2016 Edition

CIA World Factbook 2016 Archive (HTML)

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268

Data Records

71,560

Cape Verde

2016 Edition · 301 data fields

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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 Crioulo 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 exhibit one of Africa's most stable democratic governments. 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 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, Spaniards, and Portuguese Jews. The fusing of European and various African cultural traditions is reflected in Cabo Verde’s Crioulo language, music, and pano textiles. 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 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.

Geography

Area

4,033 sq km 4,033 sq km 0 sq km
land: 4,033 sq km
total: 4,033 sq km
water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than Rhode Island

Climate

temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and erratic

Coastline

965 km

Elevation

NA lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mt. Fogo 2,829 m (a volcano on Fogo Island)
elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mt. Fogo 2,829 m (a volcano on Fogo Island)
mean elevation: NA

Environment - current issues

soil erosion; deforestation due to demand for firewood; water shortages; desertification; environmental damage has threatened several species of birds and reptiles; illegal beach sand extraction; overfishing

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands none of the selected agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates

16 00 N, 24 00 W

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

Irrigated land

35 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

18.6% arable land 11.7%; permanent crops 0.7%; permanent pasture 6.2% 21% 60.4% (2011 est.)
agricultural land: 18.6%
forest: 21%
other: 60.4% (2011 est.)

Location

Western Africa, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Senegal

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

measured from claimed archipelagic baselines 12 nm 24 nm 200 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm

Natural hazards

prolonged droughts; seasonal harmattan wind produces obscuring dust; volcanically and seismically active Fogo (elev. 2,829 m), which last erupted in 1995, is Cabo Verde's only active volcano
volcanism: Fogo (elev. 2,829 m), which last erupted in 1995, is Cabo Verde's only active volcano

Natural resources

salt, basalt rock, limestone, kaolin, fish, clay, gypsum

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.

Terrain

steep, rugged, rocky, volcanic

People and Society

Age structure

29.6% (male 82,359/female 81,448) 20.56% (male 56,885/female 56,882) 39.2% (male 105,383/female 111,535) 5.53% (male 13,131/female 17,479) 5.12% (male 10,722/female 17,608) (2016 est.)
0-14 years: 29.6% (male 82,359/female 81,448)
15-24 years: 20.56% (male 56,885/female 56,882)
25-54 years: 39.2% (male 105,383/female 111,535)
55-64 years: 5.53% (male 13,131/female 17,479)
65 years and over: 5.12% (male 10,722/female 17,608) (2016 est.)

Birth rate

20.2 births/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

61.3% (2005)

Death rate

6.1 deaths/1,000 population (2016 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.

Dependency ratios

52% 45.1% 7% 14.4% (2015 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 7%
potential support ratio: 14.4% (2015 est.)
total dependency ratio: 52%
youth dependency ratio: 45.1%

Drinking water source

urban: 94% of population rural: 87.3% of population total: 91.7% of population urban: 6% of population rural: 12.7% of population total: 8.3% of population (2015 est.)
rural: 12.7% of population
total: 8.3% of population (2015 est.)
urban: 6% of population

Education expenditures

5% of GDP (2013)

Ethnic groups

Creole (mulatto) 71%, African 28%, European 1%

Health expenditures

4.8% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.96% (2015 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

100 (2015 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

3,200 (2015 est.)

Hospital bed density

2.1 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate

22.7 deaths/1,000 live births 26 deaths/1,000 live births 19.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)
female: 19.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)
male: 26 deaths/1,000 live births
total: 22.7 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Portuguese (official), Crioulo (a blend of Portuguese and West African words)

Life expectancy at birth

72.1 years 69.8 years 74.5 years (2016 est.)
female: 74.5 years (2016 est.)
male: 69.8 years
total population: 72.1 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 87.6% 92.1% 83.1% (2015 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
female: 83.1% (2015 est.)
male: 92.1%
total population: 87.6%

Major infectious diseases

active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)
note: active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)

Major urban areas - population

PRAIA (capital) 145,000 (2014)

Maternal mortality rate

42 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

24.9 years 24.1 years 25.7 years (2016 est.)
female: 25.7 years (2016 est.)
male: 24.1 years
total: 24.9 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

19.5 median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2005 est.)
note: median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2005 est.)

Nationality

Cabo Verdean(s) Cabo Verdean
adjective: Cabo Verdean
noun: Cabo Verdean(s)

Net migration rate

-0.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

11.7% (2014)

Physicians density

0.31 physicians/1,000 population (2011)

Population

553,432 (July 2016 est.)

Population distribution

Population growth rate

1.35% (2016 est.)

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.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 81.6% of population rural: 54.3% of population total: 72.2% of population urban: 1.4% of population rural: 45.7% of population total: 27.8% of population (2015 est.)
rural: 45.7% of population
total: 27.8% of population (2015 est.)
urban: 1.4% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

13 years 13 years 14 years (2014)
female: 14 years (2014)
male: 13 years
total: 13 years

Sex ratio

1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female 0.75 male(s)/female 0.61 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female (2016 est.)
0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.94 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.75 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.61 male(s)/female
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.26 children born/woman (2016 est.)

