World · permanent entity record · CV
Cabo Verde
Thirty-second orientation
Cabo Verde at a glance
- Nationality / demonym
- noun: Cabo Verdean(s); adjective: Cabo Verdean
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
- Government
- parliamentary republic
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
- Languages
- Portuguese (official), Crioulo (a Portuguese-based creole language with two main dialects)
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Independently structured milestones · not a complete national history
Cabo Verde through time
Independence proclaimed
Cabo Verde proclaimed its independence from Portugal.
National Assembly of Cabo Verde, constitutional history · source checked 2026-09-08Admitted to the United Nations
Cabo Verde became a member of the United Nations.
United Nations, Member States · source checked 2026-09-04First constitution approved
The National Assembly approved the first Constitution of the Republic of Cabo Verde.
National Assembly of Cabo Verde, constitutional history · source checked 2026-09-08Multiparty principle established
A constitutional revision ended the single-party provision and established political pluralism.
National Assembly of Cabo Verde, constitutional history · source checked 2026-09-08New constitution approved
The National Assembly approved a new Constitution of the Republic of Cabo Verde.
National Assembly of Cabo Verde, constitutional history · source checked 2026-09-08New constitution promulgated
The new Constitution of the Republic of Cabo Verde was promulgated.
National Assembly of Cabo Verde, constitutional history · source checked 2026-09-08New constitution entered into force
The new Constitution of the Republic of Cabo Verde entered into force.
National Assembly of Cabo Verde, constitutional history · source checked 2026-09-08
Source history · changed fields only
Changes since the final CIA profile
| Field | Maintained Almanac value | Final CIA profile |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 527,326World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025 | total: 611,014 (2024 est.) male: 297,106 female: 313,908CIA World Factbook · as of 2026-01-08 |
A difference may reflect a newer observation, a revised estimate, or a different source definition. This table reports the values and dates; it does not manufacture a trend.
World Development Indicators · latest available observation
People, economy, and access
Observation years vary by measure. Each row identifies the series and year instead of presenting unlike dates as one current snapshot.
- Gross domestic product
- $3.1 billion
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Gross domestic product per person
- $5,796
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Life expectancy at birth
- 76.2 years
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Urban population
- 77.6%
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, World Urbanization Prospects. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Access to electricity
- 98.4%
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS. Underlying providers: World Bank ESMAP, Tracking SDG 7. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- People using the internet
- 74.7%
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS. Underlying providers: International Telecommunication Union. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
World Development Indicators data are provided under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). The linked indicator metadata identifies the underlying statistical providers.
Maintained profile
- Capital
- Praia
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · The nation set and displayed federal short name follow the current State Department independent-states register, dated August 11, 2026.
- Area
- 4,033 sq km
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Final CIA source data preserved by a community mirror after the Factbook was retired; the mirror is not the issuing authority.
- Population
- 527,326
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.POP.TOTL. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Currency
- Cabo Verdean escudos (CVE)
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Currency label extracted from the Factbook exchange-rate field.
- Languages
- Portuguese (official), Crioulo (a Portuguese-based creole language with two main dialects)
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Factbook language listing reproduced without inferring official status beyond the source wording.
- Nationality / demonym
- noun: Cabo Verdean(s); adjective: Cabo Verdean
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · The source’s noun and adjective forms are retained. These are language labels, not evidence of any individual person’s citizenship.
- Continent
- Africa
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Continental label standardized from the archived profile region “Africa.”
- Coastline
- 965 km
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Climate
- temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and erratic
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- 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.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Flag colors
- blue, white, red, yellow
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Colors extracted from the flag description in the preserved final CIA profile.
- National symbol
- ten five-pointed yellow stars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Highest point
- Mt. Fogo (a volcano on Fogo Island) · 9,281 ft (2,829 m)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Lowest point
- Atlantic Ocean · 0 ft (0 m)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- NATO membership
- Not a member
- NATO, What is NATO? · Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
- BRICS membership
- Not a member
- BRICS Brazil, About the BRICS · Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data
Final CIA World Factbook profile
This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b
Introduction1 fields
- Background
- The Portuguese discovered and colonized the uninhabited islands of Cabo Verde 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 Crioulo language, music, and pano textiles. After gaining 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, maintaining a currency pegged first to the Portuguese escudo and then to 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, Massachusetts 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 varied. The 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.
