The latest officially reported population of Cape Verde was 524,877 in 2024 vs 10,694,681 people in Portugal in 2024. In 2026, based on the adjusted UN estimation, the current Cape Verde's population is 530,391 people compared to 10,667,081 in Portugal.
Population statistics:
- Portugal's population is 20.1 times bigger than Cape Verde's.
- Cape Verde is ranked the 169th most populous country in the world, while Portugal is the 92nd.
- The countries together account for 0.14% of the world: 0.006% for Cape Verde vs 0.13% for Portugal.
- For the last 10 years, Cape Verde has had an average growth rate of +0.22% per year vs +0.21% in Portugal.
- Since 2006, the population of Cape Verde has increased from 491K people to 530K (8.08% growth), while Portugal has grown from 10.5M to 10.7M (1.38% growth).
Cape Verde vs Portugal: population by year and forecast
| Year | Population | |
|---|---|---|
Cape Verde
|
Portugal
|
|
| 2100 | 420,063 | 8,977,781 |
| 2099 | 424,339 | 8,983,042 |
| 2098 | 428,547 | 8,987,129 |
| 2097 | 432,823 | 8,992,549 |
| 2096 | 437,079 | 8,998,689 |
| 2095 | 441,399 | 9,006,394 |
| 2094 | 445,733 | 9,011,158 |
| 2093 | 450,100 | 9,016,023 |
| 2092 | 454,396 | 9,021,257 |
| 2091 | 458,688 | 9,025,345 |
| 2090 | 462,998 | 9,029,722 |
| 2089 | 467,377 | 9,034,399 |
| 2088 | 471,624 | 9,039,122 |
| 2087 | 475,845 | 9,045,400 |
| 2086 | 480,024 | 9,050,153 |
| 2085 | 484,207 | 9,055,552 |
| 2084 | 488,361 | 9,062,369 |
| 2083 | 492,342 | 9,068,714 |
| 2082 | 496,365 | 9,077,003 |
| 2081 | 500,326 | 9,087,394 |
| 2080 | 504,194 | 9,098,423 |
| 2079 | 507,990 | 9,111,057 |
| 2078 | 511,571 | 9,125,056 |
| 2077 | 515,063 | 9,140,039 |
| 2076 | 518,529 | 9,158,661 |
| 2075 | 521,923 | 9,178,289 |
| 2074 | 525,175 | 9,201,245 |
| 2073 | 528,314 | 9,225,478 |
| 2072 | 531,359 | 9,248,867 |
| 2071 | 534,222 | 9,275,782 |
| 2070 | 537,167 | 9,304,137 |
| 2069 | 540,078 | 9,334,425 |
| 2068 | 542,854 | 9,367,211 |
| 2067 | 545,645 | 9,399,389 |
| 2066 | 548,241 | 9,432,609 |
| 2065 | 550,631 | 9,466,860 |
| 2064 | 552,831 | 9,503,941 |
| 2063 | 554,976 | 9,540,829 |
| 2062 | 557,061 | 9,578,098 |
| 2061 | 558,943 | 9,614,549 |
| 2060 | 560,606 | 9,652,893 |
| 2059 | 562,202 | 9,691,151 |
| 2058 | 563,524 | 9,731,557 |
| 2057 | 564,676 | 9,769,285 |
| 2056 | 565,611 | 9,807,403 |
| 2055 | 566,437 | 9,847,280 |
| 2054 | 567,099 | 9,885,446 |
| 2053 | 567,452 | 9,924,814 |
| 2052 | 567,567 | 9,963,090 |
| 2051 | 567,565 | 9,999,372 |
| 2050 | 567,433 | 10,035,796 |
| 2049 | 567,091 | 10,072,922 |
| 2048 | 566,651 | 10,106,403 |
| 2047 | 566,116 | 10,140,325 |
| 2046 | 565,314 | 10,173,871 |
| 2045 | 564,356 | 10,206,046 |
| 2044 | 563,283 | 10,237,224 |
| 2043 | 562,118 | 10,268,090 |
| 2042 | 560,857 | 10,296,167 |
| 2041 | 559,474 | 10,322,968 |
| 2040 | 557,962 | 10,351,965 |
| 2039 | 556,312 | 10,379,824 |
