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Economy of Cape Verde vs El Salvador compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Cape Verde has a GDP of $2.73B compared to $35.4B for El Salvador, ranking 172/197 and 105/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cape Verde has $3.03B in government debt (111.2% of GDP), compared to $30.9B (87.5% of GDP) in El Salvador.

Cape Verde vs El Salvador GDP by year

Cape Verde
El Salvador
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cape Verde El Salvador
2024 $2,725,414,151 $35,364,960,000
2023 $2,504,525,549 $33,853,940,000
2022 $2,247,003,344 $31,870,120,000
2021 $2,051,842,619 $29,043,140,000
2020 $1,821,565,614 $24,921,190,000
2019 $2,252,177,124 $26,881,140,000
2018 $2,205,099,507 $26,020,850,000
2017 $1,996,741,540 $24,979,190,000
2016 $1,849,789,986 $24,191,430,000
2015 $1,749,857,620 $23,438,240,000
2014 $2,041,930,125 $22,593,470,000
2013 $2,028,910,915 $21,990,960,000
2012 $1,913,081,210 $21,386,150,000
2011 $2,046,817,987 $20,283,780,000
2010 $1,824,751,468 $18,447,920,000
2009 $1,852,334,575 $17,601,620,000
2008 $1,959,620,648 $17,986,890,000
2007 $1,649,621,739 $17,011,750,000
2006 $1,107,571,458 $15,999,890,000
2005 $972,241,677 $14,698,000,000
2004 $924,940,012 $13,724,810,900
2003 $813,260,469 $13,243,892,200
2002 $620,507,387 $12,664,190,300
2001 $563,090,490 $12,282,533,600
2000 $539,227,278 $11,784,927,700
1999 $592,416,703 $11,284,197,000
1998 $521,910,561 $10,936,669,900
1997 $490,608,658 $10,221,705,900
1996 $501,979,270 $9,586,327,800
1995 $487,148,994 $8,921,947,100
1994 $406,580,652 $7,679,384,000
1993 $490,417,390 $6,680,269,200
1992 $357,160,985 $5,813,399,300
1991 $319,827,059 $5,252,342,400
1990 $306,890,963 $4,817,542,204
1989 $267,448,571 $4,372,215,300
1988 $264,308,140 $4,189,880,000
1987 $235,253,065 $3,958,045,800
1986 $190,651,168 $3,771,663,200
1985 $137,728,205 $3,800,368,600
1984 $132,019,039 $3,661,683,400
1983 $138,476,176 $3,506,347,800
1982 $140,630,679 $3,399,189,100
1981 $139,468,209 $3,437,200,200
1980 $142,246,815 $3,573,959,900
1979 - $3,463,639,900
1978 - $3,127,960,000
1977 - $2,941,640,100
1976 - $2,328,280,100
1975 - $1,884,120,100
1974 - $1,665,880,000
1973 - $1,442,320,000
1972 - $1,263,720,000
1971 - $1,186,120,000
1970 - $1,132,920,000
1969 - $1,049,400,000
1968 - $1,009,760,100
1967 - $976,200,000
1966 - $929,520,000
1965 - $877,720,000

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1965–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/el-salvador | CC BY

GDP per capita in Cape Verde vs El Salvador by year

Cape Verde
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
El Salvador
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cape Verde El Salvador
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,192 $11,195 $5,580 $13,264
2023 $4,795 $10,242 $5,365 $12,680
2022 $4,323 $9,481 $5,075 $11,876
2021 $3,971 $7,685 $4,643 $10,810
2020 $3,539 $6,853 $3,997 $9,393
2019 $4,381 $8,646 $4,320 $9,757
2018 $4,295 $7,916 $4,184 $9,204
2017 $3,893 $7,936 $4,020 $8,965
2016 $3,609 $7,351 $3,901 $8,456
2015 $3,415 $6,773 $3,790 $7,934
2014 $3,986 $6,417 $3,666 $7,504
2013 $3,961 $6,367 $3,582 $7,093
2012 $3,737 $6,318 $3,498 $6,708
2011 $4,002 $6,384 $3,331 $6,594
2010 $3,579 $6,039 $3,040 $6,248
2009 $3,660 $5,901 $2,910 $6,063
2008 $3,909 $6,011 $2,983 $6,175
2007 $3,325 $5,567 $2,831 $5,949
2006 $2,257 $4,758 $2,666 $5,695
2005 $2,004 $4,324 $2,447 $5,292
2004 $1,929 $3,969 $2,286 $4,998
2003 $1,718 $3,551 $2,208 $4,829
2002 $1,329 $3,388 $2,115 $4,672
2001 $1,223 $3,217 $2,058 $4,543
2000 $1,190 $3,124 $1,983 $4,422
1999 $1,327 $2,714 $1,908 $4,298
1998 $1,187 $2,443 $1,860 $4,171
1997 $1,134 $2,182 $1,749 $4,043
1996 $1,180 $1,963 $1,651 $3,880
1995 $1,165 $1,762 $1,548 $3,808
1994 $991 $1,540 $1,344 $3,591
1993 $1,220 $1,291 $1,180 $3,390
1992 $908 $1,186 $1,041 $3,171
1991 $832 $1,069 $956 $2,945
1990 $817 $1,044 $892 $2,856
1989 $727 - $825 -
1988 $729 - $806 -
1987 $658 - $777 -
1986 $541 - $755 -
1985 $396 - $776 -
1984 $385 - $763 -
1983 $410 - $745 -
1982 $423 - $735 -
1981 $425 - $752 -
1980 $440 - $787 -
1979 - - $773 -
1978 - - $712 -
1977 - - $684 -
1976 - - $553 -
1975 - - $457 -
1974 - - $413 -
1973 - - $366 -
1972 - - $329 -
1971 - - $316 -
1970 - - $309 -
1969 - - $293.4 -
1968 - - $290.1 -
1967 - - $288.4 -
1966 - - $282.4 -
1965 - - $274.3 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1965–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/el-salvador | CC BY

