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Context
Over the last decade, the country has made considerable progress in reducing maternal and infant mortality and malnutrition, and in improving maternal health. The progress in maternal and infant mortality is largely due to an increase in skilled birth attendance. Life expectancy at birth is 64 years. Significant progress has also been made in the fight against malaria – with record low incidence – and in reducing the prevalence of HIV/AIDS, which is now below 1.5 percent.
São Tomé and Príncipe have made excellent progress in the education sector, particularly primary education, and are close to achieving a primary completion rate of 97 percent. The desired universal coverage of secondary education is not yet there, although the authorities are committed to extending it across the country. With a combination of equatorial and tropical climates, and high rainfall, the archipelago has a relatively secure food and forestry context.
This contrasts with an unhealthy urban environment. No cereal crops are grown on the islands, so São Tomé and Príncipe are heavily dependent on food imports and food availability is unpredictable. There are no deep-water ports and bad weather makes landing on the country’s short airstrip difficult. The country is exposed to natural hazards such as floods and landslides, which affect crop development, restrict access to roads, and destroy houses and property.
Following the torrential rains and floods of late 2021 and early 2022, some people’s livelihoods were destroyed, and bridges were wrecked or severely weakened. The floods also caused power outages and fuel shortages for several days.
This disaster demonstrates the devastating impact that extreme weather events, which are becoming increasingly unpredictable and severe, can have on the country.
Sao Tome and Principe has had a multi-party, semi-presidential democratic system since independence, and has been a model of democratic transition of power in Central Africa. The government is led by the Independent Democratic Action (ADI) party, which won the last elections in September 2022.