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Economy of Bahamas vs Cape Verde compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Bahamas has a GDP of $15.8B compared to $2.73B for Cape Verde, ranking 140/197 and 172/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Bahamas has $11.5B in government debt (72.5% of GDP), compared to $3.03B (111.2% of GDP) in Cape Verde.

Bahamas vs Cape Verde GDP by year

Bahamas
Cape Verde
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bahamas Cape Verde
2024 $15,832,800,000 $2,725,414,151
2023 $15,271,300,000 $2,504,525,549
2022 $13,896,800,000 $2,247,003,344
2021 $12,037,000,000 $2,051,842,619
2020 $10,363,200,000 $1,821,565,614
2019 $13,277,000,000 $2,252,177,124
2018 $12,819,200,000 $2,205,099,507
2017 $12,446,900,000 $1,996,741,540
2016 $11,880,900,000 $1,849,789,986
2015 $11,837,600,000 $1,749,857,620
2014 $11,139,100,000 $2,041,930,125
2013 $10,475,300,000 $2,028,910,915
2012 $10,720,400,000 $1,913,081,210
2011 $10,070,450,000 $2,046,817,987
2010 $10,095,760,000 $1,824,751,468
2009 $9,981,960,000 $1,852,334,575
2008 $10,526,000,000 $1,959,620,648
2007 $10,618,340,000 $1,649,621,739
2006 $10,167,250,000 $1,107,571,458
2005 $9,836,200,000 $972,241,677
2004 $9,055,290,000 $924,940,012
2003 $8,870,090,000 $813,260,469
2002 $8,881,160,000 $620,507,387
2001 $8,317,830,000 $563,090,490
2000 $8,076,470,000 $539,227,278
1999 $7,683,870,000 $592,416,703
1998 $6,833,220,000 $521,910,561
1997 $6,332,360,000 $490,608,658
1996 $3,609,000,000 $501,979,270
1995 $3,429,000,000 $487,148,994
1994 $3,259,000,000 $406,580,652
1993 $3,092,000,000 $490,417,390
1992 $3,109,000,000 $357,160,985
1991 $3,111,160,000 $319,827,059
1990 $3,166,000,000 $306,890,963
1989 $3,062,000,000 $267,448,571
1988 $2,817,900,000 $264,308,140
1987 $2,713,999,900 $235,253,065
1986 $2,472,500,000 $190,651,168
1985 $2,320,699,900 $137,728,205
1984 $2,041,100,000 $132,019,039
1983 $1,732,800,000 $138,476,176
1982 $1,578,300,000 $140,630,679
1981 $1,426,500,000 $139,468,209
1980 $1,335,300,000 $142,246,815
1979 $1,139,800,100 -
1978 $832,400,000 -
1977 $713,000,000 -
1976 $642,100,000 -
1975 $596,200,000 -
1974 $632,400,000 -
1973 $670,900,000 -
1972 $590,900,000 -
1971 $573,400,000 -
1970 $539,500,000 -
1969 $538,700,000 -
1968 $453,800,000 -
1967 $398,000,000 -
1966 $346,800,000 -
1965 $300,272,048 -
1964 $266,560,043 -
1963 $237,650,038 -
1962 $212,170,034 -
1961 $190,022,030 -
1960 $169,736,027 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/cape-verde | CC BY

GDP per capita in Bahamas vs Cape Verde by year

Bahamas
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Cape Verde
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bahamas Cape Verde
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $39,455 $41,198 $5,192 $11,195
2023 $38,232 $39,090 $4,795 $10,242
2022 $34,957 $36,791 $4,323 $9,481
2021 $30,368 $31,065 $3,971 $7,685
2020 $26,179 $27,205 $3,539 $6,853
2019 $33,640 $36,116 $4,381 $8,646
2018 $32,642 $35,228 $4,295 $7,916
2017 $31,875 $34,282 $3,893 $7,936
2016 $30,617 $32,285 $3,609 $7,351
2015 $30,719 $32,138 $3,415 $6,773
2014 $29,137 $31,726 $3,986 $6,417
2013 $27,643 $30,294 $3,961 $6,367
2012 $28,552 $31,036 $3,737 $6,318
2011 $27,091 $30,074 $4,002 $6,384
2010 $27,473 $29,625 $3,579 $6,039
2009 $27,513 $29,197 $3,660 $5,901
2008 $29,392 $30,679 $3,909 $6,011
2007 $30,052 $31,232 $3,325 $5,567
2006 $29,185 $30,402 $2,257 $4,758
2005 $28,602 $29,143 $2,004 $4,324
2004 $26,650 $27,660 $1,929 $3,969
2003 $26,429 $27,031 $1,718 $3,551
2002 $26,782 $27,171 $1,329 $3,388
2001 $25,372 $26,351 $1,223 $3,217
2000 $24,940 $25,422 $1,190 $3,124
1999 $24,041 $24,184 $1,327 $2,714
1998 $21,667 $22,556 $1,187 $2,443
1997 $20,368 $21,606 $1,134 $2,182
1996 $11,784 $21,287 $1,180 $1,963
1995 $11,375 $20,377 $1,165 $1,762
1994 $10,991 $19,441 $991 $1,540
1993 $10,613 $18,781 $1,220 $1,291
1992 $10,873 $18,636 $908 $1,186
1991 $11,082 $19,296 $832 $1,069
1990 $11,473 $19,817 $817 $1,044
1989 $11,291 - $727 -
1988 $10,576 - $729 -
1987 $10,361 - $658 -
1986 $9,601 - $541 -
1985 $9,167 - $396 -
1984 $8,202 - $385 -
1983 $7,081 - $410 -
1982 $6,559 - $423 -
1981 $6,029 - $425 -
1980 $5,743 - $440 -
1979 $4,994 - - -
1978 $3,720 - - -
1977 $3,253 - - -
1976 $2,993 - - -
1975 $2,841 - - -
1974 $3,080 - - -
1973 $3,341 - - -
1972 $3,014 - - -
1971 $3,004 - - -
1970 $2,916 - - -
1969 $3,027 - - -
1968 $2,668 - - -
1967 $2,453 - - -
1966 $2,239 - - -
1965 $2,030 - - -
1964 $1,883 - - -
1963 $1,759 - - -
1962 $1,651 - - -
1961 $1,555 - - -
1960 $1,459 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/cape-verde | CC BY

