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

Updated on by Georank team

Cape Verde has a GDP of $2.73B compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 172/197 and 27/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cape Verde has $3.03B in government debt (111.2% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.9% 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
2024 $2,725,414,151 $552,324,846,835
2023 $2,504,525,549 $522,622,191,967
2022 $2,247,003,344 $511,403,403,676
2021 $2,051,842,619 $422,441,388,700
2020 $1,821,565,614 $357,161,878,829
2019 $2,252,177,124 $433,926,208,305
2018 $2,205,099,507 $440,560,108,918
2017 $1,996,741,540 $403,365,010,211
2016 $1,849,789,986 $381,717,086,453
2015 $1,749,857,620 $381,973,042,886
2014 $2,041,930,125 $424,935,874,745
2013 $2,028,910,915 $409,632,675,289
2012 $1,913,081,210 $392,793,464,942
2011 $2,046,817,987 $368,881,143,635
2010 $1,824,751,468 $307,736,419,333
2009 $1,852,334,575 $253,547,358,747
2008 $1,959,620,648 $315,474,615,739
2007 $1,649,621,739 $257,916,133,424
2006 $1,107,571,458 $222,116,541,865
2005 $972,241,677 $180,617,467,965
2004 $924,940,012 $147,824,370,320
2003 $813,260,469 $124,346,358,067
2002 $620,507,387 $109,816,201,498
2001 $563,090,490 $103,311,640,572
2000 $539,227,278 $104,337,372,362
1999 $592,416,703 $84,445,473,111
1998 $521,910,561 $75,674,336,283
1997 $490,608,658 $78,839,008,445
1996 $501,979,270 $73,571,233,996
1995 $487,148,994 $65,743,666,576
1994 $406,580,652 $59,305,093,980
1993 $490,417,390 $55,625,170,253
1992 $357,160,985 $54,239,171,888
1991 $319,827,059 $51,552,165,622
1990 $306,890,963 $50,701,443,748
1989 $267,448,571 $41,464,995,914
1988 $264,308,140 $36,275,674,203
1987 $235,253,065 $36,384,908,744
1986 $190,651,168 $33,943,612,095
1985 $137,728,205 $40,603,650,232
1984 $132,019,039 $41,807,954,236
1983 $138,476,176 $42,803,323,345
1982 $140,630,679 $46,622,718,605
1981 $139,468,209 $49,333,424,135
1980 $142,246,815 $43,599,160,050
1979 - $31,225,659,621
1978 - $23,775,764,225
1977 - $24,871,775,165
1976 - $19,213,158,779
1975 - $14,720,728,249
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 (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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
2024 $5,192 $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 $44,119 $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 - $44,854 -
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 (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Cape Verde's GDP per capita is $5,192, ranking 118/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 24/197. 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
$2.73B
2024
$552B
2024
GDP rank
172/197
2024
27/197
2024
GDP growth
7.24%
2023-2024
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,192
2024
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
118/197
2024
24/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,195
2024
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
129/197
2024
16/197
2024
Government debt
$3.03B
2024
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
111.2%
2024
34.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$5,776
2024
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
76/185
2024
36/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,576
2026
$40,522
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.05T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
339,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2025
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
26.1%
2024
21.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1%
2023-2024
1.7%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.5%
2024
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2019
1.88%
2024
Population
530391
11686438

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
2024 26.1% 111.2% 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% 144.3% 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% 73.5% 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 (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Cape Verde's government spending was $711M, accounting for 26.1% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 21.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 111.2% in Cape Verde and 34.9% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 16/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cape Verde

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cape Verde UAE
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 (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Cape Verde's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $29.1M, 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
2024 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 (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 28 years, Cape Verde has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.31%, compared with 2.75% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2024, inflation was 1% in Cape Verde and 1.7% in the United Arab Emirates.

Top exports between countries

Cape Verde
Export category Export value
UAE
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.9M
Chemicals & pharma $304K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $227K
Precious metals & jewellery $182K
Textiles & consumer goods $158K
Animal & marine products $131K
Raw materials & minerals $48K
Metals $37K
Wood & paper products $36K
Miscellaneous $5K

Balance of trade

Cape Verde UAE
Current account balance
$107M
2024
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
67/190
2024
9/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.91%
2024
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$1.17B
2024
$400B
2024
Goods exports
$328M
2024
$467B
2024
Service imports
$298M
2024
$117B
2024
Service exports
$830M
2024
$181B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
54%
2024
92.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.5%
2024
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 2026-03-09).

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
68.7%
2024
54.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
10.7%
2024
44.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.92%
2024
0.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.6B
2024
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,000
2024
$81,530
2024
Total reserves including gold
$783M
2024
$238B
2024
Total reserves ranking
144/177
2024
14/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$89.2M
2024
$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
5.69%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
24.8%
2023
19.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
16.4%
2024
26.6%
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/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, 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 (1991–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.