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Economy of Cape Verde vs Eritrea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Cape Verde has a GDP of $2.73B compared to $2.07B for Eritrea, ranking 172/197 and 179/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cape Verde has $3.03B in government debt (111.2% of GDP), compared to $3.54B (260.4% of GDP) in Eritrea.

Cape Verde vs Eritrea GDP by year

Cape Verde
Eritrea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cape Verde Eritrea
2024 $2,725,414,151 -
2023 $2,504,525,549 -
2022 $2,247,003,344 -
2021 $2,051,842,619 -
2020 $1,821,565,614 -
2019 $2,252,177,124 -
2018 $2,205,099,507 -
2017 $1,996,741,540 -
2016 $1,849,789,986 -
2015 $1,749,857,620 -
2014 $2,041,930,125 -
2013 $2,028,910,915 -
2012 $1,913,081,210 -
2011 $2,046,817,987 $2,065,001,626
2010 $1,824,751,468 $1,589,515,447
2009 $1,852,334,575 $1,856,695,551
2008 $1,959,620,648 $1,380,188,800
2007 $1,649,621,739 $1,317,974,491
2006 $1,107,571,458 $1,211,161,880
2005 $972,241,677 $1,098,424,686
2004 $924,940,012 $1,109,054,005
2003 $813,260,469 $870,248,268
2002 $620,507,387 $729,321,680
2001 $563,090,490 $752,371,689
2000 $539,227,278 $706,370,816
1999 $592,416,703 $688,918,537
1998 $521,910,561 $745,523,117
1997 $490,608,658 $686,490,090
1996 $501,979,270 $693,535,954
1995 $487,148,994 $578,015,625
1994 $406,580,652 $531,688,312
1993 $490,417,390 $467,872,715
1992 $357,160,985 $477,101,652
1991 $319,827,059 -
1990 $306,890,963 -
1989 $267,448,571 -
1988 $264,308,140 -
1987 $235,253,065 -
1986 $190,651,168 -
1985 $137,728,205 -
1984 $132,019,039 -
1983 $138,476,176 -
1982 $140,630,679 -
1981 $139,468,209 -
1980 $142,246,815 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Cape Verde vs Eritrea by year

Cape Verde
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Eritrea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cape Verde Eritrea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,192 $11,195 - -
2023 $4,795 $10,242 - -
2022 $4,323 $9,481 - -
2021 $3,971 $7,685 - -
2020 $3,539 $6,853 - -
2019 $4,381 $8,646 - -
2018 $4,295 $7,916 - -
2017 $3,893 $7,936 - -
2016 $3,609 $7,351 - -
2015 $3,415 $6,773 - -
2014 $3,986 $6,417 - -
2013 $3,961 $6,367 - -
2012 $3,737 $6,318 - -
2011 $4,002 $6,384 $689 $1,742
2010 $3,579 $6,039 $540 $1,599
2009 $3,660 $5,901 $643 $1,577
2008 $3,909 $6,011 $490 $1,547
2007 $3,325 $5,567 $480 $1,727
2006 $2,257 $4,758 $448 $1,682
2005 $2,004 $4,324 $413 $1,674
2004 $1,929 $3,969 $427 $1,621
2003 $1,718 $3,551 $349 $1,621
2002 $1,329 $3,388 $305 $1,702
2001 $1,223 $3,217 $325 $1,684
2000 $1,190 $3,124 $314 $1,558
1999 $1,327 $2,714 $311 $1,597
1998 $1,187 $2,443 $342 $1,598
1997 $1,134 $2,182 $319 $1,573
1996 $1,180 $1,963 $326 $1,449
1995 $1,165 $1,762 $285.4 $1,369
1994 $991 $1,540 $277.8 $1,379
1993 $1,220 $1,291 $252.1 $1,149
1992 $908 $1,186 $265.2 $1,021
1991 $832 $1,069 - -
1990 $817 $1,044 - -
1989 $727 - - -
1988 $729 - - -
1987 $658 - - -
1986 $541 - - -
1985 $396 - - -
1984 $385 - - -
1983 $410 - - -
1982 $423 - - -
1981 $425 - - -
1980 $440 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Cape Verde's GDP per capita is $5,192, ranking 118/197, compared to $689 in Eritrea, ranking 188/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cape Verde ranks 129th at $11,195, while Eritrea ranks 191st at $1,742.

