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Economy of Cape Verde vs Central African Republic compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Cape Verde has a GDP of $2.73B compared to $2.75B for the Central African Republic, ranking 172/197 and 171/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cape Verde has $3.03B in government debt (111.2% of GDP), compared to $1.67B (60.7% of GDP) in the Central African Republic.

Cape Verde vs Central African Republic GDP by year

Cape Verde
Central African Republic
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cape Verde CAR
2024 $2,725,414,151 $2,751,494,281
2023 $2,504,525,549 $2,555,492,086
2022 $2,247,003,344 $2,382,618,615
2021 $2,051,842,619 $2,516,498,412
2020 $1,821,565,614 $2,326,720,900
2019 $2,252,177,124 $2,221,301,351
2018 $2,205,099,507 $2,220,979,146
2017 $1,996,741,540 $2,072,349,973
2016 $1,849,789,986 $1,825,018,145
2015 $1,749,857,620 $1,695,825,714
2014 $2,041,930,125 $1,894,813,389
2013 $2,028,910,915 $1,691,544,110
2012 $1,913,081,210 $2,510,126,512
2011 $2,046,817,987 $2,437,982,705
2010 $1,824,751,468 $2,142,591,540
2009 $1,852,334,575 $2,067,381,665
2008 $1,959,620,648 $1,993,407,888
2007 $1,649,621,739 $1,699,811,295
2006 $1,107,571,458 $1,461,859,762
2005 $972,241,677 $1,337,894,379
2004 $924,940,012 $1,272,360,517
2003 $813,260,469 $1,142,315,523
2002 $620,507,387 $996,068,145
2001 $563,090,490 $932,648,605
2000 $539,227,278 $916,777,283
1999 $592,416,703 $999,477,511
1998 $521,910,561 $967,338,390
1997 $490,608,658 $937,741,513
1996 $501,979,270 $1,007,791,127
1995 $487,148,994 $1,115,389,674
1994 $406,580,652 $851,174,357
1993 $490,417,390 $1,278,781,262
1992 $357,160,985 $1,411,917,553
1991 $319,827,059 $1,377,374,987
1990 $306,890,963 $1,440,711,459
1989 $267,448,571 $1,233,930,281
1988 $264,308,140 $1,264,899,288
1987 $235,253,065 $1,200,991,978
1986 $190,651,168 $1,122,265,013
1985 $137,728,205 $864,849,836
1984 $132,019,039 $637,820,670
1983 $138,476,176 $658,679,333
1982 $140,630,679 $748,312,391
1981 $139,468,209 $694,803,623
1980 $142,246,815 $797,048,199
1979 - $700,764,748
1978 - $610,578,632
1977 - $507,298,148
1976 - $451,152,461
1975 - $378,660,016
1974 - $281,398,706
1973 - $271,183,082
1972 - $230,317,883
1971 - $201,450,800
1970 - $189,106,529
1969 - $188,039,210
1968 - $191,767,442
1967 - $163,820,514
1966 - $157,930,018
1965 - $150,574,795
1964 - $142,025,079
1963 - $129,379,124
1962 - $124,482,774
1961 - $123,134,583
1960 - $112,155,598

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

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/central-african-republic | CC BY

GDP per capita in Cape Verde vs Central African Republic by year

Cape Verde
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cape Verde CAR
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,192 $11,195 $516 $1,263
2023 $4,795 $10,242 $496 $1,257
2022 $4,323 $9,481 $467 $1,218
2021 $3,971 $7,685 $492 $1,129
2020 $3,539 $6,853 $463 $1,066
2019 $4,381 $8,646 $449 $985
2018 $4,295 $7,916 $455 $906
2017 $3,893 $7,936 $432 $884
2016 $3,609 $7,351 $387 $826
2015 $3,415 $6,773 $366 $769
2014 $3,986 $6,417 $410 $699
2013 $3,961 $6,367 $364 $710
2012 $3,737 $6,318 $544 $1,062
2011 $4,002 $6,384 $534 $980
2010 $3,579 $6,039 $477 $936
2009 $3,660 $5,901 $456 $877
2008 $3,909 $6,011 $437 $798
2007 $3,325 $5,567 $381 $783
2006 $2,257 $4,758 $334 $743
2005 $2,004 $4,324 $312 $702
2004 $1,929 $3,969 $303 $690
2003 $1,718 $3,551 $278.4 $648
2002 $1,329 $3,388 $248.6 $688
2001 $1,223 $3,217 $238 $668
2000 $1,190 $3,124 $239.2 $640
1999 $1,327 $2,714 $268 $660
1998 $1,187 $2,443 $266.6 $645
1997 $1,134 $2,182 $265.5 $626
1996 $1,180 $1,963 $293.3 $601
1995 $1,165 $1,762 $333 $631
1994 $991 $1,540 $261.3 $592
1993 $1,220 $1,291 $405 $570
1992 $908 $1,186 $462 $573
1991 $832 $1,069 $465 $618
1990 $817 $1,044 $502 $620
1989 $727 - $443 -
1988 $729 - $466 -
1987 $658 - $450 -
1986 $541 - $426 -
1985 $396 - $333 -
1984 $385 - $248.3 -
1983 $410 - $259.6 -
1982 $423 - $298.4 -
1981 $425 - $280.3 -
1980 $440 - $325 -
1979 - - $289.1 -
1978 - - $254.6 -
1977 - - $213.8 -
1976 - - $192.1 -
1975 - - $163.6 -
1974 - - $124 -
1973 - - $121.8 -
1972 - - $105.5 -
1971 - - $94.1 -
1970 - - $90.2 -
1969 - - $91.7 -
1968 - - $95.6 -
1967 - - $83.6 -
1966 - - $82.3 -
1965 - - $80.2 -
1964 - - $77.2 -
1963 - - $71.8 -
1962 - - $70.4 -
1961 - - $71 -
1960 - - $65.9 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/central-african-republic | CC BY

