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Economy of Cape Verde vs Gabon compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Cape Verde has a GDP of $2.73B compared to $20.9B for Gabon, ranking 172/197 and 127/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cape Verde has $3.03B in government debt (111.2% of GDP), compared to $15.2B (72.7% of GDP) in Gabon.

Cape Verde vs Gabon GDP by year

Cape Verde
Gabon
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cape Verde Gabon
2024 $2,725,414,151 $20,895,684,426
2023 $2,504,525,549 $19,388,372,071
2022 $2,247,003,344 $20,440,655,695
2021 $2,051,842,619 $19,444,935,097
2020 $1,821,565,614 $15,342,236,164
2019 $2,252,177,124 $16,874,405,465
2018 $2,205,099,507 $16,867,326,402
2017 $1,996,741,540 $14,929,487,485
2016 $1,849,789,986 $14,023,890,265
2015 $1,749,857,620 $14,383,107,763
2014 $2,041,930,125 $18,203,966,896
2013 $2,028,910,915 $17,595,744,798
2012 $1,913,081,210 $17,170,464,016
2011 $2,046,817,987 $18,210,307,744
2010 $1,824,751,468 $14,372,593,020
2009 $1,852,334,575 $12,113,699,068
2008 $1,959,620,648 $15,571,348,344
2007 $1,649,621,739 $12,455,409,587
2006 $1,107,571,458 $10,327,598,306
2005 $972,241,677 $9,582,783,991
2004 $924,940,012 $7,770,219,008
2003 $813,260,469 $6,511,903,365
2002 $620,507,387 $5,335,451,100
2001 $563,090,490 $5,023,265,413
2000 $539,227,278 $5,080,483,629
1999 $592,416,703 $4,662,992,036
1998 $521,910,561 $4,483,417,310
1997 $490,608,658 $5,326,817,115
1996 $501,979,270 $5,694,040,003
1995 $487,148,994 $4,958,845,648
1994 $406,580,652 $4,190,819,344
1993 $490,417,390 $4,378,645,081
1992 $357,160,985 $5,592,390,827
1991 $319,827,059 $5,402,919,785
1990 $306,890,963 $5,952,293,765
1989 $267,448,571 $4,186,411,464
1988 $264,308,140 $3,834,503,376
1987 $235,253,065 $3,281,797,043
1986 $190,651,168 $3,403,638,189
1985 $137,728,205 $3,339,914,757
1984 $132,019,039 $3,561,451,561
1983 $138,476,176 $3,391,275,732
1982 $140,630,679 $3,618,007,841
1981 $139,468,209 $3,862,269,121
1980 $142,246,815 $4,279,637,942
1979 - $3,030,251,120
1978 - $2,389,479,272
1977 - $2,809,349,069
1976 - $3,009,409,974
1975 - $2,157,592,940
1974 - $1,544,216,002
1973 - $722,780,701
1972 - $430,508,359
1971 - $381,687,073
1970 - $323,802,476
1969 - $318,124,701
1968 - $294,468,564
1967 - $271,543,680
1966 - $245,849,781
1965 - $226,474,286
1964 - $215,679,855
1963 - $154,480,244
1962 - $182,796,536
1961 - $167,637,907
1960 - $141,468,978

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

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

GDP per capita in Cape Verde vs Gabon by year

Cape Verde
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Gabon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cape Verde Gabon
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,192 $11,195 $8,230 $21,510
2023 $4,795 $10,242 $7,803 $20,756
2022 $4,323 $9,481 $8,409 $19,993
2021 $3,971 $7,685 $8,181 $18,524
2020 $3,539 $6,853 $6,606 $14,477
2019 $4,381 $8,646 $7,441 $15,950
2018 $4,295 $7,916 $7,624 $15,432
2017 $3,893 $7,936 $6,922 $14,797
2016 $3,609 $7,351 $6,677 $13,998
2015 $3,415 $6,773 $7,047 $14,306
2014 $3,986 $6,417 $9,201 $14,854
2013 $3,961 $6,367 $9,198 $14,498
2012 $3,737 $6,318 $9,297 $14,620
2011 $4,002 $6,384 $10,219 $14,784
2010 $3,579 $6,039 $8,357 $14,015
2009 $3,660 $5,901 $7,291 $13,384
2008 $3,909 $6,011 $9,689 $13,734
2007 $3,325 $5,567 $8,004 $14,391
2006 $2,257 $4,758 $6,847 $13,637
2005 $2,004 $4,324 $6,548 $14,028
2004 $1,929 $3,969 $5,466 $13,638
2003 $1,718 $3,551 $4,711 $13,564
2002 $1,329 $3,388 $3,966 $13,369
2001 $1,223 $3,217 $3,836 $13,556
2000 $1,190 $3,124 $3,983 $13,326
1999 $1,327 $2,714 $3,751 $13,629
1998 $1,187 $2,443 $3,700 $15,138
1997 $1,134 $2,182 $4,509 $14,837
1996 $1,180 $1,963 $4,943 $14,147
1995 $1,165 $1,762 $4,415 $13,750
1994 $991 $1,540 $3,828 $13,164
1993 $1,220 $1,291 $4,106 $12,757
1992 $908 $1,186 $5,386 $12,312
1991 $832 $1,069 $5,345 $12,760
1990 $817 $1,044 $6,051 $11,952
1989 $727 - $4,374 -
1988 $729 - $4,119 -
1987 $658 - $3,624 -
1986 $541 - $3,865 -
1985 $396 - $3,898 -
1984 $385 - $4,273 -
1983 $410 - $4,182 -
1982 $423 - $4,584 -
1981 $425 - $5,026 -
1980 $440 - $5,718 -
1979 - - $4,155 -
1978 - - $3,360 -
1977 - - $4,048 -
1976 - - $4,441 -
1975 - - $3,258 -
1974 - - $2,384 -
1973 - - $1,140 -
1972 - - $693 -
1971 - - $627 -
1970 - - $543 -
1969 - - $545 -
1968 - - $515 -
1967 - - $482 -
1966 - - $443 -
1965 - - $415 -
1964 - - $400 -
1963 - - $290.7 -
1962 - - $348 -
1961 - - $323 -
1960 - - $276.1 -