Urbanization

65.5% of total population (2015) 1.99% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
rate of urbanization: 1.99% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
urban population: 65.5% of total population (2015)

Government

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

Capital

Praia 14 55 N, 23 31 W UTC-1 (4 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates: 14 55 N, 23 31 W
name: Praia
time difference: UTC-1 (4 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

no at least one parent must be a citizen of Cabo Verde yes 5 years
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

Constitution

previous 1981; latest effective 25 September 1992; revised 1995, 1999, 2010 (2016)

Country name

Republic of Cabo Verde Cabo Verde Republica de Cabo Verde Cabo Verde the name derives from Cap-Vert (Green Cape) on the Senegalese coast, the westernmost point of Africa and the nearest mainland to the islands
conventional long form: Republic of Cabo Verde
conventional 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
local long form: Republica de Cabo Verde
local short form: Cabo Verde

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Donald L. HEFLIN (since 29 January 2015) Rua Abilio Macedo 6, Praia C. P. 201, Praia [238] 2-60-89-00 [238] 2-61-13-55
chief of mission: Ambassador Donald L. HEFLIN (since 29 January 2015)
embassy: Rua Abilio Macedo 6, Praia
FAX: [238] 2-61-13-55
mailing address: C. P. 201, Praia
telephone: [238] 2-60-89-00

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Jose Luis Fialho ROCHA (since 14 July 2014) 3415 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 [1] (202) 965-6820 [1] (202) 965-1207 Boston
chancery: 3415 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007
chief of mission: Ambassador Jose Luis Fialho ROCHA (since 14 July 2014)
consulate(s) general: Boston
FAX: [1] (202) 965-1207
telephone: [1] (202) 965-6820

Executive branch

President Jorge Carlos FONSECA (since 9 September 2011) Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e SILVA (since 22 April 2016) Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister 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 2 October 2016 (next to be held in 2021); prime minister nominated by the National Assembly and appointed by the president percent of vote - Jorge Carlos FONSECA (MPD) 74%, Albertino GRACA (independent) 23%, other 3%
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister
chief of state: President Jorge Carlos FONSECA (since 9 September 2011)
election results: percent of vote - Jorge Carlos FONSECA (MPD) 74%, Albertino GRACA (independent) 23%, other 3%
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 2 October 2016 (next to be held in 2021); prime minister nominated by the National Assembly and appointed by the president
head of government: Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e SILVA (since 22 April 2016)

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)

Government type

parliamentary republic

Independence

5 July 1975 (from Portugal)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

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

Judicial branch

Supreme Court of Justice (consists of the chief justice and at least 7 judges and organized into civil, criminal, and administrative sections) 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 appeals courts, first instance (municipal) courts; audit, military, and fiscal and customs courts
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

Legal system

civil law system of Portugal

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (72 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms) last held on 20 March 2016 (next to be held in 2021) percent of vote by party NA; seats by party - MPD 40, PAICV 29, UCID 3
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)
election results: percent of vote by party NA; seats by party - MPD 40, PAICV 29, UCID 3
elections: last held on 20 March 2016 (next to be held in 2021)

National anthem

"Cantico da Liberdade" (Song of Freedom) Amilcar Spencer LOPES/Adalberto Higino Tavares SILVA adopted 1996
lyrics/music: Amilcar Spencer LOPES/Adalberto Higino Tavares SILVA
name: "Cantico da Liberdade" (Song of Freedom)
note: adopted 1996

National holiday

Independence Day, 5 July (1975)

National symbol(s)

ten, five-pointed, yellow stars; national colors: blue, white, red, yellow
ten, five-pointed, yellow stars; national colors: blue, white, red, yellow

Political parties and leaders

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]

Political pressure groups and leaders

environmentalists; political pressure groups
other: environmentalists; political pressure groups

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Economy

Agriculture - products

bananas, corn, beans, sweet potatoes, sugarcane, coffee, peanuts; fish

Budget

$406.3 million $474.7 million (2015 est.)
expenditures: $474.7 million (2015 est.)
revenues: $406.3 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-4.3% of GDP (2015 est.)

Central bank discount rate

7.5% (31 December 2010) 7.5% (31 December 2009)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

10.41% (31 December 2015 est.) 10.89% (31 December 2014 est.)

Current account balance

-$147 million (2015 est.) -$150 million (2014 est.)

Debt - external

$1.534 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $1.537 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Economy - overview

Cabo Verde’s economy is vulnerable to external shocks and 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.

Exchange rates

Cabo Verdean escudos (CVE) per US dollar - 99.426 (2015 est.) 83.114 (2014 est.) 83.114 (2013 est.) 85.82 (2012 est.) 79.32 (2011 est.)

Exports

$149.2 million (2015 est.) $253.3 million (2014 est.)