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Geography17 fields
- Location
- Western Africa, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Senegal
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Area
- total : 4,033 sq km land: 4,033 sq km water: 0 sq km
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Area - comparative
- slightly larger than Rhode Island
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Maritime claims
- territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm note: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Climate
- temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and erratic
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Elevation
- highest point: Mt. Fogo (a volcano on Fogo Island) 2,829 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Natural resources
- salt, basalt rock, limestone, kaolin, fish, clay, gypsum
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Land use
- agricultural land: 19.6% (2023 est.) arable land: 12.4% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 1% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 6.2% (2023 est.) forest: 12.4% (2023 est.) other: 68% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Population distribution
- among the nine inhabited islands, population distribution is variable; islands in the east are very dry and are only sparsely settled; the more southerly islands receive more precipitation and support larger populations; 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Natural hazards
- prolonged droughts; seasonal harmattan wind produces obscuring dust; volcanically and seismically active volcanism: Fogo (2,829 m), which last erupted in 1995, is Cabo Verde's only active volcano
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Geography - note
- strategic location 500 km from west coast of Africa near major north-south sea routes; one of four North Atlantic archipelagos that make up Macaronesia; the others are Azores (Portugal), Canary Islands (Spain), and Madeira (Portugal)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
People and Society35 fields
- Population
- total: 611,014 (2024 est.) male: 297,106 female: 313,908
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Nationality
- noun: Cabo Verdean(s) adjective: Cabo Verdean
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Ethnic groups
- Creole (Mulatto) 71%, African 28%, European 1%
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Languages
- Portuguese (official), Crioulo (a Portuguese-based creole language with two main dialects)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Age structure
- 0-14 years: 26.4% (male 80,973/female 80,129) 15-64 years: 67.2% (male 201,084/female 209,676) 65 years and over: 6.4% (2024 est.) (male 15,049/female 24,103)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Dependency ratios
- total dependency ratio: 48.8 (2024 est.) youth dependency ratio: 39.2 (2024 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 9.5 (2024 est.) potential support ratio: 10.5 (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Median age
- total: 29.3 years (2025 est.) male: 27.9 years female: 29.6 years
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Birth rate
- 17.51 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Death rate
- 5.73 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Net migration rate
- -0.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Population distribution
- among the nine inhabited islands, population distribution is variable; islands in the east are very dry and are only sparsely settled; the more southerly islands receive more precipitation and support larger populations; 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Urbanization
- urban population: 68% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.83% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Major urban areas - population
- 168,000 PRAIA (capital) (2018)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Sex ratio
- at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Maternal mortality ratio
- 40 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Infant mortality rate
- total: 21.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 26.3 deaths/1,000 live births female: 18.4 deaths/1,000 live births
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Life expectancy at birth
- total population: 74.3 years (2024 est.) male: 72 years female: 76.7 years
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Total fertility rate
- 2.08 children born/woman (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Drinking water source
- urban: 93.2% of population (2022 est.) rural: 82.9% of population (2022 est.) total: 89.9% of population (2022 est.) urban: 6.8% of population (2022 est.) rural: 17.1% of population (2022 est.) total: 10.1% of population (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Health expenditure
- 6.9% of GDP (2021) 16.1% of national budget (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Physician density
- 0.73 physicians/1,000 population (2023)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Hospital bed density
- 2 beds/1,000 population (2018 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Sanitation facility access
- urban: 95.6% of population (2022 est.) rural: 77.8% of population (2022 est.) total: 89.8% of population (2022 est.) urban: 4.4% of population (2022 est.) rural: 22.2% of population (2022 est.) total: 10.2% of population (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Alcohol consumption per capita
- total: 4.7 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 2.28 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 1.82 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 0.6 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Tobacco use
- total: 9.8% (2025 est.) male: 15.3% (2025 est.) female: 4.5% (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Children under the age of 5 years underweight
- 2.2% (2018 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Currently married women (ages 15-49)
- 45% (2021 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Child marriage
- women married by age 15: 1.8% (2018) women married by age 18: 8.4% (2018) men married by age 18: 1.5% (2018)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Education expenditure
- 4.3% of GDP (2023 est.) 13.4% national budget (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Literacy
- total population: 88.5% (2024 est.) male: 92.9% (2024 est.) female: 84.1% (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
- total: 13 years (2018 est.) male: 13 years (2018 est.) female: 14 years (2018 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Environment10 fields
- Environmental issues
- deforestation due to demand for firewood; water shortages; droughts; desertification; soil erosion; illegal beach sand extraction; overfishing
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- International environmental 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Climate
- temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and erratic
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Land use