| 2038 | 554,523 | 10,405,843 |
| 2037 | 552,714 | 10,430,143 |
| 2036 | 550,888 | 10,454,779 |
| 2035 | 548,939 | 10,478,501 |
| 2034 | 547,001 | 10,502,828 |
| 2033 | 545,142 | 10,525,638 |
| 2032 | 543,065 | 10,548,736 |
| 2031 | 541,069 | 10,569,489 |
| 2030 | 538,756 | 10,588,717 |
| 2029 | 536,526 | 10,609,556 |
| 2028 | 534,280 | 10,631,437 |
| 2027 | 532,028 | 10,649,916 |
| 2026 | 529,785 | 10,667,081 |
| 2025 | 527,409 | 10,683,692 |
| 2024 | 524,877 | 10,694,681 |
| 2023 | 522,331 | 10,578,174 |
| 2022 | 519,741 | 10,434,332 |
| 2021 | 516,649 | 10,361,831 |
| 2020 | 514,679 | 10,297,081 |
| 2019 | 514,104 | 10,286,263 |
| 2018 | 513,415 | 10,283,822 |
| 2017 | 512,893 | 10,300,300 |
| 2016 | 512,554 | 10,325,452 |
| 2015 | 512,394 | 10,358,076 |
| 2014 | 512,326 | 10,401,062 |
| 2013 | 512,225 | 10,457,295 |
| 2012 | 511,955 | 10,514,844 |
| 2011 | 511,447 | 10,557,560 |
| 2010 | 509,784 | 10,573,100 |
| 2009 | 506,141 | 10,568,247 |
| 2008 | 501,355 | 10,558,177 |
| 2007 | 496,190 | 10,542,964 |
| 2006 | 490,728 | 10,522,288 |
| 2005 | 485,115 | 10,503,330 |
| 2004 | 479,370 | 10,483,861 |
| 2003 | 473,383 | 10,458,821 |
| 2002 | 467,046 | 10,419,631 |
| 2001 | 460,293 | 10,362,722 |
| 2000 | 453,317 | 10,289,898 |
| 1999 | 446,519 | 10,217,828 |
| 1998 | 439,784 | 10,160,196 |
| 1997 | 432,798 | 10,108,977 |
| 1996 | 425,581 | 10,063,945 |
| 1995 | 418,104 | 10,026,176 |
| 1994 | 410,228 | 9,991,525 |
| 1993 | 401,965 | 9,964,675 |
| 1992 | 393,415 | 9,952,494 |
| 1991 | 384,586 | 9,960,235 |
| 1990 | 375,428 | 9,983,218 |
| 1989 | 367,803 | 10,005,000 |
| 1988 | 362,329 | 10,019,610 |
| 1987 | 357,302 | 10,030,031 |
| 1986 | 352,312 | 10,032,734 |
| 1985 | 347,365 | 10,023,613 |
| 1984 | 342,505 | 9,996,232 |
| 1983 | 337,654 | 9,957,865 |
| 1982 | 332,724 | 9,911,771 |
| 1981 | 327,846 | 9,851,362 |
| 1980 | 323,301 | 9,766,312 |
| 1979 | 319,480 | 9,661,265 |
| 1978 | 316,147 | 9,558,250 |
| 1977 | 312,834 | 9,455,675 |
| 1976 | 309,455 | 9,355,810 |
| 1975 | 305,847 | 9,093,470 |
| 1974 | 302,570 | 8,754,365 |
| 1973 | 299,881 | 8,633,100 |
| 1972 | 297,386 | 8,630,430 |
| 1971 | 294,046 | 8,643,756 |
| 1970 | 287,885 | 8,680,431 |
| 1969 | 279,248 | 8,757,705 |
| 1968 | 270,164 | 8,836,650 |
| 1967 | 261,404 | 8,874,520 |
| 1966 | 252,976 | 8,930,990 |
| 1965 | 244,856 | 8,998,595 |
| 1964 | 237,006 | 9,035,365 |
| 1963 | 229,373 | 9,030,355 |
| 1962 | 221,919 | 8,993,985 |
| 1961 | 215,087 | 8,929,316 |
| 1960 | 210,024 | 8,857,716 |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (2025–2100, retrieved 2026-03-10); World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/population/cape-verde/portugal | CC BY 
From 2006 to 2016, the population of Cape Verde increased by 21,826 people (a 4.45% growth), while Portugal lost 196,836 people (a 1.87% decline).
