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Economy of Cape Verde vs Iceland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Cape Verde has a GDP of $2.73B compared to $33.3B for Iceland, ranking 172/197 and 108/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cape Verde has $3.03B in government debt (111.2% of GDP), compared to $19.8B (59.4% of GDP) in Iceland.

Cape Verde vs Iceland GDP by year

Cape Verde
Iceland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cape Verde Iceland
2024 $2,725,414,151 $33,255,181,469
2023 $2,504,525,549 $31,677,891,897
2022 $2,247,003,344 $29,166,102,877
2021 $2,051,842,619 $26,234,872,402
2020 $1,821,565,614 $22,034,665,041
2019 $2,252,177,124 $24,985,687,022
2018 $2,205,099,507 $26,677,652,544
2017 $1,996,741,540 $25,060,086,488
2016 $1,849,789,986 $21,083,713,310
2015 $1,749,857,620 $17,700,486,957
2014 $2,041,930,125 $18,052,183,515
2013 $2,028,910,915 $16,244,319,959
2012 $1,913,081,210 $14,943,757,823
2011 $2,046,817,987 $15,394,005,872
2010 $1,824,751,468 $13,922,711,577
2009 $1,852,334,575 $13,212,543,838
2008 $1,959,620,648 $18,247,921,360
2007 $1,649,621,739 $21,960,110,030
2006 $1,107,571,458 $17,671,649,843
2005 $972,241,677 $17,146,410,561
2004 $924,940,012 $13,963,943,244
2003 $813,260,469 $11,564,687,742
2002 $620,507,387 $9,416,199,700
2001 $563,090,490 $8,323,401,820
2000 $539,227,278 $9,140,168,922
1999 $592,416,703 $9,107,644,691
1998 $521,910,561 $8,637,732,542
1997 $490,608,658 $7,716,781,803
1996 $501,979,270 $7,686,566,105
1995 $487,148,994 $7,372,640,169
1994 $406,580,652 $6,612,804,056
1993 $490,417,390 $6,435,952,174
1992 $357,160,985 $7,328,497,599
1991 $319,827,059 $7,151,260,062
1990 $306,890,963 $6,694,851,159
1989 $267,448,571 $5,870,854,233
1988 $264,308,140 $6,320,093,411
1987 $235,253,065 $5,713,281,235
1986 $190,651,168 $4,129,080,094
1985 $137,728,205 $3,088,359,967
1984 $132,019,039 $2,964,568,006
1983 $138,476,176 $2,862,634,164
1982 $140,630,679 $3,318,714,326
1981 $139,468,209 $3,615,094,820
1980 $142,246,815 $3,499,616,683
1979 - $2,953,176,971
1978 - $2,599,627,089
1977 - $2,285,707,749
1976 - $1,727,845,419
1975 - $1,456,052,700
1974 - $1,568,154,077
1973 - $1,194,794,186
1972 - $869,002,946
1971 - $693,679,545
1970 - $545,115,909
1969 - $435,659,610
1968 - $498,365,200
1967 - $652,609,076
1966 - $660,663,763
1965 - $550,150,988
1964 - $456,206,299
1963 - $357,240,896
1962 - $299,309,938
1961 - $266,711,460
1960 - $260,984,499

