Skip to content

Economy of Cape Verde vs Costa Rica compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Cape Verde has a GDP of $3.06B compared to $103B for Costa Rica, ranking 172/197 and 74/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cape Verde has $3.09B in government debt (101% of GDP), compared to $62.2B (60.4% of GDP) in Costa Rica.

Cape Verde vs Costa Rica GDP by year

Cape Verde
Costa Rica
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cape Verde Costa Rica
2025 $3,056,630,435 $102,904,921,157
2024 $2,713,721,857 $96,715,644,331
2023 $2,504,525,538 $87,512,637,056
2022 $2,247,003,344 $71,001,226,361
2021 $2,051,842,619 $65,588,938,787
2020 $1,821,565,614 $62,806,591,555
2019 $2,252,177,124 $64,753,504,730
2018 $2,205,099,507 $62,567,765,946
2017 $1,996,741,540 $60,516,044,661
2016 $1,849,789,986 $58,847,019,588
2015 $1,749,857,620 $56,441,920,888
2014 $2,041,930,125 $52,016,408,816
2013 $2,028,910,915 $50,949,668,763
2012 $1,913,081,210 $47,231,655,493
2011 $2,046,817,987 $42,762,613,785
2010 $1,824,751,468 $37,658,616,966
2009 $1,852,334,575 $30,745,714,234
2008 $1,959,620,648 $30,801,745,703
2007 $1,649,621,739 $26,884,700,688
2006 $1,107,571,458 $22,715,540,342
2005 $972,241,677 $20,040,642,421
2004 $924,940,012 $18,610,594,844
2003 $813,260,469 $17,271,760,397
2002 $620,507,387 $16,578,820,799
2001 $563,090,490 $15,976,174,476
2000 $539,227,278 $15,013,629,579
1999 $592,416,703 $14,254,866,284
1998 $521,910,561 $13,684,255,998
1997 $490,608,658 $12,614,602,322
1996 $501,979,270 $11,678,424,727
1995 $487,148,994 $11,578,594,333
1994 $406,580,652 $10,489,903,834
1993 $490,417,390 $9,564,816,063
1992 $357,160,985 $8,579,754,953
1991 $319,827,059 $7,215,725,635
1990 $306,890,963 $5,711,687,787
1989 $267,448,571 $5,251,025,767
1988 $264,308,140 $4,614,629,898
1987 $235,253,065 $4,532,952,047
1986 $190,651,168 $4,418,983,871
1985 $137,728,205 $3,919,203,960
1984 $132,019,039 $3,660,477,856
1983 $138,476,176 $3,146,772,631
1982 $140,630,679 $2,606,623,555
1981 $139,468,209 $2,623,803,096
1980 $142,246,815 $4,831,447,001
1979 - $4,035,519,323
1978 - $3,523,208,810
1977 - $3,072,427,013
1976 - $2,412,555,426
1975 - $1,960,863,466
1974 - $1,666,544,754
1973 - $1,528,925,846
1972 - $1,238,251,696
1971 - $1,077,147,538
1970 - $984,830,158
1969 - $853,630,204
1968 - $773,841,494
1967 - $699,456,619
1966 - $647,305,630
1965 - $592,981,162
1964 - $542,578,367
1963 - $511,902,137
1962 - $479,180,824
1961 - $490,325,182
1960 - $507,513,830

