

Topic: Photos of Cabo Verde

Topic: Introduction
Background: The uninhabited islands were discovered and colonized by the Portuguese in the 15th century; Cabo Verde subsequently became a trading center for African slaves and later an important coaling and resupply stop for whaling and transatlantic shipping. The fusing of European and various African cultural traditions is reflected in Cabo Verde’s Krioulo language, music, and pano textiles. Following independence in 1975, and a tentative interest in unification with Guinea-Bissau, a one-party system was established and maintained until multi-party elections were held in 1990. Cabo Verde continues to sustain one of Africa's most stable democratic governments and one of its most stable economies, maintaining a currency formerly pegged to the Portuguese escudo and then the euro since 1998. Repeated droughts during the second half of the 20th century caused significant hardship and prompted heavy emigration. As a result, Cabo Verde's expatriate population - concentrated in Boston and Western Europe - is greater than its domestic one. Most Cabo Verdeans have both African and Portuguese antecedents. Cabo Verde’s population descends from its first permanent inhabitants in the late 15th-century – a preponderance of West African slaves, a small share of Portuguese colonists, and even fewer Italians and Spaniards. Among the nine inhabited islands, population distribution is variable. Islands in the east are very dry and are home to the country's growing tourism industry. The more western islands receive more precipitation and support larger populations, but agriculture and livestock grazing have damaged their soil fertility and vegetation. For centuries, the country’s overall population size has fluctuated significantly, as recurring periods of famine and epidemics have caused high death tolls and emigration. In November 2021, Jose Maria NEVES was sworn in as Cabo Verde's latest president.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.

Topic: Geography
Location: Western Africa, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Senegal
Geographic coordinates: 16 00 N, 24 00 W
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 4,033 sq km

land: 4,033 sq km

water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly larger than Rhode Island
Land boundaries: total: 0 km
Coastline: 965 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
Climate: temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and erratic
Terrain: steep, rugged, rocky, volcanic
Elevation: highest point: Mt. Fogo (a volcano on Fogo Island) 2,829 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
Natural resources: salt, basalt rock, limestone, kaolin, fish, clay, gypsum
Land use: agricultural land: 18.6% (2018 est.)

arable land: 11.7% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0.7% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 6.2% (2018 est.)

forest: 21% (2018 est.)

other: 60.4% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 35 sq km (2012)
Population distribution: among the nine inhabited islands, population distribution is variable; islands in the east are very dry and are only sparsely settled to exploit their extensive salt deposits; the more southerly islands receive more precipitation and support larger populations, but agriculture and livestock grazing have damaged the soil fertility and vegetation; approximately half of the population lives on Sao Tiago Island, which is the location of the capital of Praia; Mindelo, on the northern island of Sao Vicente, also has a large urban population as shown in this population distribution map
Natural hazards: prolonged droughts; seasonal harmattan wind produces obscuring dust; volcanically and seismically activevolcanism: Fogo (2,829 m), which last erupted in 1995, is Cabo Verde's only active volcanoprolonged droughts; seasonal harmattan wind produces obscuring dust; volcanically and seismically activevolcanism: Fogo (2,829 m), which last erupted in 1995, is Cabo Verde's only active volcano
Geography - note: strategic location 500 km from west coast of Africa near major north-south sea routes; important communications station; important sea and air refueling site; one of four North Atlantic archipelagos that make up Macaronesia; the others are Azores (Portugal), Canary Islands (Spain), and Madeira (Portugal)
Map description: Cabo Verde map showing the many islands that make up the country in the North Atlantic Ocean.Cabo Verde map showing the many islands that make up the country in the North Atlantic Ocean.

