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Economy of Cape Verde vs Trinidad and Tobago compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Cape Verde has a GDP of $3.06B compared to $25.9B for Trinidad and Tobago, ranking 172/197 and 122/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cape Verde has $3.09B in government debt (101% of GDP), compared to $21.8B (84.2% of GDP) in Trinidad and Tobago.

Cape Verde vs Trinidad and Tobago GDP by year

Cape Verde
Trinidad and Tobago
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cape Verde Trinidad
2025 $3,056,630,435 $25,942,749,718
2024 $2,713,721,857 $25,633,544,529
2023 $2,504,525,538 $25,036,993,423
2022 $2,247,003,344 $28,341,164,301
2021 $2,051,842,619 $24,222,963,263
2020 $1,821,565,614 $20,888,515,184
2019 $2,252,177,124 $23,477,745,792
2018 $2,205,099,507 $23,883,058,083
2017 $1,996,741,540 $23,830,750,901
2016 $1,849,789,986 $23,624,322,193
2015 $1,749,857,620 $26,841,141,793
2014 $2,041,930,125 $29,474,180,005
2013 $2,028,910,915 $28,560,537,057
2012 $1,913,081,210 $27,147,349,937
2011 $2,046,817,987 $25,433,007,437
2010 $1,824,751,468 $22,157,920,592
2009 $1,852,334,575 $19,172,165,226
2008 $1,959,620,648 $27,871,587,350
2007 $1,649,621,739 $21,641,620,050
2006 $1,107,571,458 $18,369,361,094
2005 $972,241,677 $15,982,389,018
2004 $924,940,012 $13,280,291,990
2003 $813,260,469 $11,305,459,802
2002 $620,507,387 $9,008,298,229
2001 $563,090,490 $8,824,849,191
2000 $539,227,278 $8,154,342,116
1999 $592,416,703 $6,808,982,521
1998 $521,910,561 $6,043,686,654
1997 $490,608,658 $5,737,771,523
1996 $501,979,270 $5,759,570,336
1995 $487,148,994 $5,329,217,747
1994 $406,580,652 $4,947,181,646
1993 $490,417,390 $4,669,491,134
1992 $357,160,985 $5,439,552,941
1991 $319,827,059 $5,307,905,882
1990 $306,890,963 $5,068,000,000
1989 $267,448,571 $4,323,058,824
1988 $264,308,140 $4,496,910,569
1987 $235,253,065 $4,797,777,778
1986 $190,651,168 $4,794,444,444
1985 $137,728,205 $7,375,918,367
1984 $132,019,039 $7,757,083,333
1983 $138,476,176 $7,763,750,000
1982 $140,630,679 $8,140,416,667
1981 $139,468,209 $6,992,083,333
1980 $142,246,815 $6,235,833,333
1979 - $4,602,416,625
1978 - $3,562,333,458
1977 - $3,138,666,667
1976 - $2,500,424,955
1975 - $2,442,669,825
1974 - $2,042,001,071
1973 - $1,308,785,431
1972 - $1,083,391,758
1971 - $896,765,215
1970 - $821,850,000
1969 - $779,200,000
1968 - $758,899,950
1967 - $761,981,912
1966 - $723,739,857
1965 - $736,573,159
1964 - $711,897,520
1963 - $678,239,329
1962 - $619,322,810
1961 - $584,964,621
1960 - $535,673,252