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/costa-rica | CC BY

GDP per capita in Cape Verde vs Costa Rica by year

Cape Verde
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Costa Rica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cape Verde Costa Rica
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $5,796 - $19,970 -
2024 $5,170 $11,195 $18,853 $31,107
2023 $4,795 $10,242 $17,141 $28,909
2022 $4,323 $9,481 $13,972 $26,226
2021 $3,971 $7,685 $12,962 $23,853
2020 $3,539 $6,853 $12,476 $22,100
2019 $4,381 $8,646 $12,952 $23,340
2018 $4,295 $7,916 $12,620 $21,498
2017 $3,893 $7,936 $12,317 $20,499
2016 $3,609 $7,351 $12,091 $19,202
2015 $3,415 $6,773 $11,715 $17,525
2014 $3,986 $6,417 $10,911 $16,394
2013 $3,961 $6,367 $10,803 $15,232
2012 $3,737 $6,318 $10,127 $14,464
2011 $4,002 $6,384 $9,276 $13,614
2010 $3,579 $6,039 $8,266 $12,928
2009 $3,660 $5,901 $6,833 $12,274
2008 $3,909 $6,011 $6,937 $12,472
2007 $3,325 $5,567 $6,138 $11,842
2006 $2,257 $4,758 $5,257 $10,800
2005 $2,004 $4,324 $4,703 $9,899
2004 $1,929 $3,969 $4,431 $9,365
2003 $1,718 $3,551 $4,173 $8,863
2002 $1,329 $3,388 $4,068 $8,461
2001 $1,223 $3,217 $3,985 $8,190
2000 $1,190 $3,124 $3,813 $7,879
1999 $1,327 $2,714 $3,691 $7,563
1998 $1,187 $2,443 $3,617 $7,306
1997 $1,134 $2,182 $3,408 $6,890
1996 $1,180 $1,963 $3,227 $6,568
1995 $1,165 $1,762 $3,275 $6,515
1994 $991 $1,540 $3,040 $6,276
1993 $1,220 $1,291 $2,840 $6,025
1992 $908 $1,186 $2,612 $5,635
1991 $832 $1,069 $2,253 $5,175
1990 $817 $1,044 $1,830 $5,021
1989 $727 - $1,725 -
1988 $729 - $1,555 -
1987 $658 - $1,567 -
1986 $541 - $1,569 -
1985 $396 - $1,429 -
1984 $385 - $1,372 -
1983 $410 - $1,213 -
1982 $423 - $1,032 -
1981 $425 - $1,068 -
1980 $440 - $2,021 -
1979 - - $1,735 -
1978 - - $1,556 -
1977 - - $1,393 -
1976 - - $1,123 -
1975 - - $937 -
1974 - - $817 -
1973 - - $769 -
1972 - - $639 -
1971 - - $570 -
1970 - - $536 -
1969 - - $477 -
1968 - - $445 -
1967 - - $414 -
1966 - - $395 -
1965 - - $374 -
1964 - - $354 -
1963 - - $346 -
1962 - - $335 -
1961 - - $356 -
1960 - - $382 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/costa-rica | CC BY

Cape Verde's GDP per capita is $5,796, ranking 116/197, compared to $19,970 in Costa Rica, ranking 59/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cape Verde ranks 129th at $11,195, while Costa Rica ranks 72nd at $31,107.

Economic indicators

Cape Verde Costa Rica
Gross domestic product
$3.06B
2025
$103B
2025
GDP rank
172/197
2025
74/197
2025
GDP growth
6.3%
2024-2025
4.56%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$5,796
2025
$19,970
2025
GDP per capita rank
116/197
2025
59/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,195
2024
$31,107
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
129/197
2024
72/197
2024
Government debt
$3.09B
2025
$62.2B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
101%
2025
60.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$5,854
2025
$12,064
2025
Government debt per person rank
77/185
2025
51/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,506
2026
$12,879
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.23B
2022
Income share by richest 10%
32.3%
2015
34.3%
2025
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2015
1.8%
2025
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27%
2025
17.8%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.3%
2024-2025
-0.07%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
1.5%
2024
3.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2019
6.34%
2025
Population
530853
5186356

