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Economy of Bhutan vs Cape Verde compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Bhutan has a GDP of $3.58B compared to $3.06B for Cape Verde, ranking 167/197 and 172/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bhutan has $3.71B in government debt (103.6% of GDP), compared to $3.09B (101% of GDP) in Cape Verde.

Bhutan vs Cape Verde GDP by year

Bhutan
Cape Verde
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bhutan Cape Verde
2025 $3,579,320,145 $3,056,630,435
2024 $3,346,603,859 $2,713,721,857
2023 $3,012,896,790 $2,504,525,538
2022 $2,898,227,744 $2,247,003,344
2021 $2,768,802,960 $2,051,842,619
2020 $2,457,604,334 $1,821,565,614
2019 $2,735,683,570 $2,252,177,124
2018 $2,583,335,722 $2,205,099,507
2017 $2,591,358,009 $1,996,741,540
2016 $2,357,504,761 $1,849,789,986
2015 $2,187,815,803 $1,749,857,620
2014 $2,089,079,571 $2,041,930,125
2013 $1,943,696,952 $2,028,910,915
2012 $1,973,387,228 $1,913,081,210
2011 $1,977,728,659 $2,046,817,987
2010 $1,708,880,730 $1,824,751,468
2009 $1,331,343,798 $1,852,334,575
2008 $1,317,517,835 $1,959,620,648
2007 $1,255,767,964 $1,649,621,739
2006 $942,879,879 $1,107,571,458
2005 $860,391,000 $972,241,677
2004 $735,348,490 $924,940,012
2003 $651,935,430 $813,260,469
2002 $559,345,264 $620,507,387
2001 $496,110,226 $563,090,490
2000 $460,733,418 $539,227,278
1999 $399,311,200 $592,416,703
1998 $363,458,381 $521,910,561
1997 $352,229,077 $490,608,658
1996 $303,408,346 $501,979,270
1995 $290,490,984 $487,148,994
1994 $258,954,708 $406,580,652
1993 $225,973,693 $490,417,390
1992 $240,233,531 $357,160,985
1991 $240,294,286 $319,827,059
1990 $287,765,007 $306,890,963
1989 $264,798,626 $267,448,571
1988 $272,298,067 $264,308,140
1987 $242,742,766 $235,253,065
1986 $191,218,115 $190,651,168
1985 $163,288,815 $137,728,205
1984 $160,423,494 $132,019,039
1983 $156,704,290 $138,476,176
1982 $141,439,317 $140,630,679
1981 $139,174,178 $139,468,209
1980 $128,669,201 $142,246,815
1979 $105,377,995 -
1978 $94,086,228 -
1977 $97,884,434 -
1976 $88,461,263 -
1975 $86,820,762 -
1974 $92,901,784 -
1973 $78,900,289 -
1972 $70,139,867 -
1971 $66,289,450 -
1970 $61,812,113 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Bhutan vs Cape Verde by year

Bhutan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Cape Verde
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bhutan Cape Verde
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $4,493 - $5,796 -
2024 $4,228 - $5,170 $11,195
2023 $3,831 $16,215 $4,795 $10,242
2022 $3,711 $15,064 $4,323 $9,481
2021 $3,571 $13,459 $3,971 $7,685
2020 $3,192 $12,475 $3,539 $6,853
2019 $3,577 $12,909 $4,381 $8,646
2018 $3,400 $11,970 $4,295 $7,916
2017 $3,435 $11,677 $3,893 $7,936
2016 $3,152 $11,273 $3,609 $7,351
2015 $2,954 $10,214 $3,415 $6,773
2014 $2,849 $9,323 $3,986 $6,417
2013 $2,680 $8,667 $3,961 $6,367
2012 $2,751 $8,577 $3,737 $6,318
2011 $2,788 $7,935 $4,002 $6,384
2010 $2,436 $7,246 $3,579 $6,039
2009 $1,918 $6,466 $3,660 $5,901
2008 $1,920 $6,035 $3,909 $6,011
2007 $1,850 $5,729 $3,325 $5,567
2006 $1,406 $4,860 $2,257 $4,758
2005 $1,300 $4,523 $2,004 $4,324
2004 $1,130 $4,173 $1,929 $3,969
2003 $1,022 $3,942 $1,718 $3,551
2002 $896 $3,663 $1,329 $3,388
2001 $812 $3,338 $1,223 $3,217
2000 $772 $3,113 $1,190 $3,124
1999 $685 $3,017 $1,327 $2,714
1998 $638 $2,819 $1,187 $2,443
1997 $630 $2,683 $1,134 $2,182
1996 $553 $2,548 $1,180 $1,963
1995 $530 $2,374 $1,165 $1,762
1994 $467 $2,146 $991 $1,540
1993 $407 $2,001 $1,220 $1,291
1992 $416 $1,840 $908 $1,186
1991 $401 $1,657 $832 $1,069
1990 $488 $1,638 $817 $1,044
1989 $462 - $727 -
1988 $489 - $729 -
1987 $449 - $658 -
1986 $365 - $541 -
1985 $321 - $396 -
1984 $326 - $385 -
1983 $328 - $410 -
1982 $306 - $423 -
1981 $311 - $425 -
1980 $296.9 - $440 -
1979 $251.4 - - -
1978 $232.2 - - -
1977 $249.9 - - -
1976 $233.7 - - -
1975 $237.4 - - -
1974 $262.8 - - -
1973 $230.9 - - -
1972 $212.4 - - -
1971 $207.7 - - -
1970 $200.3 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Bhutan's GDP per capita is $4,493, ranking 128/197, compared to $5,796 in Cape Verde, ranking 116/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bhutan ranks 109th at $16,215, while Cape Verde ranks 129th at $11,195.

