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Economy of Cape Verde vs Ireland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Cape Verde has a GDP of $2.73B compared to $609B for Ireland, ranking 172/197 and 25/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cape Verde has $3.03B in government debt (111.2% of GDP), compared to $236B (38.8% of GDP) in Ireland.

Cape Verde vs Ireland GDP by year

Cape Verde
Ireland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cape Verde Ireland
2024 $2,725,414,151 $609,157,459,747
2023 $2,504,525,549 $567,372,737,459
2022 $2,247,003,344 $548,341,794,599
2021 $2,051,842,619 $530,394,123,830
2020 $1,821,565,614 $436,009,027,819
2019 $2,252,177,124 $407,211,793,801
2018 $2,205,099,507 $395,780,319,817
2017 $1,996,741,540 $348,355,212,569
2016 $1,849,789,986 $305,431,252,709
2015 $1,749,857,620 $302,101,388,556
2014 $2,041,930,125 $266,490,442,124
2013 $2,028,910,915 $242,924,245,719
2012 $1,913,081,210 $226,921,827,888
2011 $2,046,817,987 $240,975,871,047
2010 $1,824,751,468 $221,732,824,603
2009 $1,852,334,575 $236,443,115,854
2008 $1,959,620,648 $275,447,471,451
2007 $1,649,621,739 $270,079,279,420
2006 $1,107,571,458 $232,180,617,162
2005 $972,241,677 $211,876,989,656
2004 $924,940,012 $194,372,115,041
2003 $813,260,469 $164,670,771,260
2002 $620,507,387 $128,596,035,288
2001 $563,090,490 $109,346,669,230
2000 $539,227,278 $100,207,610,430
1999 $592,416,703 $98,893,958,263
1998 $521,910,561 $90,199,410,116
1997 $490,608,658 $82,856,648,758
1996 $501,979,270 $75,790,786,290
1995 $487,148,994 $69,139,823,232
1994 $406,580,652 $57,097,656,066
1993 $490,417,390 $52,417,477,614
1992 $357,160,985 $55,918,538,121
1991 $319,827,059 $49,787,501,584
1990 $306,890,963 $49,305,632,408
1989 $267,448,571 $39,238,392,678
1988 $264,308,140 $37,772,896,221
1987 $235,253,065 $33,920,518,493
1986 $190,651,168 $28,714,571,852
1985 $137,728,205 $21,270,013,326
1984 $132,019,039 $20,106,648,455
1983 $138,476,176 $20,766,047,764
1982 $140,630,679 $21,474,752,962
1981 $139,468,209 $20,670,190,138
1980 $142,246,815 $21,747,855,640
1979 - $18,319,334,300
1978 - $14,647,996,074
1977 - $11,248,340,431
1976 - $9,453,756,015
1975 - $9,483,808,362
1974 - $7,896,860,615
1973 - $7,481,173,066
1972 - $6,318,060,582
1971 - $5,098,250,287
1970 - $4,395,995,086
1969 - $3,902,721,632
1968 - $3,378,701,147
1967 - $3,445,739,915
1966 - $3,198,820,904
1965 - $3,035,655,794
1964 - $2,851,091,646
1963 - $2,505,073,358
1962 - $2,329,372,972
1961 - $2,151,772,980
1960 - $1,998,550,222