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

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

GDP per capita in Cape Verde vs Iceland by year

Cape Verde
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Iceland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cape Verde Iceland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,192 $11,195 $86,041 $84,257
2023 $4,795 $10,242 $82,139 $81,608
2022 $4,323 $9,481 $76,350 $75,333
2021 $3,971 $7,685 $70,425 $61,610
2020 $3,539 $6,853 $60,128 $55,797
2019 $4,381 $8,646 $69,296 $60,524
2018 $4,295 $7,916 $75,634 $57,198
2017 $3,893 $7,936 $72,976 $55,638
2016 $3,609 $7,351 $62,854 $53,480
2015 $3,415 $6,773 $53,506 $49,201
2014 $3,986 $6,417 $55,140 $45,997
2013 $3,961 $6,367 $50,173 $44,410
2012 $3,737 $6,318 $46,595 $42,004
2011 $4,002 $6,384 $48,255 $40,937
2010 $3,579 $6,039 $43,776 $39,764
2009 $3,660 $5,901 $41,484 $41,885
2008 $3,909 $6,011 $57,489 $43,728
2007 $3,325 $5,567 $70,483 $41,471
2006 $2,257 $4,758 $58,172 $39,692
2005 $2,004 $4,324 $57,784 $37,323
2004 $1,929 $3,969 $47,810 $35,612
2003 $1,718 $3,551 $39,944 $32,697
2002 $1,329 $3,388 $32,749 $32,607
2001 $1,223 $3,217 $29,208 $31,882
2000 $1,190 $3,124 $32,504 $29,789
1999 $1,327 $2,714 $32,834 $29,558
1998 $1,187 $2,443 $31,519 $28,723
1997 $1,134 $2,182 $28,462 $26,874
1996 $1,180 $1,963 $28,584 $24,776
1995 $1,165 $1,762 $27,565 $23,954
1994 $991 $1,540 $24,858 $23,562
1993 $1,220 $1,291 $24,404 $22,460
1992 $908 $1,186 $28,072 $21,877
1991 $832 $1,069 $27,740 $22,416
1990 $817 $1,044 $26,272 $21,985
1989 $727 - $23,219 -
1988 $729 - $25,307 -
1987 $658 - $23,238 -
1986 $541 - $16,980 -
1985 $396 - $12,793 -
1984 $385 - $12,378 -
1983 $410 - $12,080 -
1982 $423 - $14,191 -
1981 $425 - $15,666 -
1980 $440 - $15,340 -
1979 - - $13,082 -
1978 - - $11,630 -
1977 - - $10,305 -
1976 - - $7,848 -
1975 - - $6,680 -
1974 - - $7,287 -
1973 - - $5,627 -
1972 - - $4,155 -
1971 - - $3,366 -
1970 - - $2,666 -
1969 - - $2,142 -
1968 - - $2,473 -
1967 - - $3,284 -
1966 - - $3,378 -
1965 - - $2,861 -
1964 - - $2,414 -
1963 - - $1,924 -
1962 - - $1,641 -
1961 - - $1,490 -
1960 - - $1,486 -

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

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

Cape Verde's GDP per capita is $5,192, ranking 118/197, compared to $86,041 in Iceland, ranking 9/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cape Verde ranks 129th at $11,195, while Iceland ranks 13th at $84,257.

Economic indicators

Cape Verde Iceland
Gross domestic product
$2.73B
2024
$33.3B
2024
GDP rank
172/197
2024
108/197
2024
GDP growth
7.24%
2023-2024
-0.97%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,192
2024
$86,041
2024
GDP per capita rank
118/197
2024
9/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,195
2024
$84,257
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
129/197
2024
13/197
2024
Government debt
$3.03B
2024
$19.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
111.2%
2024
59.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$5,776
2024
$51,148
2024
Government debt per person rank
76/185
2024
9/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,576
2026
$55,565
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
32.3%
2015
22.4%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2015
3.7%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
26.1%
2024
46.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1%
2023-2024
5.86%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.5%
2024
7.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2019
3.56%
2024
Population
530391
397129

