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Economy of Cape Verde vs Nauru compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Cape Verde has a GDP of $2.73B compared to $163M for Nauru, ranking 172/197 and 195/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cape Verde has $3.03B in government debt (111.2% of GDP), compared to $28.3M (17.4% of GDP) in Nauru.

Cape Verde vs Nauru GDP by year

Cape Verde
Nauru
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cape Verde Nauru
2024 $2,725,414,151 $162,588,621
2023 $2,504,525,549 $151,435,610
2022 $2,247,003,344 $152,373,434
2021 $2,051,842,619 $175,390,281
2020 $1,821,565,614 $124,685,688
2019 $2,252,177,124 $125,160,116
2018 $2,205,099,507 $130,995,566
2017 $1,996,741,540 $109,355,639
2016 $1,849,789,986 $97,541,943
2015 $1,749,857,620 $84,863,441
2014 $2,041,930,125 $99,149,244
2013 $2,028,910,915 $94,385,015
2012 $1,913,081,210 $101,055,723
2011 $2,046,817,987 $65,071,880
2010 $1,824,751,468 $47,562,845
2009 $1,852,334,575 $44,176,246
2008 $1,959,620,648 $37,602,265
2007 $1,649,621,739 $22,766,972
2006 $1,107,571,458 $29,200,359
2005 $972,241,677 $30,070,666
2004 $924,940,012 $30,587,566
2003 $813,260,469 $24,778,160
2002 $620,507,387 $21,017,424
2001 $563,090,490 $22,613,288
2000 $539,227,278 $26,930,980
1999 $592,416,703 $27,328,613
1998 $521,910,561 $29,664,451
1997 $490,608,658 $37,331,507
1996 $501,979,270 $37,458,801
1995 $487,148,994 $39,969,706
1994 $406,580,652 $39,742,511
1993 $490,417,390 $43,542,088
1992 $357,160,985 $51,133,123
1991 $319,827,059 $52,533,789
1990 $306,890,963 $55,572,376
1989 $267,448,571 $53,736,786
1988 $264,308,140 $45,931,134
1987 $235,253,065 $40,118,410
1986 $190,651,168 $39,939,391
1985 $137,728,205 $41,548,741
1984 $132,019,039 $47,363,231
1983 $138,476,176 $48,439,093
1982 $140,630,679 $52,877,742
1981 $139,468,209 $51,689,637
1980 $142,246,815 $46,947,124
1979 - $44,431,330
1978 - $41,754,147
1977 - $40,444,702
1976 - $40,287,427
1975 - $40,106,776
1974 - $35,994,511
1973 - $26,529,817
1972 - $21,734,269
1971 - $19,009,433
1970 - $17,570,366

