Cape Verde birth & fertility rate decline on charts

Cape Verde has a birth rate of 12.3 (annual births per 1,000 people) and a fertility rate of 1.52 (the average number of children a woman is expected to have over her lifetime based on current age-specific birth rates).

In 1960, the fertility rate in Cape Verde was 6.89 children per woman — 4.52 times higher than in 2023.

Cape Verde birth rate statistics:

Cape Verde is ranked 113/196 by birth rate now and was ranked 40/194 in 1960.
The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 28.9, a change from 29 in 1990.
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) changed from 130.1 in 1960 to 38.8 in 2023.
26.3% of the population in 2024 is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), a change from 22.5% in 1960.

Fertility rate in Cape Verde by year

1x

Year	Fertility rate	Rank
2023	1.52	137
2022	1.53	146
2021	1.55	151
2020	1.59	138
2019	1.7	136
2018	1.8	121
2017	1.93	115
2016	1.97	115
2015	1.97	121
2014	2.03	117
2013	2.07	114
2012	2.15	110
2011	2.33	100
2010	2.33	104
2009	2.25	108
2008	2.3	107
2007	2.41	103
2006	2.56	95
2005	2.73	86
2004	2.9	80
2003	3.03	78
2002	3.19	77
2001	3.37	75
2000	3.55	72
1999	3.73	71
1998	3.9	70
1997	4.05	70
1996	4.26	67
1995	4.49	66
1994	4.72	64
1993	4.95	63
1992	5.12	59
1991	5.26	60
1990	5.36	60
1989	5.45	59
1988	5.55	59
1987	5.68	59
1986	5.81	57
1985	5.92	58
1984	5.97	57
1983	6.07	57
1982	6.17	57
1981	6.27	56
1980	6.38	56
1979	6.47	52
1978	6.56	49
1977	6.65	44
1976	6.71	43
1975	6.77	41
1974	6.82	40
1973	6.86	39
1972	6.89	39
1971	6.91	37
1970	6.94	38
1969	6.95	37
1968	6.97	34
1967	6.98	34
1966	6.99	36
1965	6.99	39
1964	6.99	39
1963	6.98	39
1962	6.95	41
1961	6.92	42
1960	6.89	42

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/cape-verde | CC BY

According to the latest birth rate data available, the fertility rate in Cape Verde was 1.52 in 2023 and has been below the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman since 2013. In 1993, the fertility rate was 4.95 — a 69.3% decline in 30 years.

Check population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.

The chart above shows the historical changes in fertility rate and ranking compared to other countries, where a lower rank number indicates a higher relative fertility rate.

Births, deaths, and natural population change by year

1x

Year	People
Year	Natural change	Births	Deaths
2023	3,798	6,440	2,642
2022	3,864	6,464	2,600
2021	3,575	6,493	2,918
2020	3,734	6,763	3,029
2019	4,773	7,345	2,572
2018	5,282	7,932	2,650
2017	5,993	8,616	2,623
2016	6,238	8,877	2,639
2015	6,314	8,945	2,631
2014	6,622	9,262	2,640
2013	6,780	9,425	2,645
2012	7,157	9,782	2,625
2011	7,874	10,524	2,650
2010	7,746	10,409	2,663
2009	7,216	9,871	2,655
2008	7,313	9,955	2,642
2007	7,559	10,213	2,654
2006	7,980	10,605	2,625
2005	8,428	11,059	2,631
2004	8,825	11,477	2,652
2003	9,037	11,714	2,677
2002	9,278	12,003	2,725
2001	9,510	12,318	2,808
2000	9,752	12,630	2,878
1999	9,989	12,961	2,972
1998	10,187	13,253	3,066
1997	10,323	13,472	3,149
1996	10,613	13,836	3,223
1995	10,764	14,302	3,538
1994	11,410	14,750	3,340
1993	11,805	15,157	3,352
1992	11,915	15,273	3,358
1991	11,899	15,255	3,356
1990	11,738	15,086	3,348
1989	11,608	14,986	3,378
1988	11,523	14,939	3,416
1987	11,426	14,881	3,455
1986	11,295	14,783	3,488
1985	11,105	14,616	3,511
1984	10,835	14,391	3,556
1983	10,736	14,268	3,532
1982	10,597	14,134	3,537
1981	10,470	14,004	3,534
1980	10,276	13,815	3,539
1979	10,223	13,805	3,582
1978	10,152	13,779	3,627
1977	10,036	13,714	3,678
1976	9,833	13,587	3,754
1975	9,601	13,386	3,785
1974	9,295	13,111	3,816
1973	9,003	12,834	3,831
1972	8,716	12,565	3,849
1971	8,359	12,202	3,843
1970	7,878	11,681	3,803
1969	7,625	11,375	3,750
1968	7,408	11,124	3,716
1967	7,214	10,917	3,703
1966	7,039	10,749	3,710
1965	6,877	10,611	3,734
1964	6,725	10,499	3,774
1963	6,589	10,405	3,816
1962	6,468	10,322	3,854
1961	6,247	10,146	3,899
1960	6,098	10,065	3,967