Cape Verde's GDP per capita is $5,192, ranking 118/197, compared to $516 in the Central African Republic, ranking 195/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cape Verde ranks 129th at $11,195, while the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263.

Economic indicators

Cape Verde CAR
Gross domestic product
$2.73B
2024
$2.75B
2024
GDP rank
172/197
2024
171/197
2024
GDP growth
7.24%
2023-2024
1.5%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,192
2024
$516
2024
GDP per capita rank
118/197
2024
195/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,195
2024
$1,263
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
129/197
2024
195/197
2024
Government debt
$3.03B
2024
$1.67B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
111.2%
2024
60.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$5,776
2024
$313
2024
Government debt per person rank
76/185
2024
178/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,576
2026
$1,078
2026
Income share by richest 10%
32.3%
2015
33.1%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2015
2.1%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
26.1%
2024
19.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1%
2023-2024
1.5%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.5%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2019
6.9%
2017
Population
530391
5753659

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cape Verde
Spending

Debt
Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cape Verde CAR
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 26.1% 111.2% 19.5% 60.7%
2023 25.7% 117.5% 17.5% 55.6%
2022 26.6% 127.6% 17.4% 49.9%
2021 30.8% 149.5% 19.2% 46.9%
2020 34.5% 144.3% 24.2% 42.8%
2019 27.5% 109.8% 15.8% 44.9%
2018 27.5% 112.3% 16.8% 47.9%
2017 28% 113% 13.1% 47.4%
2016 26.6% 115.6% 11.1% 49.3%
2015 28.7% 115.7% 12.7% 54.4%
2014 27.8% 105.7% 16.7% 57.5%
2013 30.9% 93.5% 13.4% 51.8%
2012 31.6% 82.9% 14.7% 31.5%
2011 30.3% 71.6% 14.2% 19.7%
2010 35.7% 73.5% 17.3% 19.9%
2009 30.6% 58.8% 16% 20.3%
2008 27.6% 57.5% 16% 35.8%
2007 27.1% 59.6% 12.9% 47.9%
2006 28.4% 66.2% 13.4% 46.7%
2005 26.2% 66.7% 16.2% 103%
2004 26.3% 67.8% 13.1% 99.7%
2003 23.4% 65.6% 12.3% 95.9%
2002 28.5% 64.7% 16.7% 98.5%
2001 24.2% 62.2% 14.1% 103.1%
2000 36.7% 71.9% 17.2% 94.7%
1999 35% 66.4% 18.2% 84.2%
1998 29.8% 72.9% 18.1% 85.3%
1997 34.8% 79.3% 14.5% 96.1%
1996 38.9% 85.7% 11.7% 93%
1995 44.5% 74.3% 20.6% 83.8%
1994 48.1% 73.4% 22.4% 103.4%
1993 - - 20.6% 68.2%
1992 - - 23.1% 57.4%
1991 - - 22.6% 55.8%
1990 - - 22% 44.6%
1989 - - 19.6% 50.9%
1988 - - 21.4% 48.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/central-african-republic | CC BY

In 2024, Cape Verde's government spending was $711M, accounting for 26.1% of its GDP, while the Central African Republic spent $538M, or 19.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 111.2% in Cape Verde and 60.7% in the Central African Republic, ranking 16/185 and 77/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cape Verde