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cape Verde
Spending

Debt
Iceland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cape Verde Iceland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 26.1% 111.2% 46.5% 59.4%
2023 25.7% 117.5% 45% 61.5%
2022 26.6% 127.6% 45.9% 66.4%
2021 30.8% 149.5% 48.7% 73.6%
2020 34.5% 144.3% 50.2% 76.1%
2019 27.5% 109.8% 43% 65.7%
2018 27.5% 112.3% 43.2% 62.3%
2017 28% 113% 43.8% 70.8%
2016 26.6% 115.6% 45.8% 81.3%
2015 28.7% 115.7% 43% 96.3%
2014 27.8% 105.7% 45.4% 114.1%
2013 30.9% 93.5% 45.6% 121.1%
2012 31.6% 82.9% 47.1% 132.2%
2011 30.3% 71.6% 50% 136.6%
2010 35.7% 73.5% 48.2% 131.5%
2009 30.6% 58.8% 53.3% 128.2%
2008 27.6% 57.5% 62.8% 109.3%
2007 27.1% 59.6% 44.1% 67.4%
2006 28.4% 66.2% 44.3% 69.8%
2005 26.2% 66.7% 44.2% 67.8%
2004 26.3% 67.8% 46.2% 80.1%
2003 23.4% 65.6% 47.2% 84.1%
2002 28.5% 64.7% 45% 81.3%
2001 24.2% 62.2% 46.9% 82.5%
2000 36.7% 71.9% 44.3% 74.8%
1999 35% 66.4% 44.8% 75.5%
1998 29.8% 72.9% 40.2% 43.3%
1997 34.8% 79.3% 41.3% 51.1%
1996 38.9% 85.7% 43.9% 55.6%
1995 44.5% 74.3% 44.4% 58.1%
1994 48.1% 73.4% 45% 54.8%
1993 - - 45.1% 52.3%
1992 - - 44.7% 45.4%
1991 - - 42.8% 37.6%
1990 - - 42.6% 35.5%
1989 - - 42.9% 35.3%
1988 - - 41.4% 30.6%
1987 - - 36.5% 27.3%
1986 - - 39.5% 29.9%
1985 - - 37% 32%
1984 - - 34.7% 32.4%
1983 - - 37.8% 30.8%
1982 - - 36% 28.9%
1981 - - 35.3% 22.4%
1980 - - 33.9% 24.8%
1979 - - 32.4% 21.1%
1978 - - 31.9% 19.8%
1977 - - 31.7% 18.4%
1976 - - 32.1% 17.2%
1975 - - 36.9% 16.4%
1974 - - 36.6% 12.5%
1973 - - 33.7% 11.5%
1972 - - 33.3% 14.5%
1971 - - 32.5% 11.7%
1970 - - 29.9% 11.4%
1969 - - 30.3% 14.6%
1968 - - 33.3% 14.2%
1967 - - 31.6% 8.8%
1966 - - 28.3% 5.56%
1965 - - 28.3% 7.78%
1964 - - 28.2% 7.97%
1963 - - 26.2% 7.89%
1962 - - 24.9% 7.47%
1961 - - 25.3% 8.49%
1960 - - 33.2% 13.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Cape Verde's government spending was $711M, accounting for 26.1% of its GDP, while Iceland spent $15.5B, or 46.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 111.2% in Cape Verde and 59.4% in Iceland, ranking 16/185 and 80/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cape Verde

Iceland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cape Verde Iceland
2024 -1.07% -3.51%
2023 -0.28% -2.28%
2022 -4.25% -3.93%
2021 -7.51% -8.33%
2020 -9.29% -8.73%
2019 -1.62% -1.57%
2018 -2.36% 0.94%
2017 -2.63% 0.97%
2016 -2.73% 12.4%
2015 -4.16% -0.39%
2014 -6.93% 0.29%
2013 -8.49% -1.24%
2012 -9.36% -2.59%
2011 -6.98% -6.46%
2010 -9.6% -6.58%
2009 -5.32% -8.54%
2008 -1.42% -12%
2007 -0.86% 5.52%
2006 -4.32% 6.37%
2005 -4.69% 4.92%
2004 -2.98% 0.28%
2003 -3.63% -2.3%
2002 -6.14% -2.25%
2001 -5.03% -0.28%
2000 -15.5% 1.43%
1999 -10.9% 1.3%
1998 -3.16% -0.56%
1997 -10.2% 0.04%
1996 -11.2% -1.52%
1995 -11.1% -2.87%
1994 -12.8% -4.59%
1993 - -4.36%
1992 - -1.86%
1991 - -0.66%
1990 - -3.16%
1989 - -4.29%
1988 - -1.93%
1987 - -0.79%
1986 - -3.93%
1985 - -1.56%
1984 - 2.25%
1983 - -1.96%
1982 - 1.72%
1981 - 1.32%
1980 - 1.37%
1979 - -0.07%
1978 - -0.9%
1977 - -1.2%
1976 - 0.02%
1975 - -3.87%
1974 - -3.64%
1973 - -0.74%
1972 - 0.05%
1971 - -0.69%
1970 - 0.27%
1969 - -0.88%
1968 - -0.89%
1967 - 0.78%
1966 - 1.69%
1965 - 0.15%
1964 - -0.41%
1963 - 1.8%
1962 - 2.25%
1961 - 1.64%
1960 - 2.38%
1959 - 2.44%
1958 - 2.16%
1957 - 1.2%
1956 - -0.09%
1955 - 1.57%
1954 - 1.25%
1953 - 0.34%
1952 - 3.33%
1951 - 2.73%
1950 - 1.23%
1949 - -0.3%
1948 - 0.67%
1947 - -1.95%
1946 - -0.37%
1945 - -2.33%
1944 - -3.23%
1943 - -0.89%
1942 - -0.75%
1941 - -1.33%
1940 - -1.35%
1939 - -2.6%
1938 - -2.01%
1937 - -2.6%
1936 - -3.34%
1935 - -3.46%
1934 - -4.79%
1933 - -3.42%
1932 - -4.65%
1931 - -4.27%
1930 - -4.94%
1929 - -1.94%
1928 - -1.94%
1927 - -3.45%
1926 - -2.43%
1925 - 0.43%
1924 - -1.78%
1923 - -4.99%
1922 - -4.67%
1921 - -6.12%
1920 - -7.45%
1919 - -2.5%
1918 - -7.43%
1917 - -11.3%
1916 - -2.53%
1915 - -2.06%
1914 - -3.21%
1913 - -2.3%
1912 - -2.93%
1911 - -3.06%
1910 - -1.27%
1909 - -2.15%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1909–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/iceland | 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 Iceland's deficit of $1.17B, or 3.51% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Cape Verde recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while Iceland ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Cape Verde posted an annual deficit equal to 6.02% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.49% of GDP for Iceland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cape Verde

