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Economy of Cape Verde vs Nicaragua compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Cape Verde has a GDP of $2.73B compared to $19.7B for Nicaragua, ranking 172/197 and 131/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cape Verde has $3.03B in government debt (111.2% of GDP), compared to $7.71B (39.1% of GDP) in Nicaragua.

Cape Verde vs Nicaragua GDP by year

Cape Verde
Nicaragua
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cape Verde Nicaragua
2024 $2,725,414,151 $19,693,982,968
2023 $2,504,525,549 $17,805,842,284
2022 $2,247,003,344 $15,634,572,502
2021 $2,051,842,619 $14,209,020,362
2020 $1,821,565,614 $12,726,422,432
2019 $2,252,177,124 $12,699,023,614
2018 $2,205,099,507 $13,025,221,974
2017 $1,996,741,540 $13,785,893,007
2016 $1,849,789,986 $13,286,093,388
2015 $1,749,857,620 $12,756,696,261
2014 $2,041,930,125 $11,880,438,824
2013 $2,028,910,915 $10,982,988,249
2012 $1,913,081,210 $10,532,017,232
2011 $2,046,817,987 $9,774,329,333
2010 $1,824,751,468 $8,758,602,233
2009 $1,852,334,575 $8,298,702,489
2008 $1,959,620,648 $8,496,967,597
2007 $1,649,621,739 $7,423,375,015
2006 $1,107,571,458 $6,763,672,381
2005 $972,241,677 $6,321,324,279
2004 $924,940,012 $5,792,932,838
2003 $813,260,469 $5,322,228,351
2002 $620,507,387 $5,223,727,303
2001 $563,090,490 $5,351,752,034
2000 $539,227,278 $5,109,587,050
1999 $592,416,703 $4,856,026,259
1998 $521,910,561 $4,635,347,386
1997 $490,608,658 $4,389,973,490
1996 $501,979,270 $4,308,351,903
1995 $487,148,994 $4,140,470,000
1994 $406,580,652 $3,863,185,119
1993 $490,417,390 $1,756,454,248
1992 $357,160,985 $1,792,800,000
1991 $319,827,059 $1,488,804,124
1990 $306,890,963 $1,009,455,484
1989 $267,448,571 $1,013,184,756
1988 $264,308,140 $2,630,900,096
1987 $235,253,065 $3,851,200,118
1986 $190,651,168 $2,885,799,994
1985 $137,728,205 $2,683,699,935
1984 $132,019,039 $3,117,599,872
1983 $138,476,176 $2,753,100,058
1982 $140,630,679 $2,454,499,872
1981 $139,468,209 $2,474,700,227
1980 $142,246,815 $2,144,300,006
1979 - $1,567,599,982
1978 - $2,127,699,979
1977 - $2,226,999,874
1976 - $1,836,899,999
1975 - $1,581,599,959
1974 - $1,521,400,012
1973 - $1,092,900,015
1972 - $878,570,045
1971 - $828,569,953
1970 - $778,569,939
1969 - $750,000,003
1968 - $692,859,985
1967 - $657,140,011
1966 - $607,140,010
1965 - $564,290,020
1964 - $347,119,918
1963 - $297,324,163
1962 - $269,283,804
1961 - $244,144,237
1960 - $227,223,322