Topic: People and Society
Population: 596,707 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: Cabo Verdean(s)

adjective: Cabo Verdean
Ethnic groups: Creole (Mulatto) 71%, African 28%, European 1%
Languages: Portuguese (official), Krioulo (a Portuguese-based Creole language with two main dialects spoken in Cabo Verde and in the Cabo Verdean diaspora worldwide)
Religions: Roman Catholic 77.3%, Protestant 4.6% (includes Church of the Nazarene 1.7%, Adventist 1.5%, Assembly of God 0.9%, Universal Kingdom of God 0.4%, and God and Love 0.1%), other Christian 3.4% (includes Christian Rationalism 1.9%, Jehovah's Witness 1%, and New Apostolic 0.5%), Muslim 1.8%, other 1.3%, none 10.8%, unspecified 0.7% (2010 est.)
Demographic profile: Cabo Verde’s population descends from its first permanent inhabitants in the late 15th-century – a preponderance of West African slaves, a small share of Portuguese colonists, and even fewer Italians, Spaniards, and Portuguese Jews. Over the centuries, the country’s overall population size has fluctuated significantly, as recurring periods of famine and epidemics have caused high death tolls and emigration.Labor migration historically reduced Cabo Verde’s population growth and still provides a key source of income through remittances. Expatriates probably outnumber Cabo Verde’s resident population, with most families having a member abroad. Cabo Verdeans have settled in the US, Europe, Africa, and South America. The largest diaspora community in New Bedford, Massachusetts, dating to the early 1800s, is a byproduct of the transatlantic whaling industry. Cabo Verdean men fleeing poverty at home joined the crews of US whaling ships that stopped in the islands. Many settled in New Bedford and stayed in the whaling or shipping trade, worked in the textile or cranberry industries, or operated their own transatlantic packet ships that transported compatriots to the US. Increased Cabo Verdean emigration to the US coincided with the gradual and eventually complete abolition of slavery in the archipelago in 1878.During the same period, Portuguese authorities coerced Cabo Verdeans to go to Sao Tome and Principe and other Portuguese colonies in Africa to work as indentured laborers on plantations. In the 1920s, when the US implemented immigration quotas, Cabo Verdean emigration shifted toward Portugal, West Africa (Senegal), and South America (Argentina). Growing numbers of Cabo Verdean labor migrants headed to Western Europe in the 1960s and 1970s. They filled unskilled jobs in Portugal, as many Portuguese sought out work opportunities in the more prosperous economies of northwest Europe. Cabo Verdeans eventually expanded their emigration to the Netherlands, where they worked in the shipping industry. Migration to the US resumed under relaxed migration laws. Cabo Verdean women also began migrating to southern Europe to become domestic workers, a trend that continues today and has shifted the gender balance of Cabo Verdean emigration.Emigration has declined in more recent decades due to the adoption of more restrictive migration policies in destination countries. Reduced emigration along with a large youth population, decreased mortality rates, and increased life expectancies, has boosted population growth, putting further pressure on domestic employment and resources. In addition, Cabo Verde has attracted increasing numbers of migrants in recent decades, consisting primarily of people from West Africa, Portuguese-speaking African countries, Portugal, and China. Since the 1990s, some West African migrants have used Cabo Verde as a stepping stone for illegal migration to Europe.Cabo Verde’s population descends from its first permanent inhabitants in the late 15th-century – a preponderance of West African slaves, a small share of Portuguese colonists, and even fewer Italians, Spaniards, and Portuguese Jews. Over the centuries, the country’s overall population size has fluctuated significantly, as recurring periods of famine and epidemics have caused high death tolls and emigration.Labor migration historically reduced Cabo Verde’s population growth and still provides a key source of income through remittances. Expatriates probably outnumber Cabo Verde’s resident population, with most families having a member abroad. Cabo Verdeans have settled in the US, Europe, Africa, and South America. The largest diaspora community in New Bedford, Massachusetts, dating to the early 1800s, is a byproduct of the transatlantic whaling industry. Cabo Verdean men fleeing poverty at home joined the crews of US whaling ships that stopped in the islands. Many settled in New Bedford and stayed in the whaling or shipping trade, worked in the textile or cranberry industries, or operated their own transatlantic packet ships that transported compatriots to the US. Increased Cabo Verdean emigration to the US coincided with the gradual and eventually complete abolition of slavery in the archipelago in 1878.During the same period, Portuguese authorities coerced Cabo Verdeans to go to Sao Tome and Principe and other Portuguese colonies in Africa to work as indentured laborers on plantations. In the 1920s, when the US implemented immigration quotas, Cabo Verdean emigration shifted toward Portugal, West Africa (Senegal), and South America (Argentina). Growing numbers of Cabo Verdean labor migrants headed to Western Europe in the 1960s and 1970s. They filled unskilled jobs in Portugal, as many Portuguese sought out work opportunities in the more prosperous economies of northwest Europe. Cabo Verdeans eventually expanded their emigration to the Netherlands, where they worked in the shipping industry. Migration to the US resumed under relaxed migration laws. Cabo Verdean women also began migrating to southern Europe to become domestic workers, a trend that continues today and has shifted the gender balance of Cabo Verdean emigration.Emigration has declined in more recent decades due to the adoption of more restrictive migration policies in destination countries. Reduced emigration along with a large youth population, decreased mortality rates, and increased life expectancies, has boosted population growth, putting further pressure on domestic employment and resources. In addition, Cabo Verde has attracted increasing numbers of migrants in recent decades, consisting primarily of people from West Africa, Portuguese-speaking African countries, Portugal, and China. Since the 1990s, some West African migrants have used Cabo Verde as a stepping stone for illegal migration to Europe.
Age structure: 0-14 years: 27.95% (male 82,010/female 81,012)

