Plan research in São Tomé and Príncipe.

Portuguese is the official language and the working language for government, schools, and formal approvals. National instruments can usually be written in Portuguese, but field teams should be ready for Sao Tomean Forro, Principense, Angolar, and Cape Verdean Creole in oral interviewing. Back-translation needs local review because everyday speech can shift between Portuguese and Creole forms.

The population is concentrated on Sao Tome island, especially around the capital and nearby districts, while Principe has a much smaller population. Rural communities are close by regional standards but still require island-aware routing. National samples should intentionally include Principe and rural coastal or plantation areas, while targeted work can cluster around Agua Grande, Me-Zochi, and Lobata.

Mobile access supports phone interviewing for many households, but online surveys are best for urban, formal-sector, and younger connected respondents. Face-to-face logistics depend on ferry or flight planning between islands, rainy-season travel, and local introductions in smaller communities. Government, health, conservation, and donor studies commonly need ministry or ethics approval, with fieldwork often planned for two to three weeks.

Fieldwork notes compiled from public sources by Surveysphere Africa; confirmed with our in-country partner before a study starts.