Introduction
Background
The Portuguese discovered and colonized the uninhabited Cabo Verde islands in the 15th century. After independence in 1975, 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 relatively stable economies.
Geography
Area
total: 4,033 sq km
land: 4,033 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Climate
temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and erratic
Natural resources
salt, basalt rock, limestone, kaolin, fish, clay, gypsum
People and Society
Population
total: 611,014
male: 297,106
female: 313,908 (2024 est.)
Ethnic groups
Creole (Mulatto) 71%, African 28%, European 1%
Languages
Portuguese (official), Crioulo (a Portuguese-based Creole language with two main dialects spoken in Cabo Verde and in the Cabo Verdean diaspora worldwide)
Religions
Roman Catholic 72.5%, Protestant 4% (includes Adventist 1.9%, Nazarene 1.8%, Assembly of God 0.2%, God is Love 0.1%), Christian Rationalism 1.7%, Muslim 1.3%, Jehovah's Witness 1.2%, Church of Jesus Christ 1%, other Christian 1.3%, other 1.2%, none 15.6%, no response 0.4% (2021 est.)
Population growth rate
1.16% (2024 est.)
Government
Government type
parliamentary republic
Capital
name: Praia
Executive branch
chief of state: President Jose Maria Pereira NEVES (since 9 November 2021)
head of government: Prime Minister Jose Ulisses CORREIA e SILVA (since 22 April 2016)
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)
Economy
Economic overview
tourism-dominated economy benefits from the country’s relative close proximity to Europe; 2009 Financial Crisis halted economic growth for seven years; leveraging export-based growth; COVID-19 decimated economic growth and recovery; high external debt
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$4.377 billion (2022 est.)
$3.737 billion (2021 est.)
$3.539 billion (2020 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$7,400 (2022 est.)
$6,400 (2021 est.)
$6,100 (2020 est.)
Agricultural products
sugarcane, tomatoes, coconuts, pulses, goat milk, vegetables, bananas, milk, cabbages, potatoes (2022)
Industries
food and beverages, fish processing, shoes and garments, salt mining, ship repair
Exports
$855.067 million (2022 est.)
$465.348 million (2021 est.)
$423.252 million (2020 est.)
Exports - partners
Spain 56%, Portugal 12%, Italy 9%, US 6%, India 5% (2022)
Exports - commodities
fish, shellfish, garments, natural gas, scrap iron (2022)
Imports
$1.301 billion (2022 est.)
$1.117 billion (2021 est.)
$1.008 billion (2020 est.)
Imports - partners
Portugal 41%, Spain 12%, China 8%, Netherlands 7%, Togo 5% (2022)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, fish, plastic products, milk, cars (2022)
Exchange rates
Cabo Verdean escudos (CVE) per US dollar -
Exchange rates:
105.531 (2022 est.)
93.218 (2021 est.)
96.796 (2020 est.)
98.495 (2019 est.)
93.414 (2018 est.)
Page last updated: Wednesday, May 15, 2024
