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Economy of Cape Verde vs Guinea-Bissau compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Cape Verde has a GDP of $3.06B compared to $2.53B for Guinea-Bissau, ranking 172/197 and 176/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cape Verde has $3.09B in government debt (101% of GDP), compared to $1.9B (75.3% of GDP) in Guinea-Bissau.

Cape Verde vs Guinea-Bissau GDP by year

Cape Verde
Guinea-Bissau
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cape Verde Guinea-Bissau
2025 $3,056,630,435 $2,527,930,273
2024 $2,713,721,857 $2,197,777,210
2023 $2,504,525,538 $2,076,748,678
2022 $2,247,003,344 $1,856,239,955
2021 $2,051,842,619 $1,907,611,288
2020 $1,821,565,614 $1,705,062,170
2019 $2,252,177,124 $1,596,214,680
2018 $2,205,099,507 $1,554,133,594
2017 $1,996,741,540 $1,469,978,606
2016 $1,849,789,986 $1,245,074,264
2015 $1,749,857,620 $1,152,384,167
2014 $2,041,930,125 $1,135,250,721
2013 $2,028,910,915 $1,109,682,824
2012 $1,913,081,210 $1,049,412,177
2011 $2,046,817,987 $1,157,074,319
2010 $1,824,751,468 $940,112,539
2009 $1,852,334,575 $890,167,833
2008 $1,959,620,648 $952,667,544
2007 $1,649,621,739 $753,162,998
2006 $1,107,571,458 $634,781,901
2005 $972,241,677 $639,776,041
2004 $924,940,012 $582,169,841
2003 $813,260,469 $553,614,800
2002 $620,507,387 $466,773,711
2001 $563,090,490 $412,610,872
2000 $539,227,278 $391,345,597
1999 $592,416,703 $579,365,780
1998 $521,910,561 $591,034,143
1997 $490,608,658 $698,107,222
1996 $501,979,270 $702,965,148
1995 $487,148,994 $660,195,402
1994 $406,580,652 $612,502,085
1993 $490,417,390 $615,779,519
1992 $357,160,985 $588,309,271
1991 $319,827,059 $668,470,891
1990 $306,890,963 $634,187,269
1989 $267,448,571 $554,072,303
1988 $264,308,140 $427,514,322
1987 $235,253,065 $451,893,375
1986 $190,651,168 $338,524,233
1985 $137,728,205 $373,959,151
1984 $132,019,039 $359,980,491
1983 $138,476,176 $425,225,177
1982 $140,630,679 $430,284,022
1981 $139,468,209 $402,230,865
1980 $142,246,815 $287,648,258
1979 - $308,143,183
1978 - $318,876,550
1977 - $298,871,675
1976 - $292,152,321
1975 - $283,311,997
1974 - $256,769,730
1973 - $232,331,281
1972 - $227,986,203
1971 - $204,167,297
1970 - $204,670,551

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/guinea-bissau | CC BY

GDP per capita in Cape Verde vs Guinea-Bissau by year

Cape Verde
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Guinea-Bissau
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cape Verde Guinea-Bissau
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $5,796 - $1,124 -
2024 $5,170 $11,195 $998 $3,119
2023 $4,795 $10,242 $964 $2,990
2022 $4,323 $9,481 $882 $2,789
2021 $3,971 $7,685 $927 $2,523
2020 $3,539 $6,853 $847 $2,340
2019 $4,381 $8,646 $811 $2,247
2018 $4,295 $7,916 $809 $2,058
2017 $3,893 $7,936 $783 $2,082
2016 $3,609 $7,351 $680 $1,824
2015 $3,415 $6,773 $645 $1,730
2014 $3,986 $6,417 $652 $1,456
2013 $3,961 $6,367 $654 $1,416
2012 $3,737 $6,318 $635 $1,402
2011 $4,002 $6,384 $720 $1,472
2010 $3,579 $6,039 $600 $1,370
2009 $3,660 $5,901 $583 $1,315
2008 $3,909 $6,011 $640 $1,309
2007 $3,325 $5,567 $519 $1,260
2006 $2,257 $4,758 $449 $1,226
2005 $2,004 $4,324 $463 $1,187
2004 $1,929 $3,969 $431 $1,105
2003 $1,718 $3,551 $420 $1,089
2002 $1,329 $3,388 $362 $1,095
2001 $1,223 $3,217 $327 $1,064
2000 $1,190 $3,124 $317 $1,014
1999 $1,327 $2,714 $479 $1,001
1998 $1,187 $2,443 $498 $861
1997 $1,134 $2,182 $599 $1,118
1996 $1,180 $1,963 $615 $1,052
1995 $1,165 $1,762 $589 $945
1994 $991 $1,540 $561 $909
1993 $1,220 $1,291 $582 $890
1992 $908 $1,186 $574 $880
1991 $832 $1,069 $672 $877
1990 $817 $1,044 $651 $824
1989 $727 - $578 -
1988 $729 - $454 -
1987 $658 - $488 -
1986 $541 - $371 -
1985 $396 - $417 -
1984 $385 - $407 -
1983 $410 - $489 -
1982 $423 - $503 -
1981 $425 - $477 -
1980 $440 - $347 -
1979 - - $376 -
1978 - - $403 -
1977 - - $403 -
1976 - - $421 -
1975 - - $435 -
1974 - - $419 -
1973 - - $392 -
1972 - - $389 -
1971 - - $348 -
1970 - - $350 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/guinea-bissau | CC BY