The Bahamas' GDP per capita is $39,455, ranking 30/197, compared to $5,192 in Cape Verde, ranking 118/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Bahamas ranks 57th at $41,198, while Cape Verde ranks 129th at $11,195.

Economic indicators

Bahamas Cape Verde
Gross domestic product
$15.8B
2024
$2.73B
2024
GDP rank
140/197
2024
172/197
2024
GDP growth
3.38%
2023-2024
7.24%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$39,455
2024
$5,192
2024
GDP per capita rank
30/197
2024
118/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,198
2024
$11,195
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
57/197
2024
129/197
2024
Government debt
$11.5B
2024
$3.03B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
72.5%
2024
111.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$28,616
2024
$5,776
2024
Government debt per person rank
25/185
2024
76/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$29,535
2026
$2,576
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
32.3%
2015
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.2%
2015
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20.6%
2024
26.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.41%
2023-2024
1%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4%
2016
1.5%
2024
Unemployment rate
8.65%
2023
11.3%
2019
Population
405203
530391

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bahamas
Spending

Debt
Cape Verde
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bahamas Cape Verde
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 20.6% 72.5% 26.1% 111.2%
2023 22.2% 74.8% 25.7% 117.5%
2022 23.9% 79.1% 26.6% 127.6%
2021 26.9% 84.5% 30.8% 149.5%
2020 28.2% 81.9% 34.5% 144.3%
2019 19.9% 59.3% 27.5% 109.8%
2018 19.2% 60.6% 27.5% 112.3%
2017 22.5% 53.4% 28% 113%
2016 19.4% 51% 26.6% 115.6%
2015 17.9% 48.5% 28.7% 115.7%
2014 17.6% 46.3% 27.8% 105.7%
2013 18.4% 44.8% 30.9% 93.5%
2012 16.5% 36.4% 31.6% 82.9%
2011 17.1% 35.3% 30.3% 71.6%
2010 15.3% 33.7% 35.7% 73.5%
2009 15.6% 30.9% 30.6% 58.8%
2008 14.4% 25.5% 27.6% 57.5%
2007 13.3% 23% 27.1% 59.6%
2006 13% 22.8% 28.4% 66.2%
2005 12.3% 22% 26.2% 66.7%
2004 12.4% 21.4% 26.3% 67.8%
2003 11.8% 20.9% 23.4% 65.6%
2002 11.3% 18.8% 28.5% 64.7%
2001 11.2% 18.2% 24.2% 62.2%
2000 11.3% 18.7% 36.7% 71.9%
1999 8.78% 18.7% 35% 66.4%
1998 11.6% 20% 29.8% 72.9%
1997 12.5% 20.8% 34.8% 79.3%
1996 11.2% 20.2% 38.9% 85.7%
1995 11.2% 20.5% 44.5% 74.3%
1994 11.4% 20.4% 48.1% 73.4%
1993 11.5% 19.8% - -
1992 11.8% 17.9% - -
1991 12% 15.4% - -
1990 11.4% 13.2% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1994–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/cape-verde | CC BY

In 2024, the Bahamas' government spending was $3.26B, accounting for 20.6% of its GDP, while Cape Verde spent $711M, or 26.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 72.5% in the Bahamas and 111.2% in Cape Verde, ranking 53/185 and 16/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bahamas

