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Economy of Cape Verde vs Ghana compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Cape Verde has a GDP of $3.06B compared to $114B for Ghana, ranking 172/197 and 69/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cape Verde has $3.09B in government debt (101% of GDP), compared to $55.8B (48.8% of GDP) in Ghana.

Cape Verde vs Ghana GDP by year

Cape Verde
Ghana
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cape Verde Ghana
2025 $3,056,630,435 $114,209,905,279
2024 $2,713,721,857 $83,288,585,604
2023 $2,504,525,538 $80,547,146,876
2022 $2,247,003,344 $73,919,003,212
2021 $2,051,842,619 $79,514,204,730
2020 $1,821,565,614 $70,008,243,860
2019 $2,252,177,124 $68,352,629,246
2018 $2,205,099,507 $67,259,353,966
2017 $1,996,741,540 $60,385,409,435
2016 $1,849,789,986 $56,144,179,398
2015 $1,749,857,620 $49,436,806,230
2014 $2,041,930,125 $54,678,533,806
2013 $2,028,910,915 $62,845,721,960
2012 $1,913,081,210 $41,271,701,061
2011 $2,046,817,987 $39,336,668,081
2010 $1,824,751,468 $32,197,655,567
2009 $1,852,334,575 $26,048,720,006
2008 $1,959,620,648 $28,679,383,241
2007 $1,649,621,739 $24,827,339,138
2006 $1,107,571,458 $20,885,037,597
2005 $972,241,677 $10,744,568,381
2004 $924,940,012 $8,881,417,907
2003 $813,260,469 $7,632,723,556
2002 $620,507,387 $6,166,197,848
2001 $563,090,490 $5,314,872,854
2000 $539,227,278 $4,982,850,662
1999 $592,416,703 $7,718,109,982
1998 $521,910,561 $7,482,069,162
1997 $490,608,658 $6,891,443,192
1996 $501,979,270 $6,932,991,739
1995 $487,148,994 $6,464,382,808
1994 $406,580,652 $5,446,383,727
1993 $490,417,390 $5,968,922,939
1992 $357,160,985 $6,416,103,926
1991 $319,827,059 $6,603,185,268
1990 $306,890,963 $5,889,106,573
1989 $267,448,571 $5,251,858,440
1988 $264,308,140 $5,197,765,032
1987 $235,253,065 $5,074,829,932
1986 $190,651,168 $5,735,677,434
1985 $137,728,205 $4,504,306,723
1984 $132,019,039 $4,412,279,843
1983 $138,476,176 $4,057,275,132
1982 $140,630,679 $4,035,994,398
1981 $139,468,209 $4,222,441,860
1980 $142,246,815 $4,445,228,216
1979 - $4,020,227,920
1978 - $3,662,478,185
1977 - $3,189,428,571
1976 - $2,765,254,237
1975 - $2,810,106,383
1974 - $2,894,409,938
1973 - $3,006,766,758
1972 - $2,112,293,280
1971 - $2,417,108,578
1970 - $2,215,028,588
1969 - $1,962,050,556
1968 - $1,666,909,518
1967 - $1,747,187,645
1966 - $2,126,300,672
1965 - $2,053,462,968
1964 - $1,731,296,200
1963 - $1,540,797,589
1962 - $1,382,515,654
1961 - $1,302,674,325
1960 - $1,217,230,095