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

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

GDP per capita in Cape Verde vs Nicaragua by year

Cape Verde
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nicaragua
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cape Verde Nicaragua
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,192 $11,195 $2,848 $8,709
2023 $4,795 $10,242 $2,609 $8,320
2022 $4,323 $9,481 $2,323 $7,797
2021 $3,971 $7,685 $2,138 $7,119
2020 $3,539 $6,853 $1,938 $6,274
2019 $4,381 $8,646 $1,959 $5,981
2018 $4,295 $7,916 $2,035 $5,935
2017 $3,893 $7,936 $2,183 $6,225
2016 $3,609 $7,351 $2,132 $5,882
2015 $3,415 $6,773 $2,074 $5,449
2014 $3,986 $6,417 $1,958 $5,068
2013 $3,961 $6,367 $1,835 $4,711
2012 $3,737 $6,318 $1,785 $4,508
2011 $4,002 $6,384 $1,680 $4,325
2010 $3,579 $6,039 $1,527 $4,042
2009 $3,660 $5,901 $1,467 $3,880
2008 $3,909 $6,011 $1,524 $4,044
2007 $3,325 $5,567 $1,350 $3,891
2006 $2,257 $4,758 $1,248 $3,658
2005 $2,004 $4,324 $1,183 $3,456
2004 $1,929 $3,969 $1,099 $3,255
2003 $1,718 $3,551 $1,021 $3,046
2002 $1,329 $3,388 $1,014 $2,948
2001 $1,223 $3,217 $1,052 $2,917
2000 $1,190 $3,124 $1,017 $2,806
1999 $1,327 $2,714 $980 $2,672
1998 $1,187 $2,443 $949 $2,497
1997 $1,134 $2,182 $913 $2,418
1996 $1,180 $1,963 $911 $2,325
1995 $1,165 $1,762 $892 $2,187
1994 $991 $1,540 $849 $2,064
1993 $1,220 $1,291 $394 $1,998
1992 $908 $1,186 $411 $2,003
1991 $832 $1,069 $350 $1,995
1990 $817 $1,044 $242.5 $1,979
1989 $727 - $249.2 -
1988 $729 - $662 -
1987 $658 - $992 -
1986 $541 - $761 -
1985 $396 - $724 -
1984 $385 - $861 -
1983 $410 - $780 -
1982 $423 - $714 -
1981 $425 - $740 -
1980 $440 - $659 -
1979 - - $495 -
1978 - - $691 -
1977 - - $744 -
1976 - - $633 -
1975 - - $561 -
1974 - - $557 -
1973 - - $413 -
1972 - - $341 -
1971 - - $331 -
1970 - - $321 -
1969 - - $319 -
1968 - - $304 -
1967 - - $297.9 -
1966 - - $284 -
1965 - - $272.3 -
1964 - - $172.7 -
1963 - - $152.5 -
1962 - - $142.3 -
1961 - - $132.9 -
1960 - - $127.5 -

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

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

Cape Verde's GDP per capita is $5,192, ranking 118/197, compared to $2,848 in Nicaragua, ranking 141/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cape Verde ranks 129th at $11,195, while Nicaragua ranks 138th at $8,709.

Economic indicators

Cape Verde Nicaragua
Gross domestic product
$2.73B
2024
$19.7B
2024
GDP rank
172/197
2024
131/197
2024
GDP growth
7.24%
2023-2024
3.59%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,192
2024
$2,848
2024
GDP per capita rank
118/197
2024
141/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,195
2024
$8,709
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
129/197
2024
138/197
2024
Government debt
$3.03B
2024
$7.71B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
111.2%
2024
39.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$5,776
2024
$1,115
2024
Government debt per person rank
76/185
2024
138/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,576
2026
$2,318
2026
Income share by richest 10%
32.3%
2015
37.2%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2015
2%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
26.1%
2024
27.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1%
2023-2024
4.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.5%
2024
6%
2025
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2019
5.2%
2018
Population
530391
7124343

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cape Verde
Spending

Debt
Nicaragua
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cape Verde Nicaragua
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 26.1% 111.2% 27.1% 39.1%
2023 25.7% 117.5% 26% 42.3%
2022 26.6% 127.6% 28.6% 45.9%
2021 30.8% 149.5% 30% 48.4%
2020 34.5% 144.3% 28.9% 49.2%
2019 27.5% 109.8% 27.7% 44.2%
2018 27.5% 112.3% 27.7% 39.1%
2017 28% 113% 27.3% 34.7%
2016 26.6% 115.6% 26.8% 30.9%
2015 28.7% 115.7% 25.4% 28.9%
2014 27.8% 105.7% 24.6% 28.7%
2013 30.9% 93.5% 24.2% 28.8%
2012 31.6% 82.9% 24.1% 27.9%
2011 30.3% 71.6% 23.5% 28.8%
2010 35.7% 73.5% 22.6% 30.3%
2009 30.6% 58.8% 22.7% 29.3%
2008 27.6% 57.5% 21.9% 26%
2007 27.1% 59.6% 21.5% 30.9%
2006 28.4% 66.2% 21.4% 51.2%
2005 26.2% 66.7% 21.3% 66.6%
2004 26.3% 67.8% 20.8% 84%
2003 23.4% 65.6% 20.9% 109.5%
2002 28.5% 64.7% 18.7% 110.4%
2001 24.2% 62.2% 19.2% 87.5%
2000 36.7% 71.9% 20.6% 95.2%
1999 35% 66.4% 22.1% 99.8%
1998 29.8% 72.9% 18.5% 86.5%
1997 34.8% 79.3% 17.9% 86.4%
1996 38.9% 85.7% 18% -
1995 44.5% 74.3% 17.7% -
1994 48.1% 73.4% 18.4% -
1993 - - 18.4% -
1992 - - 18.4% -
1991 - - 16.8% -
1990 - - 28.2% -
1989 - - - -
1988 - - 24.8% -
1987 - - - 266.6%
1986 - - 26.1% 159.2%
1985 - - 29.9% 218%
1984 - - 31.9% 198%
1983 - - 33.8% 211.6%
1982 - - 49.4% 159.1%
1981 - - 39.3% 149.1%
1980 - - 30.4% 152.1%
1979 - - 20.7% 116.3%
1978 - - 17.7% 76.9%
1977 - - 19.9% 62.7%
1976 - - 16.2% 59.5%
1975 - - 17.5% 57.8%
1974 - - 15.3% 40%
1973 - - 12.8% 32.9%
1972 - - 15.1% 30.2%
1971 - - 15.1% 31.6%
1970 - - 13.2% 35.4%
1969 - - 11.1% -
1968 - - 10.9% -
1967 - - 12.7% -
1966 - - 12.2% -
1965 - - 10.9% -
1964 - - 10.2% -
1963 - - 10.5% -
1962 - - 10.6% -
1961 - - 9.93% -
1960 - - 11.2% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Cape Verde's government spending was $711M, accounting for 26.1% of its GDP, while Nicaragua spent $5.34B, or 27.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 111.2% in Cape Verde and 39.1% in Nicaragua, ranking 16/185 and 136/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cape Verde

Nicaragua
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cape Verde Nicaragua
2024 -1.07% 2.48%
2023 -0.28% 2.31%
2022 -4.25% 0.65%
2021 -7.51% -1.26%
2020 -9.29% -2.57%
2019 -1.62% -1.12%
2018 -2.36% -4.35%
2017 -2.63% -1.75%
2016 -2.73% -1.92%
2015 -4.16% -1.64%
2014 -6.93% -0.89%
2013 -8.49% -0.3%
2012 -9.36% 0.22%
2011 -6.98% 0.59%
2010 -9.6% 0.69%
2009 -5.32% -0.9%
2008 -1.42% 0.27%
2007 -0.86% 1.88%
2006 -4.32% 1.36%
2005 -4.69% 1.72%
2004 -2.98% 1.69%
2003 -3.63% 1.3%
2002 -6.14% 2.07%
2001 -5.03% 0.34%
2000 -15.5% 2.15%
1999 -10.9% -6.86%
1998 -3.16% -2.88%
1997 -10.2% -3.31%
1996 -11.2% -5%
1995 -11.1% -4.62%
1994 -12.8% -5.79%
1993 - -4.66%
1992 - -3.8%
1991 - -3.45%
1990 - -15.2%
1989 - -
1988 - -22.4%
1987 - -
1986 - -7.33%
1985 - -11.3%
1984 - -11.8%
1983 - -15.6%
1982 - -20.2%
1981 - -10.6%
1980 - -6.53%
1979 - -5.89%
1978 - -4.44%
1977 - -5.91%
1976 - -2.2%
1975 - -3.53%
1974 - -1.41%
1973 - 1.21%
1972 - -2.61%
1971 - -2.33%
1970 - -2.69%
1969 - -1.57%
1968 - -1.21%
1967 - -2.11%
1966 - -1.04%
1965 - 0.3%
1964 - 0.2%
1963 - 0.75%
1962 - -0.29%
1961 - 0.04%
1960 - -1.28%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/nicaragua | 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 Nicaragua's surplus of $489M, or 2.48% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Cape Verde recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while Nicaragua ran a deficit in 16 years. On average, Cape Verde posted an annual deficit equal to 6.02% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.82% of GDP for Nicaragua.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cape Verde

Nicaragua
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cape Verde Nicaragua
2024 1% 4.6%
2023 3.7% 8.4%
2022 7.9% 10.5%
2021 1.9% 4.9%
2020 0.6% 3.7%
2019 1.1% 5.4%
2018 1.3% 4.9%
2017 0.8% 3.9%
2016 -1.4% 3.5%
2015 0.1% 4%
2014 -0.2% 6%
2013 1.5% 7.1%
2012 2.5% 7.2%
2011 4.5% 8.1%
2010 2.1% 5.5%
2009 1% 3.7%
2008 6.8% 19.8%
2007 4.4% 11.1%
2006 4.8% 9.1%
2005 0.4% 9.6%
2004 -1.9% 8.5%
2003 1.2% 5.3%
2002 1.9% 3.8%
2001 3.7% 7.4%
2000 -2.4% 11.5%
1999 4.3% 11.2%
1998 4.4% 13%
1997 8.6% 9.2%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Cape Verde has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.31%, compared with 7.53% in Nicaragua. In 2024, inflation was 1% in Cape Verde and 4.6% in Nicaragua.

Balance of trade

Cape Verde Nicaragua
Current account balance
$107M
2024
$818M
2024
Current account balance ranking
67/190
2024
55/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.91%
2024
+4.15%
2024
Goods imports
$1.17B
2024
$10.1B
2024
Goods exports
$328M
2024
$6.84B
2024
Service imports
$298M
2024
$1.31B
2024
Service exports
$830M
2024
$1.3B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
54%
2024
58.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.5%
2024
40.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Cape Verde Nicaragua
Economic freedom 71.4 53.6
Economic freedom ranking 32/197 139/197
Property rights 72.7 23.8
Government integrity 63.3 13.4
Judicial effectiveness 77.1 8.8
Tax burden 84.4 74.5
Government spending 79.5 77.7
Fiscal health 74.4 96.9
Business freedom 78.9 54.4
Labor freedom 59.5 47.3
Monetary freedom 80.4 69.4
Trade freedom 66.6 67
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 60 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cape Verde
Nicaragua
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cape Verde Nicaragua
2026 71.4 53.6
2025 68.7 54
2024 62.9 53.4
2023 65.8 54.9
2022 66.7 54.8
2021 63.8 56.3
2020 63.6 57.2
2019 63.1 57.7
2018 60 58.9
2017 56.9 59.2
2016 66.5 58.6
2015 66.4 57.6
2014 66.1 58.4
2013 63.7 56.6
2012 63.5 57.9
2011 64.6 58.8
2010 61.8 58.3
2009 61.3 59.8
2008 57.9 60.8
2007 56.5 62.7
2006 58.6 63.8
2005 57.8 62.5
2004 58.1 61.4
2003 56.1 62.6
2002 57.6 61.1
2001 56.3 58
2000 51.9 56.9
1999 50.7 54
1998 48 53.8
1997 47.7 53.3
1996 49.7 54.1
1995 - 42.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Cape Verde is 71.4, ranking 32/197, compared to 53.6 for Nicaragua, ranking 139/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cape Verde Nicaragua
Services, % of GDP
68.7%
2024
46.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
10.7%
2024
27.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.92%
2024
14.4%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.6B
2024
$17.4B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,000
2024
$8,270
2024
Total reserves including gold
$783M
2024
$6.1B
2024
Total reserves ranking
144/177
2024
91/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$89.2M
2024
-$1.28B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$110M
2024
$1.35B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$20.8M
2024
$73.8M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.69%
2024
9.74%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
24.8%
2023
24.9%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
16.4%
2024
24.7%
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/nicaragua | 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 (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, 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. 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.