For the next 10 years, from 2016 to 2026, Cape Verde gained 17,837 people (a 3.48% growth), while Portugal's population increased by 341,629 people (a 3.31% growth).
Cape Verde was ranked 166th most populous country in 2006 and is 169th in 2026. Portugal was ranked 78th in 2006 and ranked 92nd now.
The UN's World Population Prospects forecasts that in 24 years (in 2050) Cape Verde's population will grow by 6.98% to 567,433 people with a rank change from 169th to 168th. The population of Portugal will decrease by 5.92% to 10,035,796 people and rank change from 92nd to 97th.
Cape Verde is projected to reach its peak in 2052 at 568K people, while Portugal's population already peaked in 2024 at 10.7M people and is projected to decrease to 8.98M people by 2100.
Population growth rate by year
| Year | Growth rate | |
|---|---|---|
|
Cape Verde
|
Portugal
|
|
| 2100 | -1.01% | -0.06% |
| 2099 | -0.98% | -0.05% |
| 2098 | -0.99% | -0.06% |
| 2097 | -0.97% | -0.07% |
| 2096 | -0.98% | -0.09% |
| 2095 | -0.97% | -0.05% |
| 2094 | -0.97% | -0.05% |
| 2093 | -0.95% | -0.06% |
| 2092 | -0.94% | -0.05% |
| 2091 | -0.93% | -0.05% |
| 2090 | -0.94% | -0.05% |
| 2089 | -0.9% | -0.05% |
| 2088 | -0.89% | -0.07% |
| 2087 | -0.87% | -0.05% |
| 2086 | -0.86% | -0.06% |
| 2085 | -0.85% | -0.08% |
| 2084 | -0.81% | -0.07% |
| 2083 | -0.81% | -0.09% |
| 2082 | -0.79% | -0.11% |
| 2081 | -0.77% | -0.12% |
| 2080 | -0.75% | -0.14% |
| 2079 | -0.7% | -0.15% |
| 2078 | -0.68% | -0.16% |
| 2077 | -0.67% | -0.2% |
| 2076 | -0.65% | -0.21% |
| 2075 | -0.62% | -0.25% |
| 2074 | -0.59% | -0.26% |
| 2073 | -0.57% | -0.25% |
| 2072 | -0.54% | -0.29% |
| 2071 | -0.55% | -0.3% |
| 2070 | -0.54% | -0.32% |
| 2069 | -0.51% | -0.35% |
| 2068 | -0.51% | -0.34% |
| 2067 | -0.47% | -0.35% |
| 2066 | -0.43% | -0.36% |
| 2065 | -0.4% | -0.39% |
| 2064 | -0.39% | -0.39% |
| 2063 | -0.37% | -0.39% |
| 2062 | -0.34% | -0.38% |
| 2061 | -0.3% | -0.4% |
| 2060 | -0.28% | -0.39% |
| 2059 | -0.23% | -0.42% |
| 2058 | -0.2% | -0.39% |
| 2057 | -0.17% | -0.39% |
| 2056 | -0.15% | -0.4% |
| 2055 | -0.12% | -0.39% |
| 2054 | -0.06% | -0.4% |
| 2053 | -0.02% | -0.38% |
| 2052 | 0% | -0.36% |
| 2051 | 0.02% | -0.36% |
| 2050 | 0.06% | -0.37% |
| 2049 | 0.08% | -0.33% |
| 2048 | 0.09% | -0.33% |
| 2047 | 0.14% | -0.33% |
| 2046 | 0.17% | -0.32% |
| 2045 | 0.19% | -0.3% |
| 2044 | 0.21% | -0.3% |