Iceland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cape Verde Iceland
2024 1% 5.86%
2023 3.7% 8.74%
2022 7.9% 8.31%
2021 1.9% 4.44%
2020 0.6% 2.85%
2019 1.1% 3.01%
2018 1.3% 2.68%
2017 0.8% 1.76%
2016 -1.4% 1.7%
2015 0.1% 1.63%
2014 -0.2% 2.04%
2013 1.5% 3.87%
2012 2.5% 5.19%
2011 4.5% 4%
2010 2.1% 5.4%
2009 1% 12%
2008 6.8% 12.7%
2007 4.4% 5.05%
2006 4.8% 6.69%
2005 0.4% 3.99%
2004 -1.9% 3.16%
2003 1.2% 2.06%
2002 1.9% 5.2%
2001 3.7% 6.41%
2000 -2.4% 5.14%
1999 4.3% 3.23%
1998 4.4% 1.66%
1997 8.6% 1.82%

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/iceland | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Cape Verde has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.31%, compared with 4.66% in Iceland. In 2024, inflation was 1% in Cape Verde and 5.86% in Iceland.

Top exports between countries

Cape Verde
Export category Export value
Iceland
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $244K
Raw materials & minerals $30K

Balance of trade

Cape Verde Iceland
Current account balance
$107M
2024
-$867M
2024
Current account balance ranking
67/190
2024
121/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.91%
2024
-2.61%
2024
Goods imports
$1.17B
2024
$9.3B
2024
Goods exports
$328M
2024
$6.99B
2024
Service imports
$298M
2024
$5.16B
2024
Service exports
$830M
2024
$7.12B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
54%
2024
43.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.5%
2024
42.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Cape Verde Iceland
Economic freedom 71.4 75
Economic freedom ranking 32/197 19/197
Property rights 72.7 94.9
Government integrity 63.3 85
Judicial effectiveness 77.1 95.2
Tax burden 84.4 72.2
Government spending 79.5 37
Fiscal health 74.4 76.2
Business freedom 78.9 86.8
Labor freedom 59.5 59.3
Monetary freedom 80.4 73.5
Trade freedom 66.6 79.8
Investment freedom 60 70
Financial freedom 60 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cape Verde
Iceland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cape Verde Iceland
2026 71.4 75
2025 68.7 72.8
2024 62.9 70.5
2023 65.8 72.2
2022 66.7 77
2021 63.8 77.4
2020 63.6 77.1
2019 63.1 77.1
2018 60 77
2017 56.9 74.4
2016 66.5 73.3
2015 66.4 72
2014 66.1 72.4
2013 63.7 72.1
2012 63.5 70.9
2011 64.6 68.2
2010 61.8 73.7
2009 61.3 75.9
2008 57.9 75.8
2007 56.5 76
2006 58.6 75.8
2005 57.8 76.6
2004 58.1 72.1
2003 56.1 73.5
2002 57.6 73.1
2001 56.3 73.4
2000 51.9 74
1999 50.7 71.4
1998 48 71.2
1997 47.7 70.5
1996 49.7 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Cape Verde is 71.4, ranking 32/197, compared to 75 for Iceland, ranking 19/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cape Verde Iceland
Services, % of GDP
68.7%
2024
64.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
10.7%
2024
20.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.92%
2024
3.98%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.6B
2024
$31.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,000
2024
$84,060
2024
Total reserves including gold
$783M
2024
$6.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
144/177
2024
90/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$89.2M
2024
-$2.24B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$110M
2024
$2.7B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$20.8M
2024
$461M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.69%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
24.8%
2023
8.8%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
16.4%
2024
26.1%
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/iceland | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1909–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  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.