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cape Verde
Spending

Debt
Costa Rica
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cape Verde Costa Rica
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 27% 101% 17.8% 60.4%
2024 26.1% 112.8% 18.6% 58.9%
2023 25.7% 117.5% 18.3% 60.4%
2022 26.6% 127.6% 18.7% 61.4%
2021 30.8% 149.5% 20.6% 67%
2020 34.5% 149.1% 22.1% 66.5%
2019 27.5% 109.8% 21.6% 56.1%
2018 27.5% 112.3% 18.9% 51.7%
2017 28% 113% 19.2% 47.1%
2016 26.6% 115.6% 18.8% 44.1%
2015 28.7% 115.7% 18.8% 39.8%
2014 27.8% 105.7% 18.4% 37.4%
2013 30.9% 93.5% 18.5% 35.1%
2012 31.6% 82.9% 17.3% 33.7%
2011 30.3% 71.6% 17.2% 29.5%
2010 35.7% 66.2% 18% 28.1%
2009 30.6% 58.8% 16.7% 26%
2008 27.6% 57.5% 15.2% 24%
2007 27.1% 59.6% 14.6% 27%
2006 28.4% 66.2% 15.2% 33%
2005 26.2% 66.7% 15.9% 37.3%
2004 26.3% 67.8% 17% 41%
2003 23.4% 65.6% 17.6% 40.6%
2002 28.5% 64.7% 18.6% 41.4%
2001 24.2% 62.2% 17.3% 39.6%
2000 36.7% 71.9% 16.9% 38.9%
1999 35% 66.4% 16.7% 39%
1998 29.8% 72.9% 16% 40.7%
1997 34.8% 79.3% 16.3% 30.6%
1996 38.9% 85.7% 17.3% 33.7%
1995 44.5% 74.3% 16.4% 29.1%
1994 48.1% 73.4% 17.4% 27%
1993 - - 13.8% 24.4%
1992 - - 13.7% 23.3%
1991 - - 14% 28.4%
1990 - - 18.9% 18.5%
1989 - - 26.1% 19.3%
1988 - - 24.5% 18.2%
1987 - - 27.2% 21.2%
1986 - - 26.4% 26.1%
1985 - - 21.8% 22.8%
1984 - - 22.8% 25.2%
1983 - - 23.6% 29.8%
1982 - - 18.4% 31.8%
1981 - - 21% 32.3%
1980 - - 25% 37.7%
1979 - - 24.9% 39.5%
1978 - - 23.2% 41.7%
1977 - - 19.3% 27.8%
1976 - - 20.1% 29.5%
1975 - - 19.1% 26.1%
1974 - - 18.3% 30.3%
1973 - - 18.4% 32.8%
1972 - - 17.2% 31.8%
1971 - - 17.5% 30.4%
1970 - - 14.9% 28.6%
1969 - - 14.5% 26.1%
1968 - - 13.8% 27.7%
1967 - - 14.7% 26.7%
1966 - - 14.3% 24.8%
1965 - - 13.8% 24.1%
1964 - - 13.5% 22.7%
1963 - - 13.3% 21.8%
1962 - - 14% 19.7%
1961 - - 13.2% 20.3%
1960 - - 12.5% 16.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1996, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/costa-rica | CC BY

In 2025, Cape Verde's government spending was $827M, accounting for 27% of its GDP, while Costa Rica spent $18.3B, or 17.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 101% in Cape Verde and 60.4% in Costa Rica, ranking 23/185 and 77/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cape Verde

Costa Rica
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cape Verde Costa Rica
2025 1.06% -3.35%
2024 -1.07% -3.73%
2023 -0.28% -3.21%
2022 -4.25% -2.74%
2021 -7.51% -5.04%
2020 -9.29% -8.32%
2019 -1.62% -6.65%
2018 -2.36% -5.65%
2017 -2.63% -5.88%
2016 -2.73% -5.09%
2015 -4.16% -5.52%
2014 -6.93% -5.45%
2013 -8.49% -5.25%
2012 -9.36% -4.22%
2011 -6.98% -3.91%
2010 -9.6% -4.96%
2009 -5.32% -3.25%
2008 -1.42% 0.18%
2007 -0.86% 0.56%
2006 -4.32% -1.04%
2005 -4.69% -2.09%
2004 -2.98% -3.42%
2003 -3.63% -3.43%
2002 -6.14% -4.99%
2001 -5.03% -3.47%
2000 -15.5% -3.68%
1999 -10.9% -2.88%
1998 -3.16% -2.96%
1997 -10.2% -3.39%
1996 -11.2% -4.32%
1995 -11.1% -3.68%
1994 -12.8% -5.46%
1993 - -1.52%
1992 - -1.51%
1991 - -2.41%
1990 - -4.4%
1989 - -1.55%
1988 - 0.57%
1987 - -2.57%
1986 - -4.26%
1985 - -1.06%
1984 - -0.5%
1983 - -1.84%
1982 - -0.94%
1981 - -3.14%
1980 - -7.24%
1979 - -6.6%
1978 - -4.12%
1977 - -2.63%
1976 - -2.42%
1975 - -1.13%
1974 - 0.26%
1973 - -2.41%
1972 - -4.54%
1971 - -4.72%
1970 - -1.41%
1969 - -1.61%
1968 - -1.72%
1967 - -3.03%
1966 - -2.12%
1965 - -1.71%
1964 - -1.51%
1963 - -2.01%
1962 - -1.99%
1961 - -0.71%
1960 - -0.19%
1959 - 0.49%
1958 - 0%
1957 - 0.3%
1956 - 0.05%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1956–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/costa-rica | CC BY

In 2025, Cape Verde's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $32.3M, equivalent to 1.06% of GDP. This compares to Costa Rica's deficit of $3.45B, or 3.35% of GDP.