Cape Verde's GDP per capita is $5,192, ranking 118/197, compared to $5,580 in El Salvador, ranking 116/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cape Verde ranks 129th at $11,195, while El Salvador ranks 120th at $13,264.

Economic indicators

Cape Verde El Salvador
Gross domestic product
$2.73B
2024
$35.4B
2024
GDP rank
172/197
2024
105/197
2024
GDP growth
7.24%
2023-2024
2.6%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,192
2024
$5,580
2024
GDP per capita rank
118/197
2024
116/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,195
2024
$13,264
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
129/197
2024
120/197
2024
Government debt
$3.03B
2024
$30.9B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
111.2%
2024
87.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$5,776
2024
$4,883
2024
Government debt per person rank
76/185
2024
81/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,576
2026
$4,768
2026
Income share by richest 10%
32.3%
2015
29.7%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2015
1.9%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
26.1%
2024
31.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1%
2023-2024
0.85%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.5%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2019
2.71%
2024
Population
530391
6399793

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cape Verde
Spending

Debt
El Salvador
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cape Verde El Salvador
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 26.1% 111.2% 31.4% 87.5%
2023 25.7% 117.5% 30.5% 85.1%
2022 26.6% 127.6% 28.7% 83.7%
2021 30.8% 149.5% 31.1% 88%
2020 34.5% 144.3% 32.7% 95.4%
2019 27.5% 109.8% 27.8% 77.9%
2018 27.5% 112.3% 27.6% 77%
2017 28% 113% 28.1% 77.1%
2016 26.6% 115.6% 27.5% 75.2%
2015 28.7% 115.7% 27.1% 73.5%
2014 27.8% 105.7% 27.6% 71.8%
2013 30.9% 93.5% 28.5% 69.7%
2012 31.6% 82.9% 27.4% 70%
2011 30.3% 71.6% 25.3% 65.6%
2010 35.7% 73.5% 25.6% 66.8%
2009 30.6% 58.8% 26% 65.8%
2008 27.6% 57.5% 24.5% 54.2%
2007 27.1% 59.6% 22.8% 52.2%
2006 28.4% 66.2% 23.4% 52.6%
2005 26.2% 66.7% 22.4% 46.3%
2004 26.3% 67.8% 21.5% 46.8%
2003 23.4% 65.6% 22.6% 46%
2002 28.5% 64.7% 22.5% 43.8%
2001 24.2% 62.2% 21.7% 37.8%
2000 36.7% 71.9% 21% 29.6%
1999 35% 66.4% 19.7% 28%
1998 29.8% 72.9% 19.3% 25.7%
1997 34.8% 79.3% 18.6% 27.8%
1996 38.9% 85.7% 21% 28.5%
1995 44.5% 74.3% 18.6% 28%
1994 48.1% 73.4% 18.9% 30.5%
1993 - - 18.5% 31.9%
1992 - - 20.8% 36.4%
1991 - - 18.5% 43.3%
1990 - - 15.9% -

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/cape-verde/el-salvador | CC BY

In 2024, Cape Verde's government spending was $711M, accounting for 26.1% of its GDP, while El Salvador spent $11.1B, or 31.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 111.2% in Cape Verde and 87.5% in El Salvador, ranking 16/185 and 36/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cape Verde