| 2043 | 0.22% | -0.27% |
| 2042 | 0.25% | -0.26% |
| 2041 | 0.27% | -0.28% |
| 2040 | 0.3% | -0.27% |
| 2039 | 0.32% | -0.25% |
| 2038 | 0.33% | -0.23% |
| 2037 | 0.33% | -0.24% |
| 2036 | 0.35% | -0.23% |
| 2035 | 0.35% | -0.23% |
| 2034 | 0.34% | -0.22% |
| 2033 | 0.38% | -0.22% |
| 2032 | 0.37% | -0.2% |
| 2031 | 0.43% | -0.18% |
| 2030 | 0.42% | -0.2% |
| 2029 | 0.42% | -0.21% |
| 2028 | 0.42% | -0.17% |
| 2027 | 0.42% | -0.16% |
| 2026 | 0.45% | -0.16% |
| 2025 | 0.48% | -0.1% |
| 2024 | 0.49% | 1.1% |
| 2023 | 0.5% | 1.38% |
| 2022 | 0.6% | 0.7% |
| 2021 | 0.38% | 0.63% |
| 2020 | 0.11% | 0.11% |
| 2019 | 0.13% | 0.02% |
| 2018 | 0.1% | -0.16% |
| 2017 | 0.07% | -0.24% |
| 2016 | 0.03% | -0.31% |
| 2015 | 0.01% | -0.41% |
| 2014 | 0.02% | -0.54% |
| 2013 | 0.05% | -0.55% |
| 2012 | 0.1% | -0.4% |
| 2011 | 0.33% | -0.15% |
| 2010 | 0.72% | 0.05% |
| 2009 | 0.95% | 0.1% |
| 2008 | 1.04% | 0.14% |
| 2007 | 1.11% | 0.2% |
| 2006 | 1.16% | 0.18% |
| 2005 | 1.2% | 0.19% |
| 2004 | 1.26% | 0.24% |
| 2003 | 1.36% | 0.38% |
| 2002 | 1.47% | 0.55% |
| 2001 | 1.54% | 0.71% |
| 2000 | 1.52% | 0.71% |
| 1999 | 1.53% | 0.57% |
| 1998 | 1.61% | 0.51% |
| 1997 | 1.7% | 0.45% |
| 1996 | 1.79% | 0.38% |
| 1995 | 1.92% | 0.35% |
| 1994 | 2.06% | 0.27% |
| 1993 | 2.17% | 0.12% |
| 1992 | 2.3% | -0.08% |
| 1991 | 2.44% | -0.23% |
| 1990 | 2.07% | -0.22% |
| 1989 | 1.51% | -0.15% |
| 1988 | 1.41% | -0.1% |
| 1987 | 1.42% | -0.03% |
| 1986 | 1.42% | 0.09% |
| 1985 | 1.42% | 0.27% |
| 1984 | 1.44% | 0.39% |
| 1983 | 1.48% | 0.47% |
| 1982 | 1.49% | 0.61% |
| 1981 | 1.41% | 0.87% |
| 1980 | 1.2% | 1.09% |
| 1979 | 1.05% | 1.08% |
| 1978 | 1.06% | 1.08% |
| 1977 | 1.09% | 1.07% |
| 1976 | 1.18% | 2.88% |
| 1975 | 1.08% | 3.87% |
| 1974 | 0.9% | 1.4% |
| 1973 | 0.84% | 0.03% |
| 1972 | 1.14% | -0.15% |
| 1971 | 2.14% | -0.42% |
| 1970 | 3.09% | -0.88% |
| 1969 | 3.36% | -0.89% |
| 1968 | 3.35% | -0.43% |
| 1967 | 3.33% | -0.63% |
| 1966 | 3.32% | -0.75% |
| 1965 | 3.31% | -0.41% |
| 1964 | 3.33% | 0.06% |
| 1963 | 3.36% | 0.4% |
| 1962 | 3.18% | 0.72% |
| 1961 | 2.41% | 0.81% |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (2025–2100, retrieved 2026-03-10); World Bank | Health (1961–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/population/cape-verde/portugal | CC BY
In 2024, the population of Cape Verde grew by 0.49%, while Portugal's population grew by 1.1%.