15-24 years: 18.69% (male 54,521/female 54,504)

25-54 years: 40.76% (male 115,811/female 121,923)

55-64 years: 7.12% (male 18,939/female 22,597)

65 years and over: 5.48% (2020 est.) (male 12,037/female 19,901)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 49

youth dependency ratio: 41.8

elderly dependency ratio: 7.1

potential support ratio: 14 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 26.8 years

male: 25.9 years

female: 27.6 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.21% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 18.49 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 5.8 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.57 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: among the nine inhabited islands, population distribution is variable; islands in the east are very dry and are only sparsely settled to exploit their extensive salt deposits; the more southerly islands receive more precipitation and support larger populations, but agriculture and livestock grazing have damaged the soil fertility and vegetation; approximately half of the population lives on Sao Tiago Island, which is the location of the capital of Praia; Mindelo, on the northern island of Sao Vicente, also has a large urban population as shown in this population distribution map
Urbanization: urban population: 67.5% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 1.83% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 168,000 PRAIA (capital) (2018)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 0.95 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.86 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.52 male(s)/female

total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio: 58 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 23.53 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 27.64 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 19.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.75 years

male: 71.41 years

female: 76.15 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.13 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: 55.8% (2018)
Drinking water source: improved: urban: 100% of population

rural: 90% of population

total: 96.7% of population

unimproved: urban: 0% of population

rural: 10% of population

total: 3.3% of population (2020 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 4.9% (2019)
Physicians density: 0.78 physicians/1,000 population (2015)
Hospital bed density: 2.1 beds/1,000 population
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 91.7% of population

rural: 73.3% of population

total: 85.6% of population

unimproved: urban: 8.3% of population

rural: 26.7% of population

total: 14.4% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.5% (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 2,400 (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020 est.) <100
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 11.8% (2016)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA
Education expenditures: 4.7% of GDP (2019)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 86.8%

male: 91.7%

female: 82% (2015)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 13 years

male: 12 years

female: 13 years (2018)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 50.4%

male: 41.4%

female: 65.3% (2019)

Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: deforestation due to demand for firewood; water shortages; prolonged droughts and improper use of land (overgrazing, crop cultivation on hillsides lead to desertification and erosion); environmental damage has threatened several species of birds and reptiles; illegal beach sand extraction; overfishing
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 31.99 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 0.54 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 0.13 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and erratic
Land use: agricultural land: 18.6% (2018 est.)

arable land: 11.7% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0.7% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 6.2% (2018 est.)

forest: 21% (2018 est.)

other: 60.4% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 67.5% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 1.83% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.38% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 132,555 tons (2012 est.)
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 1.6 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 400,000 cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 25 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 300 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Cabo Verde

conventional short form: Cabo Verde

local long form: Republica de Cabo Verde

local short form: Cabo Verde

etymology: the name derives from Cap-Vert (Green Cape) on the Senegalese coast, the westernmost point of Africa and the nearest mainland to the islands
Government type: parliamentary republic
Capital: name: Praia