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/cape-verde | CC BY

Over the past 10 years, the natural population change in Cape Verde (from births and deaths only, excluding migration) has been +0.98% annually. On average, 5,019 more people were born each year than died.

Excluding migration, the natural population change due to births and deaths from 2022 to 2023 was 0.73% — 3,798 more people were born than died.

In 2023, Cape Verde ranks 133/196 for absolute natural population change and 112/196 for natural change rate, where a lower rank number indicates faster natural growth and a higher number indicates greater decline.

Birth rates in Cape Verde compared to other countries

	Cape Verde	Rank
Fertility rate	1.52	137/196
Birth rate	12.3	113/196
Population change due to births and deaths	+3,798	133/196
Natural population change rate	+0.73%	112/196
Population growth	+0.49%	136/197
Average age at childbearing	28.9 years	118/197
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19	36.1	86/197
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29	64.5	152/197
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+	21.6	106/197
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population	26.3%	38/196
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49	54.6%	59/179
Share of births attended by skilled health staff	97.3%	104/191
Maternal mortality per live birth	0.04%	103/193
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age)	0.83%	101/193
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age)	1.1%	107/196
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age	1.16%	116/192
Life expectancy	76.6 years	79/197

Birth rates by women's age

Annual births per 1,000 women

1x

Year	Annual births per 1,000 women
Year	Total	15-19	20-29	30+
2026	24.3	36.1	64.5	21.6
2025	24.5	37.1	65.3	21.9
2024	24.8	38.2	66.4	22.2
2023	25.1	39.1	67.3	22.3
2022	25.3	39.2	67.5	22.7
2021	25.6	39.7	68.8	22.8
2020	26.7	40.6	71	23.2
2019	29	45.6	76.8	24.1
2018	31.3	51.1	82.5	24.8
2017	34	56.1	89.4	25.9
2016	35	57.9	91.7	26
2015	35.3	57.2	92.8	25.9
2014	36.5	59.6	96.9	26.2
2013	37.1	61.7	99.4	26.2
2012	38.5	65.2	104.8	26.8
2011	41.4	71.6	115.7	28.1
2010	41.1	74.7	115.9	27.7
2009	39.1	72.4	112.3	26.7
2008	39.7	78.9	113	27.2
2007	41	82.5	116.9	29.3
2006	42.9	85.2	125.2	31.4
2005	45.1	88.3	134.4	33.9
2004	47.3	91.2	143.4	36.6
2003	48.7	93.4	149.9	38.8
2002	50.4	96.2	156.3	41.8
2001	52.3	99.6	163.6	44.8
2000	54.3	102.9	170.7	48.3
1999	56.4	106.3	178.1	51.9
1998	58.5	109.6	184.9	55.3
1997	60.3	109.3	192.8	58.3
1996	62.9	109.7	202.7	62.2
1995	66	113.6	212.9	66.2
1994	69.2	120.8	222	69.5
1993	72.4	128	230.9	72.5
1992	74.4	128	236.6	75.4
1991	75.9	126.9	241	77.5
1990	76.7	125.1	243.8	78.4
1989	77.6	122.9	247.2	79.2
1988	78.5	122.2	251.1	79.8
1987	79.2	119	255.7	81.1
1986	79.7	115.9	259.7	82.4
1985	79.8	112.4	263.3	83.4
1984	79.6	113.3	266.1	82.7
1983	79.9	115.4	270.8	82.9
1982	80.2	117.3	275.6	83.4
1981	80.5	118.8	280.2	84.2
1980	80.6	120.4	284.7	84.7
1979	81.8	122.1	289	86
1978	83	124.6	293.1	86.4
1977	84	126.7	296.6	85.8
1976	84.6	127.6	299.6	84.1
1975	84.9	127.1	302	81.6
1974	84.5	128.6	304	80.6
1973	83.8	129.4	306	80
1972	83.1	130.1	308	80.1
1971	81.9	130.6	310	80.1
1970	80.1	131.1	311	80.3
1969	80.2	131.5	311	84.2
1968	80.7	131.2	310	87.9
1967	81.5	131.1	309	91.1
1966	82.5	131.5	309	93.8
1965	83.8	132.1	308	95.8
1964	85.2	132.2	307	97.2
1963	86.9	132.4	306	98.1
1962	88.6	132	305	98.5
1961	89.5	131.4	304	96.6
1960	90.7	130.6	302	95.7

Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1960–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10); World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/cape-verde | CC BY

Above is a chart displaying birth rates in Cape Verde by maternal age. In 2026, of all live births, 13.4% will be to women under age 20, 40.9% to women ages 20-29, and 45.7% to women ages 30 and above. The respective shares in 1990 were 16.7%, 53.8%, and 29.6%.

Children 0-14 years as share of population by year

1x

Year	Children 0-14 as share of population
Year	Cape Verde	World
2100	11.1%	16.5%
2099	11.1%	16.6%
2098	11.2%	16.6%
2097	11.2%	16.7%
2096	11.3%	16.8%
2095	11.3%	16.8%
2094	11.4%	16.9%
2093	11.5%	17%
2092	11.6%	17%
2091	11.6%	17.1%
2090	11.7%	17.2%
2089	11.8%	17.2%
2088	11.8%	17.3%
2087	11.9%	17.4%
2086	11.9%	17.4%
2085	11.9%	17.5%
2084	12%	17.5%
2083	12%	17.6%
2082	11.9%	17.7%
2081	11.9%	17.7%
2080	11.9%	17.8%
2079	11.9%	17.8%
2078	11.8%	17.9%
2077	11.8%	17.9%
2076	11.7%	18%
2075	11.7%	18%
2074	11.7%	18.1%
2073	11.7%	18.2%
2072	11.7%	18.2%
2071	11.7%	18.3%
2070	11.8%	18.3%
2069	11.9%	18.4%
2068	12%	18.5%
2067	12.2%	18.6%
2066	12.3%	18.6%
2065	12.5%	18.7%
2064	12.7%	18.8%
2063	13%	18.9%
2062	13.2%	19.1%
2061	13.5%	19.2%
2060	13.7%	19.3%
2059	14%	19.4%
2058	14.2%	19.5%
2057	14.5%	19.6%
2056	14.7%	19.8%
2055	14.9%	19.9%
2054	15.1%	20%
2053	15.3%	20.1%
2052	15.4%	20.2%
2051	15.6%	20.3%
2050	15.7%	20.4%
2049	15.8%	20.5%
2048	15.9%	20.6%
2047	15.9%	20.7%
2046	16%	20.8%
2045	16.1%	20.9%
2044	16.1%	20.9%
2043	16.2%	21%
2042	16.2%	21.1%
2041	16.3%	21.2%
2040	16.3%	21.2%
2039	16.4%	21.3%
2038	16.5%	21.4%
2037	16.6%	21.5%
2036	16.7%	21.6%
2035	17.2%	21.8%
2034	17.9%	22%
2033	18.6%	22.2%
2032	19.4%	22.4%
2031	20.2%	22.7%
2030	21%	23%
2029	21.8%	23.3%
2028	22.6%	23.6%
2027	23.4%	23.9%
2026	24.3%	24.2%
2025	25.1%	24.6%
2024	25.5%	24.7%
2023	26.4%	25%
2022	27.2%	25.3%
2021	28%	25.6%
2020	28.4%	25.8%
2019	28.4%	26%
2018	28.4%	26.2%
2017	28.4%	26.4%
2016	28.5%	26.5%
2015	28.8%	26.6%
2014	29.2%	26.8%
2013	29.8%	26.9%
2012	30.4%	27%
2011	31.3%	27.1%
2010	32.2%	27.3%
2009	33.1%	27.5%
2008	34.1%	27.6%
2007	35%	27.9%
2006	36%	28.1%
2005	36.9%	28.5%
2004	37.9%	28.8%
2003	38.9%	29.2%
2002	39.9%	29.6%
2001	40.9%	30%
2000	41.8%	30.4%
1999	42.5%	30.8%
1998	43.2%	31.1%
1997	43.7%	31.5%
1996	44.2%	31.8%
1995	44.6%	32.1%
1994	44.9%	32.3%
1993	45.2%	32.5%
1992	45.5%	32.7%
1991	45.6%	32.9%
1990	45.7%	33%
1989	45.8%	33.2%
1988	45.9%	33.4%
1987	46.1%	33.6%
1986	46.2%	33.8%
1985	46.4%	34%
1984	46.6%	34.3%
1983	46.8%	34.6%
1982	47%	34.9%
1981	47.3%	35.2%
1980	47.4%	35.5%
1979	47.3%	35.9%
1978	46.9%	36.3%
1977	46.5%	36.7%
1976	45.9%	36.9%
1975	45.3%	37.1%
1974	44.9%	37.2%
1973	45%	37.3%
1972	45%	37.5%
1971	45%	37.6%
1970	45.2%	37.7%
1969	45.5%	37.8%
1968	45.9%	37.9%
1967	46.1%	38%
1966	46.2%	38%
1965	46.2%	38%
1964	46%	38%
1963	45.6%	37.8%
1962	45.1%	37.6%
1961	44.3%	37.5%
1960	43.6%	37.4%

