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Economy of Cape Verde vs Rwanda compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Cape Verde has a GDP of $3.06B compared to $16.4B for Rwanda, ranking 172/197 and 142/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cape Verde has $3.09B in government debt (101% of GDP), compared to $10.6B (64.6% of GDP) in Rwanda.

Cape Verde vs Rwanda GDP by year

Cape Verde
Rwanda
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cape Verde Rwanda
2025 $3,056,630,435 $16,372,132,990
2024 $2,713,721,857 $15,111,064,182
2023 $2,504,525,538 $14,806,501,437
2022 $2,247,003,344 $13,747,404,814
2021 $2,051,842,619 $11,252,894,910
2020 $1,821,565,614 $10,487,146,253
2019 $2,252,177,124 $10,519,272,170
2018 $2,205,099,507 $9,650,161,136
2017 $1,996,741,540 $9,164,345,443
2016 $1,849,789,986 $8,596,812,241
2015 $1,749,857,620 $8,447,064,079
2014 $2,041,930,125 $8,129,984,484
2013 $2,028,910,915 $7,714,276,920
2012 $1,913,081,210 $7,556,673,276
2011 $2,046,817,987 $6,802,676,034
2010 $1,824,751,468 $6,052,276,078
2009 $1,852,334,575 $5,603,399,015
2008 $1,959,620,648 $5,120,655,375
2007 $1,649,621,739 $4,017,977,507
2006 $1,107,571,458 $3,274,207,945
2005 $972,241,677 $2,933,819,766
2004 $924,940,012 $2,376,496,067
2003 $813,260,469 $2,138,237,279
2002 $620,507,387 $1,966,003,468
2001 $563,090,490 $1,966,600,715
2000 $539,227,278 $2,068,836,754
1999 $592,416,703 $2,157,108,263
1998 $521,910,561 $1,989,343,546
1997 $490,608,658 $1,851,558,197
1996 $501,979,270 $1,382,334,879
1995 $487,148,994 $1,293,535,193
1994 $406,580,652 $753,636,370
1993 $490,417,390 $1,971,525,712
1992 $357,160,985 $2,029,026,962
1991 $319,827,059 $1,911,600,237
1990 $306,890,963 $2,550,185,679
1989 $267,448,571 $2,405,022,593
1988 $264,308,140 $2,395,492,687
1987 $235,253,065 $2,157,432,668
1986 $190,651,168 $1,944,710,684
1985 $137,728,205 $1,715,626,331
1984 $132,019,039 $1,587,413,084
1983 $138,476,176 $1,479,687,587
1982 $140,630,679 $1,407,243,139
1981 $139,468,209 $1,407,062,527
1980 $142,246,815 $1,254,765,642
1979 - $1,109,346,131
1978 - $905,709,076
1977 - $746,650,613
1976 - $637,753,853
1975 - $571,863,500
1974 - $308,458,423
1973 - $290,746,157
1972 - $246,457,838
1971 - $222,952,504
1970 - $219,900,006
1969 - $188,700,037
1968 - $172,200,018
1967 - $159,560,018
1966 - $124,525,703
1965 - $148,799,980
1964 - $129,999,994
1963 - $128,000,000
1962 - $125,000,008
1961 - $122,000,016
1960 - $119,000,024

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Cape Verde vs Rwanda by year

Cape Verde
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Rwanda
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cape Verde Rwanda
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $5,796 - $1,124 -
2024 $5,170 $11,195 $1,060 $3,711
2023 $4,795 $10,242 $1,061 $3,399
2022 $4,323 $9,481 $1,007 $3,099
2021 $3,971 $7,685 $843 $2,733
2020 $3,539 $6,853 $803 $2,285
2019 $4,381 $8,646 $823 $2,336
2018 $4,295 $7,916 $773 $2,125
2017 $3,893 $7,936 $751 $1,968
2016 $3,609 $7,351 $721 $1,866
2015 $3,415 $6,773 $726 $1,781
2014 $3,986 $6,417 $715 $1,678
2013 $3,961 $6,367 $695 $1,512
2012 $3,737 $6,318 $698 $1,455
2011 $4,002 $6,384 $643 $1,413
2010 $3,579 $6,039 $587 $1,314
2009 $3,660 $5,901 $557 $1,241
2008 $3,909 $6,011 $522 $1,191
2007 $3,325 $5,567 $421 $1,079
2006 $2,257 $4,758 $352 $1,002
2005 $2,004 $4,324 $324 $914
2004 $1,929 $3,969 $269.5 $832
2003 $1,718 $3,551 $249 $775
2002 $1,329 $3,388 $234 $760
2001 $1,223 $3,217 $237.3 $670
2000 $1,190 $3,124 $251.9 $609
1999 $1,327 $2,714 $264.7 $554
1998 $1,187 $2,443 $246.2 $528
1997 $1,134 $2,182 $238.7 $500
1996 $1,180 $1,963 $206 $499
1995 $1,165 $1,762 $228 $514
1994 $991 $1,540 $111 $311
1993 $1,220 $1,291 $247 $521
1992 $908 $1,186 $264.1 $575
1991 $832 $1,069 $254 $542
1990 $817 $1,044 $346 $549
1989 $727 - $335 -
1988 $729 - $344 -
1987 $658 - $320 -
1986 $541 - $297.7 -
1985 $396 - $271.6 -
1984 $385 - $259.9 -
1983 $410 - $250.6 -
1982 $423 - $246.4 -
1981 $425 - $254.6 -
1980 $440 - $234.4 -
1979 - - $213.8 -
1978 - - $179.9 -
1977 - - $152.7 -
1976 - - $134.4 -
1975 - - $124.1 -
1974 - - $68.9 -
1973 - - $66.9 -
1972 - - $58.4 -
1971 - - $54.4 -
1970 - - $55.2 -
1969 - - $48.9 -
1968 - - $46 -
1967 - - $44 -
1966 - - $35.4 -
1965 - - $43.5 -
1964 - - $39 -
1963 - - $39.3 -
1962 - - $39.2 -
1961 - - $39.3 -
1960 - - $39.4 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Cape Verde's GDP per capita is $5,796, ranking 116/197, compared to $1,124 in Rwanda, ranking 178/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cape Verde ranks 129th at $11,195, while Rwanda ranks 168th at $3,711.

