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Economy of Cape Verde vs Romania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Cape Verde has a GDP of $3.06B compared to $429B for Romania, ranking 172/197 and 39/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cape Verde has $3.09B in government debt (101% of GDP), compared to $260B (60.6% of GDP) in Romania.

Cape Verde vs Romania GDP by year

Cape Verde
Romania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cape Verde Romania
2025 $3,056,630,435 $428,677,977,855
2024 $2,713,721,857 $382,564,217,989
2023 $2,504,525,538 $347,757,995,759
2022 $2,247,003,344 $295,317,862,856
2021 $2,051,842,619 $285,072,444,957
2020 $1,821,565,614 $250,624,575,872
2019 $2,252,177,124 $250,080,428,512
2018 $2,205,099,507 $241,791,427,224
2017 $1,996,741,540 $210,147,385,855
2016 $1,849,789,986 $185,290,759,249
2015 $1,749,857,620 $177,885,131,240
2014 $2,041,930,125 $199,722,319,676
2013 $2,028,910,915 $189,798,603,751
2012 $1,913,081,210 $179,117,323,107
2011 $2,046,817,987 $192,623,977,894
2010 $1,824,751,468 $170,064,350,672
2009 $1,852,334,575 $174,110,532,659
2008 $1,959,620,648 $214,315,932,061
2007 $1,649,621,739 $174,588,782,939
2006 $1,107,571,458 $122,023,735,993
2005 $972,241,677 $98,454,380,120
2004 $924,940,012 $74,973,656,852
2003 $813,260,469 $57,806,384,143
2002 $620,507,387 $46,065,502,703
2001 $563,090,490 $40,395,116,581
2000 $539,227,278 $37,253,739,511
1999 $592,416,703 $35,953,156,754
1998 $521,910,561 $41,696,091,974
1997 $490,608,658 $35,575,214,078
1996 $501,979,270 $36,937,074,278
1995 $487,148,994 $37,430,162,103
1994 $406,580,652 $30,072,805,104
1993 $490,417,390 $26,361,160,450
1992 $357,160,985 $25,121,666,667
1991 $319,827,059 $28,850,634,900
1990 $306,890,963 $38,247,882,300
1989 $267,448,571 $41,450,777,202
1988 $264,308,140 $40,424,528,302
1987 $235,253,065 $38,067,567,568
1986 $190,651,168 -
1985 $137,728,205 -
1984 $132,019,039 -
1983 $138,476,176 -
1982 $140,630,679 -
1981 $139,468,209 -
1980 $142,246,815 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Cape Verde vs Romania by year

Cape Verde
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Romania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cape Verde Romania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $5,796 - $22,538 -
2024 $5,170 $11,195 $20,080 $49,077
2023 $4,795 $10,242 $18,244 $45,982
2022 $4,323 $9,481 $15,503 $41,979
2021 $3,971 $7,685 $14,908 $37,534
2020 $3,539 $6,853 $13,009 $34,194
2019 $4,381 $8,646 $12,910 $33,425
2018 $4,295 $7,916 $12,416 $29,383
2017 $3,893 $7,936 $10,728 $26,943
2016 $3,609 $7,351 $9,405 $23,905
2015 $3,415 $6,773 $8,977 $21,625
2014 $3,986 $6,417 $10,032 $20,633
2013 $3,961 $6,367 $9,498 $19,678
2012 $3,737 $6,318 $8,930 $19,808
2011 $4,002 $6,384 $9,561 $18,804
2010 $3,579 $6,039 $8,400 $17,355
2009 $3,660 $5,901 $8,548 $16,641
2008 $3,909 $6,011 $10,435 $16,782
2007 $3,325 $5,567 $8,360 $13,703
2006 $2,257 $4,758 $5,758 $11,554
2005 $2,004 $4,324 $4,618 $9,602
2004 $1,929 $3,969 $3,495 $8,989
2003 $1,718 $3,551 $2,679 $7,559
2002 $1,329 $3,388 $2,120 $7,162
2001 $1,223 $3,217 $1,825 $6,520
2000 $1,190 $3,124 $1,660 $5,850
1999 $1,327 $2,714 $1,600 $5,596
1998 $1,187 $2,443 $1,853 $5,545
1997 $1,134 $2,182 $1,577 $5,564
1996 $1,180 $1,963 $1,633 $5,746
1995 $1,165 $1,762 $1,650 $5,429
1994 $991 $1,540 $1,323 $4,995
1993 $1,220 $1,291 $1,158 $4,699
1992 $908 $1,186 $1,102 $4,515
1991 $832 $1,069 $1,254 $4,795
1990 $817 $1,044 $1,648 $5,280
1989 $727 - $1,790 -
1988 $729 - $1,753 -
1987 $658 - $1,659 -
1986 $541 - - -
1985 $396 - - -
1984 $385 - - -
1983 $410 - - -
1982 $423 - - -
1981 $425 - - -
1980 $440 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Cape Verde's GDP per capita is $5,796, ranking 116/197, compared to $22,538 in Romania, ranking 57/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cape Verde ranks 129th at $11,195, while Romania ranks 47th at $49,077.

