Voters in São Tomé and Príncipe are calling on the next government to tackle economic pressures, create jobs and improve living conditions as limited opportunities continue to push young people to seek their future abroad. As voters cast ballots in Sunday’s general election, residents said they wanted political leaders to focus on employment, essential services and the cost of living, while turning campaign promises into measurable improvements.
“People like us, people at the grassroots, should be considered,” said market vendor Maria Nascimento. Student Carla Vaz said young people were looking for the next government to deliver on its election promises and improve prospects at home. The economic challenge is significant. The World Bank says nearly half of young people in São Tomé and Príncipe are neither working nor studying, while limited job creation has contributed to rising emigration. About 18% of the population lived abroad in 2021, according to World Bank research.
The economy has also faced weak growth and high inflation. World Bank data put 2025 GDP growth at 1% and inflation at 11%, while its latest country analysis says only about 21% of people aged 15 and above were employed in 2025. The World Bank says tourism, agriculture and private-sector development could provide opportunities for job creation, but reforms and investment are needed to support broader economic growth. For voters, the election has brought renewed attention to whether the country’s next government can expand economic opportunities and give more young people viable reasons to build their futures at home.
