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Economy of Cape Verde vs Zambia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Cape Verde has a GDP of $2.73B compared to $25.3B for Zambia, ranking 172/197 and 116/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cape Verde has $3.03B in government debt (111.2% of GDP), compared to $29.1B (114.9% of GDP) in Zambia.

Cape Verde vs Zambia GDP by year

Cape Verde
Zambia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cape Verde Zambia
2024 $2,725,414,151 $25,303,185,342
2023 $2,504,525,549 $27,577,956,471
2022 $2,247,003,344 $29,163,782,140
2021 $2,051,842,619 $22,096,416,932
2020 $1,821,565,614 $18,137,764,931
2019 $2,252,177,124 $23,308,667,781
2018 $2,205,099,507 $26,311,507,274
2017 $1,996,741,540 $25,873,601,261
2016 $1,849,789,986 $20,958,412,538
2015 $1,749,857,620 $21,251,216,799
2014 $2,041,930,125 $27,141,023,558
2013 $2,028,910,915 $28,037,239,463
2012 $1,913,081,210 $25,503,060,420
2011 $2,046,817,987 $23,459,515,276
2010 $1,824,751,468 $20,265,559,484
2009 $1,852,334,575 $15,328,342,304
2008 $1,959,620,648 $17,910,858,638
2007 $1,649,621,739 $14,056,957,976
2006 $1,107,571,458 $12,756,858,899
2005 $972,241,677 $8,331,870,169
2004 $924,940,012 $6,221,110,219
2003 $813,260,469 $4,901,869,764
2002 $620,507,387 $4,193,850,445
2001 $563,090,490 $4,094,441,301
2000 $539,227,278 $3,600,632,111
1999 $592,416,703 $3,404,284,891
1998 $521,910,561 $3,537,741,942
1997 $490,608,658 $4,303,288,480
1996 $501,979,270 $3,597,220,962
1995 $487,148,994 $3,806,983,413
1994 $406,580,652 $3,656,806,166
1993 $490,417,390 $3,273,505,344
1992 $357,160,985 $3,182,810,841
1991 $319,827,059 $3,376,806,697
1990 $306,890,963 $3,288,381,797
1989 $267,448,571 $3,994,673,161
1988 $264,308,140 $3,728,878,149
1987 $235,253,065 $2,265,250,972
1986 $190,651,168 $1,664,413,508
1985 $137,728,205 $2,252,454,500
1984 $132,019,039 $2,719,518,933
1983 $138,476,176 $3,321,048,451
1982 $140,630,679 $3,871,117,093
1981 $139,468,209 $4,008,126,497
1980 $142,246,815 $3,884,530,854
1979 - $3,353,445,378
1978 - $2,811,032,473
1977 - $2,515,296,940
1976 - $2,742,859,263
1975 - $2,442,672,141
1974 - $2,910,981,262
1973 - $2,434,255,237
1972 - $1,872,416,680
1971 - $1,653,259,341
1970 - $1,788,779,285
1969 - $1,926,399,230
1968 - $1,573,739,371
1967 - $1,340,639,464
1966 - $1,238,999,505
1965 - $1,061,199,576
1964 - $822,639,671
1963 - $704,339,719
1962 - $679,279,729
1961 - $682,359,727
1960 - $698,739,721

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Cape Verde vs Zambia by year