Economic indicators

Cape Verde Romania
Gross domestic product
$3.06B
2025
$429B
2025
GDP rank
172/197
2025
39/197
2025
GDP growth
6.3%
2024-2025
0.68%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$5,796
2025
$22,538
2025
GDP per capita rank
116/197
2025
57/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,195
2024
$49,077
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
129/197
2024
47/197
2024
Government debt
$3.09B
2025
$260B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
101%
2025
60.6%
2025
Government debt per person
$5,854
2025
$13,650
2025
Government debt per person rank
77/185
2025
48/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,506
2026
$13,510
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$70.9B
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
32.3%
2015
21.8%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2015
2.4%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27%
2025
40.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.3%
2024-2025
7.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
1.5%
2024
6.5%
2024
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2019
6.1%
2025
Population
530853
18912567

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cape Verde
Spending

Debt
Romania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cape Verde Romania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 27% 101% 40.5% 60.6%
2024 26.1% 112.8% 40% 57.5%
2023 25.7% 117.5% 37% 52.6%
2022 26.6% 127.6% 37.5% 51.9%
2021 30.8% 149.5% 37.2% 51.8%
2020 34.5% 149.1% 38.3% 49.5%
2019 27.5% 109.8% 33.4% 36.8%
2018 27.5% 112.3% 31.9% 36.4%
2017 28% 113% 31% 37.1%
2016 26.6% 115.6% 31.8% 39.5%
2015 28.7% 115.7% 34.2% 39.4%
2014 27.8% 105.7% 33.8% 40.5%
2013 30.9% 93.5% 34.2% 39.3%
2012 31.6% 82.9% 33.5% 36.2%
2011 30.3% 71.6% 35% 32.6%
2010 35.7% 66.2% 37.4% 30.2%
2009 30.6% 58.8% 36.3% 22.5%
2008 27.6% 57.5% 35.3% 13%
2007 27.1% 59.6% 34.6% 12.4%
2006 28.4% 66.2% 33.9% 12.7%
2005 26.2% 66.7% 32.3% 17.8%
2004 26.3% 67.8% 33.7% 21.3%
2003 23.4% 65.6% 31.8% 24.9%
2002 28.5% 64.7% 32.1% 27.4%
2001 24.2% 62.2% 33.2% 27.4%
2000 36.7% 71.9% 35% 29.6%
1999 35% 66.4% 35.1% 21.7%
1998 29.8% 72.9% 34.7% 16.5%
1997 34.8% 79.3% 33.5% 15%
1996 38.9% 85.7% 33.5% 11%
1995 44.5% 74.3% 34.4% 6.91%
1994 48.1% 73.4% 33.1% -
1993 - - 33.5% -
1992 - - 41.5% -
1991 - - 38.3% -
1990 - - 38.4% -
1989 - - 40.1% -
1988 - - 36.6% -
1987 - - 40.7% -
1986 - - 42.5% -
1985 - - 41.6% -
1984 - - 28.6% -
1983 - - 25.8% -
1982 - - 28.5% -
1981 - - 30.4% -
1980 - - 33.6% -
1979 - - 42% -
1978 - - 42.1% -
1977 - - 39.9% -
1976 - - 37.5% -
1975 - - 40.6% -
1974 - - 37.6% -
1973 - - 32.6% -
1972 - - 29.9% -
1971 - - 27.2% -
1970 - - 28.1% -
1969 - - 32.1% -
1968 - - 31.8% -
1967 - - 30.6% -
1966 - - 27.3% -
1965 - - 25.6% -
1964 - - 25.1% -
1963 - - 23.1% -
1962 - - 43.4% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Cape Verde's government spending was $827M, accounting for 27% of its GDP, while Romania spent $173B, or 40.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 101% in Cape Verde and 60.6% in Romania, ranking 23/185 and 76/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cape Verde

Romania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cape Verde Romania
2025 1.06% -7.64%
2024 -1.07% -8.68%
2023 -0.28% -5.66%
2022 -4.25% -5.85%
2021 -7.51% -6.74%
2020 -9.29% -9.6%
2019 -1.62% -4.58%
2018 -2.36% -2.76%
2017 -2.63% -2.86%
2016 -2.73% -2.5%
2015 -4.16% -1.35%
2014 -6.93% -1.76%
2013 -8.49% -2.44%
2012 -9.36% -2.39%
2011 -6.98% -4.14%
2010 -9.6% -6.22%
2009 -5.32% -6.86%
2008 -1.42% -4.6%
2007 -0.86% -3.05%
2006 -4.32% -1.36%
2005 -4.69% -0.69%
2004 -2.98% -3.39%
2003 -3.63% -2.29%
2002 -6.14% -2.59%
2001 -5.03% -3.2%
2000 -15.5% -3.99%
1999 -10.9% -3.58%
1998 -3.16% -5.33%
1997 -10.2% -5.19%
1996 -11.2% -4.74%
1995 -11.1% -3.32%
1994 -12.8% -2.2%
1993 - -0.35%
1992 - -4.55%
1991 - 3.23%
1990 - 1.03%
1989 - -2.87%
1988 - 8.4%
1987 - 2.37%
1986 - 5.72%
1985 - 6.36%
1984 - 15.2%
1983 - 9.35%
1982 - 0.36%
1981 - 0.61%
1980 - -1.95%
1979 - 0%
1978 - 0%
1977 - 0.23%
1976 - 0.66%
1975 - 0.41%
1974 - 0.51%
1973 - 1.53%
1972 - 1.21%
1971 - 0.89%
1970 - 0.52%
1969 - 0.93%
1968 - 1.65%
1967 - 1.23%
1966 - 0.91%
1965 - -1.29%
1964 - -3.11%
1963 - -1.61%
1962 - -4.86%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Cape Verde's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $32.3M, equivalent to 1.06% of GDP. This compares to Romania's deficit of $32.8B, or 7.64% of GDP.