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

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

Cape Verde's GDP per capita is $5,192, ranking 118/197, compared to $8,230 in Gabon, ranking 93/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cape Verde ranks 129th at $11,195, while Gabon ranks 90th at $21,510.

Economic indicators

Cape Verde Gabon
Gross domestic product
$2.73B
2024
$20.9B
2024
GDP rank
172/197
2024
127/197
2024
GDP growth
7.24%
2023-2024
3.39%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,192
2024
$8,230
2024
GDP per capita rank
118/197
2024
93/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,195
2024
$21,510
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
129/197
2024
90/197
2024
Government debt
$3.03B
2024
$15.2B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
111.2%
2024
72.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$5,776
2024
$5,985
2024
Government debt per person rank
76/185
2024
75/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,576
2026
$5,368
2026
Income share by richest 10%
32.3%
2015
27.7%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2015
2.2%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
26.1%
2024
24.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1%
2023-2024
1.17%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.5%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2019
20.4%
2010
Population
530391
2663339

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cape Verde
Spending

Debt
Gabon
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cape Verde Gabon
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 26.1% 111.2% 24.8% 72.7%
2023 25.7% 117.5% 21.5% 70.6%
2022 26.6% 127.6% 19.7% 65.6%
2021 30.8% 149.5% 17.3% 72.9%
2020 34.5% 144.3% 19.8% 83%
2019 27.5% 109.8% 17.4% 59.8%
2018 27.5% 112.3% 17.1% 62.3%
2017 28% 113% 18.1% 62.9%
2016 26.6% 115.6% 21.8% 64.5%
2015 28.7% 115.7% 22.3% 44.7%
2014 27.8% 105.7% 23.8% 34.1%
2013 30.9% 93.5% 34.7% 31.1%
2012 31.6% 82.9% 23.9% 21.4%
2011 30.3% 71.6% 22.1% 21.4%
2010 35.7% 73.5% 23.1% 21.3%
2009 30.6% 58.8% 22.6% 26%
2008 27.6% 57.5% 18.9% 20.1%
2007 27.1% 59.6% 19.4% 39.2%
2006 28.4% 66.2% 21.1% 34.9%
2005 26.2% 66.7% 20.8% 41.7%
2004 26.3% 67.8% 20.9% 60.3%
2003 23.4% 65.6% 21.2% 70.2%
2002 28.5% 64.7% 25.7% 81.1%
2001 24.2% 62.2% 27.8% 81%
2000 36.7% 71.9% 20.3% 72.5%
1999 35% 66.4% 25.5% 73.1%
1998 29.8% 72.9% 45.5% 87.6%
1997 34.8% 79.3% 29.7% 57%
1996 38.9% 85.7% 22.2% 64.5%
1995 44.5% 74.3% 25.1% 73.4%
1994 48.1% 73.4% 23.9% 71.3%
1993 - - 26.9% 90.1%
1992 - - 26.5% 87.9%
1991 - - 25.1% 89.3%
1990 - - 22.6% 90%

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/gabon | CC BY

In 2024, Cape Verde's government spending was $711M, accounting for 26.1% of its GDP, while Gabon spent $5.18B, or 24.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 111.2% in Cape Verde and 72.7% in Gabon, ranking 16/185 and 51/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cape Verde