Economic indicators

Bhutan Cape Verde
Gross domestic product
$3.58B
2025
$3.06B
2025
GDP rank
167/197
2025
172/197
2025
GDP growth
8.01%
2024-2025
6.3%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$4,493
2025
$5,796
2025
GDP per capita rank
128/197
2025
116/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$16,215
2023
$11,195
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
109/197
2023
129/197
2024
Government debt
$3.71B
2025
$3.09B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
103.6%
2025
101%
2025
Government debt per person
$4,655
2025
$5,854
2025
Government debt per person rank
88/185
2025
77/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,215
2026
$2,506
2026
Income share by richest 10%
22.7%
2022
32.3%
2015
Income share by poorest 10%
3.6%
2022
2.2%
2015
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.5%
2025
27%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.6%
2024-2025
2.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
1.5%
2024
Unemployment rate
3.36%
2025
11.3%
2019
Population
805057
530853

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bhutan
Spending

Debt
Cape Verde
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bhutan Cape Verde
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 30.5% 103.6% 27% 101%
2024 28.3% 108.7% 26.1% 112.8%
2023 28.9% 117.2% 25.7% 117.5%
2022 32.1% 119.9% 26.6% 127.6%
2021 36.6% 124.5% 30.8% 149.5%
2020 30.9% 116% 34.5% 149.1%
2019 24.2% 100.8% 27.5% 109.8%
2018 31.7% 103.4% 27.5% 112.3%
2017 30.6% 104.1% 28% 113%
2016 30.5% 103% 26.6% 115.6%
2015 27.5% 90.2% 28.7% 115.7%
2014 28.9% 89.8% 27.8% 105.7%
2013 32.5% 87.4% 30.9% 93.5%
2012 35.1% 71.5% 31.6% 82.9%
2011 36.1% 62.3% 30.3% 71.6%
2010 41.5% 55.8% 35.7% 66.2%
2009 39.3% 61% 30.6% 58.8%
2008 36.1% 60.6% 27.6% 57.5%
2007 33.2% 67.3% 27.1% 59.6%
2006 33.4% 80.1% 28.4% 66.2%
2005 36.4% 80.8% 26.2% 66.7%
2004 31% 76% 26.3% 67.8%
2003 34.7% 68.5% 23.4% 65.6%
2002 39.3% 57.7% 28.5% 64.7%
2001 50.3% 52.4% 24.2% 62.2%
2000 43% 44% 36.7% 71.9%
1999 40.2% 39.2% 35% 66.4%
1998 31.1% 36.4% 29.8% 72.9%
1997 37.8% 33% 34.8% 79.3%
1996 37.9% 36.8% 38.9% 85.7%
1995 38.6% 38.7% 44.5% 74.3%
1994 37.9% 53.2% 48.1% 73.4%
1993 35.2% 60.2% - -
1992 34.5% 35.6% - -
1991 30.8% 33.5% - -
1990 35.8% 27.4% - -
1989 46.8% 26.4% - -
1988 45.3% 24.7% - -
1987 47.5% 17.3% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1987–1996, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Bhutan's government spending was $1.09B, accounting for 30.5% of its GDP, while Cape Verde spent $827M, or 27% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 103.6% in Bhutan and 101% in Cape Verde, ranking 19/185 and 23/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bhutan

