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Economy of Cape Verde vs United Arab Emirates compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Cape Verde has a GDP of $3.06B compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 172/197 and 31/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cape Verde has $3.09B in government debt (101% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.3% of GDP) in the United Arab Emirates.

Cape Verde vs United Arab Emirates GDP by year

Cape Verde
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cape Verde UAE
2025 $3,056,630,435 -
2024 $2,713,721,857 $552,324,919,096
2023 $2,504,525,538 $522,622,268,401
2022 $2,247,003,344 $511,403,404,642
2021 $2,051,842,619 $422,441,282,436
2020 $1,821,565,614 $357,161,776,271
2019 $2,252,177,124 $433,926,218,686
2018 $2,205,099,507 $440,560,003,161
2017 $1,996,741,540 $403,365,056,079
2016 $1,849,789,986 $381,717,208,621
2015 $1,749,857,620 $381,973,135,513
2014 $2,041,930,125 $424,935,834,104
2013 $2,028,910,915 $409,632,574,703
2012 $1,913,081,210 $392,793,559,051
2011 $2,046,817,987 $368,881,033,963
2010 $1,824,751,468 $307,736,348,527
2009 $1,852,334,575 $253,547,358,747
2008 $1,959,620,648 $315,474,615,741
2007 $1,649,621,739 $257,916,148,767
2006 $1,107,571,458 $222,116,532,963
2005 $972,241,677 $180,617,467,954
2004 $924,940,012 $147,824,249,958
2003 $813,260,469 $124,346,476,180
2002 $620,507,387 $109,816,091,079
2001 $563,090,490 $103,311,631,797
2000 $539,227,278 $104,337,463,730
1999 $592,416,703 $84,445,399,335
1998 $521,910,561 $75,674,384,205
1997 $490,608,658 $78,838,886,862
1996 $501,979,270 $73,571,217,377
1995 $487,148,994 $65,743,604,966
1994 $406,580,652 $59,305,111,228
1993 $490,417,390 $55,625,269,485
1992 $357,160,985 $54,239,188,746
1991 $319,827,059 $51,552,058,250
1990 $306,890,963 $50,701,374,187
1989 $267,448,571 $41,464,966,302
1988 $264,308,140 $36,275,613,877
1987 $235,253,065 $36,384,802,310
1986 $190,651,168 $33,943,568,481
1985 $137,728,205 $40,603,631,079
1984 $132,019,039 $41,807,931,453
1983 $138,476,176 $42,803,373,390
1982 $140,630,679 $46,622,715,281
1981 $139,468,209 $49,333,471,895
1980 $142,246,815 $43,599,134,193
1979 - $31,225,557,022
1978 - $23,775,718,541
1977 - $24,871,660,292
1976 - $19,213,212,475
1975 - $14,720,729,969
1974 - $11,651,505,689
1973 - $4,231,243,616
1972 - $1,415,086,929
1971 - $939,893,600
1970 - $685,986,701

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

GDP per capita in Cape Verde vs United Arab Emirates by year

Cape Verde
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Arab Emirates
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cape Verde UAE
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $5,796 - - -
2024 $5,170 $11,195 $50,274 $79,229
2023 $4,795 $10,242 $49,851 $77,955
2022 $4,323 $9,481 $50,760 $75,072
2021 $3,971 $7,685 $44,118 $68,580
2020 $3,539 $6,853 $37,992 $66,791
2019 $4,381 $8,646 $45,939 $79,816
2018 $4,295 $7,916 $47,135 $77,446
2017 $3,893 $7,936 $43,734 $70,282
2016 $3,609 $7,351 $42,721 $69,987
2015 $3,415 $6,773 $44,910 $73,986
2014 $3,986 $6,417 $52,725 $87,478
2013 $3,961 $6,367 $53,247 $87,526
2012 $3,737 $6,318 $53,142 $89,198
2011 $4,002 $6,384 $51,922 $89,665
2010 $3,579 $6,039 $44,795 $85,120
2009 $3,660 $5,901 $37,803 $84,780
2008 $3,909 $6,011 $50,054 $94,628
2007 $3,325 $5,567 $45,855 $100,813
2006 $2,257 $4,758 $44,343 $106,814
2005 $2,004 $4,324 $38,719 $101,301
2004 $1,929 $3,969 $33,377 $98,661
2003 $1,718 $3,551 $29,660 $92,636
2002 $1,329 $3,388 $27,754 $88,467
2001 $1,223 $3,217 $27,745 $90,370
2000 $1,190 $3,124 $29,866 $92,899
1999 $1,327 $2,714 $25,856 $87,658
1998 $1,187 $2,443 $24,889 $90,229
1997 $1,134 $2,182 $27,983 $96,009
1996 $1,180 $1,963 $28,323 $94,620
1995 $1,165 $1,762 $27,003 $93,702
1994 $991 $1,540 $25,473 $89,959
1993 $1,220 $1,291 $25,033 $86,330
1992 $908 $1,186 $25,648 $87,509
1991 $832 $1,069 $25,691 $87,250
1990 $817 $1,044 $26,710 $88,455
1989 $727 - $23,167 -
1988 $729 - $21,570 -
1987 $658 - $23,113 -
1986 $541 - $23,132 -
1985 $396 - $29,468 -
1984 $385 - $32,012 -
1983 $410 - $34,650 -
1982 $423 - $39,972 -
1981 $425 - $44,855 -
1980 $440 - $42,925 -
1979 - - $34,238 -
1978 - - $29,379 -
1977 - - $35,020 -
1976 - - $31,197 -
1975 - - $27,117 -
1974 - - $23,823 -
1973 - - $9,696 -
1972 - - $3,675 -
1971 - - $2,805 -
1970 - - $2,394 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Cape Verde's GDP per capita is $5,796, ranking 116/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 25/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cape Verde ranks 129th at $11,195, while the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229.