Live population counters
|
Cape Verde
|
Portugal
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Current population |
530391
|
10667081
|
| Population rank | 169/197 | 92/197 |
| Percent of world population | 0.006% | 0.13% |
| One net population change |
3.44 hours
|
4.51 minutes
|
| One birth every |
1.36 hours
|
6.13 minutes
|
| One death every |
3.32 hours
|
4.44 minutes
|
| Daily growth/decline | +7 | +319 |
| Annual growth/decline | +2,546 | +116,507 |
| Annual growth/decline rate | +0.49% | +1.1% |
| Population growth rate rank | 136/197 | 94/197 |
| One migration net change every |
6.84 hours
|
32 minutes
|
| Annual migration change | -1,284 | +16,472 |
| Net migration rank | 94/196 | 38/196 |
| Foreign-born residents | 16,515 | 1,127,184 |
| Foreign-born residents rank | 171/195 | 56/195 |
| Foreign-born share of population | 3.1% | 10.8% |
| Foreign-born share rank | 116/195 | 61/195 |
Natural population change vs migration
| Year | Population change | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Cape Verde
|
Portugal
|
|||
| Natural | Migration | Natural | Migration | |
| 2025 | - | -1,284 | - | 16,472 |
| 2024 | - | -1,209 | - | 20,648 |
| 2023 | 3,798 | -1,226 | -32,792 | 29,102 |
| 2022 | 3,864 | -1,253 | -40,694 | 68,696 |
| 2021 | 3,575 | 0 | -45,592 | 69,606 |
| 2020 | 3,734 | -3,362 | -39,129 | 54,076 |
| 2019 | 4,773 | -4,001 | -24,687 | 63,031 |
| 2018 | 5,282 | -4,679 | -25,709 | 22,495 |
| 2017 | 5,993 | -5,550 | -23,691 | 13,979 |
| 2016 | 6,238 | -6,004 | -23,749 | -775 |
| 2015 | 6,314 | -6,226 | -23,823 | -3,209 |
| 2014 | 6,622 | -6,578 | -22,882 | -26,447 |
| 2013 | 6,780 | -6,622 | -24,052 | -36,342 |
| 2012 | 7,157 | -6,779 | -17,875 | -37,083 |
| 2011 | 7,874 | -7,226 | -5,279 | -31,513 |
| 2010 | 7,746 | -5,069 | -4,230 | -5,627 |
| 2009 | 7,216 | -2,618 | -5,284 | 14,532 |
| 2008 | 7,313 | -2,340 | 0 | 9,478 |
| 2007 | 7,559 | -2,200 | -1,055 | 21,064 |
| 2006 | 7,980 | -2,408 | 3,156 | 16,754 |
| 2005 | 8,428 | -2,768 | 2,101 | 15,537 |
| 2004 | 8,825 | -2,993 | 7,339 | 13,928 |
| 2003 | 9,037 | -2,898 | 4,184 | 24,740 |
| 2002 | 9,278 | -2,751 | 8,335 | 42,169 |
| 2001 | 9,510 | -2,528 | 8,290 | 55,565 |
| 2000 | 9,752 | -2,772 | 15,435 | 60,586 |
| 1999 | 9,989 | -3,371 | 8,175 | 49,572 |
| 1998 | 10,187 | -3,332 | 7,112 | 40,931 |
| 1997 | 10,323 | -3,211 | 8,087 | 36,922 |
| 1996 | 10,613 | -3,297 | 4,026 | 32,640 |
| 1995 | 10,764 | -3,125 | 4,011 | 26,971 |
| 1994 | 11,410 | -3,299 | 9,991 | 20,761 |
| 1993 | 11,805 | -3,393 | 7,972 | 8,561 |
| 1992 | 11,915 | -3,231 | 13,933 | -11,847 |
| 1991 | 11,899 | -2,924 | 12,948 | -37,914 |
| 1990 | 11,738 | -2,398 | 13,976 | -34,855 |
| 1989 | 11,608 | -5,704 | 22,011 | -30,615 |
| 1988 | 11,523 | -6,474 | 24,047 | -26,595 |
| 1987 | 11,426 | -6,418 | 28,084 | -23,142 |
| 1986 | 11,295 | -6,314 | 31,102 | -20,000 |
| 1985 | 11,105 | -6,192 | 33,077 | -19,183 |
| 1984 | 10,835 | -6,035 | 45,983 | -16,658 |
| 1983 | 10,736 | -5,834 | 47,798 | -16,568 |
| 1982 | 10,597 | -5,629 | 58,479 | -15,006 |
