Cape Verde: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

Essential data for planning your trip to Cape Verde — from population and demographics to economic indicators, healthcare infrastructure, tourism trends, and digital connectivity.

Population & Geography

Population
543,767
#167 of 197 countries
Area
4,033 km²
#178 of 248 countries
Density
134.8 / km²
#89 of 245 countries

Cape Verde has a population of 543,767 spread across 4,033 km², giving it an average density of 134.8 people per km². This moderate density means a mix of bustling cities and quieter rural areas to explore.

Population Density Map

Population density map of Cape Verde
< 5 25–100 500–1k 2.5k–5k > 10k / km²

Most Populous Cities

Praia
137,868
337 / km²
Mindelo
69,013
1386 / km²
Espargos
24,500
179 / km²
Assomada
21,297
234 / km²
Tarrafal, Cape Verde
13,483
1149 / km²
Porto Novo
11,138
63 / km²
Sal Rei
10,936
200 / km²
São Filipe, Cape Verde
10,097
96 / km²
Pedra Badejo
10,038
201 / km²
Santa Cruz
9,488
112 / km²

Demographics

Median Age
29.3
Life Expectancy
74.3 yrs
Literacy Rate
88.5%
Government
parliamentary republic
Ethnic Groups
Religions
GDP by Sector

Population Trends

How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.

Age Structure Over Time
Population Growth Rate (%)
Urban vs Rural (%)
Birth & Death Rates (per 1,000)

Economy & Cost of Living

Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. Cape Verde is classified as an upper middle income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 47% of US levels, meaning costs are moderate and most travellers will find it reasonably affordable.

Income Level
Upper middle income
GDP per Capita
$4,795
Cost of Living
47% of US
Inflation
3.7%
Inequality
42.4
High
GDP per Capita (USD)
GDP Growth (%)
Inflation Rate (%)
Employment
GDP/Capita (PPP)
$9,900
Unemployment
11.9%

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors. Tourism accounts for 39.9% of Cape Verde's total exports, making it a major pillar of the economy — expect well-developed tourist infrastructure, but also crowded hotspots.

Tourism Revenue
$169,000,000
Tourism % of Exports
39.9%
Air Passengers
71,784
International Tourist Arrivals
Tourism Receipts (USD)
Air Passengers Carried
Tourism as % of Exports

Health & Safety Infrastructure

Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available — Cape Verde has 0.73 physicians per 1,000 people, below the global average. Good travel insurance with medical coverage is advisable.

Physicians
0.73/1k
Hospital Beds
2.21/1k
Health Spend
$290/person
Infant Mortality
11.0/1k
Immunization
95%
Safe Drinking Water
92.3%
Basic Sanitation
83.1%
Health Expenditure per Capita (USD)
Hospital Beds per 1,000

Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure

Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In Cape Verde, 74% of the population uses the internet — WiFi is available in cities and tourist areas, but coverage may be patchy in rural regions. There are 113 mobile subscriptions per 100 people, and local SIM cards are easy to find.

Internet Users
73.5%
Mobile Subs
113/100
Broadband
7.2/100
Electricity Access
98.6%
Internet Users (%)
Urbanization (%)

Source: World Bank Open Data