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Cape Verde vs Nauru by year

Cape Verde
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nauru
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cape Verde Nauru
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,192 $11,195 $13,609 $14,173
2023 $4,795 $10,242 $12,752 $13,732
2022 $4,323 $9,481 $12,912 $13,245
2021 $3,971 $7,685 $14,979 $12,112
2020 $3,539 $6,853 $10,709 $10,811
2019 $4,381 $8,646 $10,802 $10,555
2018 $4,295 $7,916 $11,414 $9,657
2017 $3,893 $7,936 $9,657 $9,650
2016 $3,609 $7,351 $8,748 $10,281
2015 $3,415 $6,773 $7,747 $9,955
2014 $3,986 $6,417 $9,230 $9,726
2013 $3,961 $6,367 $8,975 $8,429
2012 $3,737 $6,318 $9,843 $8,153
2011 $4,002 $6,384 $6,444 $6,544
2010 $3,579 $6,039 $4,736 $5,620
2009 $3,660 $5,901 $4,411 $5,568
2008 $3,909 $6,011 $3,757 $5,863
2007 $3,325 $5,567 $2,272 $4,789
2006 $2,257 $4,758 $2,910 $5,975
2005 $2,004 $4,324 $2,992 $5,336
2004 $1,929 $3,969 $3,041 $5,169
2003 $1,718 $3,551 $2,463 $5,261
2002 $1,329 $3,388 $2,085 $5,132
2001 $1,223 $3,217 $2,232 $5,587
2000 $1,190 $3,124 $2,649 $5,838
1999 $1,327 $2,714 $2,683 $6,118
1998 $1,187 $2,443 $2,909 $6,450
1997 $1,134 $2,182 $3,661 $7,231
1996 $1,180 $1,963 $3,679 $7,818
1995 $1,165 $1,762 $3,932 $8,726
1994 $991 $1,540 $3,921 $9,308
1993 $1,220 $1,291 $4,310 $9,513
1992 $908 $1,186 $5,103 $11,167
1991 $832 $1,069 $5,333 $13,265
1990 $817 $1,044 $5,776 $16,215
1989 $727 - $5,723 -
1988 $729 - $5,012 -
1987 $658 - $4,485 -
1986 $541 - $4,569 -
1985 $396 - $4,859 -
1984 $385 - $5,654 -
1983 $410 - $5,896 -
1982 $423 - $6,577 -
1981 $425 - $6,594 -
1980 $440 - $6,138 -
1979 - - $5,950 -
1978 - - $5,721 -
1977 - - $5,646 -
1976 - - $5,703 -
1975 - - $5,740 -
1974 - - $5,199 -
1973 - - $3,864 -
1972 - - $3,191 -
1971 - - $2,811 -
1970 - - $2,619 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Cape Verde's GDP per capita is $5,192, ranking 118/197, compared to $13,609 in Nauru, ranking 74/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cape Verde ranks 129th at $11,195, while Nauru ranks 119th at $14,173.

Economic indicators

Cape Verde Nauru
Gross domestic product
$2.73B
2024
$163M
2024
GDP rank
172/197
2024
195/197
2024
GDP growth
7.24%
2023-2024
1.39%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,192
2024
$13,609
2024
GDP per capita rank
118/197
2024
74/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,195
2024
$14,173
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
129/197
2024
119/197
2024
Government debt
$3.03B
2024
$28.3M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
111.2%
2024
17.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$5,776
2024
$2,367
2024
Government debt per person rank
76/185
2024
113/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,576
2026
$8,783
2026
Income share by richest 10%
32.3%
2015
25.3%
2012
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2015
3.4%
2012
Government expenditure, % of GDP
26.1%
2024
122.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1%
2023-2024
9.3%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.5%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2019
5.06%
2021
Population
530391
12125

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cape Verde
Spending

Debt
Nauru
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cape Verde Nauru
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 26.1% 111.2% 122.1% 17.4%
2023 25.7% 117.5% 118.1% 20.5%
2022 26.6% 127.6% 134.8% 22.4%
2021 30.8% 149.5% 93% 20.5%
2020 34.5% 144.3% 109.4% 56.3%
2019 27.5% 109.8% 106% 59.6%
2018 27.5% 112.3% 90.8% 71.1%
2017 28% 113% 102.3% 78%
2016 26.6% 115.6% 96% 86.3%
2015 28.7% 115.7% 85.4% 113%
2014 27.8% 105.7% 61.3% 147.7%
2013 30.9% 93.5% 66% 166.9%
2012 31.6% 82.9% 46% 157.3%
2011 30.3% 71.6% 44.7% 236.8%
2010 35.7% 73.5% 73.8% 298.9%
2009 30.6% 58.8% 68% 295.6%
2008 27.6% 57.5% - -
2007 27.1% 59.6% - -
2006 28.4% 66.2% - -
2005 26.2% 66.7% - -
2004 26.3% 67.8% - -
2003 23.4% 65.6% - -
2002 28.5% 64.7% - -
2001 24.2% 62.2% - -
2000 36.7% 71.9% - -
1999 35% 66.4% - -
1998 29.8% 72.9% - -
1997 34.8% 79.3% - -
1996 38.9% 85.7% - -
1995 44.5% 74.3% - -
1994 48.1% 73.4% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1994–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Cape Verde's government spending was $711M, accounting for 26.1% of its GDP, while Nauru spent $199M, or 122.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 111.2% in Cape Verde and 17.4% in Nauru, ranking 16/185 and 176/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cape Verde