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

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

GDP per capita in Cape Verde vs Ireland by year

Cape Verde
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Ireland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cape Verde Ireland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,192 $11,195 $112,895 $133,437
2023 $4,795 $10,242 $106,819 $129,683
2022 $4,323 $9,481 $105,191 $138,523
2021 $3,971 $7,685 $103,783 $116,904
2020 $3,539 $6,853 $86,514 $97,800
2019 $4,381 $8,646 $81,828 $92,023
2018 $4,295 $7,916 $80,804 $86,299
2017 $3,893 $7,936 $72,161 $80,450
2016 $3,609 $7,351 $64,130 $73,013
2015 $3,415 $6,773 $64,250 $71,588
2014 $3,986 $6,417 $57,215 $52,641
2013 $3,961 $6,367 $52,538 $48,839
2012 $3,737 $6,318 $49,336 $46,726
2011 $4,002 $6,384 $52,614 $45,526
2010 $3,579 $6,039 $48,624 $43,212
2009 $3,660 $5,901 $52,133 $41,491
2008 $3,909 $6,011 $61,353 $44,169
2007 $3,325 $5,567 $61,396 $46,782
2006 $2,257 $4,758 $54,329 $44,223
2005 $2,004 $4,324 $50,933 $40,466
2004 $1,929 $3,969 $47,754 $38,729
2003 $1,718 $3,551 $41,204 $36,280
2002 $1,329 $3,388 $32,705 $35,222
2001 $1,223 $3,217 $28,282 $32,573
2000 $1,190 $3,124 $26,335 $30,216
1999 $1,327 $2,714 $26,338 $27,041
1998 $1,187 $2,443 $24,295 $25,094
1997 $1,134 $2,182 $22,551 $22,637
1996 $1,180 $1,963 $20,836 $20,482
1995 $1,165 $1,762 $19,158 $18,944
1994 $991 $1,540 $15,903 $17,011
1993 $1,220 $1,291 $14,657 $15,811
1992 $908 $1,186 $15,714 $15,116
1991 $832 $1,069 $14,087 $14,399
1990 $817 $1,044 $14,031 $13,743
1989 $727 - $11,176 -
1988 $729 - $10,716 -
1987 $658 - $9,582 -
1986 $541 - $8,112 -
1985 $396 - $6,012 -
1984 $385 - $5,692 -
1983 $410 - $5,915 -
1982 $423 - $6,161 -
1981 $425 - $5,986 -
1980 $440 - $6,372 -
1979 - - $5,430 -
1978 - - $4,400 -
1977 - - $3,427 -
1976 - - $2,920 -
1975 - - $2,973 -
1974 - - $2,517 -
1973 - - $2,424 -
1972 - - $2,080 -
1971 - - $1,704 -
1970 - - $1,487 -
1969 - - $1,331 -
1968 - - $1,159 -
1967 - - $1,187 -
1966 - - $1,107 -
1965 - - $1,055 -
1964 - - $995 -
1963 - - $878 -
1962 - - $821 -
1961 - - $762 -
1960 - - $707 -

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

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

Cape Verde's GDP per capita is $5,192, ranking 118/197, compared to $112,895 in Ireland, ranking 4/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cape Verde ranks 129th at $11,195, while Ireland ranks 4th at $133,437.

Economic indicators

Cape Verde Ireland
Gross domestic product
$2.73B
2024
$609B
2024
GDP rank
172/197
2024
25/197
2024
GDP growth
7.24%
2023-2024
2.6%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,192
2024
$112,895
2024
GDP per capita rank
118/197
2024
4/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,195
2024
$133,437
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
129/197
2024
4/197
2024
Government debt
$3.03B
2024
$236B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
111.2%
2024
38.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$5,776
2024
$43,766
2024
Government debt per person rank
76/185
2024
11/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,576
2026
$47,851
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$110B
2018
Number of billionaires n/a
11
2025
Income share by richest 10%
32.3%
2015
24.1%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2015
3.7%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
26.1%
2024
22.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1%
2023-2024
2.11%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.5%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2019
4.27%
2024
Population
530391
5518360