geographic coordinates: 14 55 N, 23 31 W

time difference: UTC-1 (4 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: the earlier Portuguese name was Villa de Praia ("Village of the Beach"); it became just Praia in 1974 (prior to full independence in 1975)
Administrative divisions: 22 municipalities (concelhos, singular - concelho); Boa Vista, Brava, Maio, Mosteiros, Paul, Porto Novo, Praia, Ribeira Brava, Ribeira Grande, Ribeira Grande de Santiago, Sal, Santa Catarina, Santa Catarina do Fogo, Santa Cruz, Sao Domingos, Sao Filipe, Sao Lourenco dos Orgaos, Sao Miguel, Sao Salvador do Mundo, Sao Vicente, Tarrafal, Tarrafal de Sao Nicolau
Independence: 5 July 1975 (from Portugal)
National holiday: Independence Day, 5 July (1975)
Constitution: history: previous 1981; latest effective 25 September 1992

amendments: proposals require support of at least four fifths of the active National Assembly membership; amendment drafts require sponsorship of at least one third of the active Assembly membership; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly membership; constitutional sections, including those on national independence, form of government, political pluralism, suffrage, and human rights and liberties, cannot be amended; revised 1995, 1999, 2010
Legal system: civil law system of Portugal
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Cabo Verde

dual citizenship recognized: yes

residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Jose Maria NEVES (since 9 November 2021)

head of government: Prime Minister Ulisses CORREIA E. SILVA (since 22 April 2016)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister

elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 17 October 2021 (next to be held on 17 October 2026); prime minister nominated by the National Assembly and appointed by the president

election results: Jose Maria NEVES elected president; percent of vote - Jose Maria NEVES (APICV) 51.73%, Carlos Veiga (MFD) 42.37%, Casimiro de Pina (Independent) 1.81%, Fernando Rocha Delgado (Independent) 1.36%, Helio Sanches (Independent) 1.14%, Gilson Alves (Independent)  0.84%, Joaquim Monteiro (Independent) 0.74%

Jorge Carlos FONSECA reelected president; percent of vote - Jorge Carlos FONSECA (MPD) 74%, Albertino GRACA (independent) 23%, other 3%

African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (APICV)
Movement for Democracy (MFD)
Legislative branch: description: unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (72 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms)

elections: last held on 18 April 2021 (next to be held on 18 April 2026)

election results: percent of vote by party Monument for Democracy 50.2%, African Party for Independence in Cape Verde 39.55%, Democratic and Independent Cape Verdean Union 9.0%; seats by party - MD 38, APICV 30, DICVU 4; composition - men 44, women 28, percent of women 37.5%
Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court of Justice (consists of the chief justice and at least 7 judges and organized into civil, criminal, and administrative sections)

judge selection and term of office: judge appointments - 1 by the president of the republic, 1 elected by the National Assembly, and 3 by the Superior Judicial Council (SJC), a 16-member independent body chaired by the chief justice and includes the attorney general, 8 private citizens, 2 judges, 2 prosecutors, the senior legal inspector of the Attorney General's office, and a representative of the Ministry of Justice; chief justice appointed by the president of the republic from among peers of the Supreme Court of Justice and in consultation with the SJC; judges appointed for life

subordinate courts: appeals courts, first instance (municipal) courts; audit, military, and fiscal and customs courts
Political parties and leaders: rz African Party for Independence of Cabo Verde or PAICV [Janira Hopffer ALMADA]
Democratic and Independent Cabo Verdean Union or UCID [Antonio MONTEIRO]
Democratic Christian Party or PDC [Manuel RODRIGUES]
Democratic Renovation Party or PRD [Victor FIDALGO]
Movement for Democracy or MPD [Ulisses CORREIA E SILVA]
Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Dr. Eurico MONTEIRO]
Party of Work and Solidarity or PTS [Anibal MEDINA]
Social Democratic Party or PSD [Joao ALEM]
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AOSIS, AU, CD, CPLP, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jose Luis do Livramento MONTEIRO ALVES DE BRITO (since 23 December 2020)

chancery: 3415 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007

telephone: [1] (202) 965-6820

FAX: [1] (202) 965-1207

email address and website: 
embassy@caboverdeus.net

https://www.embcv-usa.gov.cv/

consulate(s) general: Boston
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador John "Jeff" DAIGLE (since 10 September 2019)