Economic indicators

Cape Verde Rwanda
Gross domestic product
$3.06B
2025
$16.4B
2025
GDP rank
172/197
2025
142/197
2025
GDP growth
6.3%
2024-2025
9.38%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$5,796
2025
$1,124
2025
GDP per capita rank
116/197
2025
178/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,195
2024
$3,711
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
129/197
2024
168/197
2024
Government debt
$3.09B
2025
$10.6B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
101%
2025
64.6%
2025
Government debt per person
$5,854
2025
$726
2025
Government debt per person rank
77/185
2025
155/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,506
2026
$1,614
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$3.2B
2025
Income share by richest 10%
32.3%
2015
33.4%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2015
3.1%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27%
2025
24.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.3%
2024-2025
5.91%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
1.5%
2024
6.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2019
5.36%
2025
Population
530853
15062056

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cape Verde
Spending

Debt
Rwanda
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cape Verde Rwanda
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 27% 101% 24.1% 64.6%
2024 26.1% 112.8% 27.1% 63.4%
2023 25.7% 117.5% 26.2% 61.4%
2022 26.6% 127.6% 28.7% 59%
2021 30.8% 149.5% 31% 66.2%
2020 34.5% 149.1% 32.5% 66.7%
2019 27.5% 109.8% 27.7% 52.8%
2018 27.5% 112.3% 26.3% 49.2%
2017 28% 113% 25.3% 46.1%
2016 26.6% 115.6% 25.4% 41.5%
2015 28.7% 115.7% 26.9% 33.5%
2014 27.8% 105.7% 27.8% 29.5%
2013 30.9% 93.5% 26.5% 27%
2012 31.6% 82.9% 24.9% 19.3%
2011 30.3% 71.6% 25% 18.9%
2010 35.7% 66.2% 24.1% 19%
2009 30.6% 58.8% 22.6% 18.7%
2008 27.6% 57.5% 22.7% 18.5%
2007 27.1% 59.6% 22.7% 22.4%
2006 28.4% 66.2% 20.9% 22.8%
2005 26.2% 66.7% 20.2% 59.8%
2004 26.3% 67.8% 18.1% 82.1%
2003 23.4% 65.6% 18.8% 80.7%
2002 28.5% 64.7% 20.7% 93.4%
2001 24.2% 62.2% 19.3% 85.2%
2000 36.7% 71.9% 18.5% 87.2%
1999 35% 66.4% 22.7% 79.5%
1998 29.8% 72.9% 16.6% 71.1%
1997 34.8% 79.3% 17.2% 73.3%
1996 38.9% 85.7% 19.8% 84.6%
1995 44.5% 74.3% 18.3% 102.2%
1994 48.1% 73.4% 13.5% -
1993 - - 20.6% -
1992 - - 21.8% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1994–1996, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Cape Verde's government spending was $827M, accounting for 27% of its GDP, while Rwanda spent $3.95B, or 24.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 101% in Cape Verde and 64.6% in Rwanda, ranking 23/185 and 68/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cape Verde