Cape Verde
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zambia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cape Verde Zambia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,192 $11,195 $1,187 $4,215
2023 $4,795 $10,242 $1,331 $4,077
2022 $4,323 $9,481 $1,447 $3,841
2021 $3,971 $7,685 $1,127 $3,503
2020 $3,539 $6,853 $952 $3,157
2019 $4,381 $8,646 $1,259 $3,361
2018 $4,295 $7,916 $1,464 $3,442
2017 $3,893 $7,936 $1,483 $3,392
2016 $3,609 $7,351 $1,239 $3,313
2015 $3,415 $6,773 $1,296 $3,337
2014 $3,986 $6,417 $1,707 $3,441
2013 $3,961 $6,367 $1,821 $3,477
2012 $3,737 $6,318 $1,710 $3,324
2011 $4,002 $6,384 $1,625 $3,228
2010 $3,579 $6,039 $1,451 $3,098
2009 $3,660 $5,901 $1,136 $2,872
2008 $3,909 $6,011 $1,376 $2,708
2007 $3,325 $5,567 $1,119 $2,555
2006 $2,257 $4,758 $1,052 $2,378
2005 $2,004 $4,324 $711 $2,213
2004 $1,929 $3,969 $549 $2,068
2003 $1,718 $3,551 $446 $1,942
2002 $1,329 $3,388 $394 $1,837
2001 $1,223 $3,217 $397 $1,785
2000 $1,190 $3,124 $359 $1,709
1999 $1,327 $2,714 $350 $1,654
1998 $1,187 $2,443 $373 $1,601
1997 $1,134 $2,182 $466 $1,631
1996 $1,180 $1,963 $400 $1,585
1995 $1,165 $1,762 $433 $1,501
1994 $991 $1,540 $426 $1,464
1993 $1,220 $1,291 $391 $1,607
1992 $908 $1,186 $389 $1,505
1991 $832 $1,069 $423 $1,534
1990 $817 $1,044 $422 $1,522
1989 $727 - $526 -
1988 $729 - $504 -
1987 $658 - $315 -
1986 $541 - $238.2 -
1985 $396 - $332 -
1984 $385 - $413 -
1983 $410 - $520 -
1982 $423 - $627 -
1981 $425 - $670 -
1980 $440 - $669 -
1979 - - $595 -
1978 - - $514 -
1977 - - $474 -
1976 - - $533 -
1975 - - $490 -
1974 - - $601 -
1973 - - $518 -
1972 - - $410 -
1971 - - $372 -
1970 - - $414 -
1969 - - $459 -
1968 - - $387 -
1967 - - $341 -
1966 - - $325 -
1965 - - $287.4 -
1964 - - $230 -
1963 - - $203.2 -
1962 - - $202.3 -
1961 - - $209.7 -
1960 - - $221.6 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Cape Verde's GDP per capita is $5,192, ranking 118/197, compared to $1,187 in Zambia, ranking 169/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cape Verde ranks 129th at $11,195, while Zambia ranks 166th at $4,215.

Economic indicators

Cape Verde Zambia
Gross domestic product
$2.73B
2024
$25.3B
2024
GDP rank
172/197
2024
116/197
2024
GDP growth
7.24%
2023-2024
3.82%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,192
2024
$1,187
2024
GDP per capita rank
118/197
2024
169/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,195
2024
$4,215
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
129/197
2024
166/197
2024
Government debt
$3.03B
2024
$29.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
111.2%
2024
114.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$5,776
2024
$1,365
2024
Government debt per person rank
76/185
2024
134/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,576
2026
$1,349
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$7.77B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
32.3%
2015
39.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2015
1.5%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
26.1%
2024
25.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1%
2023-2024
15%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.5%
2024
14.3%
2025
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2019
5.86%
2023
Population
530391
22697916

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cape Verde
Spending

Debt
Zambia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cape Verde Zambia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 26.1% 111.2% 25.5% 114.9%
2023 25.7% 117.5% 27.4% 129.1%
2022 26.6% 127.6% 28.2% 99.5%
2021 30.8% 149.5% 30.5% 111%
2020 34.5% 144.3% 34% 140%
2019 27.5% 109.8% 29.8% 103.3%
2018 27.5% 112.3% 27.7% 81.2%
2017 28% 113% 25% 66.6%
2016 26.6% 115.6% 23.9% 61.2%
2015 28.7% 115.7% 27.6% 61.9%
2014 27.8% 105.7% 24.3% 33.9%
2013 30.9% 93.5% 24% 25.9%
2012 31.6% 82.9% 21.9% 24.9%
2011 30.3% 71.6% 19.5% 20.8%
2010 35.7% 73.5% 18.1% 18.9%
2009 30.6% 58.8% 17.8% 20.5%
2008 27.6% 57.5% 19.5% 19.2%
2007 27.1% 59.6% 19.9% 21.9%
2006 28.4% 66.2% 19.7% 25%
2005 26.2% 66.7% 22.5% 75.7%
2004 26.3% 67.8% 23.3% 129.9%
2003 23.4% 65.6% 27.3% 159.5%
2002 28.5% 64.7% 27.6% 180.2%
2001 24.2% 62.2% 28% 210.2%
2000 36.7% 71.9% 21.4% 261%
1999 35% 66.4% - -
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/zambia | CC BY

In 2024, Cape Verde's government spending was $711M, accounting for 26.1% of its GDP, while Zambia spent $6.45B, or 25.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 111.2% in Cape Verde and 114.9% in Zambia, ranking 16/185 and 13/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cape Verde

