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Economy of Cape Verde vs Kuwait compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Cape Verde has a GDP of $2.73B compared to $160B for Kuwait, ranking 172/197 and 59/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cape Verde has $3.03B in government debt (111.2% of GDP), compared to $4.68B (2.92% of GDP) in Kuwait.

Cape Verde vs Kuwait GDP by year

Cape Verde
Kuwait
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cape Verde Kuwait
2024 $2,725,414,151 $160,227,273,053
2023 $2,504,525,549 $165,384,407,116
2022 $2,247,003,344 $183,502,046,694
2021 $2,051,842,619 $148,350,671,489
2020 $1,821,565,614 $111,045,470,606
2019 $2,252,177,124 $140,856,394,861
2018 $2,205,099,507 $138,646,316,351
2017 $1,996,741,540 $120,687,539,806
2016 $1,849,789,986 $109,406,674,125
2015 $1,749,857,620 $114,585,555,689
2014 $2,041,930,125 $162,650,450,685
2013 $2,028,910,915 $174,168,116,535
2012 $1,913,081,210 $174,047,662,680
2011 $2,046,817,987 $154,039,231,246
2010 $1,824,751,468 $115,416,245,242
2009 $1,852,334,575 $105,968,691,905
2008 $1,959,620,648 $147,379,737,230
2007 $1,649,621,739 $114,634,043,362
2006 $1,107,571,458 $101,557,330,723
2005 $972,241,677 $80,798,630,137
2004 $924,940,012 $59,439,090,601
2003 $813,260,469 $47,874,582,232
2002 $620,507,387 $38,135,788,414
2001 $563,090,490 $34,889,559,870
2000 $539,227,278 $37,718,743,480
1999 $592,416,703 $30,122,365,849
1998 $521,910,561 $25,943,705,784
1997 $490,608,658 $30,350,190,704
1996 $501,979,270 $31,492,373,309
1995 $487,148,994 $27,186,980,647
1994 $406,580,652 $24,848,483,838
1993 $490,417,390 $23,941,391,391
1992 $357,160,985 $19,858,555,215
1991 $319,827,059 $11,009,993,703
1990 $306,890,963 $18,427,777,778
1989 $267,448,571 $24,313,855,653
1988 $264,308,140 $20,690,322,153
1987 $235,253,065 $22,368,704,134
1986 $190,651,168 $17,903,989,745
1985 $137,728,205 $21,445,970,614
1984 $132,019,039 $21,700,082,753
1983 $138,476,176 $20,871,081,080
1982 $140,630,679 $21,577,153,356
1981 $139,468,209 $25,058,020,338
1980 $142,246,815 $28,638,868,356
1979 - $24,749,063,922
1978 - $15,503,557,496
1977 - $14,137,406,741
1976 - $13,132,252,802
1975 - $12,022,811,621
1974 - $13,006,948,296
1973 - $5,408,804,607
1972 - $4,450,537,925
1971 - $3,880,392,195
1970 - $2,873,638,851
1969 - $2,769,198,892
1968 - $2,662,798,935
1967 - $2,441,599,023
1966 - $2,391,199,044
1965 - $2,097,199,161
1964 - $2,071,668,533
1963 - $1,900,895,857
1962 - $1,828,107,503

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1962–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Cape Verde vs Kuwait by year

Cape Verde
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Kuwait
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cape Verde Kuwait
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,192 $11,195 $32,718 $52,444
2023 $4,795 $10,242 $34,076 $53,025
2022 $4,323 $9,481 $39,982 $55,043
2021 $3,971 $7,685 $34,019 $50,652
2020 $3,539 $6,853 $25,236 $41,462
2019 $4,381 $8,646 $31,708 $50,703
2018 $4,295 $7,916 $32,068 $51,371
2017 $3,893 $7,936 $29,048 $46,566
2016 $3,609 $7,351 $27,324 $41,862
2015 $3,415 $6,773 $29,882 $45,267
2014 $3,986 $6,417 $44,369 $68,337
2013 $3,961 $6,367 $49,651 $76,813
2012 $3,737 $6,318 $52,155 $82,090
2011 $4,002 $6,384 $49,170 $79,037
2010 $3,579 $6,039 $39,212 $75,184
2009 $3,660 $5,901 $37,907 $80,110
2008 $3,909 $6,011 $55,585 $90,337
2007 $3,325 $5,567 $45,709 $91,435
2006 $2,257 $4,758 $42,947 $89,075
2005 $2,004 $4,324 $36,123 $84,968
2004 $1,929 $3,969 $27,552 $77,227
2003 $1,718 $3,551 $22,691 $69,752
2002 $1,329 $3,388 $18,513 $59,713
2001 $1,223 $3,217 $17,374 $58,553
2000 $1,190 $3,124 $19,296 $58,703
1999 $1,327 $2,714 $15,854 $56,406
1998 $1,187 $2,443 $14,067 $58,344
1997 $1,134 $2,182 $16,977 $57,420
1996 $1,180 $1,963 $18,201 $56,913
1995 $1,165 $1,762 $16,168 $57,163
1994 $991 $1,540 $14,930 $53,946
1993 $1,220 $1,291 $14,318 $48,482
1992 $908 $1,186 $12,146 $36,149
1991 $832 $1,069 $8,147 $23,390
1990 $817 $1,044 $10,938 $30,763
1989 $727 - $10,965 -
1988 $729 - $9,692 -
1987 $658 - $10,896 -
1986 $541 - $9,077 -
1985 $396 - $11,322 -
1984 $385 - $11,919 -
1983 $410 - $11,965 -
1982 $423 - $12,979 -
1981 $425 - $15,825 -
1980 $440 - $19,032 -
1979 - - $17,386 -
1978 - - $11,567 -
1977 - - $11,238 -
1976 - - $11,141 -
1975 - - $10,882 -
1974 - - $12,527 -
1973 - - $5,532 -
1972 - - $4,836 -
1971 - - $4,486 -
1970 - - $3,552 -
1969 - - $3,695 -
1968 - - $3,872 -
1967 - - $3,887 -
1966 - - $4,176 -
1965 - - $4,024 -
1964 - - $4,379 -
1963 - - $4,445 -
1962 - - $4,748 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1962–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Cape Verde's GDP per capita is $5,192, ranking 118/197, compared to $32,718 in Kuwait, ranking 37/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cape Verde ranks 129th at $11,195, while Kuwait ranks 40th at $52,444.