- agricultural land: 19.6% (2023 est.) arable land: 12.4% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 1% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 6.2% (2023 est.) forest: 12.4% (2023 est.) other: 68% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Urbanization
- urban population: 68% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.83% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Carbon dioxide emissions
- 714,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 714,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Particulate matter emissions
- 27.4 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Waste and recycling
- municipal solid waste generated annually: 132,600 tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 17.4% (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Total water withdrawal
- municipal: 155.895 million cubic meters (2022) industrial: 5.614 million cubic meters (2022) agricultural: 103.217 million cubic meters (2022)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Total renewable water resources
- 300 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Government24 fields
- 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 the Cape Verde (Green Cape) peninsula on the Senegalese coast, the westernmost point of Africa and the nearest mainland to the islands
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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 was shortened to Praia in 1974
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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, São Domingos, São Filipe, São Lourenco dos Orgaos, São Miguel, São Salvador do Mundo, São Vicente, Tarrafal, Tarrafal de São Nicolau
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Constitution
- history: previous 1981; latest effective 25 September 1992 amendment process: 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- International law organization participation
- has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister election/appointment process: president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister nominated by the National Assembly and appointed by the president most recent election date: 17 October 2021 election results: 2020: Jose Maria Pereira NEVES elected president; percent of vote - Jose Maria Pereira NEVES (PAICV) 51.7%, Carlos VEIGA (MPD) 42.4%, Casimiro DE PINA (independent) 1.8%, Fernando Rocha DELGADO (independent) 1.4%, Helio SANCHES (independent) 1.14%, Gilson ALVES (independent) 0.8%, Joaquim MONTEIRO (independent) 3.4% 2016: Jorge Carlos FONSECA reelected president; percent of vote - Jorge Carlos FONSECA (MPD) 74.1%, Albertino GRACA (independent) 22.5%, other 3.4% expected date of next election: October 2026
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Legislative branch
- legislature name: National Assembly (Assembleia Nacional) legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 72 (all directly elected) electoral system: proportional representation scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 4/18/2021 parties elected and seats per party: Movement for Democracy (MpD) (38); African Party for the Independence of Cabo Verde (PAICV) (30); Union for an Independent Democratic Cape Verde (UCID) (4) percentage of women in chamber: 44.4% expected date of next election: April 2026
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Judicial branch
- highest court(s): 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Political parties
- African Party for Independence of Cabo Verde or PAICV Democratic and Independent Cabo Verdean Union or UCID Democratic Christian Party or PDC Democratic Renewal Party or PRD Movement for Democracy or MPD Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD Party of Work and Solidarity or PTS Social Democratic Party or PSD
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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.wdc@mnec.gov.cv https://www.embcv-usa.gov.cv/ consulate(s) general: Boston
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Diplomatic representation from the US
- chief of mission: Ambassador Jennifer ADAMS (since 10 September 2024) 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/
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National holiday
- Independence Day, 5 July (1975)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Flag
- description: five unequal horizontal bands; the top band of blue is half the height of the flag; under it are three narrow bands of white, red, and white, and a bottom stripe of blue; a circle of 10 five-pointed yellow stars is centered on the red stripe and sits toward the left side of the flag meaning: blue stands for the sea and sky; the stripes symbolize the country's formation through peace (white) and effort (red); the stars represent the 10 major islands
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National symbol(s)
- ten five-pointed yellow stars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National coat of arms
- adopted in 1992, the coat of arms features the national symbol of ten stars that represent the country’s islands; the stylized torch and triangle at the center of the circle symbolize freedom and national unity, and the three blue lines represent the ocean and sky; the name of the country is written in Portuguese, the official language; the plumbob at the top of the circle -- used in construction to make accurate vertical lines -- represents justice, righteousness, and truth; the chain links symbolize a commitment to the people and their well-being
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National anthem(s)
- title: "Cantico da Liberdade" (Song of Freedom) lyrics/music: Amilcar Spencer LOPES/Adalberto Higino Tavares SILVA history: adopted 1996
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National heritage
- total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Cidade Velha; Historic Center of Ribeira Grande
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Economy31 fields
- Economic overview
- stable, middle-income, developing island economy; strong GDP growth led by tourism sector recovery; sustained poverty reduction through PEDS II development plan; high reliance on foreign remittances and aid to finance external debt
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
- $5.2 billion (2024 est.) $4.848 billion (2023 est.) $4.6 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP growth rate
- 7.3% (2024 est.) 5.4% (2023 est.) 15.8% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP per capita
- $9,900 (2024 est.) $9,300 (2023 est.) $8,900 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- GDP (official exchange rate)
- $2.768 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Inflation rate (consumer prices)
- 1% (2024 est.) 3.7% (2023 est.) 7.9% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- GDP - composition, by sector of origin
- agriculture: 4.7% (2024 est.) industry: 10.5% (2024 est.) services: 69.4% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- GDP - composition, by end use