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cape Verde
Spending

Debt
Ireland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cape Verde Ireland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 26.1% 111.2% 22.3% 38.8%
2023 25.7% 117.5% 22.1% 42.1%
2022 26.6% 127.6% 20.6% 43.2%
2021 30.8% 149.5% 23.6% 52.7%
2020 34.5% 144.3% 26.7% 57.1%
2019 27.5% 109.8% 23.9% 55.9%
2018 27.5% 112.3% 24.7% 61.4%
2017 28% 113% 25.3% 65.3%
2016 26.6% 115.6% 27.5% 72.7%
2015 28.7% 115.7% 28.1% 74%
2014 27.8% 105.7% 36.6% 101.4%
2013 30.9% 93.5% 39.8% 117.7%
2012 31.6% 82.9% 42.3% 118.9%
2011 30.3% 71.6% 46.9% 109.6%
2010 35.7% 73.5% 64.9% 86.2%
2009 30.6% 58.8% 46.9% 61.8%
2008 27.6% 57.5% 41.6% 42.5%
2007 27.1% 59.6% 35.6% 23.9%
2006 28.4% 66.2% 33.6% 23.7%
2005 26.2% 66.7% 33% 26.1%
2004 26.3% 67.8% 32.8% 28.1%
2003 23.4% 65.6% 32.7% 29.8%
2002 28.5% 64.7% 32.9% 30.9%
2001 24.2% 62.2% 32.2% 33.6%
2000 36.7% 71.9% 30.6% 36.4%
1999 35% 66.4% 32.5% 46.6%
1998 29.8% 72.9% 34.2% 51.4%
1997 34.8% 79.3% 36.1% 61.6%
1996 38.9% 85.7% 38.5% 69.8%
1995 44.5% 74.3% 40.3% 78.5%
1994 48.1% 73.4% 44.2% 88%
1993 - - 44.6% 93.4%
1992 - - 46.8% 90.6%
1991 - - 46.1% 93.8%
1990 - - 44.6% 92.7%
1989 - - 42.5% 97.9%
1988 - - 48.2% 106.5%
1987 - - 51.4% 108.3%
1986 - - 52.9% 107.2%
1985 - - 53.2% 93%
1984 - - 52.7% 90.2%
1983 - - 55.6% 86.1%
1982 - - 56.7% 73.5%
1981 - - 54.1% 68.8%
1980 - - 53.7% 64.6%
1979 - - 48.7% 63.5%
1978 - - 46.2% 50.6%
1977 - - 44.6% 49.2%
1976 - - 47.8% 51.7%
1975 - - 48.2% 48.3%
1974 - - 44.3% 43.5%
1973 - - 40.3% 35.1%
1972 - - 41.5% 37.3%
1971 - - 45.3% 39.8%
1970 - - 44.1% 41.7%
1969 - - 42.5% 42.6%
1968 - - 40% 44.7%
1967 - - 39.3% 47.1%
1966 - - 36.9% 47.7%
1965 - - 35.8% 44.6%
1964 - - 34.8% 43.1%
1963 - - 33.6% 45.2%
1962 - - 31.7% 44.5%
1961 - - 31.4% 44.3%
1960 - - 29.1% 44.9%

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/ireland | CC BY

In 2024, Cape Verde's government spending was $711M, accounting for 26.1% of its GDP, while Ireland spent $136B, or 22.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 111.2% in Cape Verde and 38.8% in Ireland, ranking 16/185 and 138/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cape Verde

Ireland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cape Verde Ireland
2024 -1.07% 4.09%
2023 -0.28% 1.52%
2022 -4.25% 1.67%
2021 -7.51% -1.37%
2020 -9.29% -4.87%
2019 -1.62% 0.41%
2018 -2.36% 0.09%
2017 -2.63% -0.3%
2016 -2.73% -0.76%
2015 -4.16% -1.97%
2014 -6.93% -3.52%
2013 -8.49% -6.28%
2012 -9.36% -8.42%
2011 -6.98% -13.5%
2010 -9.6% -32.1%
2009 -5.32% -13.9%
2008 -1.42% -7.03%
2007 -0.86% 0.27%
2006 -4.32% 2.78%
2005 -4.69% 1.57%
2004 -2.98% 1.3%
2003 -3.63% 0.35%
2002 -6.14% -0.52%
2001 -5.03% 0.96%
2000 -15.5% 4.86%
1999 -10.9% 3.54%
1998 -3.16% 2.07%
1997 -10.2% 1.37%
1996 -11.2% -0.2%
1995 -11.1% -2.07%
1994 -12.8% -1.82%
1993 - -2.62%
1992 - -2.84%
1991 - -2.8%
1990 - -2.69%
1989 - -2.64%
1988 - -4.62%
1987 - -8.47%
1986 - -10.5%
1985 - -10.7%
1984 - -9.43%
1983 - -11.5%
1982 - -13.1%
1981 - -12.1%
1980 - -11.1%
1979 - -10%
1978 - -8.27%
1977 - -6.44%
1976 - -7.34%
1975 - -11.1%
1974 - -6.96%
1973 - -3.84%
1972 - -3.23%
1971 - -3.5%
1970 - -3.64%
1969 - -3.4%
1968 - -2.72%
1967 - -2.69%
1966 - -2.26%
1965 - -3.5%
1964 - -3.35%
1963 - -2.92%
1962 - -2.91%
1961 - -2.6%
1960 - -1.97%
1959 - -2.16%
1958 - -4.3%
1957 - -5.19%
1956 - -3.23%
1955 - -5.06%
1954 - -5.28%
1953 - -5.77%
1952 - -7.84%
1951 - -4.62%
1950 - -5.21%
1949 - -2.17%
1948 - -1.29%
1947 - -1.8%
1946 - -0.43%
1945 - -0.43%
1944 - 0.39%
1943 - -1.18%
1942 - -2.48%
1941 - -1.42%
1940 - -0.15%
1939 - -7.31%
1938 - -0.92%
1937 - -0.77%
1936 - -0.19%
1935 - -
1934 - -
1933 - 2.97%
1932 - -
1931 - -1.63%
1930 - -
1929 - -3.41%
1928 - -
1927 - -
1926 - -1.95%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1926–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/ireland | 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 Ireland's surplus of $24.9B, or 4.09% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Cape Verde recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while Ireland ran a deficit in 16 years. On average, Cape Verde posted an annual deficit equal to 6.02% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.32% of GDP for Ireland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cape Verde

