2017 Edition

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 sustain 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. 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.

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 (2,829 m), which last erupted in 1995, is Cabo Verde's only active volcano

volcanism

Fogo (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; 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

Terrain

steep, rugged, rocky, volcanic

Age structure

29.13% (male 82,157/female 81,227) 20.11% (male 56,401/female 56,391) 39.64% (male 108,081/female 114,234) 5.94% (male 14,547/female 18,761) 5.19% (male 11,012/female 18,088) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

29.13% (male 82,157/female 81,227)

15-24 years

20.11% (male 56,401/female 56,391)

25-54 years

39.64% (male 108,081/female 114,234)

55-64 years

5.94% (male 14,547/female 18,761)

65 years and over

5.19% (male 11,012/female 18,088) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

20 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Death rate

6 deaths/1,000 population (2017 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

55.4 48.4 6.9 14.4 (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

6.9

potential support ratio

14.4 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

55.4

youth dependency ratio

48.4

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

0.8% (2016 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

2,800 (2016 est.)

Hospital bed density

2.1 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate

21.9 deaths/1,000 live births 25.1 deaths/1,000 live births 18.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

18.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

25.1 deaths/1,000 live births

total

21.9 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

72.4 years 70.1 years 74.8 years (2017 est.)

female

74.8 years (2017 est.)

male

70.1 years

total population

72.4 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 86.8% 91.7% 82% (2015 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

82% (2015 est.)

male

91.7%

total population

86.8%

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

25.4 years 24.6 years 26.2 years (2017 est.)

female

26.2 years (2017 est.)

male

24.6 years

total

25.4 years

Nationality

Cabo Verdean(s) Cabo Verdean

adjective

Cabo Verdean

noun

Cabo Verdean(s)

Net migration rate

-0.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

11.8% (2016)

Physicians density

0.31 physicians/1,000 population (2011)

Population

560,899 (July 2017 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

Population growth rate

1.33% (2017 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 13 years (2015)

female

13 years (2015)

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

2.24 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Urbanization

66.8% of total population (2017) 1.8% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.8% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

66.8% of total population (2017)

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 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 (2017)

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 (2017)

history

previous 1981; latest effective 25 September 1992

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 5 February 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 5 February 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 Carlos VEIGA (since 18 January 2017) 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 Carlos VEIGA (since 18 January 2017)

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 Jorge Carlos FONSECA reelected 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

Jorge Carlos FONSECA reelected president; 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 MPD 54.5%, PAICV 38.2%, UCID 6.96%, Other 0.4%; 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 MPD 54.5%, PAICV 38.2%, UCID 6.96%, Other 0.4%; 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

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

$433.6 million $473 million (2016 est.)

expenditures

$473 million (2016 est.)

revenues

$433.6 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-2.4% of GDP (2016 est.)

Central bank discount rate

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

Commercial bank prime lending rate

9.61% (31 December 2016 est.) 10.41% (31 December 2015 est.)

Current account balance

$-61 million (2016 est.) $-78.7 million (2015 est.)

Debt - external

$1.688 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $1.52 billion (31 December 2015 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 - 99.688 (2016 est.) 99.688 (2015 est.) 99.426 (2014 est.) 83.114 (2013 est.) 85.82 (2012 est.)

Exports

$148.4 million (2016 est.) $149.2 million (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Australia 48.6%, Spain 20.2%, Portugal 18.9% (2016)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

54.3% 17.6% 33.9% 0.2% 44.7% -50.7% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services

44.7%

government consumption

17.6%

household consumption

54.3%

imports of goods and services

-50.7% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital

33.9%

investment in inventories

0.2%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

8.1% 18.2% 73.7% (2016 est.)

agriculture

8.1%

industry

18.2%

services

73.7% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$6,600 (2016 est.) $6,500 (2015 est.) $6,500 (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

3.8% (2016 est.) 1% (2015 est.) 0.6% (2014 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$1.64 billion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$3.529 billion (2016 est.) $3.357 billion (2015 est.) $3.288 billion (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

Gross national saving

33.3% of GDP (2016 est.) 33.8% of GDP (2015 est.) 27.9% of GDP (2014 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

1.9% 40.6% (2000)

highest 10%

40.6% (2000)

lowest 10%

1.9%

Imports

$691 million (2016 est.) $630.7 million (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities

foodstuffs, industrial products, transport equipment, fuels

Imports - partners

Portugal 43%, Spain 12.8%, France 5.9%, China 5%, Russia 4.4% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

3.2% (2016 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

-1.4% (2016 est.) 0.1% (2015 est.)

Labor force

196,100 (2007 est.)

Population below poverty line

30% (2000 est.)

Public debt

123.9% of GDP (2016 est.) 120.8% of GDP (2015 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$572.7 million (31 December 2016 est.) $494.5 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.601 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $1.526 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$1.327 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $1.324 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$607.2 million (31 December 2016 est.) $557.5 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

26.5% of GDP (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

9% (2016 est.) 12.4% (2015 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

400,000 Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

436.2 million kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

76.8% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

23.2% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

157,500 kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

469 million kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity access

153,027 70.6% 84.4% 46.8% (2012)

electrification - rural areas

46.8% (2012)

electrification - total population

70.6%

electrification - urban areas

84.4%

population without electricity

153,027

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2016 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2016 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2016 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2016 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2016 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

6,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

5,328 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2014 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

266,562 48.2% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

48.2% (July 2016 est.)

total

266,562

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

59,730 11 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

11 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

59,730

Telephones - mobile cellular

625,851 113 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

113 (July 2016 est.)

total

625,851

Airports

9 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

2 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m

3

914 to 1,523 m

3

over 3,047 m

1

total

9

under 914 m

2 (2017)

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 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

0.63% of GDP (2016) 0.57% of GDP (2015) 0.54% of GDP (2014) 0.53% of GDP (2013) 0.56% of GDP (2012)

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)

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

Refugees and internally displaced persons

115 (2016)

stateless persons

115 (2016)