Economic indicators

Cape Verde UAE
Gross domestic product
$3.06B
2025
$552B
2024
GDP rank
172/197
2025
31/197
2024
GDP growth
6.3%
2024-2025
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,796
2025
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
116/197
2025
25/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,195
2024
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
129/197
2024
16/197
2024
Government debt
$3.09B
2025
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
101%
2025
34.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$5,854
2025
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
77/185
2025
37/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,506
2026
$40,096
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.11T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
183,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
32.3%
2015
20.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2015
2.8%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27%
2025
22.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.3%
2024-2025
1.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
1.5%
2024
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2019
1.88%
2024
Population
530853
11885001

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cape Verde
Spending

Debt
United Arab Emirates
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cape Verde UAE
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 27% 101% 22.6% 34.3%
2024 26.1% 112.8% 21.4% 34.9%
2023 25.7% 117.5% 22.7% 31.9%
2022 26.6% 127.6% 22.7% 31.5%
2021 30.8% 149.5% 25.9% 35.7%
2020 34.5% 149.1% 30.5% 30.1%
2019 27.5% 109.8% 27.4% 25.8%
2018 27.5% 112.3% 25.9% 20.7%
2017 28% 113% 27.2% 21.2%
2016 26.6% 115.6% 31.7% 18.6%
2015 28.7% 115.7% 26.4% 15.6%
2014 27.8% 105.7% 31.4% 13.5%
2013 30.9% 93.5% 28.9% 15.3%
2012 31.6% 82.9% 27.8% 20.2%
2011 30.3% 71.6% 29.6% 20.4%
2010 35.7% 66.2% 30.4% 18.3%
2009 30.6% 58.8% 35% 21.1%
2008 27.6% 57.5% 22% 8.95%
2007 27.1% 59.6% 17.7% 8.89%
2006 28.4% 66.2% 15.6% 5.05%
2005 26.2% 66.7% 15.7% 4.48%
2004 26.3% 67.8% 17.7% 4.08%
2003 23.4% 65.6% 20% 3.33%
2002 28.5% 64.7% 21.3% 3.43%
2001 24.2% 62.2% 25.2% 2.69%
2000 36.7% 71.9% 21.8% 3.12%
1999 35% 66.4% 24.3% 4.73%
1998 29.8% 72.9% 25.8% 4.18%
1997 34.8% 79.3% 22.6% 2.86%
1996 38.9% 85.7% 27.6% 3.48%
1995 44.5% 74.3% 26.1% 5.06%
1994 48.1% 73.4% 30.1% 5.58%
1993 - - 31.5% 6.01%
1992 - - 29.6% 5.31%
1991 - - 36% 4.97%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

In 2025, Cape Verde's government spending was $827M, accounting for 27% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 22.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 101% in Cape Verde and 34.3% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 23/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cape Verde

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cape Verde UAE
2025 1.06% 5.15%
2024 -1.07% 6.41%
2023 -0.28% 5.82%
2022 -4.25% 9.8%
2021 -7.51% 3.96%
2020 -9.29% -2.42%
2019 -1.62% 2.5%
2018 -2.36% 3.65%
2017 -2.63% -0.16%
2016 -2.73% -2.95%
2015 -4.16% -6.35%
2014 -6.93% 1.74%
2013 -8.49% 7.99%
2012 -9.36% 8.59%
2011 -6.98% 5.05%
2010 -9.6% 0.52%
2009 -5.32% -6.13%
2008 -1.42% 17.6%
2007 -0.86% 17.1%
2006 -4.32% 20.2%
2005 -4.69% 16%
2004 -2.98% 6.4%
2003 -3.63% 2.35%
2002 -6.14% -1.24%
2001 -5.03% 1.21%
2000 -15.5% 10.7%
1999 -10.9% 1.31%
1998 -3.16% 1%
1997 -10.2% 6.71%
1996 -11.2% 0.92%
1995 -11.1% 3.58%
1994 -12.8% -1.78%
1993 - -2.89%
1992 - 3.34%
1991 - 3.89%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

