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Economy of Cape Verde vs Tonga compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Cape Verde has a GDP of $2.73B compared to $591M for Tonga, ranking 172/197 and 191/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cape Verde has $3.03B in government debt (111.2% of GDP), compared to $256M (37% of GDP) in Tonga.

Cape Verde vs Tonga GDP by year

Cape Verde
Tonga
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cape Verde Tonga
2024 $2,725,414,151 -
2023 $2,504,525,549 $591,139,749
2022 $2,247,003,344 $556,514,555
2021 $2,051,842,619 $519,306,353
2020 $1,821,565,614 $506,571,468
2019 $2,252,177,124 $506,031,239
2018 $2,205,099,507 $493,530,783
2017 $1,996,741,540 $459,976,850
2016 $1,849,789,986 $420,828,262
2015 $1,749,857,620 $437,525,514
2014 $2,041,930,125 $440,997,738
2013 $2,028,910,915 $451,788,498
2012 $1,913,081,210 $471,122,971
2011 $2,046,817,987 $414,143,828
2010 $1,824,751,468 $366,887,375
2009 $1,852,334,575 $312,415,028
2008 $1,959,620,648 $344,438,844
2007 $1,649,621,739 $298,519,623
2006 $1,107,571,458 $292,232,703
2005 $972,241,677 $261,823,805
2004 $924,940,012 $230,678,011
2003 $813,260,469 $202,246,591
2002 $620,507,387 $182,764,281
2001 $563,090,490 $181,117,230
2000 $539,227,278 $204,848,488
1999 $592,416,703 $199,208,718
1998 $521,910,561 $191,504,893
1997 $490,608,658 $214,991,452
1996 $501,979,270 $222,100,576
1995 $487,148,994 $208,871,666
1994 $406,580,652 $195,990,986
1993 $490,417,390 $138,489,884
1992 $357,160,985 $137,066,291
1991 $319,827,059 $132,201,141
1990 $306,890,963 $113,563,822
1989 $267,448,571 $106,344,855
1988 $264,308,140 $106,657,267
1987 $235,253,065 $81,667,133
1986 $190,651,168 $68,195,856
1985 $137,728,205 $60,058,663
1984 $132,019,039 $64,248,355
1983 $138,476,176 $60,863,964
1982 $140,630,679 $62,068,161
1981 $139,468,209 $62,242,013
1980 $142,246,815 $53,260,077
1979 - $44,667,002
1978 - $41,567,472
1977 - $34,139,388
1976 - $30,036,417
1975 - $32,506,742

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1975–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Cape Verde vs Tonga by year

Cape Verde
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tonga
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cape Verde Tonga
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,192 $11,195 - -
2023 $4,795 $10,242 $5,652 $7,803
2022 $4,323 $9,481 $5,298 $7,296
2021 $3,971 $7,685 $4,923 $6,929
2020 $3,539 $6,853 $4,792 $6,676
2019 $4,381 $8,646 $4,789 $6,473
2018 $4,295 $7,916 $4,675 $6,393
2017 $3,893 $7,936 $4,366 $6,229
2016 $3,609 $7,351 $3,988 $5,920
2015 $3,415 $6,773 $4,124 $5,472
2014 $3,986 $6,417 $4,137 $5,336
2013 $3,961 $6,367 $4,219 $5,120
2012 $3,737 $6,318 $4,384 $4,996
2011 $4,002 $6,384 $3,850 $4,855
2010 $3,579 $6,039 $3,416 $4,465
2009 $3,660 $5,901 $2,914 $4,384
2008 $3,909 $6,011 $3,218 $4,600
2007 $3,325 $5,567 $2,797 $4,316
2006 $2,257 $4,758 $2,750 $4,327
2005 $2,004 $4,324 $2,478 $4,315
2004 $1,929 $3,969 $2,195 $4,235
2003 $1,718 $3,551 $1,936 $4,231
2002 $1,329 $3,388 $1,759 $4,171
2001 $1,223 $3,217 $1,754 $3,955
2000 $1,190 $3,124 $1,995 $3,834
1999 $1,327 $2,714 $1,952 $3,636
1998 $1,187 $2,443 $1,889 $3,527
1997 $1,134 $2,182 $2,136 $3,434
1996 $1,180 $1,963 $2,215 $3,410
1995 $1,165 $1,762 $2,084 $3,347
1994 $991 $1,540 $1,957 $3,088
1993 $1,220 $1,291 $1,383 $2,882
1992 $908 $1,186 $1,370 $2,716
1991 $832 $1,069 $1,323 $2,652
1990 $817 $1,044 $1,139 $2,416
1989 $727 - $1,070 -
1988 $729 - $1,078 -
1987 $658 - $830 -
1986 $541 - $696 -
1985 $396 - $613 -
1984 $385 - $656 -
1983 $410 - $621 -
1982 $423 - $633 -
1981 $425 - $636 -
1980 $440 - $545 -
1979 - - $458 -
1978 - - $428 -
1977 - - $353 -
1976 - - $315 -
1975 - - $349 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1975–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Cape Verde's GDP per capita is $5,192, ranking 118/197, compared to $5,652 in Tonga, ranking 115/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cape Verde ranks 129th at $11,195, while Tonga ranks 144th at $7,803.