Central African Republic
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cape Verde CAR
2024 -1.07% -5.08%
2023 -0.28% -3.44%
2022 -4.25% -5.23%
2021 -7.51% -5.8%
2020 -9.29% -3.24%
2019 -1.62% 1.33%
2018 -2.36% -0.93%
2017 -2.63% -1%
2016 -2.73% 1.17%
2015 -4.16% -0.53%
2014 -6.93% -3.02%
2013 -8.49% -2.3%
2012 -9.36% -0.78%
2011 -6.98% -2.15%
2010 -9.6% -1.35%
2009 -5.32% -0.54%
2008 -1.42% -1.23%
2007 -0.86% 1.04%
2006 -4.32% 8.58%
2005 -4.69% -4.37%
2004 -2.98% -1.74%
2003 -3.63% -3.06%
2002 -6.14% -1.19%
2001 -5.03% -0.88%
2000 -15.5% -2.01%
1999 -10.9% -0.5%
1998 -3.16% 0.001%
1997 -10.2% -1.57%
1996 -11.2% -1.06%
1995 -11.1% -4.84%
1994 -12.8% -7.57%
1993 - -5.66%
1992 - -7.33%
1991 - -8%
1990 - -6.6%
1989 - -3.25%
1988 - -3.72%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/central-african-republic | CC BY

In 2024, Cape Verde's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $29.1M, equivalent to 1.07% of GDP. This compares to the Central African Republic's deficit of $140M, or 5.08% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Cape Verde recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while the Central African Republic ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Cape Verde posted an annual deficit equal to 6.02% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.72% of GDP for the Central African Republic.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cape Verde

Central African Republic
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cape Verde CAR
2024 1% 1.5%
2023 3.7% 3%
2022 7.9% 5.6%
2021 1.9% 4.3%
2020 0.6% 0.9%
2019 1.1% 2.8%
2018 1.3% 1.6%
2017 0.8% 4.2%
2016 -1.4% 4.9%
2015 0.1% 1.4%
2014 -0.2% 17.8%
2013 1.5% 4%
2012 2.5% 5.9%
2011 4.5% 1.2%
2010 2.1% 1.5%
2009 1% 3.6%
2008 6.8% 9.2%
2007 4.4% 0.9%
2006 4.8% 6.9%
2005 0.4% 2.9%
2004 -1.9% -2.6%
2003 1.2% 4.4%
2002 1.9% 2.3%
2001 3.7% 4.1%
2000 -2.4% 3.4%
1999 4.3% -1.6%
1998 4.4% -2%
1997 8.6% 1.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/central-african-republic | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Cape Verde has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.31%, compared with 3.35% in the Central African Republic. In 2024, inflation was 1% in Cape Verde and 1.5% in the Central African Republic.

Balance of trade

Cape Verde CAR
Current account balance
$107M
2024
-$24.7M
1994
Current account balance ranking
67/190
2024
81/190
1994
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.91%
2024
-2.9%
1994
Goods imports
$1.17B
2024
$131M
1994
Goods exports
$328M
2024
$146M
1994
Service imports
$298M
2024
$114M
1994
Service exports
$830M
2024
$33.1M
1994
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
54%
2024
31.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.5%
2024
15%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Cape Verde CAR
Economic freedom 71.4 43.1
Economic freedom ranking 32/197 182/197
Property rights 72.7 5.6
Government integrity 63.3 19.2
Judicial effectiveness 77.1 4
Tax burden 84.4 65.5
Government spending 79.5 90.1
Fiscal health 74.4 59
Business freedom 78.9 26.5
Labor freedom 59.5 48.5
Monetary freedom 80.4 75.6
Trade freedom 66.6 47.6
Investment freedom 60 45
Financial freedom 60 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cape Verde
Central African Republic
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cape Verde CAR
2026 71.4 43.1
2025 68.7 42.8
2024 62.9 41.3
2023 65.8 43.8
2022 66.7 45.7
2021 63.8 48.8
2020 63.6 50.7
2019 63.1 49.1
2018 60 49.2
2017 56.9 51.8
2016 66.5 45.2
2015 66.4 45.9
2014 66.1 46.7
2013 63.7 50.4
2012 63.5 50.3
2011 64.6 49.3
2010 61.8 48.4
2009 61.3 48.3
2008 57.9 48.6
2007 56.5 50.6
2006 58.6 54.2
2005 57.8 56.5
2004 58.1 57.5
2003 56.1 60
2002 57.6 59.8
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/cape-verde/central-african-republic | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Cape Verde is 71.4, ranking 32/197, compared to 43.1 for the Central African Republic, ranking 182/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cape Verde CAR
Services, % of GDP
68.7%
2024
42.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
10.7%
2024
20%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.92%
2024
27.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.6B
2024
$2.74B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,000
2024
$1,340
2024
Total reserves including gold
$783M
2024
$480M
2023
Total reserves ranking
144/177
2024
158/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$89.2M
2024
$3.6M
1994
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$110M
2024
$40.4M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$20.8M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.69%
2024
1.94%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
24.8%
2023
68.8%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
16.4%
2024
23.6%
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/cape-verde/central-african-republic | 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 (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 (1988–1996, 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) (2017, 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.