Nauru
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cape Verde Nauru
2024 -1.07% 29.8%
2023 -0.28% 19.4%
2022 -4.25% 24.3%
2021 -7.51% 44.5%
2020 -9.29% 42.8%
2019 -1.62% 31%
2018 -2.36% 29.6%
2017 -2.63% 16.2%
2016 -2.73% 18.9%
2015 -4.16% 10.7%
2014 -6.93% 29.6%
2013 -8.49% 1.71%
2012 -9.36% 8.12%
2011 -6.98% 2.73%
2010 -9.6% 0.09%
2009 -5.32% 0.37%
2008 -1.42% -
2007 -0.86% -
2006 -4.32% -
2005 -4.69% -
2004 -2.98% -
2003 -3.63% -
2002 -6.14% -
2001 -5.03% -
2000 -15.5% -
1999 -10.9% -
1998 -3.16% -
1997 -10.2% -
1996 -11.2% -
1995 -11.1% -
1994 -12.8% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/nauru | 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 Nauru's surplus of $48.4M, or 29.8% of GDP.

Over the past 16 years, Cape Verde recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Nauru ran a deficit in 0 years. On average, Cape Verde posted an annual deficit equal to 5.16% of GDP, compared to surplus of 19.4% of GDP for Nauru.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cape Verde

Nauru
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cape Verde Nauru
2024 1% 9.3%
2023 3.7% 4.8%
2022 7.9% 1.1%
2021 1.9% 2%
2020 0.6% 0.9%
2019 1.1% 4.1%
2018 1.3% 1.1%
2017 0.8% 4.5%
2016 -1.4% 8.1%
2015 0.1% 9.8%
2014 -0.2% 0.3%
2013 1.5% -1.1%
2012 2.5% 0.3%
2011 4.5% -3.4%
2010 2.1% -2%
2009 1% 22.4%
2008 6.8% 1%
2007 4.4% 5.6%
2006 4.8% 19.3%
2005 0.4% 8.7%
2004 -1.9% -
2003 1.2% -
2002 1.9% -
2001 3.7% -
2000 -2.4% -
1999 4.3% -
1998 4.4% -
1997 8.6% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 20 years, Cape Verde has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.24%, compared with 4.84% in Nauru. In 2024, inflation was 1% in Cape Verde and 9.3% in Nauru.

Balance of trade

Cape Verde Nauru
Current account balance
$107M
2024
$9.73M
2024
Current account balance ranking
67/190
2024
75/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.91%
2024
+5.98%
2024
Goods imports
$1.17B
2024
$92.7M
2024
Goods exports
$328M
2024
$25.5M
2024
Service imports
$298M
2024
$88.2M
2024
Service exports
$830M
2024
$64.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
54%
2024
110.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.5%
2024
55.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Cape Verde Nauru
Economic freedom 71.4 60
Economic freedom ranking 32/197 97/197
Property rights 72.7 n/a
Government integrity 63.3 n/a
Judicial effectiveness 77.1 n/a
Tax burden 84.4 n/a
Government spending 79.5 n/a
Fiscal health 74.4 n/a
Business freedom 78.9 n/a
Labor freedom 59.5 n/a
Monetary freedom 80.4 n/a
Trade freedom 66.6 n/a
Investment freedom 60 n/a
Financial freedom 60 n/a

Other economic metrics

Cape Verde Nauru
Services, % of GDP
68.7%
2024
n/a
Industry, % of GDP
10.7%
2024
n/a
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.92%
2024
n/a
GNI, Atlas method
$2.6B
2024
$244M
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,000
2024
$21,970
2024
Total reserves including gold
$783M
2024
n/a
Total reserves ranking
144/177
2024
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
-$89.2M
2024
$4.51M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$110M
2024
-$5.85M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$20.8M
2024
-$1.34M
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
n/a

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/nauru | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  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.