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

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

GDP per capita in Cape Verde vs Trinidad and Tobago by year

Cape Verde
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Trinidad and Tobago
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cape Verde Trinidad
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $5,796 - $18,967 -
2024 $5,170 $11,195 $18,733 $36,329
2023 $4,795 $10,242 $18,308 $34,623
2022 $4,323 $9,481 $20,751 $32,979
2021 $3,971 $7,685 $17,713 $30,482
2020 $3,539 $6,853 $15,284 $26,731
2019 $4,381 $8,646 $17,213 $29,316
2018 $4,295 $7,916 $17,571 $28,673
2017 $3,893 $7,936 $17,566 $28,484
2016 $3,609 $7,351 $17,449 $28,232
2015 $3,415 $6,773 $19,887 $29,825
2014 $3,986 $6,417 $21,908 $32,027
2013 $3,961 $6,367 $21,305 $31,746
2012 $3,737 $6,318 $20,332 $31,883
2011 $4,002 $6,384 $19,151 $31,078
2010 $3,579 $6,039 $16,815 $30,778
2009 $3,660 $5,901 $14,634 $29,602
2008 $3,909 $6,011 $21,299 $30,807
2007 $3,325 $5,567 $16,607 $29,355
2006 $2,257 $4,758 $14,153 $27,393
2005 $2,004 $4,324 $12,346 $23,536
2004 $1,929 $3,969 $9,871 $20,674
2003 $1,718 $3,551 $8,445 $18,743
2002 $1,329 $3,388 $6,763 $16,141
2001 $1,223 $3,217 $6,657 $14,797
2000 $1,190 $3,124 $6,179 $13,953
1999 $1,327 $2,714 $5,179 $12,812
1998 $1,187 $2,443 $4,613 $11,735
1997 $1,134 $2,182 $4,394 $10,769
1996 $1,180 $1,963 $4,427 $9,883
1995 $1,165 $1,762 $4,115 $9,099
1994 $991 $1,540 $3,840 $8,631
1993 $1,220 $1,291 $3,647 $8,209
1992 $908 $1,186 $4,277 $8,129
1991 $832 $1,069 $4,205 $7,274
1990 $817 $1,044 $4,047 $6,878
1989 $727 - $3,482 -
1988 $729 - $3,656 -
1987 $658 - $3,941 -
1986 $541 - $3,985 -
1985 $396 - $6,212 -
1984 $385 - $6,613 -
1983 $410 - $6,690 -
1982 $423 - $7,091 -
1981 $425 - $6,160 -
1980 $440 - $5,559 -
1979 - - $4,155 -
1978 - - $3,258 -
1977 - - $2,907 -
1976 - - $2,345 -
1975 - - $2,319 -
1974 - - $1,962 -
1973 - - $1,273 -
1972 - - $1,067 -
1971 - - $894 -
1970 - - $829 -
1969 - - $795 -
1968 - - $783 -
1967 - - $797 -
1966 - - $768 -
1965 - - $793 -
1964 - - $780 -
1963 - - $756 -
1962 - - $704 -
1961 - - $678 -
1960 - - $634 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

Cape Verde's GDP per capita is $5,796, ranking 116/197, compared to $18,967 in Trinidad and Tobago, ranking 65/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cape Verde ranks 129th at $11,195, while Trinidad and Tobago ranks 62nd at $36,329.

Economic indicators

Cape Verde Trinidad
Gross domestic product
$3.06B
2025
$25.9B
2025
GDP rank
172/197
2025
122/197
2025
GDP growth
6.3%
2024-2025
-0.79%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$5,796
2025
$18,967
2025
GDP per capita rank
116/197
2025
65/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,195
2024
$36,329
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
129/197
2024
62/197
2024
Government debt
$3.09B
2025
$21.8B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
101%
2025
84.2%
2025
Government debt per person
$5,854
2025
$15,965
2025
Government debt per person rank
77/185
2025
43/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,506
2026
$10,176
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$3.89B
2001
Income share by richest 10%
32.3%
2015
29.9%
1992
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2015
2.1%
1992
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27%
2025
32.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.3%
2024-2025
0.99%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
1.5%
2024
3.5%
2020
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2019
4.01%
2024
Population
530853
1370916