Cape Verde
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bhutan Cape Verde
2025 -2.7% 1.06%
2024 -1.79% -1.07%
2023 -4.73% -0.28%
2022 -6.95% -4.25%
2021 -5.76% -7.51%
2020 -1.81% -9.29%
2019 -1.49% -1.62%
2018 -1.52% -2.36%
2017 -4.49% -2.63%
2016 -2.31% -2.73%
2015 -0.49% -4.16%
2014 2.46% -6.93%
2013 -4.55% -8.49%
2012 -2.1% -9.36%
2011 -3.02% -6.98%
2010 1.92% -9.6%
2009 -0.8% -5.32%
2008 -2.57% -1.42%
2007 0.79% -0.86%
2006 -0.07% -4.32%
2005 -6.96% -4.69%
2004 1.8% -2.98%
2003 -10.2% -3.63%
2002 -4.33% -6.14%
2001 -12.2% -5.03%
2000 -3.39% -15.5%
1999 -1.28% -10.9%
1998 1.28% -3.16%
1997 -1.92% -10.2%
1996 2.55% -11.2%
1995 -0.88% -11.1%
1994 -0.13% -12.8%
1993 4.71% -
1992 -3.47% -
1991 -0.48% -
1990 -7.21% -
1989 -10.1% -
1988 1.33% -
1987 -0.56% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1987–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Bhutan's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $96.7M, equivalent to 2.7% of GDP. This compares to Cape Verde's surplus of $32.3M, or 1.06% of GDP.

Over the past 32 years, Bhutan recorded a fiscal deficit in 26 of those years, while Cape Verde ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Bhutan posted an annual deficit equal to 2.43% of GDP, compared to deficit of 5.8% of GDP for Cape Verde.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bhutan

Cape Verde
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bhutan Cape Verde
2025 2.6% 2.3%
2024 4.3% 1.1%
2023 4.5% 3.7%
2022 5.9% 7.9%
2021 8.2% 1.9%
2020 3% 0.6%
2019 2.8% 1.1%
2018 3.6% 1.3%
2017 4.3% 0.8%
2016 3.3% -1.4%
2015 6.7% 0.1%
2014 9.6% -0.2%
2013 8.1% 1.5%
2012 10.1% 2.5%
2011 8.6% 4.5%
2010 4.8% 2.1%
2009 7.1% 1%
2008 6.3% 6.8%
2007 5.2% 4.4%
2006 4.9% 4.8%
2005 4.8% 0.4%
2004 3.3% -1.9%
2003 2.5% 1.2%
2002 2.9% 1.9%
2001 3.7% 3.7%
2000 7.2% -2.4%
1999 9.1% 4.3%
1998 7.6% 4.4%
1997 8.6% 8.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Bhutan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.64%, compared with 2.31% in Cape Verde. In 2025, inflation was 2.6% in Bhutan and 2.3% in Cape Verde.

Balance of trade

Bhutan Cape Verde
Current account balance
-$649M
2024
$108M
2025
Current account balance ranking
105/190
2024
63/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-19.4%
2024
+3.53%
2025
Goods imports
$1.28B
2024
$1.29B
2025
Goods exports
$660M
2024
$344M
2025
Service imports
$228M
2024
$350M
2025
Service exports
$288M
2024
$940M
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
47.9%
2024
53.4%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.5%
2024
42%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Bhutan Cape Verde
Economic freedom 57.5 71.4
Economic freedom ranking 115/197 32/197
Property rights 69.2 72.7
Government integrity 72.2 63.3
Judicial effectiveness 61.8 77.1
Tax burden 83.4 84.4
Government spending 74.1 79.5
Fiscal health 25.8 74.4
Business freedom 67.8 78.9
Labor freedom 60.1 59.5
Monetary freedom 71.6 80.4
Trade freedom 63.4 66.6
Investment freedom 20 60
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bhutan
Cape Verde
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bhutan Cape Verde
2026 57.5 71.4
2025 57.5 68.7
2024 55.4 62.9
2023 59 65.8
2022 59.3 66.7
2021 58.3 63.8
2020 62.1 63.6
2019 62.9 63.1
2018 61.8 60
2017 58.4 56.9
2016 59.5 66.5
2015 57.4 66.4
2014 56.7 66.1
2013 55 63.7
2012 56.6 63.5
2011 57.6 64.6
2010 57 61.8
2009 57.7 61.3
2008 - 57.9
2007 - 56.5
2006 - 58.6
2005 - 57.8
2004 - 58.1
2003 - 56.1
2002 - 57.6
2001 - 56.3
2000 - 51.9
1999 - 50.7
1998 - 48
1997 - 47.7
1996 - 49.7

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Bhutan is 57.5, ranking 115/197, 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

Bhutan Cape Verde
Services, % of GDP
53.2%
2025
67.9%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
33.2%
2025
10.7%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
13.7%
2025
5.04%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$3.43B
2025
$2.95B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$18,520
2025
$12,010
2025
Total reserves including gold
$1.19B
2025
$1.26B
2025
Total reserves ranking
140/177
2025
138/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.82M
2024
-$130M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.82M
2024
$110M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$20.8M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.11%
2024
5.72%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.4%
2022
24.8%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
42.6%
2024
17.4%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1987–1996, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.