Economic indicators

Cape Verde Eritrea
Gross domestic product
$2.73B
2024
$2.07B
2011
GDP rank
172/197
2024
179/197
2011
GDP growth
7.24%
2023-2024
8.68%
2010-2011
GDP per capita
$5,192
2024
$689
2011
GDP per capita rank
118/197
2024
188/197
2011
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,195
2024
$1,742
2011
GDP per capita PPP rank
129/197
2024
191/197
2011
Government debt
$3.03B
2024
$3.54B
2011
Debt-to-GDP ratio
111.2%
2024
260.4%
2019
Government debt per person
$5,776
2024
$1,182
2011
Government debt per person rank
76/185
2024
136/185
2011
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,576
2026
$1,129
2026
Income share by richest 10%
32.3%
2015
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2015
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
26.1%
2024
31.3%
2019
Consumer prices inflation
1%
2023-2024
1.3%
2018-2019
Central bank interest rate
1.5%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2019
5.8%
2017
Population
530391
3700586

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cape Verde
Spending

Debt
Eritrea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cape Verde Eritrea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 26.1% 111.2% - -
2023 25.7% 117.5% - -
2022 26.6% 127.6% - -
2021 30.8% 149.5% - -
2020 34.5% 144.3% - -
2019 27.5% 109.8% 31.3% 260.4%
2018 27.5% 112.3% 26.4% 267.1%
2017 28% 113% 42.5% 290.4%
2016 26.6% 115.6% 30.9% 251.2%
2015 28.7% 115.7% 31.1% 271.4%
2014 27.8% 105.7% 21.6% 204.5%
2013 30.9% 93.5% 32.7% 232.4%
2012 31.6% 82.9% 33.3% 171.6%
2011 30.3% 71.6% 32.3% 171.6%
2010 35.7% 73.5% 42.4% 201.8%
2009 30.6% 58.8% 44.9% 207.1%
2008 27.6% 57.5% 69.4% 259.7%
2007 27.1% 59.6% 51.2% 201.3%
2006 28.4% 66.2% 50.5% 199%
2005 26.2% 66.7% 76.6% 205.4%
2004 26.3% 67.8% 57.1% 193.5%
2003 23.4% 65.6% 58.1% 264%
2002 28.5% 64.7% 60.1% 243.4%
2001 24.2% 62.2% 59.5% 238.6%
2000 36.7% 71.9% 84.7% 219.1%
1999 35% 66.4% 106.1% -
1998 29.8% 72.9% 88% -
1997 34.8% 79.3% 60.1% -
1996 38.9% 85.7% 68.6% -
1995 44.5% 74.3% 81.2% -
1994 48.1% 73.4% 50.4% -
1993 - - 67.2% -
1992 - - 32.7% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1994–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Cape Verde's government spending was $711M, accounting for 26.1% of its GDP, while Eritrea spent $666M, or 31.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 111.2% in Cape Verde and 260.4% in Eritrea, ranking 16/185 and 2/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cape Verde

Eritrea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cape Verde Eritrea
2024 -1.07% -
2023 -0.28% -
2022 -4.25% -
2021 -7.51% -
2020 -9.29% -
2019 -1.62% 2.72%
2018 -2.36% 5.22%
2017 -2.63% -5.74%
2016 -2.73% -1.44%
2015 -4.16% -2.77%
2014 -6.93% -0.12%
2013 -8.49% -7.62%
2012 -9.36% -5.21%
2011 -6.98% -5.5%
2010 -9.6% -16.5%
2009 -5.32% -22.2%
2008 -1.42% -38%
2007 -0.86% -19.8%
2006 -4.32% -15.5%
2005 -4.69% -31%
2004 -2.98% -7.65%
2003 -3.63% 6.23%
2002 -6.14% -13.3%
2001 -5.03% -9.62%
2000 -15.5% -25.4%
1999 -10.9% -59.7%
1998 -3.16% -40.3%
1997 -10.2% -5.65%
1996 -11.2% -18.4%
1995 -11.1% -22.9%
1994 -12.8% 8.69%
1993 - 4.22%
1992 - 6.85%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2011, Cape Verde's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $143M, equivalent to 6.98% of GDP. This compares to Eritrea's deficit of $114M, or 5.5% of GDP.