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cape Verde
Spending

Debt
Trinidad and Tobago
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cape Verde Trinidad
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 27% 101% 32.4% 84.2%
2024 26.1% 112.8% 32.2% 81.8%
2023 25.7% 117.5% 32.4% 78.2%
2022 26.6% 127.6% 28.3% 69.9%
2021 30.8% 149.5% 31.4% 80.2%
2020 34.5% 149.1% 35.1% 81.6%
2019 27.5% 109.8% 31% 62.9%
2018 27.5% 112.3% 30.2% 58.1%
2017 28% 113% 30.9% 57.2%
2016 26.6% 115.6% 31.2% 53.3%
2015 28.7% 115.7% 34.1% 43.2%
2014 27.8% 105.7% 33% 37.1%
2013 30.9% 93.5% 31.7% 32.9%
2012 31.6% 82.9% 29.9% 32.9%
2011 30.3% 71.6% 30.4% 39.2%
2010 35.7% 66.2% 31.5% 28.9%
2009 30.6% 58.8% 33.4% 34.2%
2008 27.6% 57.5% 28.2% 24.6%
2007 27.1% 59.6% 26.8% 29.4%
2006 28.4% 66.2% 34.6% 32.7%
2005 26.2% 66.7% 29.5% 36.6%
2004 26.3% 67.8% 23.3% 43.3%
2003 23.4% 65.6% 23.5% 52.4%
2002 28.5% 64.7% 24.6% 58.2%
2001 24.2% 62.2% 25.2% 54.2%
2000 36.7% 71.9% 24.1% 52.3%
1999 35% 66.4% 24.8% 55.2%
1998 29.8% 72.9% 27.3% 47.4%
1997 34.8% 79.3% 27.4% 51.3%
1996 38.9% 85.7% 28.2% 51.9%
1995 44.5% 74.3% 26.7% 57.3%
1994 48.1% 73.4% 26.5% 64.8%
1993 - - 27.3% 59.6%
1992 - - 28.8% 49.5%
1991 - - 30% 50%
1990 - - 27.9% 49.5%
1989 - - 30.9% 51.9%
1988 - - 45.3% 65.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1996, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

In 2025, Cape Verde's government spending was $827M, accounting for 27% of its GDP, while Trinidad and Tobago spent $8.39B, or 32.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 101% in Cape Verde and 84.2% in Trinidad and Tobago, ranking 23/185 and 37/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cape Verde

Trinidad and Tobago
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cape Verde Trinidad
2025 1.06% -5.46%
2024 -1.07% -5.92%
2023 -0.28% -1.2%
2022 -4.25% 0.96%
2021 -7.51% -8.39%
2020 -9.29% -11.8%
2019 -1.62% -3.72%
2018 -2.36% -5.89%
2017 -2.63% -10.5%
2016 -2.73% -9.84%
2015 -4.16% -7.37%
2014 -6.93% -4.34%
2013 -8.49% -2.7%
2012 -9.36% -1.28%
2011 -6.98% -0.69%
2010 -9.6% 0.14%
2009 -5.32% -4.88%
2008 -1.42% 5.7%
2007 -0.86% 3.24%
2006 -4.32% -0.3%
2005 -4.69% 0.84%
2004 -2.98% 1.91%
2003 -3.63% 1.9%
2002 -6.14% -0.2%
2001 -5.03% 0.62%
2000 -15.5% 0.18%
1999 -10.9% -0.9%
1998 -3.16% -1.83%
1997 -10.2% 0.11%
1996 -11.2% -0.46%
1995 -11.1% 0.17%
1994 -12.8% -0.02%
1993 - 0.24%
1992 - -2.76%
1991 - -0.21%
1990 - -1.32%
1989 - -4.46%
1988 - -9.34%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/trinidad-and-tobago | 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 Trinidad and Tobago's deficit of $1.42B, or 5.46% of GDP.