| 1981 | 10,470 | -5,684 | 56,152 | -7,938 |
| 1980 | 10,276 | -5,980 | 63,481 | 29,881 |
| 1979 | 10,223 | -6,875 | 67,628 | 32,434 |
| 1978 | 10,152 | -6,833 | 70,731 | 34,345 |
| 1977 | 10,036 | -6,730 | 84,156 | 37,779 |
| 1976 | 9,833 | -6,389 | 85,138 | 40,490 |
| 1975 | 9,601 | -5,829 | 81,841 | 42,262 |
| 1974 | 9,295 | -6,512 | 74,412 | 41,254 |
| 1973 | 9,003 | -6,410 | 76,835 | 39,748 |
| 1972 | 8,716 | -6,316 | 83,715 | 39,058 |
| 1971 | 8,359 | -4,085 | 82,980 | 48,944 |
| 1970 | 7,878 | 172 | 87,672 | -191,862 |
| 1969 | 7,625 | 1,608 | 89,329 | -161,114 |
| 1968 | 7,408 | 1,521 | 100,737 | -145,200 |
| 1967 | 7,214 | 1,376 | 106,495 | -136,232 |
| 1966 | 7,039 | 1,230 | 107,171 | -129,233 |
| 1965 | 6,877 | 1,093 | 115,182 | -123,855 |
| 1964 | 6,725 | 1,006 | 120,170 | -118,763 |
| 1963 | 6,589 | 945 | 113,783 | -116,874 |
| 1962 | 6,468 | 904 | 123,217 | -113,947 |
| 1961 | 6,247 | 49 | 117,867 | -112,768 |
| 1960 | 6,098 | -2,267 | 118,693 | -95,886 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/population/cape-verde/portugal | CC BY
Over the last 10 years, 56.4% of the population change in Cape Verde is from natural causes (a gain of 50,193 people) and 43.6% is from migration (a loss of 38,879 people). In Portugal 51% is from natural causes (a loss of 302,748 people) and 49% is from migration (a gain of 290,554 people).
As of 2024, 16,515 residents or 3.1% of the population were not native-born in Cape Verde, compared to 1,127,184 people or 10.8% in Portugal.
Biggest cities by population
|
Cape Verde
|
|
|---|---|
| City | Population |
| Praia | 159K |
| Mindelo | 70.5K |
| Assomada | 12K |
|
Portugal
|
|
|---|---|
| City | Population |
| Lisbon | 546K |
| Sintra | 386K |
| Vila Nova de Gaia | 304K |
| Porto | 232K |
| Cascais | 214K |
| Loures | 202K |
| Braga | 193K |
| Almada | 177K |
| Matosinhos | 173K |
| Oeiras | 172K |
Compare countries by 7 more topics
Population differences between Cape Verde and Portugal
|
Cape Verde
|
Portugal
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy | 76.6 years | 82.9 years |
| Average age | 31.4 years | 45.7 years |
| Median age | 29.4 years | 47.5 years |
| Male:Female ratio | 50.9:49.1 | 47.6:52.4 |
| Fertility rate | 1.52 births per woman | 1.44 births per woman |
| Population density | 340 ppl/mi² | 302 ppl/mi² |
Population map with other countries
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); United Nations | World Population Prospects (1960–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10); U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08); Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-02-20).
GeoRank.org/population/cape-verde/portugal | CC BY
Help us show the world through your eyes
Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.
Data sources:
- World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (1960–2100, retrieved 2026-03-10)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- Wikidata (2026, 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.