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Economy of Bhutan vs Cape Verde compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bhutan has a GDP of $3.01B compared to $2.73B for Cape Verde, ranking 170/197 and 172/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bhutan has $3.53B in government debt (110.4% of GDP), compared to $3.03B (111.2% of GDP) in Cape Verde.

Bhutan vs Cape Verde GDP by year

Bhutan
Cape Verde
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bhutan Cape Verde
2024 - $2,725,414,151
2023 $3,012,896,789 $2,504,525,549
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 (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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
2024 - - $5,192 $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 (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Bhutan's GDP per capita is $3,831, ranking 132/197, compared to $5,192 in Cape Verde, ranking 118/197. 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
$3.01B
2023
$2.73B
2024
GDP rank
170/197
2023
172/197
2024
GDP growth
4.63%
2022-2023
7.24%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,831
2023
$5,192
2024
GDP per capita rank
132/197
2023
118/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$16,215
2023
$11,195
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
109/197
2023
129/197
2024
Government debt
$3.53B
2023
$3.03B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
110.4%
2024
111.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,485
2023
$5,776
2024
Government debt per person rank
87/185
2023
76/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,506
2026
$2,576
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
27.1%
2024
26.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.3%
2023-2024
1%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
1.5%
2024
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2024
11.3%
2019
Population
803385
530391

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
2024 27.1% 110.4% 26.1% 111.2%
2023 28.8% 117.1% 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% 144.3%
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% 73.5%
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1987–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Bhutan's government spending was $869M, accounting for 27.1% of its GDP, while Cape Verde spent $711M, or 26.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 110.4% in Bhutan and 111.2% in Cape Verde, ranking 17/185 and 16/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bhutan

Cape Verde
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bhutan Cape Verde
2024 -0.17% -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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1987–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2023, Bhutan's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $142M, equivalent to 4.73% of GDP. This compares to Cape Verde's deficit of $6.95M, or 0.28% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Bhutan recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Cape Verde ran a deficit in 30 years. On average, Bhutan posted an annual deficit equal to 2.44% of GDP, compared to deficit of 6.18% of GDP for Cape Verde.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bhutan

Cape Verde
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bhutan Cape Verde
2024 4.3% 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 (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 28 years, Bhutan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.75%, compared with 2.31% in Cape Verde. In 2024, inflation was 4.3% in Bhutan and 1% in Cape Verde.

Balance of trade

Bhutan Cape Verde
Current account balance
-$670M
2024
$107M
2024
Current account balance ranking
114/190
2024
67/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-32%
2023
+3.91%
2024
Goods imports
$1.29B
2024
$1.17B
2024
Goods exports
$656M
2024
$328M
2024
Service imports
$228M
2024
$298M
2024
Service exports
$288M
2024
$830M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.3%
2023
54%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.4%
2023
42.5%
2024

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 2026-03-09).

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
52.8%
2023
68.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2023
10.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
15%
2023
4.92%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.93B
2023
$2.6B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$15,320
2023
$11,000
2024
Total reserves including gold
$941M
2024
$783M
2024
Total reserves ranking
143/177
2024
144/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$22.8M
2024
-$89.2M
2024
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
4.96%
2023
5.69%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.4%
2022
24.8%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
45.3%
2023
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/bhutan/cape-verde | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, 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 (1987–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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.