Cape Verde's GDP per capita is $5,796, ranking 116/197, compared to $1,124 in Guinea-Bissau, ranking 177/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cape Verde ranks 129th at $11,195, while Guinea-Bissau ranks 179th at $3,119.

Economic indicators

Cape Verde Guinea-Bissau
Gross domestic product
$3.06B
2025
$2.53B
2025
GDP rank
172/197
2025
176/197
2025
GDP growth
6.3%
2024-2025
5.82%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$5,796
2025
$1,124
2025
GDP per capita rank
116/197
2025
177/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,195
2024
$3,119
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
129/197
2024
179/197
2024
Government debt
$3.09B
2025
$1.9B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
101%
2025
75.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$5,854
2025
$846
2025
Government debt per person rank
77/185
2025
149/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,506
2026
$1,483
2026
Income share by richest 10%
32.3%
2015
26.1%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2015
3.4%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27%
2025
19.9%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.3%
2024-2025
0.9%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
1.5%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2019
2.67%
2022
Population
530853
2323460

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cape Verde
Spending

Debt
Guinea-Bissau
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cape Verde Guinea-Bissau
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 27% 101% 19.9% 75.3%
2024 26.1% 112.8% 20.4% 82.4%
2023 25.7% 117.5% 21.9% 79.4%
2022 26.6% 127.6% 21.3% 80.7%
2021 30.8% 149.5% 25% 78.8%
2020 34.5% 149.1% 25% 77.6%
2019 27.5% 109.8% 18.8% 65.1%
2018 27.5% 112.3% 19.5% 59.1%
2017 28% 113% 18.1% 51.8%
2016 26.6% 115.6% 20.5% 59.1%
2015 28.7% 115.7% 21.5% 56.3%
2014 27.8% 105.7% 23% 60.1%
2013 30.9% 93.5% 12.4% 49.6%
2012 31.6% 82.9% 13% 47.4%
2011 30.3% 71.6% 17.3% 45.6%
2010 35.7% 66.2% 18.5% 61.7%
2009 30.6% 58.8% 20.6% 148.3%
2008 27.6% 57.5% 21.8% 148.8%
2007 27.1% 59.6% 23.7% 164%
2006 28.4% 66.2% 19.8% 190.4%
2005 26.2% 66.7% 20.2% 203.7%
2004 26.3% 67.8% 23% 202%
2003 23.4% 65.6% 17% 183.4%
2002 28.5% 64.7% 14.1% 197.5%
2001 24.2% 62.2% 19.1% 204.4%
2000 36.7% 71.9% 23.5% 217.1%
1999 35% 66.4% 12.1% 109.9%
1998 29.8% 72.9% 8.72% 109.1%
1997 34.8% 79.3% 12.7% 94.3%
1996 38.9% 85.7% 8.93% 117.3%
1995 44.5% 74.3% 8.14% 103.3%
1994 48.1% 73.4% 18.4% 105.5%
1993 - - 13.1% 112.4%
1992 - - 10.1% 85.3%
1991 - - 9.19% 88.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–1996, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/guinea-bissau | CC BY

In 2025, Cape Verde's government spending was $827M, accounting for 27% of its GDP, while Guinea-Bissau spent $502M, or 19.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 101% in Cape Verde and 75.3% in Guinea-Bissau, ranking 23/185 and 49/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cape Verde

Guinea-Bissau
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cape Verde Guinea-Bissau
2025 1.06% -6.69%
2024 -1.07% -7.26%
2023 -0.28% -8.15%
2022 -4.25% -6.06%
2021 -7.51% -5.88%
2020 -9.29% -9.64%
2019 -1.62% -3.86%
2018 -2.36% -4.76%
2017 -2.63% -1.32%
2016 -2.73% -5.34%
2015 -4.16% -3.16%
2014 -6.93% -2.44%
2013 -8.49% -1.67%
2012 -9.36% -2.12%
2011 -6.98% -1.35%
2010 -9.6% -0.23%
2009 -5.32% 2.68%
2008 -1.42% -0.73%
2007 -0.86% -8.77%
2006 -4.32% -4.57%
2005 -4.69% -4.96%
2004 -2.98% -5.92%
2003 -3.63% -5.63%
2002 -6.14% -3.7%
2001 -5.03% -1.83%
2000 -15.5% -2.8%
1999 -10.9% -4.06%
1998 -3.16% -5.95%
1997 -10.2% -2.56%
1996 -11.2% 3.48%
1995 -11.1% 2.45%
1994 -12.8% -5.54%
1993 - -0.34%
1992 - -0.25%
1991 - 1.61%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/guinea-bissau | 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 Guinea-Bissau's deficit of $169M, or 6.69% of GDP.