Over the past 32 years, Cape Verde recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while Romania ran a deficit in 32 years. On average, Cape Verde posted an annual deficit equal to 5.8% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.11% of GDP for Romania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cape Verde

Romania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cape Verde Romania
2025 2.3% 7.3%
2024 1.1% 5.6%
2023 3.7% 10.4%
2022 7.9% 13.8%
2021 1.9% 5%
2020 0.6% 2.6%
2019 1.1% 3.8%
2018 1.3% 4.6%
2017 0.8% 1.3%
2016 -1.4% -1.6%
2015 0.1% -0.6%
2014 -0.2% 1.1%
2013 1.5% 4%
2012 2.5% 3.3%
2011 4.5% 5.8%
2010 2.1% 6.1%
2009 1% 5.6%
2008 6.8% 7.8%
2007 4.4% 4.8%
2006 4.8% 6.6%
2005 0.4% 9%
2004 -1.9% 11.9%
2003 1.2% 15.4%
2002 1.9% 22.5%
2001 3.7% 34.5%
2000 -2.4% 45.7%
1999 4.3% 45.8%
1998 4.4% 59.1%
1997 8.6% 154.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Cape Verde has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.31%, compared with 17.1% in Romania. In 2025, inflation was 2.3% in Cape Verde and 7.3% in Romania.

Top exports between countries

Cape Verde
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $162K
Romania
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $125K
Miscellaneous $40K
Wood & paper products $36K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $26K
Chemicals & pharma $9K
Textiles & consumer goods $5K
Metals $2K
Raw materials & minerals $1K

Balance of trade

Cape Verde Romania
Current account balance
$108M
2025
-$33.9B
2025
Current account balance ranking
63/190
2025
186/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.53%
2025
-7.9%
2025
Goods imports
$1.29B
2025
$139B
2025
Goods exports
$344M
2025
$102B
2025
Service imports
$350M
2025
$35.9B
2025
Service exports
$940M
2025
$50.1B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.4%
2025
40.7%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42%
2025
35.5%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Cape Verde Romania
Economic freedom 71.4 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 32/197 64/197
Property rights 72.7 81
Government integrity 63.3 50
Judicial effectiveness 77.1 67
Tax burden 84.4 89.1
Government spending 79.5 56.7
Fiscal health 74.4 21.4
Business freedom 78.9 74.4
Labor freedom 59.5 63.6
Monetary freedom 80.4 72.7
Trade freedom 66.6 79.4
Investment freedom 60 70
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cape Verde
Romania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cape Verde Romania
2026 71.4 65.4
2025 68.7 66.5
2024 62.9 64.4
2023 65.8 64.5
2022 66.7 67.1
2021 63.8 69.5
2020 63.6 69.7
2019 63.1 68.6
2018 60 69.4
2017 56.9 69.7
2016 66.5 65.6
2015 66.4 66.6
2014 66.1 65.5
2013 63.7 65.1
2012 63.5 64.4
2011 64.6 64.7
2010 61.8 64.2
2009 61.3 63.2
2008 57.9 61.7
2007 56.5 61.2
2006 58.6 58.2
2005 57.8 52.1
2004 58.1 50
2003 56.1 50.6
2002 57.6 48.7
2001 56.3 50
2000 51.9 52.1
1999 50.7 50.1
1998 48 54.4
1997 47.7 50.8
1996 49.7 46.2
1995 - 42.9

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Cape Verde is 71.4, ranking 32/197, compared to 65.4 for Romania, ranking 64/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cape Verde Romania
Services, % of GDP
67.9%
2025
61.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
10.7%
2025
25.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
5.04%
2025
3%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$2.95B
2025
$384B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,010
2025
$49,550
2025
Total reserves including gold
$1.26B
2025
$90.6B
2025
Total reserves ranking
138/177
2025
31/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$130M
2025
-$8.57B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$110M
2024
$7.16B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$20.8M
2024
$1.99B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.72%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
24.8%
2023
19%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.4%
2025
25.9%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.