Economic indicators

Cape Verde Tonga
Gross domestic product
$2.73B
2024
$591M
2023
GDP rank
172/197
2024
191/197
2023
GDP growth
7.24%
2023-2024
2.79%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$5,192
2024
$5,652
2023
GDP per capita rank
118/197
2024
115/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,195
2024
$7,803
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
129/197
2024
144/197
2023
Government debt
$3.03B
2024
$256M
2023
Debt-to-GDP ratio
111.2%
2024
37%
2024
Government debt per person
$5,776
2024
$2,445
2023
Government debt per person rank
76/185
2024
111/185
2023
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,576
2026
$3,886
2026
Income share by richest 10%
32.3%
2015
22%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2015
4%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
26.1%
2024
51.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1%
2023-2024
3.18%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.5%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2019
1.65%
2023
Population
530391
103309

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cape Verde
Spending

Debt
Tonga
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cape Verde Tonga
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 26.1% 111.2% 51.3% 37%
2023 25.7% 117.5% 48.2% 43.3%
2022 26.6% 127.6% 44.4% 43.2%
2021 30.8% 149.5% 44.6% 43%
2020 34.5% 144.3% 37.9% 42.6%
2019 27.5% 109.8% 39.9% 42.8%
2018 27.5% 112.3% 39.6% 45.8%
2017 28% 113% 39.7% 44.7%
2016 26.6% 115.6% 37.2% 49.4%
2015 28.7% 115.7% 37.4% 51.1%
2014 27.8% 105.7% 31.5% 47.4%
2013 30.9% 93.5% 34.3% 48.9%
2012 31.6% 82.9% 32% 60%
2011 30.3% 71.6% 32.6% 51.9%
2010 35.7% 73.5% 28.4% 44.7%
2009 30.6% 58.8% 23.9% 39.7%
2008 27.6% 57.5% 24% 34%
2007 27.1% 59.6% 23.2% 37.8%
2006 28.4% 66.2% 25.6% 39.6%
2005 26.2% 66.7% 19.8% 43.3%
2004 26.3% 67.8% 19.3% 52.2%
2003 23.4% 65.6% 20% 56.2%
2002 28.5% 64.7% 21.3% 60.7%
2001 24.2% 62.2% 19.1% 53.4%
2000 36.7% 71.9% 20% 43.6%
1999 35% 66.4% 18.8% 38.4%
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/tonga | CC BY

In 2024, Cape Verde's government spending was $711M, accounting for 26.1% of its GDP, while Tonga spent $285M, or 51.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 111.2% in Cape Verde and 37% in Tonga, ranking 16/185 and 142/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cape Verde

Tonga
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cape Verde Tonga
2024 -1.07% 4.17%
2023 -0.28% 6.14%
2022 -4.25% -0.1%
2021 -7.51% -0.87%
2020 -9.29% 5.25%
2019 -1.62% 3.28%
2018 -2.36% 2.92%
2017 -2.63% 3.58%
2016 -2.73% 1.47%
2015 -4.16% -2.75%
2014 -6.93% 6.38%
2013 -8.49% -1.3%
2012 -9.36% -1.74%
2011 -6.98% -6.02%
2010 -9.6% -1.22%
2009 -5.32% 6.85%
2008 -1.42% 2.14%
2007 -0.86% 5.39%
2006 -4.32% 1.34%
2005 -4.69% 4.23%
2004 -2.98% 4.23%
2003 -3.63% 2.37%
2002 -6.14% 2.59%
2001 -5.03% 2.23%
2000 -15.5% 1.35%
1999 -10.9% 1.55%
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/tonga | CC BY