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

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

GDP per capita in Cape Verde vs Ghana by year

Cape Verde
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Ghana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cape Verde Ghana
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $5,796 - $3,257 -
2024 $5,170 $11,195 $2,419 $8,020
2023 $4,795 $10,242 $2,384 $7,556
2022 $4,323 $9,481 $2,230 $7,208
2021 $3,971 $7,685 $2,445 $6,608
2020 $3,539 $6,853 $2,195 $6,047
2019 $4,381 $8,646 $2,187 $6,003
2018 $4,295 $7,916 $2,195 $5,536
2017 $3,893 $7,936 $2,012 $5,171
2016 $3,609 $7,351 $1,912 $5,011
2015 $3,415 $6,773 $1,723 $5,191
2014 $3,986 $6,417 $1,950 $5,517
2013 $3,961 $6,367 $2,295 $5,215
2012 $3,737 $6,318 $1,544 $4,934
2011 $4,002 $6,384 $1,507 $4,381
2010 $3,579 $6,039 $1,264 $3,855
2009 $3,660 $5,901 $1,048 $3,617
2008 $3,909 $6,011 $1,183 $3,516
2007 $3,325 $5,567 $1,050 $3,241
2006 $2,257 $4,758 $906 $3,103
2005 $2,004 $4,324 $479 $2,904
2004 $1,929 $3,969 $406 $2,729
2003 $1,718 $3,551 $358 $2,584
2002 $1,329 $3,388 $297.5 $2,475
2001 $1,223 $3,217 $263.5 $2,397
2000 $1,190 $3,124 $253.7 $2,315
1999 $1,327 $2,714 $403 $2,239
1998 $1,187 $2,443 $400 $2,167
1997 $1,134 $2,182 $378 $2,097
1996 $1,180 $1,963 $389 $2,026
1995 $1,165 $1,762 $372 $1,947
1994 $991 $1,540 $321 $1,875
1993 $1,220 $1,291 $360 $1,821
1992 $908 $1,186 $396 $1,739
1991 $832 $1,069 $418 $1,678
1990 $817 $1,044 $383 $1,581
1989 $727 - $350 -
1988 $729 - $355 -
1987 $658 - $355 -
1986 $541 - $411 -
1985 $396 - $330 -
1984 $385 - $330 -
1983 $410 - $311 -
1982 $423 - $319 -
1981 $425 - $344 -
1980 $440 - $372 -
1979 - - $347 -
1978 - - $326 -
1977 - - $292.3 -
1976 - - $261 -
1975 - - $273 -
1974 - - $289.4 -
1973 - - $310 -
1972 - - $223.8 -
1971 - - $263.4 -
1970 - - $248.2 -
1969 - - $225.8 -
1968 - - $196.7 -
1967 - - $211.2 -
1966 - - $263.3 -
1965 - - $260.5 -
1964 - - $225 -
1963 - - $205 -
1962 - - $188.4 -
1961 - - $181.9 -
1960 - - $174.9 -

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

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

Cape Verde's GDP per capita is $5,796, ranking 116/197, compared to $3,257 in Ghana, ranking 139/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cape Verde ranks 129th at $11,195, while Ghana ranks 140th at $8,020.

Economic indicators

Cape Verde Ghana
Gross domestic product
$3.06B
2025
$114B
2025
GDP rank
172/197
2025
69/197
2025
GDP growth
6.3%
2024-2025
5.95%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$5,796
2025
$3,257
2025
GDP per capita rank
116/197
2025
139/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,195
2024
$8,020
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
129/197
2024
140/197
2024
Government debt
$3.09B
2025
$55.8B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
101%
2025
48.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$5,854
2025
$1,590
2025
Government debt per person rank
77/185
2025
128/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,506
2026
$2,135
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$16.4B
2025
Income share by richest 10%
32.3%
2015
32.2%
2016
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2015
1.6%
2016
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27%
2025
17%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.3%
2024-2025
14.2%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
1.5%
2024
14%
2026
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2019
3.97%
2024
Population
530853
36032857