Over the past 32 years, Cape Verde recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while Costa Rica ran a deficit in 30 years. On average, Cape Verde posted an annual deficit equal to 5.8% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.95% of GDP for Costa Rica.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cape Verde

Costa Rica
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cape Verde Costa Rica
2025 2.3% -0.07%
2024 1.1% -0.41%
2023 3.7% 0.53%
2022 7.9% 8.27%
2021 1.9% 1.73%
2020 0.6% 0.72%
2019 1.1% 2.1%
2018 1.3% 2.22%
2017 0.8% 1.63%
2016 -1.4% -0.02%
2015 0.1% 0.8%
2014 -0.2% 4.52%
2013 1.5% 5.23%
2012 2.5% 4.5%
2011 4.5% 4.88%
2010 2.1% 5.66%
2009 1% 7.84%
2008 6.8% 13.4%
2007 4.4% 9.36%
2006 4.8% 11.5%
2005 0.4% 13.8%
2004 -1.9% 12.3%
2003 1.2% 9.45%
2002 1.9% 9.17%
2001 3.7% 11.3%
2000 -2.4% 11%
1999 4.3% 10%
1998 4.4% 11.7%
1997 8.6% 13.2%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/costa-rica | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Cape Verde has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.31%, compared with 6.42% in Costa Rica. In 2025, inflation was 2.3% in Cape Verde and -0.07% in Costa Rica.

Top exports between countries

Cape Verde
Export category Export value
Costa Rica
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $5K
Chemicals & pharma $1K

Balance of trade

Cape Verde Costa Rica
Current account balance
$108M
2025
-$687M
2025
Current account balance ranking
63/190
2025
108/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.53%
2025
-0.67%
2025
Goods imports
$1.29B
2025
$24.4B
2025
Goods exports
$344M
2025
$23.5B
2025
Service imports
$350M
2025
$8.64B
2025
Service exports
$940M
2025
$18.1B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.4%
2025
32.6%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42%
2025
38.8%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Cape Verde Costa Rica
Economic freedom 71.4 69.1
Economic freedom ranking 32/197 43/197
Property rights 72.7 66
Government integrity 63.3 64.1
Judicial effectiveness 77.1 76.9
Tax burden 84.4 78.6
Government spending 79.5 89.3
Fiscal health 74.4 75.6
Business freedom 78.9 79.9
Labor freedom 59.5 55.9
Monetary freedom 80.4 78.2
Trade freedom 66.6 75
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 60 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cape Verde
Costa Rica
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cape Verde Costa Rica
2026 71.4 69.1
2025 68.7 68.6
2024 62.9 67.7
2023 65.8 66.5
2022 66.7 65.4
2021 63.8 64.2
2020 63.6 65.8
2019 63.1 65.3
2018 60 65.6
2017 56.9 65
2016 66.5 67.4
2015 66.4 67.2
2014 66.1 66.9
2013 63.7 67
2012 63.5 68
2011 64.6 67.3
2010 61.8 65.9
2009 61.3 66.4
2008 57.9 64.2
2007 56.5 64
2006 58.6 65.9
2005 57.8 66.1
2004 58.1 66.4
2003 56.1 67
2002 57.6 67.5
2001 56.3 67.6
2000 51.9 68.4
1999 50.7 67.4
1998 48 65.6
1997 47.7 65.6
1996 49.7 66.4
1995 - 68

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/costa-rica | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Cape Verde is 71.4, ranking 32/197, compared to 69.1 for Costa Rica, ranking 43/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cape Verde Costa Rica
Services, % of GDP
67.9%
2025
69.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
10.7%
2025
19.9%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
5.04%
2025
3.37%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$2.95B
2025
$92.4B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,010
2025
$30,760
2025
Total reserves including gold
$1.26B
2025
$17.1B
2025
Total reserves ranking
138/177
2025
70/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$130M
2025
-$5.12B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$110M
2024
$5.4B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$20.8M
2024
$337M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.72%
2024
6.31%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
24.8%
2023
17.1%
2025
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.4%
2025
15.8%
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/cape-verde/costa-rica | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1956–1996, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. 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.