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); United Nations | World Population Prospects (2025–2100, retrieved 2026-03-10).

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/cape-verde | CC BY

The share of children aged 0-14 in Cape Verde was 43.6% in 1960, 45.5% in 1992, and 25.5% as of the latest data in 2024.

More about the demographics of Cape Verde.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/cape-verde | CC BY

Maternal mortality by year

1x

Year	Maternal mortality per 100K births
Year	Cape Verde	World
2023	40	197
2022	42	203
2021	56	242
2020	56	211
2019	41	207
2018	43	211
2017	43	215
2016	44	220
2015	46	228
2014	48	231
2013	50	235
2012	51	239
2011	55	247
2010	61	253
2009	62	258
2008	68	264
2007	73	269
2006	76	276
2005	75	283
2004	80	291
2003	86	301
2002	92	311
2001	101	321
2000	110	328
1999	122	340
1998	134	360
1997	147	358
1996	167	366
1995	196	371
1994	214	382
1993	233	389
1992	255	395
1991	277	395
1990	298	391
1989	322	401
1988	346	414
1987	366	429
1986	394	438
1985	420	460

Data sources: World Bank | Gender (1985–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/cape-verde | CC BY

The maternal mortality rate in Cape Verde was 40 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023 — a 0.04% chance of dying during childbirth or within 42 days of pregnancy termination. This is a 63.6% decrease compared to the year 2000.

Under-five mortality by year

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x

Year	Under 5 mortality rate
Year	Cape Verde	World
2023	1.16%	2.49%
2022	1.21%	2.59%
2021	1.27%	2.66%
2020	1.33%	2.75%
2019	1.41%	2.86%
2018	1.51%	2.97%
2017	1.62%	3.11%
2016	1.76%	3.22%
2015	1.91%	3.35%
2014	2.09%	3.48%
2013	2.26%	3.61%
2012	2.42%	3.77%
2011	2.56%	3.97%
2010	2.67%	4.11%
2009	2.75%	4.31%
2008	2.79%	4.5%
2007	2.8%	4.7%
2006	2.8%	4.92%
2005	2.8%	5.16%
2004	2.82%	5.43%
2003	2.9%	5.65%
2002	3.05%	5.94%
2001	3.28%	6.21%
2000	3.6%	6.48%
1999	4%	6.75%
1998	4.44%	7.05%
1997	4.84%	7.28%
1996	5.17%	7.52%
1995	5.37%	7.76%
1994	5.45%	7.98%
1993	5.46%	8.19%
1992	5.46%	8.46%
1991	5.5%	8.66%
1990	5.64%	8.81%
1989	5.88%	9.02%
1988	6.21%	9.31%
1987	6.59%	9.47%
1986	6.95%	9.81%
1985	7.25%	10.1%
1984	7.46%	10.4%
1983	7.59%	10.6%
1982	7.65%	10.8%
1981	7.72%	11%
1980	7.82%	11.4%
1979	8%	11.7%
1978	8.27%	12.2%
1977	8.65%	12.6%
1976	9.09%	13%
1975	9.6%	13.4%
1974	10.2%	13.8%
1973	10.8%	14.1%
1972	11.5%	14.5%
1971	12.1%	15.1%
1970	12.8%	15.2%
1969	13.4%	15.4%
1968	14%	15.6%
1967	14.5%	15.9%
1966	15%	16.1%
1965	15.4%	16.4%
1964	15.9%	16.6%
1963	16.2%	16.5%
1962	16.6%	16.7%
1961	16.9%	17%
1960	17.2%	17.2%

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/cape-verde | CC BY

The under-5 mortality rate in Cape Verde was 11.6 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2023 — a 1.16% chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five. This is down from 36 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2000.