Exports - commodities

fuel (re-exports), shoes, garments, fish, hides

Exports - partners

Australia 83%, Spain 8.6% (2015)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

56.2% 15.5% 34% 0.9% 33.9% -40.5% (2015 est.)
exports of goods and services: 33.9%
government consumption: 15.5%
household consumption: 56.2%
imports of goods and services: -40.5% (2015 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 34%
investment in inventories: 0.9%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

7.3% 16.5% 76.2% (2015 est.)
agriculture: 7.3%
industry: 16.5%
services: 76.2% (2015 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$6,500 (2015 est.) $6,500 (2014 est.) $6,400 (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars
note: data are in 2015 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

1.8% (2015 est.) 1.8% (2014 est.) 1% (2013 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$1.595 billion (2015 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$3.423 billion (2015 est.) $3.363 billion (2014 est.) $3.302 billion (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars
note: data are in 2015 US dollars

Gross national saving

30.7% of GDP (2015 est.) 27% of GDP (2014 est.) 28.7% of GDP (2013 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

1.9% 40.6% (2000)
highest 10%: 40.6% (2000)
lowest 10%: 1.9%

Imports

$630.7 million (2015 est.) $857.4 million (2014 est.)

Imports - commodities

foodstuffs, industrial products, transport equipment, fuels

Imports - partners

Portugal 29.9%, Australia 26.4%, Netherlands 11.2%, Spain 5.6%, China 5.6% (2015)

Industrial production growth rate

1.4% (2015 est.)

Industries

food and beverages, fish processing, shoes and garments, salt mining, ship repair

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0.1% (2015 est.) -0.2% (2014 est.)

Labor force

196,100 (2007 est.)

Population below poverty line

30% (2000 est.)

Public debt

116% of GDP (2015 est.) 110.9% of GDP (2014 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$494.5 million (31 December 2015 est.) $510.9 million (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.621 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $1.608 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$1.324 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $1.449 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$557.5 million (31 December 2015 est.) $597.6 million (31 December 2014 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

25.5% of GDP (2015 est.)

Unemployment rate

12% (2014 est.) 16.4% (2013 est.)

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 (2007)

Internet country code

.cv

Internet users

235,000 43% (July 2015 est.)
percent of population: 43% (July 2015 est.)
total: 235,000

Telephone system

effective system, extensive modernization from 1996-2000 following partial privatization in 1995 major service provider is Cabo Verde Telecom; fiber-optic ring, completed in 2001, links all islands providing Internet access and ISDN services; cellular service introduced in 1998; broadband services launched in 2004 country code - 238; landing point for the Atlantis-2 fiber-optic transatlantic telephone cable that provides links to South America, Senegal, and Europe; HF radiotelephone to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2015)
domestic: major service provider is Cabo Verde Telecom; fiber-optic ring, completed in 2001, links all islands providing Internet access and ISDN services; cellular service introduced in 1998; broadband services launched in 2004
general assessment: effective system, extensive modernization from 1996-2000 following partial privatization in 1995
international: country code - 238; landing point for the Atlantis-2 fiber-optic transatlantic telephone cable that provides links to South America, Senegal, and Europe; HF radiotelephone to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2015)

Telephones - fixed lines

58,456 11 (July 2015 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 11 (July 2015 est.)
total subscriptions: 58,456

Telephones - mobile cellular

646,000 118 (July 2015 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 118 (July 2015 est.)
total: 646,000

Transportation

Airports

9 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

2 (2013)
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 3
over 3,047 m: 1
total: 9
under 914 m: 2 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

D4 (2016)

Merchant marine

cargo 3, chemical tanker 2, passenger/cargo 7, petroleum tanker 1 3 (Greece 1, Spain 1, UK 1) 1 (unknown 1) (2010)
by type: cargo 3, chemical tanker 2, passenger/cargo 7, petroleum tanker 1
foreign-owned: 3 (Greece 1, Spain 1, UK 1)
registered in other countries: 1 (unknown 1) (2010)
total: 13

National air transport system

567,182 1,728,152 mt-km (2015)
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 1,728,152 mt-km (2015)
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 567,182
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 5
number of registered air carriers: 2

Ports and terminals

Porto Grande
major seaport(s): Porto Grande

Roadways

1,350 km 932 km 418 km (2013)
paved: 932 km
total: 1,350 km
unpaved: 418 km (2013)

Military and Security

Military branches

Armed Forces: Army (also called the National Guard, GN), Cabo Verde Coast Guard (Guardia Costeira de Cabo Verde, GCCV; includes naval infantry) (2013)
Armed Forces: Army (also called the National Guard, GN), Cabo Verde Coast Guard (Guardia Costeira de Cabo Verde, GCCV; includes naval infantry) (2013)

Military expenditures

NA% (2012) 0.51% of GDP (2011)

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) (2013)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international

none

Illicit drugs

used as a transshipment point for Latin American cocaine destined for Western Europe, particularly because of Lusophone links to Brazil, Portugal, and Guinea-Bissau; has taken steps to deter drug money laundering, including a 2002 anti-money laundering reform that criminalizes laundering the proceeds of narcotics trafficking and other crimes and the establishment in 2008 of a Financial Intelligence Unit (2008)

Refugees and internally displaced persons

115 (2015)
stateless persons: 115 (2015)