Zambia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cape Verde Zambia
2024 -1.07% -3.32%
2023 -0.28% -5.48%
2022 -4.25% -7.82%
2021 -7.51% -8.13%
2020 -9.29% -13.8%
2019 -1.62% -9.41%
2018 -2.36% -8.31%
2017 -2.63% -7.5%
2016 -2.73% -5.69%
2015 -4.16% -8.88%
2014 -6.93% -5.43%
2013 -8.49% -6.4%
2012 -9.36% -3.16%
2011 -6.98% -1.78%
2010 -9.6% -2.43%
2009 -5.32% -2.06%
2008 -1.42% -0.67%
2007 -0.86% -1.04%
2006 -4.32% 16.9%
2005 -4.69% -2.37%
2004 -2.98% -2.51%
2003 -3.63% -5.31%
2002 -6.14% -4.5%
2001 -5.03% -5.89%
2000 -15.5% 1.16%
1999 -10.9% -
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/zambia | 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 Zambia's deficit of $840M, or 3.32% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Cape Verde recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Zambia ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Cape Verde posted an annual deficit equal to 5.09% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.15% of GDP for Zambia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cape Verde

Zambia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cape Verde Zambia
2024 1% 15%
2023 3.7% 10.9%
2022 7.9% 11%
2021 1.9% 22%
2020 0.6% 15.7%
2019 1.1% 9.2%
2018 1.3% 7.5%
2017 0.8% 6.6%
2016 -1.4% 17.9%
2015 0.1% 10.1%
2014 -0.2% 7.8%
2013 1.5% 7%
2012 2.5% 6.6%
2011 4.5% 8.7%
2010 2.1% 8.5%
2009 1% 13.4%
2008 6.8% 12.4%
2007 4.4% 10.7%
2006 4.8% 9%
2005 0.4% 18.3%
2004 -1.9% 18%
2003 1.2% 21.4%
2002 1.9% 22.2%
2001 3.7% 21.4%
2000 -2.4% 24.1%
1999 4.3% 23.9%
1998 4.4% 22.7%
1997 8.6% 21.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 28 years, Cape Verde has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.31%, compared with 14.4% in Zambia. In 2024, inflation was 1% in Cape Verde and 15% in Zambia.

Top exports between countries

Cape Verde
Export category Export value
Zambia
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $16K

Balance of trade

Cape Verde Zambia
Current account balance
$107M
2024
-$487M
2024
Current account balance ranking
67/190
2024
106/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.91%
2024
-1.93%
2024
Goods imports
$1.17B
2024
$10.1B
2024
Goods exports
$328M
2024
$11.4B
2024
Service imports
$298M
2024
$1.94B
2024
Service exports
$830M
2024
$1.38B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
54%
2024
27.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.5%
2024
35%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Cape Verde Zambia
Economic freedom 71.4 51.9
Economic freedom ranking 32/197 152/197
Property rights 72.7 43.9
Government integrity 63.3 39.3
Judicial effectiveness 77.1 45
Tax burden 84.4 74.3
Government spending 79.5 78.1
Fiscal health 74.4 30.9
Business freedom 78.9 53.4
Labor freedom 59.5 48.8
Monetary freedom 80.4 66.6
Trade freedom 66.6 62.8
Investment freedom 60 40
Financial freedom 60 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cape Verde
Zambia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cape Verde Zambia
2026 71.4 51.9
2025 68.7 50.9
2024 62.9 48.4
2023 65.8 47.8
2022 66.7 48.7
2021 63.8 50.4
2020 63.6 53.5
2019 63.1 53.6
2018 60 54.3
2017 56.9 55.8
2016 66.5 58.8
2015 66.4 58.7
2014 66.1 60.4
2013 63.7 58.7
2012 63.5 58.3
2011 64.6 59.7
2010 61.8 58
2009 61.3 56.6
2008 57.9 56.2
2007 56.5 56.2
2006 58.6 56.8
2005 57.8 55
2004 58.1 54.9
2003 56.1 55.3
2002 57.6 59.6
2001 56.3 59.5
2000 51.9 62.8
1999 50.7 64.2
1998 48 62.7
1997 47.7 62.1
1996 49.7 59.6
1995 - 55.1

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Cape Verde is 71.4, ranking 32/197, compared to 51.9 for Zambia, ranking 152/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cape Verde Zambia
Services, % of GDP
68.7%
2024
57.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
10.7%
2024
35.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.92%
2024
2.83%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.6B
2024
$25.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,000
2024
$3,850
2024
Total reserves including gold
$783M
2024
$4.09B
2024
Total reserves ranking
144/177
2024
106/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$89.2M
2024
-$1.32B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$110M
2024
$2.36B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$20.8M
2024
$311M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.69%
2024
16.9%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
24.8%
2023
60%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
16.4%
2024
23.8%
2024

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/zambia | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, 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)
  8. TradeMap (2021, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.