Rwanda
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cape Verde Rwanda
2025 1.06% -4.49%
2024 -1.07% -6.19%
2023 -0.28% -4.88%
2022 -4.25% -5.56%
2021 -7.51% -6.89%
2020 -9.29% -9.26%
2019 -1.62% -5%
2018 -2.36% -2.57%
2017 -2.63% -2.54%
2016 -2.73% -2.3%
2015 -4.16% -2.71%
2014 -6.93% -3.97%
2013 -8.49% -1.29%
2012 -9.36% -2.41%
2011 -6.98% -0.87%
2010 -9.6% -0.65%
2009 -5.32% 0.26%
2008 -1.42% 0.84%
2007 -0.86% -1.58%
2006 -4.32% -0.03%
2005 -4.69% 1.14%
2004 -2.98% 2.31%
2003 -3.63% -1.25%
2002 -6.14% -2.06%
2001 -5.03% -1.83%
2000 -15.5% -0.22%
1999 -10.9% -4.48%
1998 -3.16% -2.63%
1997 -10.2% -2.25%
1996 -11.2% -5.08%
1995 -11.1% -2.07%
1994 -12.8% -9.68%
1993 - -6.7%
1992 - -7.31%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/rwanda | 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 Rwanda's deficit of $736M, or 4.49% of GDP.

Over the past 32 years, Cape Verde recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while Rwanda ran a deficit in 28 years. On average, Cape Verde posted an annual deficit equal to 5.8% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.82% of GDP for Rwanda.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cape Verde

Rwanda
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cape Verde Rwanda
2025 2.3% 5.91%
2024 1.1% 1.77%
2023 3.7% 19.8%
2022 7.9% 17.7%
2021 1.9% -0.39%
2020 0.6% 9.85%
2019 1.1% 3.35%
2018 1.3% -0.31%
2017 0.8% 8.28%
2016 -1.4% 7.17%
2015 0.1% 2.53%
2014 -0.2% 2.35%
2013 1.5% 5.92%
2012 2.5% 10.3%
2011 4.5% 3.08%
2010 2.1% -0.25%
2009 1% 12.9%
2008 6.8% 15.4%
2007 4.4% 9.08%
2006 4.8% 8.88%
2005 0.4% 9.01%
2004 -1.9% 12.3%
2003 1.2% 7.45%
2002 1.9% 1.99%
2001 3.7% 3.34%
2000 -2.4% 3.9%
1999 4.3% -2.41%
1998 4.4% 6.21%
1997 8.6% 12%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Cape Verde has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.31%, compared with 6.8% in Rwanda. In 2025, inflation was 2.3% in Cape Verde and 5.91% in Rwanda.

Balance of trade

Cape Verde Rwanda
Current account balance
$108M
2025
-$1.81B
2024
Current account balance ranking
63/190
2025
136/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.53%
2025
-12%
2024
Goods imports
$1.29B
2025
$5.55B
2024
Goods exports
$344M
2025
$3.2B
2024
Service imports
$350M
2025
$991M
2024
Service exports
$940M
2025
$1.08B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.4%
2025
35.1%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42%
2025
21.6%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Cape Verde Rwanda
Economic freedom 71.4 56.5
Economic freedom ranking 32/197 121/197
Property rights 72.7 60.3
Government integrity 63.3 53.9
Judicial effectiveness 77.1 27.5
Tax burden 84.4 80.6
Government spending 79.5 75.7
Fiscal health 74.4 37.5
Business freedom 78.9 60.1
Labor freedom 59.5 49.1
Monetary freedom 80.4 72.3
Trade freedom 66.6 61.8
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 60 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cape Verde
Rwanda
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cape Verde Rwanda
2026 71.4 56.5
2025 68.7 54.8
2024 62.9 51.6
2023 65.8 52.2
2022 66.7 57.1
2021 63.8 68.3
2020 63.6 70.9
2019 63.1 71.1
2018 60 69.1
2017 56.9 67.6
2016 66.5 63.1
2015 66.4 64.8
2014 66.1 64.7
2013 63.7 64.1
2012 63.5 64.9
2011 64.6 62.7
2010 61.8 59.1
2009 61.3 54.2
2008 57.9 54.2
2007 56.5 52.4
2006 58.6 52.8
2005 57.8 51.7
2004 58.1 53.3
2003 56.1 47.8
2002 57.6 50.4
2001 56.3 45.4
2000 51.9 42.3
1999 50.7 39.8
1998 48 39.1
1997 47.7 38.3
1996 49.7 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Cape Verde is 71.4, ranking 32/197, compared to 56.5 for Rwanda, ranking 121/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cape Verde Rwanda
Services, % of GDP
67.9%
2025
52.3%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
10.7%
2025
22%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
5.04%
2025
20.3%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$2.95B
2025
$16.7B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,010
2025
$4,070
2025
Total reserves including gold
$1.26B
2025
$1.96B
2025
Total reserves ranking
138/177
2025
128/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$130M
2025
-$560M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$110M
2024
$573M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$20.8M
2024
$13.2M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.72%
2024
2.91%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
24.8%
2023
27.4%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.4%
2025
34.1%
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/rwanda | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1994–1996, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. 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.