In 2023, Cape Verde's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $6.95M, equivalent to 0.28% of GDP. This compares to Tonga's surplus of $36.3M, or 6.14% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Cape Verde recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Tonga ran a deficit in 7 years. On average, Cape Verde posted an annual deficit equal to 5.48% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.97% of GDP for Tonga.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cape Verde

Tonga
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cape Verde Tonga
2024 1% 3.18%
2023 3.7% 6.35%
2022 7.9% 11%
2021 1.9% 5.64%
2020 0.6% -0.35%
2019 1.1% 1.18%
2018 1.3% 5.03%
2017 0.8% 7.52%
2016 -1.4% 2.58%
2015 0.1% -1.05%
2014 -0.2% 2.51%
2013 1.5% 0.78%
2012 2.5% 1.15%
2011 4.5% 6.27%
2010 2.1% 3.53%
2009 1% 1.43%
2008 6.8% 10.4%
2007 4.4% 5.84%
2006 4.8% 6.15%
2005 0.4% 8.67%
2004 -1.9% 11%
2003 1.2% 11.6%
2002 1.9% 10.4%
2001 3.7% 8.29%
2000 -2.4% 6.33%
1999 4.3% 4.46%
1998 4.4% 3.27%
1997 8.6% 2.12%

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/tonga | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Cape Verde has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.31%, compared with 5.19% in Tonga. In 2024, inflation was 1% in Cape Verde and 3.18% in Tonga.

Balance of trade

Cape Verde Tonga
Current account balance
$107M
2024
-$43.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
67/190
2024
83/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.91%
2024
-7.93%
2023
Goods imports
$1.17B
2024
$232M
2024
Goods exports
$328M
2024
$10.8M
2024
Service imports
$298M
2024
$161M
2024
Service exports
$830M
2024
$93.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
54%
2024
64.9%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.5%
2024
14.7%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Cape Verde Tonga
Economic freedom 71.4 58.9
Economic freedom ranking 32/197 107/197
Property rights 72.7 71.1
Government integrity 63.3 45.1
Judicial effectiveness 77.1 64.9
Tax burden 84.4 85.6
Government spending 79.5 31
Fiscal health 74.4 97.3
Business freedom 78.9 59.2
Labor freedom 59.5 55.9
Monetary freedom 80.4 61
Trade freedom 66.6 75.4
Investment freedom 60 40
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cape Verde
Tonga
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cape Verde Tonga
2026 71.4 58.9
2025 68.7 58.5
2024 62.9 59.2
2023 65.8 60
2022 66.7 60.8
2021 63.8 57.5
2020 63.6 58.8
2019 63.1 57.7
2018 60 63.1
2017 56.9 63
2016 66.5 59.6
2015 66.4 59.3
2014 66.1 58.2
2013 63.7 56
2012 63.5 57
2011 64.6 55.8
2010 61.8 53.4
2009 61.3 54.1
2008 57.9 -
2007 56.5 -
2006 58.6 -
2005 57.8 -
2004 58.1 -
2003 56.1 -
2002 57.6 -
2001 56.3 -
2000 51.9 -
1999 50.7 -
1998 48 -
1997 47.7 -
1996 49.7 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Cape Verde is 71.4, ranking 32/197, compared to 58.9 for Tonga, ranking 107/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cape Verde Tonga
Services, % of GDP
68.7%
2024
50%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
10.7%
2024
14.9%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.92%
2024
19%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$2.6B
2024
$619M
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,000
2024
$8,400
2023
Total reserves including gold
$783M
2024
$377M
2024
Total reserves ranking
144/177
2024
163/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$89.2M
2024
$13.3M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$110M
2024
-$12.1M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$20.8M
2024
$1.25M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.69%
2024
2.76%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
24.8%
2023
20.6%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
16.4%
2024
25.9%
2023

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/tonga | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1975–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  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.