Cape Verde
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bahamas Cape Verde
2024 -1.18% -1.07%
2023 -3.49% -0.28%
2022 -5.16% -4.25%
2021 -11.1% -7.51%
2020 -8.09% -9.29%
2019 -1.65% -1.62%
2018 -3.24% -2.36%
2017 -5.92% -2.63%
2016 -2.61% -2.73%
2015 -3.24% -4.16%
2014 -4.38% -6.93%
2013 -5.16% -8.49%
2012 -3.15% -9.36%
2011 -2.87% -6.98%
2010 -2.56% -9.6%
2009 -2.45% -5.32%
2008 -0.83% -1.42%
2007 -0.76% -0.86%
2006 -0.43% -4.32%
2005 -1.11% -4.69%
2004 -1.93% -2.98%
2003 -1.63% -3.63%
2002 -1.62% -6.14%
2001 0.3% -5.03%
2000 0.09% -15.5%
1999 1.68% -10.9%
1998 -0.41% -3.16%
1997 -1.56% -10.2%
1996 -0.15% -11.2%
1995 0.18% -11.1%
1994 -0.39% -12.8%
1993 -1.05% -
1992 -2.23% -
1991 -2.29% -
1990 -2.64% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/cape-verde | CC BY

In 2024, the Bahamas' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $187M, equivalent to 1.18% of GDP. This compares to Cape Verde's deficit of $29.1M, or 1.07% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, the Bahamas recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while Cape Verde ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, the Bahamas posted an annual deficit equal to 2.41% of GDP, compared to deficit of 6.02% of GDP for Cape Verde.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bahamas

Cape Verde
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bahamas Cape Verde
2024 0.41% 1%
2023 3.05% 3.7%
2022 5.61% 7.9%
2021 2.9% 1.9%
2020 0.04% 0.6%
2019 2.49% 1.1%
2018 2.27% 1.3%
2017 1.52% 0.8%
2016 -0.35% -1.4%
2015 1.86% 0.1%
2014 1.51% -0.2%
2013 0.72% 1.5%
2012 1.97% 2.5%
2011 3.2% 4.5%
2010 1.34% 2.1%
2009 2.06% 1%
2008 4.49% 6.8%
2007 2.49% 4.4%
2006 2.39% 4.8%
2005 1.59% 0.4%
2004 0.98% -1.9%
2003 3.03% 1.2%
2002 2.17% 1.9%
2001 2.04% 3.7%
2000 1.61% -2.4%
1999 1.25% 4.3%
1998 1.34% 4.4%
1997 0.54% 8.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/cape-verde | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Bahamas has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.95%, compared with 2.31% in Cape Verde. In 2024, inflation was 0.41% in the Bahamas and 1% in Cape Verde.

Balance of trade

Bahamas Cape Verde
Current account balance
-$1.05B
2024
$107M
2024
Current account balance ranking
127/190
2024
67/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-6.65%
2024
+3.91%
2024
Goods imports
$4.6B
2024
$1.17B
2024
Goods exports
$874M
2024
$328M
2024
Service imports
$2.47B
2024
$298M
2024
Service exports
$5.9B
2024
$830M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.5%
2024
54%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.8%
2024
42.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Bahamas Cape Verde
Economic freedom 65.1 71.4
Economic freedom ranking 66/197 32/197
Property rights 62.7 72.7
Government integrity 67.1 63.3
Judicial effectiveness 79.8 77.1
Tax burden 96.1 84.4
Government spending 83.8 79.5
Fiscal health 9.1 74.4
Business freedom 69.4 78.9
Labor freedom 66.5 59.5
Monetary freedom 77.2 80.4
Trade freedom 59.4 66.6
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bahamas
Cape Verde
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bahamas Cape Verde
2026 65.1 71.4
2025 63.2 68.7
2024 62.5 62.9
2023 62.6 65.8
2022 68.7 66.7
2021 64.6 63.8
2020 64.5 63.6
2019 62.9 63.1
2018 63.3 60
2017 61.1 56.9
2016 70.9 66.5
2015 68.7 66.4
2014 69.8 66.1
2013 70.1 63.7
2012 68 63.5
2011 68 64.6
2010 67.3 61.8
2009 70.3 61.3
2008 71.1 57.9
2007 72 56.5
2006 72.3 58.6
2005 72.6 57.8
2004 72.1 58.1
2003 73.5 56.1
2002 74.4 57.6
2001 74.8 56.3
2000 73.9 51.9
1999 74.7 50.7
1998 74.5 48
1997 74.5 47.7
1996 74 49.7
1995 71.8 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/cape-verde | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the Bahamas is 65.1, ranking 66/197, compared to 71.4 for Cape Verde, ranking 32/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bahamas Cape Verde
Services, % of GDP
77.2%
2024
68.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
9.63%
2024
10.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.51%
2024
4.92%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$14.9B
2024
$2.6B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$39,550
2024
$11,000
2024
Total reserves including gold
$2.51B
2023
$783M
2024
Total reserves ranking
122/177
2023
144/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$77.6M
2024
-$89.2M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$241M
2024
$110M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$163M
2024
$20.8M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
5.69%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
9.3%
2020
24.8%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.8%
2024
16.4%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/cape-verde | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1994–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.