In 2024, Cape Verde's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $28.9M, equivalent to 1.07% of GDP. This compares to the United Arab Emirates' surplus of $35.4B, or 6.41% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Cape Verde recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while the United Arab Emirates ran a deficit in 7 years. On average, Cape Verde posted an annual deficit equal to 6.02% of GDP, compared to surplus of 4.52% of GDP for the United Arab Emirates.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cape Verde

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cape Verde UAE
2025 2.3% 1.3%
2024 1.1% 1.7%
2023 3.7% 1.6%
2022 7.9% 4.8%
2021 1.9% -0.1%
2020 0.6% -2.1%
2019 1.1% -1.9%
2018 1.3% 3.1%
2017 0.8% 2%
2016 -1.4% 1.6%
2015 0.1% 4.1%
2014 -0.2% 2.3%
2013 1.5% 1.1%
2012 2.5% 0.7%
2011 4.5% 0.9%
2010 2.1% 0.9%
2009 1% -4.7%
2008 6.8% 12.3%
2007 4.4% 11.1%
2006 4.8% 9.3%
2005 0.4% 6.2%
2004 -1.9% 5%
2003 1.2% 3.1%
2002 1.9% 2.9%
2001 3.7% 2.8%
2000 -2.4% 1.3%
1999 4.3% 2.1%
1998 4.4% 2%
1997 8.6% 3%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Cape Verde has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.31%, compared with 2.7% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2025, inflation was 2.3% in Cape Verde and 1.3% in the United Arab Emirates.

Top exports between countries

Cape Verde
Export category Export value
UAE
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $3.89M
Machinery & equipment $3.02M
Metals $454K
Chemicals & pharma $431K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $311K
Textiles & consumer goods $202K
Raw materials & minerals $102K
Animal & marine products $77K
Wood & paper products $37K
Miscellaneous $5K

Balance of trade

Cape Verde UAE
Current account balance
$108M
2025
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
63/190
2025
9/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.53%
2025
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$1.29B
2025
$400B
2024
Goods exports
$344M
2025
$467B
2024
Service imports
$350M
2025
$117B
2024
Service exports
$940M
2025
$181B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.4%
2025
92.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42%
2025
106.8%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Cape Verde UAE
Economic freedom 71.4 71.9
Economic freedom ranking 32/197 29/197
Property rights 72.7 62.9
Government integrity 63.3 65.3
Judicial effectiveness 77.1 34.4
Tax burden 84.4 99.9
Government spending 79.5 85.1
Fiscal health 74.4 97.6
Business freedom 78.9 84.5
Labor freedom 59.5 63.2
Monetary freedom 80.4 81.2
Trade freedom 66.6 78.6
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cape Verde
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cape Verde UAE
2026 71.4 71.9
2025 68.7 71.6
2024 62.9 71.1
2023 65.8 70.9
2022 66.7 70.2
2021 63.8 76.9
2020 63.6 76.2
2019 63.1 77.6
2018 60 77.6
2017 56.9 76.9
2016 66.5 72.6
2015 66.4 72.4
2014 66.1 71.4
2013 63.7 71.1
2012 63.5 69.3
2011 64.6 67.8
2010 61.8 67.3
2009 61.3 64.7
2008 57.9 62.6
2007 56.5 62.6
2006 58.6 62.2
2005 57.8 65.2
2004 58.1 67.2
2003 56.1 73.4
2002 57.6 73.6
2001 56.3 74.9
2000 51.9 74.2
1999 50.7 71.5
1998 48 72.2
1997 47.7 71.9
1996 49.7 71.6

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

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Cape Verde is 71.4, ranking 32/197, compared to 71.9 for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 29/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cape Verde UAE
Services, % of GDP
67.9%
2025
54.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
10.7%
2025
44.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
5.04%
2025
0.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.95B
2025
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,010
2025
$81,640
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.26B
2025
$292B
2025
Total reserves ranking
138/177
2025
14/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$130M
2025
$31.5B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$110M
2024
$45.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$20.8M
2024
$77.2B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.72%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
24.8%
2023
19.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.4%
2025
26.6%
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/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, 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 (1991–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2024, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, 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.