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cape Verde
Spending

Debt
Ghana
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cape Verde Ghana
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 27% 101% 17% 48.8%
2024 26.1% 112.8% 22% 70.3%
2023 25.7% 117.5% 18.5% 79.1%
2022 26.6% 127.6% 27.5% 92.7%
2021 30.8% 149.5% 27.2% 86.9%
2020 34.5% 149.1% 31.5% 79.1%
2019 27.5% 109.8% 22.5% 62.9%
2018 27.5% 112.3% 20.9% 62%
2017 28% 113% 17.6% 57%
2016 26.6% 115.6% 19.9% 55.9%
2015 28.7% 115.7% 18.6% 53.9%
2014 27.8% 105.7% 21% 50.1%
2013 30.9% 93.5% 21.6% 42.9%
2012 31.6% 82.9% 22.1% 35.5%
2011 30.3% 71.6% 19.5% 31.2%
2010 35.7% 66.2% 19% 32.9%
2009 30.6% 58.8% 16.6% 25.4%
2008 27.6% 57.5% 16.6% 23.2%
2007 27.1% 59.6% 16.8% 21.1%
2006 28.4% 66.2% 14.4% 17.3%
2005 26.2% 66.7% 12.9% 31.7%
2004 26.3% 67.8% 13.7% 38.4%
2003 23.4% 65.6% 12.1% 49.3%
2002 28.5% 64.7% 10.7% 54.1%
2001 24.2% 62.2% 13.8% 57.8%
2000 36.7% 71.9% 12% 74.5%
1999 35% 66.4% 11.1% 51.7%
1998 29.8% 72.9% 11.8% 37.6%
1997 34.8% 79.3% 12% 45.2%
1996 38.9% 85.7% 12.4% 42.9%
1995 44.5% 74.3% 13% 47.6%
1994 48.1% 73.4% 12.7% 50.6%
1993 - - 12.1% 34.1%
1992 - - 9.2% 21.3%
1991 - - 7.09% 17.3%
1990 - - 6.59% 17.8%
1989 - - 7.24% 23%
1988 - - 7.23% 23.5%
1987 - - 7.32% 26.8%
1986 - - 7.29% 18.2%
1985 - - 6.08% 14.4%
1984 - - 4.64% 13%
1983 - - 3.49% 9.21%
1982 - - 4.73% 8.51%
1981 - - 5.74% 8.77%
1980 - - 7.51% 9.75%
1979 - - 9.14% 11.5%
1978 - - 6.54% 11.4%
1977 - - 10.5% 20.7%
1976 - - 12.8% 26%
1975 - - 13.2% 21.8%
1974 - - 9.52% 21.8%
1973 - - 9.35% 25.4%
1972 - - 11.4% 29.8%
1971 - - 11.7% 29.5%
1970 - - 12.2% 31.9%
1969 - - 11.2% 31.4%
1968 - - 12.3% 34.5%
1967 - - 11.5% 33.9%
1966 - - 9.12% 29.8%
1965 - - 14.2% 30.2%
1964 - - 15.8% 30.8%
1963 - - 15.3% 30.5%
1962 - - 12.5% 11.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1996, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Cape Verde's government spending was $827M, accounting for 27% of its GDP, while Ghana spent $19.4B, or 17% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 101% in Cape Verde and 48.8% in Ghana, ranking 23/185 and 108/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cape Verde

Ghana
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cape Verde Ghana
2025 1.06% -1.35%
2024 -1.07% -6.23%
2023 -0.28% -3.37%
2022 -4.25% -11.8%
2021 -7.51% -12%
2020 -9.29% -17.4%
2019 -1.62% -7.52%
2018 -2.36% -6.79%
2017 -2.63% -3.97%
2016 -2.73% -6.75%
2015 -4.16% -4.01%
2014 -6.93% -7.81%
2013 -8.49% -9.12%
2012 -9.36% -8.36%
2011 -6.98% -5.47%
2010 -9.6% -7.13%
2009 -5.32% -5.05%
2008 -1.42% -5.56%
2007 -0.86% -4.91%
2006 -4.32% -3.11%
2005 -4.69% -1.87%
2004 -2.98% -2.02%
2003 -3.63% -1.99%
2002 -6.14% -2.73%
2001 -5.03% -3.64%
2000 -15.5% -3.98%
1999 -10.9% -5.64%
1998 -3.16% -5.27%
1997 -10.2% -6.14%
1996 -11.2% -5.61%
1995 -11.1% -4.52%
1994 -12.8% -4.99%
1993 - -5.39%
1992 - -4.5%
1991 - -1.47%
1990 - -1.93%
1989 - -0.81%
1988 - -1.08%
1987 - -0.92%
1986 - -1.26%
1985 - -1.19%
1984 - -0.98%
1983 - -1.13%
1982 - -2.03%
1981 - -3.8%
1980 - -4.73%
1979 - -3.61%
1978 - -1.21%
1977 - -4.68%
1976 - -5.53%
1975 - -4.05%
1974 - -2.06%
1973 - -2.64%
1972 - -2.19%
1971 - 0.13%
1970 - -2.35%
1969 - -2.67%
1968 - -2.34%
1967 - -2.32%
1966 - -1.29%
1965 - -3.29%
1964 - -3.72%
1963 - -5.66%
1962 - -5.04%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/ghana | 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 Ghana's deficit of $1.54B, or 1.35% of GDP.