Economic indicators

Cape Verde Kuwait
Gross domestic product
$2.73B
2024
$160B
2024
GDP rank
172/197
2024
59/197
2024
GDP growth
7.24%
2023-2024
-2.56%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,192
2024
$32,718
2024
GDP per capita rank
118/197
2024
37/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,195
2024
$52,444
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
129/197
2024
40/197
2024
Government debt
$3.03B
2024
$4.68B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
111.2%
2024
2.92%
2024
Government debt per person
$5,776
2024
$956
2024
Government debt per person rank
76/185
2024
143/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,576
2026
$23,828
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$141B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
32.3%
2015
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2015
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
26.1%
2024
50.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1%
2023-2024
2.9%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.5%
2024
3.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2019
2.16%
2016
Population
530391
5100145

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cape Verde
Spending

Debt
Kuwait
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cape Verde Kuwait
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 26.1% 111.2% 50.4% 2.92%
2023 25.7% 117.5% 48.3% 3.13%
2022 26.6% 127.6% 39.6% 2.95%
2021 30.8% 149.5% 48.3% 7.2%
2020 34.5% 144.3% 62.9% 10.2%
2019 27.5% 109.8% 50.3% 10.5%
2018 27.5% 112.3% 51.1% 14.3%
2017 28% 113% 51.9% 19.6%
2016 26.6% 115.6% 54.1% 9.88%
2015 28.7% 115.7% 55.4% 4.6%
2014 27.8% 105.7% 45% 3.43%
2013 30.9% 93.5% 38.4% 3.09%
2012 31.6% 82.9% 38.2% 3.6%
2011 30.3% 71.6% 39.7% 4.64%
2010 35.7% 73.5% 45.5% 6.16%
2009 30.6% 58.8% 42.9% 6.65%
2008 27.6% 57.5% 40.9% 5.38%
2007 27.1% 59.6% 30.4% 7.05%
2006 28.4% 66.2% 32.3% 7.79%
2005 26.2% 66.7% 28.8% 10.2%
2004 26.3% 67.8% 35.3% 13.9%
2003 23.4% 65.6% 38.2% 17.2%
2002 28.5% 64.7% 42.8% 21.3%
2001 24.2% 62.2% 41.4% 23%
2000 36.7% 71.9% 29.9% 21.4%
1999 35% 66.4% 44.5% 25.5%
1998 29.8% 72.9% 51.7% 25.6%
1997 34.8% 79.3% 43.8% 24.3%
1996 38.9% 85.7% 42.8% 26.5%
1995 44.5% 74.3% 52% 34.9%
1994 48.1% 73.4% 57.8% 37.7%
1993 - - 58.2% 28.8%
1992 - - 77.6% 27.9%
1991 - - 208.9% 45.3%
1990 - - 122.9% -

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/kuwait | CC BY

In 2024, Cape Verde's government spending was $711M, accounting for 26.1% of its GDP, while Kuwait spent $80.8B, or 50.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 111.2% in Cape Verde and 2.92% in Kuwait, ranking 16/185 and 184/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cape Verde