Ireland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cape Verde Ireland
2024 1% 2.11%
2023 3.7% 6.3%
2022 7.9% 7.83%
2021 1.9% 2.34%
2020 0.6% -0.33%
2019 1.1% 0.94%
2018 1.3% 0.47%
2017 0.8% 0.36%
2016 -1.4% 0.02%
2015 0.1% -0.33%
2014 -0.2% 0.19%
2013 1.5% 0.52%
2012 2.5% 1.69%
2011 4.5% 2.55%
2010 2.1% -0.92%
2009 1% -4.45%
2008 6.8% 4.04%
2007 4.4% 4.89%
2006 4.8% 3.94%
2005 0.4% 2.46%
2004 -1.9% 2.18%
2003 1.2% 3.49%
2002 1.9% 4.63%
2001 3.7% 4.85%
2000 -2.4% 5.58%
1999 4.3% 1.63%
1998 4.4% 2.41%
1997 8.6% 1.54%

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/ireland | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Cape Verde has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.31%, compared with 2.18% in Ireland. In 2024, inflation was 1% in Cape Verde and 2.11% in Ireland.

Top exports between countries

Cape Verde
Export category Export value
Ireland
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $1.99M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $172K
Machinery & equipment $29K
Raw materials & minerals $24K
Metals $14K
Raw agricultural goods $10K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K

Balance of trade

Cape Verde Ireland
Current account balance
$107M
2024
$106B
2024
Current account balance ranking
67/190
2024
6/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.91%
2024
+17.4%
2024
Goods imports
$1.17B
2024
$165B
2024
Goods exports
$328M
2024
$356B
2024
Service imports
$298M
2024
$467B
2024
Service exports
$830M
2024
$526B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
54%
2024
102.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.5%
2024
144%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Cape Verde Ireland
Economic freedom 71.4 83.3
Economic freedom ranking 32/197 3/197
Property rights 72.7 94.4
Government integrity 63.3 84
Judicial effectiveness 77.1 95.4
Tax burden 84.4 77.7
Government spending 79.5 85.9
Fiscal health 74.4 97
Business freedom 78.9 85.5
Labor freedom 59.5 61.3
Monetary freedom 80.4 79.3
Trade freedom 66.6 79.4
Investment freedom 60 90
Financial freedom 60 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cape Verde
Ireland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cape Verde Ireland
2026 71.4 83.3
2025 68.7 83.1
2024 62.9 82.6
2023 65.8 82
2022 66.7 82
2021 63.8 81.4
2020 63.6 80.9
2019 63.1 80.5
2018 60 80.4
2017 56.9 76.7
2016 66.5 77.3
2015 66.4 76.6
2014 66.1 76.2
2013 63.7 75.7
2012 63.5 76.9
2011 64.6 78.7
2010 61.8 81.3
2009 61.3 82.2
2008 57.9 82.5
2007 56.5 82.6
2006 58.6 82.2
2005 57.8 80.8
2004 58.1 80.3
2003 56.1 80.9
2002 57.6 80.5
2001 56.3 81.2
2000 51.9 76.1
1999 50.7 74.6
1998 48 73.7
1997 47.7 72.6
1996 49.7 68.5
1995 - 68.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Cape Verde is 71.4, ranking 32/197, compared to 83.3 for Ireland, ranking 3/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cape Verde Ireland
Services, % of GDP
68.7%
2024
60.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
10.7%
2024
33.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.92%
2024
1.02%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.6B
2024
$435B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,000
2024
$101,180
2024
Total reserves including gold
$783M
2024
$12.7B
2024
Total reserves ranking
144/177
2024
73/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$89.2M
2024
$62.3B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$110M
2024
$4.82B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$20.8M
2024
$67.1B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.69%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
24.8%
2023
14%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
16.4%
2024
18.2%
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/ireland | 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 (1926–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2024, 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.