Gabon
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cape Verde Gabon
2024 -1.07% -3.84%
2023 -0.28% 1.79%
2022 -4.25% -0.89%
2021 -7.51% -1.93%
2020 -9.29% -2.19%
2019 -1.62% 2.13%
2018 -2.36% -0.21%
2017 -2.63% -1.7%
2016 -2.73% -4.71%
2015 -4.16% -1.12%
2014 -6.93% 5.98%
2013 -8.49% -3.07%
2012 -9.36% 6.2%
2011 -6.98% 1.41%
2010 -9.6% 2.7%
2009 -5.32% 6.77%
2008 -1.42% 11%
2007 -0.86% 8.06%
2006 -4.32% 8.67%
2005 -4.69% 7.98%
2004 -2.98% 6.99%
2003 -3.63% 7.75%
2002 -6.14% 3.72%
2001 -5.03% 4.07%
2000 -15.5% 11.1%
1999 -10.9% 1.11%
1998 -3.16% -13.1%
1997 -10.2% 1.41%
1996 -11.2% 2.12%
1995 -11.1% 2.64%
1994 -12.8% -1.53%
1993 - -5.35%
1992 - -4.9%
1991 - -2.03%
1990 - -3.83%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/gabon | 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 Gabon's deficit of $802M, or 3.84% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Cape Verde recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while Gabon ran a deficit in 11 years. On average, Cape Verde posted an annual deficit equal to 6.02% of GDP, compared to surplus of 2.24% of GDP for Gabon.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cape Verde

Gabon
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cape Verde Gabon
2024 1% 1.17%
2023 3.7% 3.63%
2022 7.9% 4.23%
2021 1.9% 1.09%
2020 0.6% 1.35%
2019 1.1% 2.46%
2018 1.3% 4.75%
2017 0.8% 2.65%
2016 -1.4% 2.11%
2015 0.1% -0.34%
2014 -0.2% 4.69%
2013 1.5% 0.51%
2012 2.5% 2.65%
2011 4.5% 1.26%
2010 2.1% 1.46%
2009 1% 1.89%
2008 6.8% 5.26%
2007 4.4% 5.03%
2006 4.8% -1.41%
2005 0.4% 3.71%
2004 -1.9% 0.41%
2003 1.2% 2.24%
2002 1.9% 0.04%
2001 3.7% 2.14%
2000 -2.4% 0.5%
1999 4.3% -1.94%
1998 4.4% 1.45%
1997 8.6% 3.97%

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/gabon | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Cape Verde has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.31%, compared with 2.03% in Gabon. In 2024, inflation was 1% in Cape Verde and 1.17% in Gabon.

Top exports between countries

Cape Verde
Export category Export value
Gabon
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $708K
Textiles & consumer goods $91K
Precious metals & jewellery $12K
Machinery & equipment $8K
Raw materials & minerals $5K
Metals $2K
Chemicals & pharma $1K

Balance of trade

Cape Verde Gabon
Current account balance
$107M
2024
$141M
2015
Current account balance ranking
67/190
2024
66/190
2015
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.91%
2024
+0.98%
2015
Goods imports
$1.17B
2024
$3.17B
2015
Goods exports
$328M
2024
$5.11B
2015
Service imports
$298M
2024
$1.88B
2015
Service exports
$830M
2024
$277M
2015
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
54%
2024
27.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.5%
2024
64.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Cape Verde Gabon
Economic freedom 71.4 56.6
Economic freedom ranking 32/197 120/197
Property rights 72.7 30
Government integrity 63.3 22.6
Judicial effectiveness 77.1 19.9
Tax burden 84.4 76.5
Government spending 79.5 85.5
Fiscal health 74.4 87.9
Business freedom 78.9 63.6
Labor freedom 59.5 55.4
Monetary freedom 80.4 80.9
Trade freedom 66.6 57.4
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 60 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cape Verde
Gabon
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cape Verde Gabon
2026 71.4 56.6
2025 68.7 56.3
2024 62.9 56.9
2023 65.8 56.1
2022 66.7 55.8
2021 63.8 58.1
2020 63.6 56.7
2019 63.1 56.3
2018 60 58
2017 56.9 58.6
2016 66.5 59
2015 66.4 58.3
2014 66.1 57.8
2013 63.7 57.8
2012 63.5 56.4
2011 64.6 56.7
2010 61.8 55.4
2009 61.3 55
2008 57.9 54.2
2007 56.5 54.8
2006 58.6 56.1
2005 57.8 54.8
2004 58.1 57.1
2003 56.1 58.7
2002 57.6 58
2001 56.3 55
2000 51.9 58.2
1999 50.7 60.5
1998 48 59.2
1997 47.7 58.8
1996 49.7 55.7
1995 - 57.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Cape Verde is 71.4, ranking 32/197, compared to 56.6 for Gabon, ranking 120/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cape Verde Gabon
Services, % of GDP
68.7%
2024
36.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
10.7%
2024
52.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.92%
2024
6.56%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.6B
2024
$19.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,000
2024
$20,400
2024
Total reserves including gold
$783M
2024
$1.45B
2023
Total reserves ranking
144/177
2024
136/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$89.2M
2024
-$25.3M
2015
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$110M
2024
$1.14B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$20.8M
2024
-$33.8M
2019
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.69%
2024
5.67%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
24.8%
2023
33.4%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
16.4%
2024
19.1%
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/gabon | 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 (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2020–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1994–1996, 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.