural areas) as of 2022. In Philippines, that number is 95% of people on average (99% in urban areas, and 96% in rural areas) as of 2022.

Expenditures

spend 26.0% less on education

Sao Tome and Principe spends 5.0% of its total GDP on education as of 2020. Philippines spends 3.7% of total GDP on education as of 2020.

Geography

see 173.6 times more coastline

Sao Tome and Principe has a total of 209 km of coastline. In Philippines, that number is 36,289 km.

The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: The World Factbook.

Philippines: At a glance

Philippines is a sovereign country in East/Southeast Asia, with a total land area of approximately 298,170 sq km. The Philippine Islands became a Spanish colony during the 16th century; they were ceded to the US in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. In 1935 the Philippines became a self-governing commonwealth. Manuel QUEZON was elected president and was tasked with preparing the country for independence after a 10-year transition. In 1942 the islands fell under Japanese occupation during World War II, and US forces and Filipinos fought together during 1944-45 to regain control. On 4 July 1946 the Republic of the Philippines attained its independence. A 20-year rule by Ferdinand MARCOS ended in 1986, when a "people power" movement in Manila ("EDSA 1") forced him into exile and installed Corazon AQUINO as president. Her presidency was hampered by several coup attempts that prevented a return to full political stability and economic development. Fidel RAMOS was elected president in 1992. His administration was marked by increased stability and by progress on economic reforms. In 1992, the US closed its last military bases on the islands. Joseph ESTRADA was elected president in 1998. He was succeeded by his vice-president, Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, in January 2001 after ESTRADA's stormy impeachment trial on corruption charges broke down and another "people power" movement ("EDSA 2") demanded his resignation. MACAPAGAL-ARROYO was elected to a six-year term as president in May 2004. Her presidency was marred by several corruption allegations but the Philippine economy was one of the few to avoid contraction following the 2008 global financial crisis, expanding each year of her administration. Benigno AQUINO III was elected to a six-year term as president in May 2010. The Philippine Government faces threats from several groups, some of which are on the US Government's Foreign Terrorist Organization list. Manila has waged a decades-long struggle against ethnic Moro insurgencies in the southern Philippines, which has led to a peace accord with the Moro National Liberation Front and ongoing peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The decades-long Maoist-inspired New People's Army insurgency also operates through much of the country. The Philippines faces increased tension with China over disputed territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea.
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