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Last update: January, 19 2021

Cape Verde (or Cabo Verde)

Flag of Cape Verde (or Cabo Verde)
Government
NameRepublic of Cabo Verde
PortugueseRepública de Cabo Verde 
Cape Verdaan CreoleRepúblika di Kabu Verdi
Government typeParliamentary republic
CapitalPraia (127,832 (2010))
CurrencyCape Verdean escudo (CVE)
People
Population (2020)555,988 (172nd)
Density of population123.7 P/km2 (89th)
NationalityCabo Verdean
Official languages
Portuguese
Ethnic groups (2012)
Creole (mulatto)71%
African28%
European1%
Religions (2010)
Roman Catholic77.3%
Protestant4.6%
Church of the Nazarene1.7%
Adventist1.5%
Assembly of God0.9%
Universal Kingdom of God0.4%
God and Love0.1%
Christian3.4%
Christian Rationalism1.9%
Jehovah’s Witness1%
New Apostolic0.5%
Muslim1.8%
Other1.3%
None10.8%
Unspecified0.7%
Life expectancy (2020)
Male70.8 years
Female75.6 years
Total population73.2 years (149th)
Homicides
Total (2018)6.8 per 100,000 people (46th)
Geography
Land area4,033 km2
water area0 km2
total area4,033 km2 (176th)
Lowest point
Atlantic Ocean0 m
Highest point
Mt. Fogo (a volcano on Fogo Island)2,829 m
Land use (2011)
Agricultural land18.6%
Arable land11.7%
Permanent crops0.7%
Permanent pasture6.2%
Forest21%
Other60.4%
Urbanization
Urban population (2020)66.7%
Rate of urbanization1.97% annual rate of change (2015 – 2020)
Economy
Labor force (2007)196,100  (174th)
Unemployment rate (2017)9% (131st)
GDP (PPP) (estimate 2019)
Total$4.323 billion
Per capita$7,728
GDP (nominal) (estimate 2019)
Total$2.042 billion
Per capita$3,651
GDP by sector (estimate 2017)
Agriculture8.9%
Industry17.5%
Services73.7%
Exports (2017)$189 million (190th)
Exports partners (2017)
Spain45.3%
Portugal40.3%
Netherlands8.1%
Imports (2017)$836.1 million (189th)
Imports partners (2017)
Portugal43.9%
Spain11.6%
Netherlands6.1%
China6.1%

Cape Verde on the world map

Cape Verde on the world map

Cape Verde (or Cabo Verde) top 10 largest cities (2010)

  1. Praia (127,832)
  2. Mindelo (70,468)
  3. Santa Maria (23,839)
  4. Assomada (12,026)
  5. Porto Novo (9,430)
  6. Pedra Badejo (9,345)
  7. São Filipe (8,125)
  8. Tarrafal (6,177)
  9. Sal Rei (5,407)
  10. Ribeira Grande (4,625)

Demography

Population pyramid

Population pyramid of Cape Verde (or Cabo Verde) (2020)

Age structure data

Estimate for 2020:

  • 0-14 years: 27.95% (male 82,010/female 81,012)
  • 15-24 years: 18.69% (male 54,521/female 54,504)
  • 25-54 years: 40.76% (male 115,811/female 121,923)
  • 55-64 years: 7.12% (male 18,939/female 22,597)
  • 65 years and over: 5.48% (male 12,037/female 19,901)

Remark: the age structure of a population affects a nation’s key socioeconomic issues. Countries with young populations (high percentage under age 15) need to invest more in schools, while countries with older populations (high percentage ages 65 and over) need to invest more in the health sector. The age structure can also be used to help predict potential political issues. For example, the rapid growth of a young adult population unable to find employment can lead to unrest.

Population from 1950 to 2020

CC BY

Source: United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2019). World Population Prospects 2019, Online Edition. Rev. 1.


Evolution of the life expectancy from 1960 to 2018

CC BY

Source: World Development Indicators, The World Bank

Economy

Agriculture:

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

Industries:

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

Exports – commodities:

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

Imports – commodities:

foodstuffs, industrial products, transport equipment, fuels

Time zone and current time in Cape Verde (or Cabo Verde)

Go to our interactive map to get the current time in Cape Verde

Source: