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Economy of Cape Verde vs Panama compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Cape Verde has a GDP of $2.73B compared to $86.5B for Panama, ranking 172/197 and 78/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cape Verde has $3.03B in government debt (111.2% of GDP), compared to $49.6B (57.4% of GDP) in Panama.

Cape Verde vs Panama GDP by year

Cape Verde
Panama
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cape Verde Panama
2024 $2,725,414,151 $86,523,959,132
2023 $2,504,525,549 $83,812,155,244
2022 $2,247,003,344 $76,479,304,471
2021 $2,051,842,619 $67,396,392,506
2020 $1,821,565,614 $57,059,846,522
2019 $2,252,177,124 $69,778,991,193
2018 $2,205,099,507 $67,316,471,181
2017 $1,996,741,540 $64,327,688,826
2016 $1,849,789,986 $59,760,858,718
2015 $1,749,857,620 $55,767,806,073
2014 $2,041,930,125 $51,427,104,882
2013 $2,028,910,915 $46,949,496,479
2012 $1,913,081,210 $41,595,439,721
2011 $2,046,817,987 $35,687,738,252
2010 $1,824,751,468 $30,231,009,533
2009 $1,852,334,575 $27,791,215,547
2008 $1,959,620,648 $25,721,327,955
2007 $1,649,621,739 $21,717,433,808
2006 $1,107,571,458 $18,659,721,513
2005 $972,241,677 $16,623,906,739
2004 $924,940,012 $15,100,203,362
2003 $813,260,469 $13,603,456,003
2002 $620,507,387 $12,800,851,271
2001 $563,090,490 $12,252,906,341
2000 $539,227,278 $11,966,497,049
1999 $592,416,703 $11,660,704,777
1998 $521,910,561 $11,019,557,689
1997 $490,608,658 $10,058,854,386
1996 $501,979,270 $9,197,503,323
1995 $487,148,994 $9,573,813,700
1994 $406,580,652 $9,365,289,800
1993 $490,417,390 $8,782,585,400
1992 $357,160,985 $8,042,337,700
1991 $319,827,059 $7,074,675,500
1990 $306,890,963 $6,433,967,000
1989 $267,448,571 $5,918,469,800
1988 $264,308,140 $5,902,783,400
1987 $235,253,065 $6,827,665,300
1986 $190,651,168 $6,797,834,200
1985 $137,728,205 $6,541,517,100
1984 $132,019,039 $6,183,387,100
1983 $138,476,176 $5,923,755,900
1982 $140,630,679 $5,769,767,900
1981 $139,468,209 $5,222,421,500
1980 $142,246,815 $4,614,086,400
1979 - $3,704,551,600
1978 - $3,244,558,600
1977 - $2,738,261,900
1976 - $2,588,106,000
1975 - $2,435,304,100
1974 - $2,188,307,600
1973 - $1,913,793,400
1972 - $1,673,411,700
1971 - $1,523,917,200
1970 - $1,351,006,400
1969 - $1,221,305,700
1968 - $1,112,791,100
1967 - $1,034,376,400
1966 - $928,833,000
1965 - $852,485,300
1964 - $776,137,500
1963 - $722,784,500
1962 - $652,120,900
1961 - $599,026,300
1960 - $537,147,100

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

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

GDP per capita in Cape Verde vs Panama by year

Cape Verde
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Panama
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cape Verde Panama
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,192 $11,195 $19,161 $41,369
2023 $4,795 $10,242 $18,797 $39,813
2022 $4,323 $9,481 $17,379 $36,333
2021 $3,971 $7,685 $15,510 $30,933
2020 $3,539 $6,853 $13,291 $27,017
2019 $4,381 $8,646 $16,478 $33,240
2018 $4,295 $7,916 $16,151 $32,464
2017 $3,893 $7,936 $15,695 $33,533
2016 $3,609 $7,351 $14,832 $30,277
2015 $3,415 $6,773 $14,083 $27,245
2014 $3,986 $6,417 $13,213 $24,376
2013 $3,961 $6,367 $12,273 $21,924
2012 $3,737 $6,318 $11,065 $19,473
2011 $4,002 $6,384 $9,662 $17,474
2010 $3,579 $6,039 $8,331 $15,573
2009 $3,660 $5,901 $7,797 $14,766
2008 $3,909 $6,011 $7,348 $14,705
2007 $3,325 $5,567 $6,318 $13,333
2006 $2,257 $4,758 $5,529 $11,685
2005 $2,004 $4,324 $5,018 $10,511
2004 $1,929 $3,969 $4,645 $9,592
2003 $1,718 $3,551 $4,265 $8,801
2002 $1,329 $3,388 $4,091 $8,370
2001 $1,223 $3,217 $3,992 $8,197
2000 $1,190 $3,124 $3,975 $8,097
1999 $1,327 $2,714 $3,950 $7,749
1998 $1,187 $2,443 $3,808 $7,408
1997 $1,134 $2,182 $3,546 $6,895
1996 $1,180 $1,963 $3,308 $6,421
1995 $1,165 $1,762 $3,514 $6,182
1994 $991 $1,540 $3,508 $6,073
1993 $1,220 $1,291 $3,358 $5,902
1992 $908 $1,186 $3,140 $5,582
1991 $832 $1,069 $2,821 $5,150
1990 $817 $1,044 $2,620 $4,651
1989 $727 - $2,462 -
1988 $729 - $2,509 -
1987 $658 - $2,966 -
1986 $541 - $3,019 -
1985 $396 - $2,972 -
1984 $385 - $2,875 -
1983 $410 - $2,819 -
1982 $423 - $2,811 -
1981 $425 - $2,605 -
1980 $440 - $2,357 -
1979 - - $1,938 -
1978 - - $1,738 -
1977 - - $1,503 -
1976 - - $1,457 -
1975 - - $1,406 -
1974 - - $1,296 -
1973 - - $1,164 -
1972 - - $1,046 -
1971 - - $979 -
1970 - - $893 -
1969 - - $830 -
1968 - - $778 -
1967 - - $745 -
1966 - - $689 -
1965 - - $651 -
1964 - - $611 -
1963 - - $587 -
1962 - - $546 -
1961 - - $516 -
1960 - - $477 -

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

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

Cape Verde's GDP per capita is $5,192, ranking 118/197, compared to $19,161 in Panama, ranking 60/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cape Verde ranks 129th at $11,195, while Panama ranks 56th at $41,369.

Economic indicators

Cape Verde Panama
Gross domestic product
$2.73B
2024
$86.5B
2024
GDP rank
172/197
2024
78/197
2024
GDP growth
7.24%
2023-2024
2.75%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,192
2024
$19,161
2024
GDP per capita rank
118/197
2024
60/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,195
2024
$41,369
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
129/197
2024
56/197
2024
Government debt
$3.03B
2024
$49.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
111.2%
2024
57.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$5,776
2024
$10,995
2024
Government debt per person rank
76/185
2024
51/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,576
2026
$10,196
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$18.3B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
32.3%
2015
37.6%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2015
1.2%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
26.1%
2024
23.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1%
2023-2024
0.69%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.5%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2019
8.61%
2024
Population
530391
4642198

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cape Verde
Spending

Debt
Panama
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cape Verde Panama
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 26.1% 111.2% 23.1% 57.4%
2023 25.7% 117.5% 21.4% 51.2%
2022 26.6% 127.6% 21.3% 52.7%
2021 30.8% 149.5% 23.8% 54.4%
2020 34.5% 144.3% 27.5% 61.5%
2019 27.5% 109.8% 20.6% 39.8%
2018 27.5% 112.3% 21.8% 35.6%
2017 28% 113% 21.2% 33.6%
2016 26.6% 115.6% 21.3% 33.6%
2015 28.7% 115.7% 21.4% 34.2%
2014 27.8% 105.7% 23% 34.7%
2013 30.9% 93.5% 23.4% 33.7%
2012 31.6% 82.9% 22.8% 34%
2011 30.3% 71.6% 23.5% 35.6%
2010 35.7% 73.5% 24.2% 38.1%
2009 30.6% 58.8% 22.7% 39.1%
2008 27.6% 57.5% 22.7% 40%
2007 27.1% 59.6% 21.8% 47.4%
2006 28.4% 66.2% 21.9% 54.7%
2005 26.2% 66.7% 22.4% 59.3%
2004 26.3% 67.8% 23.3% 58.8%
2003 23.4% 65.6% 24.2% 56.5%
2002 28.5% 64.7% 23.5% 57%
2001 24.2% 62.2% 23.4% 57.8%
2000 36.7% 71.9% 22.8% 53.6%
1999 35% 66.4% 23% 55.1%
1998 29.8% 72.9% 23.4% 58.1%
1997 34.8% 79.3% 22.2% 60.2%
1996 38.9% 85.7% 21.5% 65%
1995 44.5% 74.3% 25.9% 76.6%
1994 48.1% 73.4% 25.2% 78.3%
1993 - - 33.8% 83.6%
1992 - - 27.8% 91.2%
1991 - - 20.9% 103.7%
1990 - - 41.5% 112.7%
1989 - - 43% 104.4%
1988 - - 41.8% 105%
1987 - - 40.1% 92.2%
1986 - - 38.6% 84%
1985 - - 39.7% 82.5%
1984 - - 44% 82.5%
1983 - - 44.6% 86.6%
1982 - - 48% 80.9%
1981 - - 30.7% 68.7%
1980 - - 30.5% 69.4%
1979 - - 35% 78.9%
1978 - - 27.6% 83.1%
1977 - - 16.9% 77.7%
1976 - - 15.9% 69.7%
1975 - - 15.3% 52.6%
1974 - - 15.3% 37.6%
1973 - - 14.4% 32.6%
1972 - - 15.6% 29.5%
1971 - - 15% 26.2%
1970 - - 22.4% 25.7%
1969 - - 20.5% 23.2%
1968 - - 14.2% 18%
1967 - - 14.9% 17.8%
1966 - - 14% 17.9%
1965 - - 13.2% 18.7%
1964 - - 14.1% 20%
1963 - - 19.1% 22.6%
1962 - - 16.4% 19.8%
1961 - - 18.9% 20.5%
1960 - - 16.6% 21%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Cape Verde's government spending was $711M, accounting for 26.1% of its GDP, while Panama spent $20B, or 23.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 111.2% in Cape Verde and 57.4% in Panama, ranking 16/185 and 88/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cape Verde

Panama
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cape Verde Panama
2024 -1.07% -7.42%
2023 -0.28% -3.9%
2022 -4.25% -3.98%
2021 -7.51% -6.48%
2020 -9.29% -10.2%
2019 -1.62% -2.89%
2018 -2.36% -2.88%
2017 -2.63% -1.92%
2016 -2.73% -1.89%
2015 -4.16% -2.3%
2014 -6.93% -3.21%
2013 -8.49% -2.38%
2012 -9.36% -1.31%
2011 -6.98% -1.96%
2010 -9.6% -1.68%
2009 -5.32% -0.9%
2008 -1.42% 0.37%
2007 -0.86% 3.12%
2006 -4.32% 0.51%
2005 -4.69% -2.21%
2004 -2.98% -4.33%
2003 -3.63% -2.27%
2002 -6.14% -0.96%
2001 -5.03% -0.42%
2000 -15.5% 2.05%
1999 -10.9% -0.65%
1998 -3.16% -1.11%
1997 -10.2% 1.24%
1996 -11.2% 2.48%
1995 -11.1% 2.3%
1994 -12.8% 2.12%
1993 - -9.4%
1992 - -2.62%
1991 - -0.6%
1990 - -3.65%
1989 - -13.6%
1988 - -13.5%
1987 - -1.7%
1986 - -1%
1985 - -2.57%
1984 - -7.56%
1983 - -7.62%
1982 - -13.3%
1981 - -6.77%
1980 - -5.17%
1979 - -12.1%
1978 - -5.21%
1977 - -1.61%
1976 - -2.65%
1975 - -0.74%
1974 - -0.6%
1973 - -0.01%
1972 - -1.17%
1971 - -0.51%
1970 - -8.02%
1969 - -7.56%
1968 - -1.5%
1967 - -1.97%
1966 - -1.18%
1965 - -1.17%
1964 - -2.51%
1963 - -6.71%
1962 - -3.01%
1961 - -5.45%
1960 - -3.05%
1959 - -3.79%
1958 - -1.62%
1957 - -0.89%
1956 - -3.69%
1955 - -1.33%
1954 - -0.2%
1953 - -0.55%
1952 - -3.84%
1951 - -2.54%
1950 - -3.89%
1949 - -1%
1948 - -1.21%
1947 - -1.94%
1946 - -3.19%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/panama | 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 Panama's deficit of $6.42B, or 7.42% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Cape Verde recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while Panama ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Cape Verde posted an annual deficit equal to 6.02% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.71% of GDP for Panama.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cape Verde

Panama
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cape Verde Panama
2024 1% 0.69%
2023 3.7% 1.49%
2022 7.9% 2.86%
2021 1.9% 1.63%
2020 0.6% -1.55%
2019 1.1% -0.36%
2018 1.3% 0.76%
2017 0.8% 0.88%
2016 -1.4% 0.74%
2015 0.1% 0.14%
2014 -0.2% 2.63%
2013 1.5% 4.03%
2012 2.5% 5.7%
2011 4.5% 5.88%
2010 2.1% 3.49%
2009 1% 2.41%
2008 6.8% 8.76%
2007 4.4% 4.17%
2006 4.8% 2.46%
2005 0.4% 2.86%
2004 -1.9% 0.47%
2003 1.2% 0.39%
2002 1.9% 1.01%
2001 3.7% 0.31%
2000 -2.4% 1.5%
1999 4.3% 1.25%
1998 4.4% 0.56%
1997 8.6% 1.32%

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/panama | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Cape Verde has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.31%, compared with 2.02% in Panama. In 2024, inflation was 1% in Cape Verde and 0.69% in Panama.

Top exports between countries

Cape Verde
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $1K
Panama
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Cape Verde Panama
Current account balance
$107M
2024
$1.67B
2024
Current account balance ranking
67/190
2024
51/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.91%
2024
+1.93%
2024
Goods imports
$1.17B
2024
$25.1B
2024
Goods exports
$328M
2024
$19.1B
2024
Service imports
$298M
2024
$5.75B
2024
Service exports
$830M
2024
$18.3B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
54%
2024
39.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.5%
2024
44.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Cape Verde Panama
Economic freedom 71.4 64.9
Economic freedom ranking 32/197 70/197
Property rights 72.7 56.7
Government integrity 63.3 37.4
Judicial effectiveness 77.1 49.6
Tax burden 84.4 86.1
Government spending 79.5 85.5
Fiscal health 74.4 51.8
Business freedom 78.9 72.6
Labor freedom 59.5 60.9
Monetary freedom 80.4 78.2
Trade freedom 66.6 80.2
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cape Verde
Panama
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cape Verde Panama
2026 71.4 64.9
2025 68.7 65.5
2024 62.9 64.1
2023 65.8 63.8
2022 66.7 65.4
2021 63.8 66.2
2020 63.6 67.2
2019 63.1 67.2
2018 60 67
2017 56.9 66.3
2016 66.5 64.8
2015 66.4 64.1
2014 66.1 63.4
2013 63.7 62.5
2012 63.5 65.2
2011 64.6 64.9
2010 61.8 64.8
2009 61.3 64.7
2008 57.9 64.7
2007 56.5 64.6
2006 58.6 65.6
2005 57.8 64.3
2004 58.1 65.3
2003 56.1 68.4
2002 57.6 68.5
2001 56.3 70.6
2000 51.9 71.6
1999 50.7 72.6
1998 48 72.6
1997 47.7 72.4
1996 49.7 71.8
1995 - 71.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Cape Verde is 71.4, ranking 32/197, compared to 64.9 for Panama, ranking 70/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cape Verde Panama
Services, % of GDP
68.7%
2024
69.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
10.7%
2024
25.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.92%
2024
2.68%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.6B
2024
$81.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,000
2024
$39,260
2024
Total reserves including gold
$783M
2024
$6.86B
2024
Total reserves ranking
144/177
2024
88/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$89.2M
2024
-$2.38B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$110M
2024
$3.24B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$20.8M
2024
$865M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.69%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
24.8%
2023
21.7%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
16.4%
2024
33.5%
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/panama | 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 (1946–1996, 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. TradeMap (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.