Over the past 18 years, Cape Verde recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Eritrea ran a deficit in 16 years. On average, Cape Verde posted an annual deficit equal to 6.99% of GDP, compared to deficit of 18.7% of GDP for Eritrea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cape Verde

Eritrea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cape Verde Eritrea
2024 1% -
2023 3.7% -
2022 7.9% -
2021 1.9% -
2020 0.6% -
2019 1.1% 1.3%
2018 1.3% -14.4%
2017 0.8% -13.3%
2016 -1.4% -5.6%
2015 0.1% 28.5%
2014 -0.2% 8.4%
2013 1.5% 6.3%
2012 2.5% 6%
2011 4.5% 5.9%
2010 2.1% 10.3%
2009 1% 33.9%
2008 6.8% 22.2%
2007 4.4% 9.4%
2006 4.8% 7.7%
2005 0.4% 12.5%
2004 -1.9% 25.1%
2003 1.2% 22.7%
2002 1.9% 16.9%
2001 3.7% 14.6%
2000 -2.4% 19.9%
1999 4.3% 8.4%
1998 4.4% 9.5%
1997 8.6% 3.7%

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

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

Over the past 23 years, Cape Verde has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.15%, compared with 10.4% in Eritrea. In 2019, inflation was 1% in Cape Verde and 1.3% in Eritrea.

Balance of trade

Cape Verde Eritrea
Current account balance
$107M
2024
-$105M
2000
Current account balance ranking
67/190
2024
89/190
2000
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.91%
2024
-14.8%
2000
Goods imports
$1.17B
2024
$471M
2000
Goods exports
$328M
2024
$36.8M
2000
Service imports
$298M
2024
$28.5M
2000
Service exports
$830M
2024
$60.9M
2000
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
54%
2024
29.2%
2011
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.5%
2024
18.2%
2011

Economic freedom indices

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

Cape Verde Eritrea
Economic freedom 71.4 39.6
Economic freedom ranking 32/197 188/197
Property rights 72.7 4.8
Government integrity 63.3 10.9
Judicial effectiveness 77.1 5.5
Tax burden 84.4 80.3
Government spending 79.5 62.3
Fiscal health 74.4 69
Business freedom 78.9 30.7
Labor freedom 59.5 43.4
Monetary freedom 80.4 80
Trade freedom 66.6 68.4
Investment freedom 60 0
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cape Verde
Eritrea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cape Verde Eritrea
2026 71.4 39.6
2025 68.7 38.6
2024 62.9 39.5
2023 65.8 39.5
2022 66.7 39.7
2021 63.8 42.3
2020 63.6 38.5
2019 63.1 38.9
2018 60 41.7
2017 56.9 42.2
2016 66.5 42.7
2015 66.4 38.9
2014 66.1 38.5
2013 63.7 36.3
2012 63.5 36.2
2011 64.6 36.7
2010 61.8 35.3
2009 61.3 38.5
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/cape-verde/eritrea | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Cape Verde is 71.4, ranking 32/197, compared to 39.6 for Eritrea, ranking 188/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cape Verde Eritrea
Services, % of GDP
68.7%
2024
n/a
Industry, % of GDP
10.7%
2024
21.8%
2009
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.92%
2024
14.1%
2009
GNI, Atlas method
$2.6B
2024
$1.94B
2011
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,000
2024
$1,720
2011
Total reserves including gold
$783M
2024
$192M
2019
Total reserves ranking
144/177
2024
170/177
2019
Net foreign direct investment
-$89.2M
2024
-$27.9M
2000
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$110M
2024
-$27.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$20.8M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.69%
2024
1.07%
2011
Poverty at national poverty lines
24.8%
2023
50%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
16.4%
2024
12.6%
2011

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/eritrea | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2024, 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 (1994–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017–2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.