Over the past 32 years, Cape Verde recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while Ghana ran a deficit in 32 years. On average, Cape Verde posted an annual deficit equal to 5.8% of GDP, compared to deficit of 5.82% of GDP for Ghana.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cape Verde

Ghana
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cape Verde Ghana
2025 2.3% 14.2%
2024 1.1% 22.8%
2023 3.7% 38.1%
2022 7.9% 31.3%
2021 1.9% 9.97%
2020 0.6% 9.89%
2019 1.1% 7.14%
2018 1.3% 7.81%
2017 0.8% 12.4%
2016 -1.4% 17.5%
2015 0.1% 17.1%
2014 -0.2% 15.5%
2013 1.5% 11.7%
2012 2.5% 11.2%
2011 4.5% 8.73%
2010 2.1% 10.7%
2009 1% 19.2%
2008 6.8% 16.5%
2007 4.4% 10.7%
2006 4.8% 11.7%
2005 0.4% 15.4%
2004 -1.9% 18%
2003 1.2% 29.8%
2002 1.9% 9.36%
2001 3.7% 41.5%
2000 -2.4% 40.2%
1999 4.3% 4.87%
1998 4.4% 14.6%
1997 8.6% 27.9%

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/ghana | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Cape Verde has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.31%, compared with 17.4% in Ghana. In 2025, inflation was 2.3% in Cape Verde and 14.2% in Ghana.

Top exports between countries

Cape Verde
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $1K
Ghana
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $145K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $46K
Chemicals & pharma $1K
Machinery & equipment $1K

Balance of trade

Cape Verde Ghana
Current account balance
$108M
2025
$9.39B
2025
Current account balance ranking
63/190
2025
25/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.53%
2025
+8.22%
2025
Goods imports
$1.29B
2025
$17.5B
2025
Goods exports
$344M
2025
$31.2B
2025
Service imports
$350M
2025
$14.6B
2025
Service exports
$940M
2025
$10.1B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.4%
2025
33.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42%
2025
35.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Cape Verde Ghana
Economic freedom 71.4 57.3
Economic freedom ranking 32/197 118/197
Property rights 72.7 50.2
Government integrity 63.3 45.4
Judicial effectiveness 77.1 57.5
Tax burden 84.4 79.4
Government spending 79.5 84
Fiscal health 74.4 10.1
Business freedom 78.9 64.5
Labor freedom 59.5 54.9
Monetary freedom 80.4 56.7
Trade freedom 66.6 65.2
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cape Verde
Ghana
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cape Verde Ghana
2026 71.4 57.3
2025 68.7 56
2024 62.9 55.8
2023 65.8 58
2022 66.7 59.8
2021 63.8 59.2
2020 63.6 59.4
2019 63.1 57.5
2018 60 56
2017 56.9 56.2
2016 66.5 63
2015 66.4 63
2014 66.1 64.2
2013 63.7 61.3
2012 63.5 60.7
2011 64.6 59.4
2010 61.8 60.2
2009 61.3 58.1
2008 57.9 57
2007 56.5 57.6
2006 58.6 55.6
2005 57.8 56.5
2004 58.1 59.1
2003 56.1 58.2
2002 57.6 57.2
2001 56.3 58
2000 51.9 58.1
1999 50.7 57.9
1998 48 57
1997 47.7 56.7
1996 49.7 57.7
1995 - 55.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Cape Verde is 71.4, ranking 32/197, compared to 57.3 for Ghana, ranking 118/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cape Verde Ghana
Services, % of GDP
67.9%
2025
42.9%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
10.7%
2025
29.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
5.04%
2025
21.3%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$2.95B
2025
$92.3B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,010
2025
$8,080
2025
Total reserves including gold
$1.26B
2025
$4.47B
2024
Total reserves ranking
138/177
2025
108/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$130M
2025
-$1.87B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$110M
2024
$1.77B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$20.8M
2024
$5.37M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.72%
2024
3.5%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
24.8%
2023
23.4%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.4%
2025
9.9%
2024

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/ghana | CC BY

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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 (1962–1996, 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 (2019–2024, 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.