embassy: Rua Abilio Macedo 6, Praia

mailing address: 2460 Praia Place, Washington DC  20521-2460

telephone: [238] 260-8900

FAX: [238] 261-1355

email address and website: 
PraiaConsular@state.gov

https://cv.usembassy.gov/
Flag description: five unequal horizontal bands; the top-most band of blue - equal to one half the width of the flag - is followed by three bands of white, red, and white, each equal to 1/12 of the width, and a bottom stripe of blue equal to one quarter of the flag width; a circle of 10 yellow, five-pointed stars is centered on the red stripe and positioned 3/8 of the length of the flag from the hoist side; blue stands for the sea and the sky, the circle of stars represents the 10 major islands united into a nation, the stripes symbolize the road to formation of the country through peace (white) and effort (red)
National symbol(s): ten, five-pointed, yellow stars; national colors: blue, white, red, yellow
National anthem: name: "Cantico da Liberdade" (Song of Freedom)

lyrics/music: Amilcar Spencer LOPES/Adalberto Higino Tavares SILVA

note: adopted 1996
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural)

selected World Heritage Site locales: Cidade Velha, Historic Center of Ribeira Grande

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Cabo Verde’s economy depends on development aid, foreign investment, remittances, and tourism. The economy is service-oriented with commerce, transport, tourism, and public services accounting for about three-fourths of GDP. Tourism is the mainstay of the economy and depends on conditions in the euro-zone countries. Cabo Verde annually runs a high trade deficit financed by foreign aid and remittances from its large pool of emigrants; remittances as a share of GDP are one of the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa.   Although about 40% of the population lives in rural areas, the share of food production in GDP is low. The island economy suffers from a poor natural resource base, including serious water shortages, exacerbated by cycles of long-term drought, and poor soil for growing food on several of the islands, requiring it to import most of what it consumes. The fishing potential, mostly lobster and tuna, is not fully exploited.   Economic reforms are aimed at developing the private sector and attracting foreign investment to diversify the economy and mitigate high unemployment. The government’s elevated debt levels have limited its capacity to finance any shortfalls.Cabo Verde’s economy depends on development aid, foreign investment, remittances, and tourism. The economy is service-oriented with commerce, transport, tourism, and public services accounting for about three-fourths of GDP. Tourism is the mainstay of the economy and depends on conditions in the euro-zone countries. Cabo Verde annually runs a high trade deficit financed by foreign aid and remittances from its large pool of emigrants; remittances as a share of GDP are one of the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa. Although about 40% of the population lives in rural areas, the share of food production in GDP is low. The island economy suffers from a poor natural resource base, including serious water shortages, exacerbated by cycles of long-term drought, and poor soil for growing food on several of the islands, requiring it to import most of what it consumes. The fishing potential, mostly lobster and tuna, is not fully exploited. Economic reforms are aimed at developing the private sector and attracting foreign investment to diversify the economy and mitigate high unemployment. The government’s elevated debt levels have limited its capacity to finance any shortfalls.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $3.36 billion (2020 est.)

$3.94 billion (2019 est.)

$3.73 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 4% (2017 est.)

4.7% (2016 est.)

1% (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $6,000 (2020 est.)

$7,200 (2019 est.)

$6,900 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $1.971 billion (2019 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.1% (2019 est.)

1.2% (2018 est.)

0.7% (2017 est.)
Credit ratings: Fitch rating: B- (2020)

Standard & Poors rating: B (2013)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 8.9% (2017 est.)

industry: 17.5% (2017 est.)

services: 73.7% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 50.1% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 18.3% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 32.2% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 1.9% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 48.6% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -51.1% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: sugar cane, tomatoes, bananas, cabbages, coconuts, cassava, pulses nes, vegetables, milk, goat milk
Industries: food and beverages, fish processing, shoes and garments, salt mining, ship repair
Industrial production growth rate: 2.9% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 196,100 (2007 est.)
Unemployment rate: 9% (2017 est.)

9% (2016 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 50.4%

male: 41.4%

female: 65.3% (2019)
Population below poverty line: 35% (2015 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 42.4 (2015 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.9%

highest 10%: 40.6% (2000)
Budget: revenues: 493.5 million (2017 est.)

expenditures: 546.7 million (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 125.8% of GDP (2017 est.)

127.6% of GDP (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 27.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Current account balance: -$109 million (2017 est.)