Kuwait
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cape Verde Kuwait
2024 -1.07% 23.8%
2023 -0.28% 28.2%
2022 -4.25% 30%
2021 -7.51% 9.98%
2020 -9.29% 0.14%
2019 -1.62% 13%
2018 -2.36% 17.5%
2017 -2.63% 15.3%
2016 -2.73% 13.1%
2015 -4.16% 16.6%
2014 -6.93% 30%
2013 -8.49% 40.6%
2012 -9.36% 40.7%
2011 -6.98% 38.8%
2010 -9.6% 31.9%
2009 -5.32% 31.3%
2008 -1.42% 21.3%
2007 -0.86% 37.1%
2006 -4.32% 28%
2005 -4.69% 38.9%
2004 -2.98% 32.5%
2003 -3.63% 27.2%
2002 -6.14% 31%
2001 -5.03% 45.2%
2000 -15.5% 52.5%
1999 -10.9% 28.2%
1998 -3.16% 19.5%
1997 -10.2% 29.5%
1996 -11.2% 24.3%
1995 -11.1% 11.7%
1994 -12.8% 1.76%
1993 - -3.12%
1992 - -28.1%
1991 - -145%
1990 - -50%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/kuwait | 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 Kuwait's surplus of $38.1B, or 23.8% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Cape Verde recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while Kuwait ran a deficit in 0 years. On average, Cape Verde posted an annual deficit equal to 6.02% of GDP, compared to surplus of 26.1% of GDP for Kuwait.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cape Verde

Kuwait
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cape Verde Kuwait
2024 1% 2.9%
2023 3.7% 3.64%
2022 7.9% 3.98%
2021 1.9% 3.42%
2020 0.6% 2.1%
2019 1.1% 1.09%
2018 1.3% 0.54%
2017 0.8% 2.17%
2016 -1.4% 3.2%
2015 0.1% 3.27%
2014 -0.2% 2.91%
2013 1.5% 2.68%
2012 2.5% 3.26%
2011 4.5% 4.84%
2010 2.1% 4.5%
2009 1% 4.61%
2008 6.8% 10.6%
2007 4.4% 5.48%
2006 4.8% 3.06%
2005 0.4% 4.14%
2004 -1.9% 1.25%
2003 1.2% 0.96%
2002 1.9% 0.89%
2001 3.7% 1.3%
2000 -2.4% 1.81%
1999 4.3% 2.99%
1998 4.4% 0.13%
1997 8.6% 0.68%

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/kuwait | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Cape Verde has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.31%, compared with 2.94% in Kuwait. In 2024, inflation was 1% in Cape Verde and 2.9% in Kuwait.

Balance of trade

Cape Verde Kuwait
Current account balance
$107M
2024
$46.7B
2024
Current account balance ranking
67/190
2024
15/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.91%
2024
+29.1%
2024
Goods imports
$1.17B
2024
$33.4B
2024
Goods exports
$328M
2024
$77.5B
2024
Service imports
$298M
2024
$28.1B
2024
Service exports
$830M
2024
$12.2B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
54%
2024
38.3%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.5%
2024
57.7%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Cape Verde Kuwait
Economic freedom 71.4 59.9
Economic freedom ranking 32/197 100/197
Property rights 72.7 42
Government integrity 63.3 47.9
Judicial effectiveness 77.1 43.4
Tax burden 84.4 97.7
Government spending 79.5 36.2
Fiscal health 74.4 99.9
Business freedom 78.9 57.4
Labor freedom 59.5 49.2
Monetary freedom 80.4 68.7
Trade freedom 66.6 75.8
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 60 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cape Verde
Kuwait
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cape Verde Kuwait
2026 71.4 59.9
2025 68.7 59.9
2024 62.9 58.5
2023 65.8 56.7
2022 66.7 58.3
2021 63.8 64.1
2020 63.6 63.2
2019 63.1 60.8
2018 60 62.2
2017 56.9 65.1
2016 66.5 62.7
2015 66.4 62.5
2014 66.1 62.3
2013 63.7 63.1
2012 63.5 62.5
2011 64.6 64.9
2010 61.8 67.7
2009 61.3 65.6
2008 57.9 68.1
2007 56.5 66.4
2006 58.6 66.5
2005 57.8 64.6
2004 58.1 63.6
2003 56.1 66.7
2002 57.6 65.4
2001 56.3 68.2
2000 51.9 69.7
1999 50.7 69.5
1998 48 66.3
1997 47.7 64.8
1996 49.7 66.1

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Cape Verde is 71.4, ranking 32/197, compared to 59.9 for Kuwait, ranking 100/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cape Verde Kuwait
Services, % of GDP
68.7%
2024
55.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
10.7%
2024
57.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.92%
2024
0.49%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.6B
2024
$200B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,000
2024
$63,270
2024
Total reserves including gold
$783M
2024
$50.7B
2024
Total reserves ranking
144/177
2024
41/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$89.2M
2024
$9.71B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$110M
2024
$615M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$20.8M
2024
$10.3B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.69%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
24.8%
2023
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
16.4%
2024
17.7%
2023

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/kuwait | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1962–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1994–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.