Over the past 32 years, Cape Verde recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while Trinidad and Tobago ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, Cape Verde posted an annual deficit equal to 5.8% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.25% of GDP for Trinidad and Tobago.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cape Verde

Trinidad and Tobago
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cape Verde Trinidad
2025 2.3% 0.99%
2024 1.1% 0.53%
2023 3.7% 4.63%
2022 7.9% 5.83%
2021 1.9% 2.06%
2020 0.6% 0.6%
2019 1.1% 1%
2018 1.3% 1.02%
2017 0.8% 1.88%
2016 -1.4% 3.07%
2015 0.1% 4.66%
2014 -0.2% 5.68%
2013 1.5% 5.2%
2012 2.5% 9.26%
2011 4.5% 5.11%
2010 2.1% 10.5%
2009 1% 6.98%
2008 6.8% 12%
2007 4.4% 7.89%
2006 4.8% 8.33%
2005 0.4% 6.87%
2004 -1.9% 3.72%
2003 1.2% 3.81%
2002 1.9% 4.15%
2001 3.7% 5.54%
2000 -2.4% 3.56%
1999 4.3% 3.44%
1998 4.4% 5.61%
1997 8.6% 3.63%

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/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Cape Verde has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.31%, compared with 4.75% in Trinidad and Tobago. In 2025, inflation was 2.3% in Cape Verde and 0.99% in Trinidad and Tobago.

Top exports between countries

Cape Verde
Export category Export value
Trinidad
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $2K

Balance of trade

Cape Verde Trinidad
Current account balance
$108M
2025
$1.25B
2025
Current account balance ranking
63/190
2025
48/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.53%
2025
+4.81%
2025
Goods imports
$1.29B
2025
$6.83B
2025
Goods exports
$344M
2025
$10.2B
2025
Service imports
$350M
2025
$2.8B
2025
Service exports
$940M
2025
$1.27B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.4%
2025
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42%
2025
45%
2026

Economic freedom indices

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

Cape Verde Trinidad
Economic freedom 71.4 62.4
Economic freedom ranking 32/197 87/197
Property rights 72.7 47.3
Government integrity 63.3 45.5
Judicial effectiveness 77.1 58.8
Tax burden 84.4 76.1
Government spending 79.5 71.1
Fiscal health 74.4 86.3
Business freedom 78.9 67.1
Labor freedom 59.5 57.2
Monetary freedom 80.4 81
Trade freedom 66.6 68.8
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 60 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cape Verde
Trinidad and Tobago
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cape Verde Trinidad
2026 71.4 62.4
2025 68.7 63.6
2024 62.9 60.4
2023 65.8 59.5
2022 66.7 58.8
2021 63.8 59
2020 63.6 58.3
2019 63.1 57
2018 60 57.7
2017 56.9 61.2
2016 66.5 62.9
2015 66.4 64.1
2014 66.1 62.7
2013 63.7 62.3
2012 63.5 64.4
2011 64.6 66.5
2010 61.8 65.7
2009 61.3 68
2008 57.9 69.5
2007 56.5 70.6
2006 58.6 70.4
2005 57.8 71.5
2004 58.1 71.3
2003 56.1 68.8
2002 57.6 70.1
2001 56.3 71.8
2000 51.9 74.5
1999 50.7 72.4
1998 48 72
1997 47.7 71.3
1996 49.7 69.2

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

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Cape Verde is 71.4, ranking 32/197, compared to 62.4 for Trinidad and Tobago, ranking 87/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cape Verde Trinidad
Services, % of GDP
67.9%
2025
59.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
10.7%
2025
34.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
5.04%
2025
0.78%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.95B
2025
$25.4B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,010
2025
$36,080
2025
Total reserves including gold
$1.26B
2025
$5.6B
2024
Total reserves ranking
138/177
2025
99/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$130M
2025
$404M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$110M
2024
-$453M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$20.8M
2024
$527M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.72%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
24.8%
2023
20%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.4%
2025
19%
2023

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/trinidad-and-tobago | 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 (1990–2025, 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 (1988–1996, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. TradeMap (2024, 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.