- household consumption: 74.7% (2024 est.) government consumption: 20.7% (2024 est.) investment in fixed capital: 16% (2024 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2024 est.) exports of goods and services: 41.9% (2024 est.) imports of goods and services: -53.2% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Agricultural products
- sugarcane, tomatoes, coconuts, pulses, goat milk, milk, vegetables, bananas, cabbages, onions (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Industries
- food and beverages, fish processing, shoes and garments, salt mining, ship repair
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Industrial production growth rate
- 4.4% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Labor force
- 224,500 (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Unemployment rate
- 11.9% (2024 est.) 12% (2023 est.) 12.3% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
- total: 28.2% (2024 est.) male: 24.6% (2024 est.) female: 33.8% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Population below poverty line
- 35.2% (2015 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
- 42.4 (2015 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Household income or consumption by percentage share
- lowest 10%: 2.2% (2015 est.) highest 10%: 32.3% (2015 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Remittances
- 12.1% of GDP (2024 est.) 12.5% of GDP (2023 est.) 14% of GDP (2022 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Budget
- revenues: $453.182 million (2020 est.) expenditures: $623.816 million (2020 est.) note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Taxes and other revenues
- 18.4% (of GDP) (2020 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Current account balance
- $101.072 million (2024 est.) -$64.439 million (2023 est.) -$78.271 million (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports
- $1.158 billion (2024 est.) $972.636 million (2023 est.) $851.907 million (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports - partners
- Spain 46%, Portugal 9%, Togo 7%, Italy 7%, India 6% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports - commodities
- fish, refined petroleum, railway cargo containers, shellfish, garments (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports
- $1.473 billion (2024 est.) $1.428 billion (2023 est.) $1.31 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports - partners
- Portugal 29%, Saudi Arabia 11%, Netherlands 9%, Spain 8%, China 7% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports - commodities
- refined petroleum, aircraft, cars, fish, railway cargo containers (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
- $783.106 million (2024 est.) $837.881 million (2023 est.) $729.566 million (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Debt - external
- $1.385 billion (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exchange rates
- Cabo Verdean escudos (CVE) per US dollar - 101.922 (2024 est.) 101.805 (2023 est.) 104.863 (2022 est.) 93.218 (2021 est.) 96.796 (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Energy5 fields
- Electricity access
- electrification - total population: 97.1% (2022 est.) electrification - urban areas: 95.3% electrification - rural areas: 96.9%
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Electricity
- installed generating capacity: 200,000 kW (2023 est.) consumption: 400 million kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 106 million kWh (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Electricity generation sources
- fossil fuels: 71.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 14.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) wind: 14.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Petroleum
- refined petroleum consumption: 5,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Energy consumption per capita
- 19.999 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Communications6 fields
- Telephones - fixed lines
- total subscriptions: 60,000 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 12 (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Telephones - mobile cellular
- total subscriptions: 590,354 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 112 (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Broadcast media
- state-run TV and radio 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)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Internet users
- percent of population: 74% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Broadband - fixed subscriptions
- total: 38,000 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 7 (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Transportation4 fields
- Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
- D4
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Merchant marine
- total: 44 (2023) by type: general cargo 14, oil tanker 2, other 28
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Ports
- total ports: 2 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 1 very small: 1 ports with oil terminals: 1 key ports: Porto da Praia, Porto Grande
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military and Security6 fields
- Military and security forces
- Cabo Verdean Armed Forces (FACV): National Guard (GN), Cabo Verde Coast Guard (Guardia Costeira de Cabo Verde, GCCV) (2025) note: the National Police are under the Ministry of Internal Affairs
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military expenditures
- 0.6% of GDP (2024 est.) 0.6% of GDP (2023 est.) 0.5% of GDP (2022 est.) 0.5% of GDP (2021 est.) 0.5% of GDP (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military and security service personnel strengths
- the FACV has approximately 1,000-1,500 active personnel (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
- the FACV has a limited amount of mostly dated or secondhand equipment, largely from China, some European countries, and the former Soviet Union (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military service age and obligation
- 17 years of age for voluntary service (with parental consent); 18-35 years of age for selective compulsory service (14-month service obligation) (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military - note
- the FACV is responsible for external defense; it also has an internal security role in collaboration with the police if required; its duties include monitoring and patrolling the country's air and maritime spaces, participating in training exercises, conducting search and rescue, countering narcotics and other forms of illicit trafficking, and supporting the police and civil society (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Transnational Issues2 fields
- Refugees and internally displaced persons
- stateless persons: 115 (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Trafficking in persons
- tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Cabo Verde did not demonstrate overall increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking compared with the previous reporting period and was downgraded to Tier 2 Watch List; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/cabo-verde/
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
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