Country Profile: Cabo Verde

Cabo Verde, an archipelago located in the North Atlantic Ocean, is comprised of ten distinct islands west of Senegal. With a population of approximately 611,014, the nation boasts a diverse cultural heritage stemming from its historical ties to Africa and Europe. The economy is classified as a stable, middle-income developing one, with a significant contribution from tourism and reliance on remittances from its expatriate community. Governed as a parliamentary republic since its independence from Portugal in 1975, Cabo Verde exhibits one of Africa's most stable democratic systems.

Geography

Cabo Verde is situated in Western Africa, comprising a group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean. The terrain is predominantly steep and rugged, with volcanic landscapes including the highest point, Mt. Fogo, standing at 2,829 meters. The islands experience a temperate climate with erratic precipitation, leading to water scarcity and agricultural challenges.

Area: 4,033 sq km
Coastline: 965 km
Highest Point: Mt. Fogo (2,829 m)
Natural Resources: Salt, fish, basalt rock, and limestone
Land Use: 19.6% agricultural land (2023 est.)
Natural Hazards: Prolonged droughts and volcanic activity

People And Society

With a population of 611,014 as of 2024, Cabo Verde is characterized by a Creole majority (71%) and diverse linguistic and religious practices. Portuguese serves as the official language, while Crioulo is widely spoken. The nation exhibits a high urbanization rate, with 68% of its population living in urban areas, primarily on the islands of São Tiago and São Vicente.

Median Age: 29.3 years (2025 est.)
Literacy Rate: 88.5% (2024 est.)
Urban Population: 68% of total population (2023)
Infant Mortality Rate: 21.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
Life Expectancy: 74.3 years (2024 est.)
Birth Rate: 17.51 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Total Fertility Rate: 2.08 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Economy

Cabo Verde's economy is recognized as stable and developing, driven primarily by the recovery of its tourism sector. The GDP has shown consistent growth, with a projected increase of 7.3% in 2024. The economy heavily relies on foreign remittances, accounting for 12.1% of GDP, and has implemented significant poverty reduction measures.

Real GDP (PPP): $5.2 billion (2024 est.)
GDP per Capita (PPP): $9,900 (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 11.9% (2024 est.)
Poverty Rate: 35.2% (2015 est.)
Main Industries: Tourism, food processing, and salt mining
Exports (2024): $1.158 billion
Imports (2024): $1.473 billion

Government

Cabo Verde operates as a parliamentary republic with a strong emphasis on democratic governance. The President serves as the head of state, while the Prime Minister is the head of government. The National Assembly is unicameral, consisting of 72 directly elected members. The judiciary is based on a civil law system influenced by Portuguese law.

Capital: Praia
Government Type: Parliamentary Republic
Independence: 5 July 1975 (from Portugal)
Current President: Jose Maria Pereira Neves (since November 2021)
Legislative Structure: Unicameral National Assembly
Constitution: Adopted on 25 September 1992

Military and Security

The Cabo Verdean Armed Forces (FACV) consist of the National Guard and Coast Guard, tasked with both defense and internal security roles. Military expenditures are modest, representing 0.6% of GDP, and the FACV has approximately 1,000-1,500 active personnel.

Military Expenditures: 0.6% of GDP (2024 est.)
Service Age: 17 years for voluntary service, 18-35 years for selective conscription
Personnel Strength: Approximately 1,000-1,500 active members
Primary Duties: Monitoring air and maritime spaces, search and rescue, and support to police forces

Energy

Cabo Verde has made strides in electrification, with access for 97.1% of its population as of 2022. The country relies heavily on fossil fuels for energy generation, yet investments in renewable sources like solar and wind are increasing.

Installed Capacity: 200,000 kW (2023 est.)
Electricity Consumption: 400 million kWh (2023 est.)
Fossil Fuels Share: 71.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Rural Electrification Rate: 96.9% (2022 est.)
Petroleum Consumption: 5,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Environment

Cabo Verde faces significant environmental challenges, including deforestation, water shortages, and soil erosion. The country is a party to several international environmental agreements aimed at addressing these issues.

Main Issues: Water shortages, deforestation, and desertification
Total Renewable Water Resources: 300 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Carbon Dioxide Emissions: 714,000 metric tonnes (2023 est.)
Waste Recycling Rate: 17.4% (2022 est.)
Climate: Temperate with warm, dry summers

Transportation

Cabo Verde's transportation infrastructure includes an expanding air transport sector and a limited number of ports. The country has ten airports and several merchant marine vessels, facilitating both domestic and international trade.

Airports: 10 (2025)
Merchant Marine Vessels: 44 (2023)
Total Ports: 2 (2024)
Key Ports: Porto da Praia, Porto Grande

Communications

Communications in Cabo Verde have been advancing, with a growing number of mobile and internet users. The country has state-run media along with private broadcasters, and internet access is relatively extensive.

Mobile Cellular Subscriptions: 590,354 (2023 est.)
Internet Users: 74% of the population (2023 est.)
Fixed Line Subscriptions: 60,000 (2023 est.)
Broadband Subscriptions: 38,000 (2023 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	611,014	2024 estimate
Area	4,033 sq km	Total land area
GDP (PPP)	$5.2 billion	2024 estimate
GDP per Capita (PPP)	$9,900	2024 estimate
Unemployment Rate	11.9%	2024 estimate
Birth Rate	17.51 births/1,000	2025 estimate
Life Expectancy	74.3 years	2024 estimate
Electricity Access	97.1%	Total population (2022)
Literacy Rate	88.5%	2024 estimate
Urban Population	68%	2023 estimate