El Salvador
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cape Verde El Salvador
2024 -1.07% -4.55%
2023 -0.28% -4.69%
2022 -4.25% -2.68%
2021 -7.51% -5.53%
2020 -9.29% -8.18%
2019 -1.62% -3.07%
2018 -2.36% -2.71%
2017 -2.63% -2.53%
2016 -2.73% -3.1%
2015 -4.16% -3.63%
2014 -6.93% -4.02%
2013 -8.49% -4.46%
2012 -9.36% -3.81%
2011 -6.98% -4.47%
2010 -9.6% -4.97%
2009 -5.32% -6.65%
2008 -1.42% -3.8%
2007 -0.86% -2.32%
2006 -4.32% -3.42%
2005 -4.69% -3.47%
2004 -2.98% -2.76%
2003 -3.63% -4.23%
2002 -6.14% -5.5%
2001 -5.03% -4.95%
2000 -15.5% -3.45%
1999 -10.9% -3.08%
1998 -3.16% -2.94%
1997 -10.2% -1.97%
1996 -11.2% -2.7%
1995 -11.1% -0.18%
1994 -12.8% -0.94%
1993 - -1.42%
1992 - -4.29%
1991 - -2.3%
1990 - -0.61%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/el-salvador | 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 El Salvador's deficit of $1.61B, or 4.55% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Cape Verde recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while El Salvador ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Cape Verde posted an annual deficit equal to 6.02% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.7% of GDP for El Salvador.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cape Verde

El Salvador
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cape Verde El Salvador
2024 1% 0.85%
2023 3.7% 4.05%
2022 7.9% 7.2%
2021 1.9% 3.47%
2020 0.6% -0.37%
2019 1.1% 0.08%
2018 1.3% 1.09%
2017 0.8% 1.01%
2016 -1.4% 0.6%
2015 0.1% -0.73%
2014 -0.2% 1.14%
2013 1.5% 0.76%
2012 2.5% 1.73%
2011 4.5% 5.13%
2010 2.1% 1.18%
2009 1% 1.06%
2008 6.8% 6.71%
2007 4.4% 4.58%
2006 4.8% 4.04%
2005 0.4% 4.69%
2004 -1.9% 4.45%
2003 1.2% 2.12%
2002 1.9% 1.87%
2001 3.7% 3.75%
2000 -2.4% 2.27%
1999 4.3% 0.51%
1998 4.4% 2.55%
1997 8.6% 4.49%

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/cape-verde/el-salvador | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Cape Verde has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.31%, compared with 2.51% in El Salvador. In 2024, inflation was 1% in Cape Verde and 0.85% in El Salvador.

Balance of trade

Cape Verde El Salvador
Current account balance
$107M
2024
-$633M
2024
Current account balance ranking
67/190
2024
110/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.91%
2024
-1.79%
2024
Goods imports
$1.17B
2024
$15.1B
2024
Goods exports
$328M
2024
$5.59B
2024
Service imports
$298M
2024
$3.26B
2024
Service exports
$830M
2024
$6B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
54%
2024
51.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.5%
2024
32.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Cape Verde El Salvador
Economic freedom 71.4 57.7
Economic freedom ranking 32/197 114/197
Property rights 72.7 42.7
Government integrity 63.3 31.5
Judicial effectiveness 77.1 15.3
Tax burden 84.4 76.8
Government spending 79.5 72.7
Fiscal health 74.4 59.4
Business freedom 78.9 65.7
Labor freedom 59.5 51.6
Monetary freedom 80.4 70.6
Trade freedom 66.6 76.4
Investment freedom 60 70
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cape Verde
El Salvador
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cape Verde El Salvador
2026 71.4 57.7
2025 68.7 56.6
2024 62.9 54.4
2023 65.8 56
2022 66.7 59.6
2021 63.8 61
2020 63.6 61.6
2019 63.1 61.8
2018 60 63.2
2017 56.9 64.1
2016 66.5 65.1
2015 66.4 65.7
2014 66.1 66.2
2013 63.7 66.7
2012 63.5 68.7
2011 64.6 68.8
2010 61.8 69.9
2009 61.3 69.8
2008 57.9 68.5
2007 56.5 68.9
2006 58.6 69.6
2005 57.8 71.5
2004 58.1 71.2
2003 56.1 71.5
2002 57.6 73
2001 56.3 73
2000 51.9 76.3
1999 50.7 75.1
1998 48 70.2
1997 47.7 70.5
1996 49.7 70.1
1995 - 69.1

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

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/el-salvador | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Cape Verde is 71.4, ranking 32/197, compared to 57.7 for El Salvador, ranking 114/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cape Verde El Salvador
Services, % of GDP
68.7%
2024
61%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
10.7%
2024
22.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.92%
2024
4.38%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.6B
2024
$32.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,000
2024
$12,420
2024
Total reserves including gold
$783M
2024
$3.7B
2024
Total reserves ranking
144/177
2024
110/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$89.2M
2024
-$636M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$110M
2024
$924M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$20.8M
2024
$288M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.69%
2024
35%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
24.8%
2023
27.2%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
16.4%
2024
20.3%
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/el-salvador | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1965–2024, 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)

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.