Over the past 32 years, Cape Verde recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while Guinea-Bissau ran a deficit in 29 years. On average, Cape Verde posted an annual deficit equal to 5.8% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.7% of GDP for Guinea-Bissau.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cape Verde

Guinea-Bissau
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cape Verde Guinea-Bissau
2025 2.3% 0.9%
2024 1.1% 3.7%
2023 3.7% 7.2%
2022 7.9% 7.9%
2021 1.9% 3.3%
2020 0.6% 1.5%
2019 1.1% 0.3%
2018 1.3% 0.4%
2017 0.8% -0.2%
2016 -1.4% 2.7%
2015 0.1% 1.5%
2014 -0.2% -1%
2013 1.5% 0.8%
2012 2.5% 2.1%
2011 4.5% 5.1%
2010 2.1% 1.1%
2009 1% -1.6%
2008 6.8% 10.4%
2007 4.4% 4.6%
2006 4.8% 2%
2005 0.4% 3.4%
2004 -1.9% 0.8%
2003 1.2% -3.5%
2002 1.9% 3.3%
2001 3.7% 3.3%
2000 -2.4% 8.6%
1999 4.3% -2.1%
1998 4.4% 8.1%
1997 8.6% 49.1%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/guinea-bissau | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Cape Verde has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.31%, compared with 4.27% in Guinea-Bissau. In 2025, inflation was 2.3% in Cape Verde and 0.9% in Guinea-Bissau.

Top exports between countries

Cape Verde
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $79K
Raw agricultural goods $29K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $17K
Chemicals & pharma $6K
Machinery & equipment $2K
Guinea-Bissau
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Cape Verde Guinea-Bissau
Current account balance
$108M
2025
-$162M
2024
Current account balance ranking
63/190
2025
87/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.53%
2025
-7.36%
2024
Goods imports
$1.29B
2025
$414M
2024
Goods exports
$344M
2025
$229M
2024
Service imports
$350M
2025
$198M
2024
Service exports
$940M
2025
$51M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.4%
2025
27%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42%
2025
13.9%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Cape Verde Guinea-Bissau
Economic freedom 71.4 43.2
Economic freedom ranking 32/197 181/197
Property rights 72.7 28.4
Government integrity 63.3 21
Judicial effectiveness 77.1 13.2
Tax burden 84.4 89
Government spending 79.5 86.5
Fiscal health 74.4 6.5
Business freedom 78.9 34.6
Labor freedom 59.5 55.9
Monetary freedom 80.4 75.9
Trade freedom 66.6 47
Investment freedom 60 30
Financial freedom 60 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cape Verde
Guinea-Bissau
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cape Verde Guinea-Bissau
2026 71.4 43.2
2025 68.7 43.6
2024 62.9 42.7
2023 65.8 44.6
2022 66.7 46
2021 63.8 54.9
2020 63.6 53.3
2019 63.1 54
2018 60 56.9
2017 56.9 56.1
2016 66.5 51.8
2015 66.4 52
2014 66.1 51.3
2013 63.7 51.1
2012 63.5 50.1
2011 64.6 46.5
2010 61.8 43.6
2009 61.3 45.4
2008 57.9 44.4
2007 56.5 46.1
2006 58.6 46.5
2005 57.8 46
2004 58.1 42.6
2003 56.1 43.1
2002 57.6 42.3
2001 56.3 42.5
2000 51.9 34.7
1999 50.7 33.5
1998 48 -
1997 47.7 -
1996 49.7 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/guinea-bissau | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Cape Verde is 71.4, ranking 32/197, compared to 43.2 for Guinea-Bissau, ranking 181/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cape Verde Guinea-Bissau
Services, % of GDP
67.9%
2025
39.1%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
10.7%
2025
15.7%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
5.04%
2025
40.6%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$2.95B
2025
$2.45B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,010
2025
$3,320
2025
Total reserves including gold
$1.26B
2025
n/a
Total reserves ranking
138/177
2025
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
-$130M
2025
-$26.3M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$110M
2024
$26.7M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$20.8M
2024
$389K
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.72%
2024
1.77%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
24.8%
2023
50.5%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.4%
2025
25.8%
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/guinea-bissau | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–1996, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020, 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.