-$40 million (2016 est.)
Exports: $420 million (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$1 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$960 million (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Exports - partners: Spain 65%, Portugal 14%, Italy 8% (2019)
Exports - commodities: processed and frozen fish, mollusks, clothing, scrap iron (2019)
Imports: $1.02 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$1.29 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$1.34 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Imports - partners: Portugal 36%, Netherlands 16%, Spain 11%, China 6% (2019)
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, delivery trucks, coal tar oil, cars, rice (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $617.4 million (31 December 2017 est.)

$572.7 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external: $1.713 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$1.688 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Exchange rates: Cabo Verdean escudos (CVE) per US dollar -

101.8 (2017 est.)

99.688 (2016 est.)

99.688 (2015 est.)

99.426 (2014 est.)

83.114 (2013 est.)

Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 96% (2019)

electrification - urban areas: 99% (2019)

electrification - rural areas: 89% (2019)
Electricity - production: 395 million kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - consumption: 367.4 million kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity: 162,500 kW (2016 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels: 79% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels: 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants: 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources: 21% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Crude oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2018 est.)
Crude oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Crude oil - imports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Crude oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - consumption: 5,600 bbl/day (2016 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 5,607 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2016 est.)

Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 57,668 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 10 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 544,729 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 98 (2020 est.)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: LTE reaches almost 40% of the population; regulator awards commercial 4G licenses and starts 5G pilot; govt. extends USD 25 million for submarine fiber-optic cable project linking Africa to Portugal and Brazil; major service provider is Cabo Verde Telecom (CVT) (2020)

domestic: a little over 10 per 100 fixed-line teledensity and nearly 98 per 100 mobile-cellular; fiber-optic ring, completed in 2001, links all islands providing Internet access and ISDN services; cellular service introduced in 1998; broadband services launched early in the decade (2020)

international: country code - 238; landing points for the Atlantis-2, EllaLink, Cabo Verde Telecom Domestic Submarine Cable Phase 1, 2, 3 and WACS fiber-optic transatlantic telephone cable that provides links to South America, Africa, and Europe; HF radiotelephone to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments
Broadcast media: state-run TV and radio broadcast network plus a growing number of private broadcasters; Portuguese public TV and radio services for Africa are available; transmissions of a few international broadcasters are available (2019)
Internet country code: .cv
Internet users: total: 361,392 (2020 est.)

percent of population: 65% (2020 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 24,839 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 5 (2020 est.)

Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 2 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 5

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 140,429 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 1,728,152 (2015) mt-km
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: D4
Airports: total: 9 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 9

over 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3

914 to 1,523 m: 3

under 914 m: 2 (2021)
Roadways: total: 1,350 km (2013)

paved: 932 km (2013)

unpaved: 418 km (2013)
Merchant marine: total: 46

by type: general cargo 16, oil tanker 3, other 27 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Porto Grande

Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: Cabo Verdean Armed Forces (FACV): Army (also called the National Guard, GN; includes a small air component), Cabo Verde Coast Guard (Guardia Costeira de Cabo Verde, GCCV); Ministry of Internal Affairs: National Police (2022)
Military expenditures: 0.5% of GDP (2021 est.)

0.5% of GDP (2020 est.)

0.5% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $20 million)

0.5% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $20 million)

0.5% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $20 million)
Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 1,200 personnel including about 100 in the Coast Guard (2021)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the FACV has a limited amount of mostly dated and second-hand equipment, largely from China, European countries, and the former Soviet Union (2021)
Military service age and obligation: 18-35 years of age for male and female selective compulsory military service; 2-years conscript service obligation; 17 years of age for voluntary service (with parental consent) (2021)
Military - note: as of 2022, the FACV/National Guard was mostly a ground force with 2 infantry battalions and a small air component with a maritime patrol squadron; the Coast Guard had a few coastal patrol craft and patrol boatsas of 2022, the FACV/National Guard was mostly a ground force with 2 infantry battalions and a small air component with a maritime patrol squadron; the Coast Guard had a few coastal patrol craft and patrol boats

Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: nonenone
Refugees and internally displaced persons: stateless persons: 115 (mid-year 2021)
Illicit drugs: Cabo Verde is a transit hub for cocaine, marijuana, and other drugs trafficked from Latin America to Europe; marijuana, cocaine, hashish, heroin, and methamphetamine are the most frequently consumed drugs in Cabo Verde