CapitalPraia
Population611,014
Area4,033 km²
GDP per capita$9,900
LanguagesPortuguese , Crioulo
CurrencyCabo Verdean escudos
Life Expectancy74.3 yr
Governmentparliamentary republic
Introduction
Background
The Portuguese discovered and colonized the uninhabited islands of Cabo Verde in the 15th century; Cabo Verde subsequently became a trading center for African slaves and later an important coaling and resupply stop for whaling and transatlantic shipping. The fusing of European and various African cultural traditions is reflected in Cabo Verde’s Crioulo language, music, and pano textiles. After gaining independence in 1975, a one-party system was established and maintained until multi-party elections were held in 1990. Cabo Verde continues to sustain one of Africa's most stable democratic governments and relatively stable economies, maintaining a currency pegged first to the Portuguese escudo and then to the euro since 1998. Repeated droughts during the second half of the 20th century caused significant hardship and prompted heavy emigration. As a result, Cabo Verde's expatriate population -- concentrated in Boston, Massachusetts and Western Europe -- is greater than its domestic one.
Most Cabo Verdeans have both African and Portuguese antecedents. Cabo Verde’s population descends from its first permanent inhabitants in the late 15th-century -- a preponderance of West African slaves, a small share of Portuguese colonists, and even fewer Italians and Spaniards. Among the nine inhabited islands, population distribution is varied. The islands in the east are very dry and are home to the country's growing tourism industry. The more western islands receive more precipitation and support larger populations, but agriculture and livestock grazing have damaged their soil fertility and vegetation. For centuries, the country’s overall population size has fluctuated significantly, as recurring periods of famine and epidemics have caused high death tolls and emigration.
Geography
Area
land
4,033 sq km
water
0 sq km
total
4,033 sq km
Climate
temperate; characterized by warm, arid summers; precipitation is scant and unpredictable
Terrain
steep, rugged, rocky, and volcanic terrain
Land use
other
68% (2023 est.)
forest
12.4% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
19.6% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 12.4% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 6.2% (2023 est.)
Location
Located in Western Africa, this group of islands is situated in the North Atlantic Ocean, to the west of Senegal
Coastline
965 km
Elevation
lowest point
Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point
Mt. Fogo (a volcano on Fogo Island) 2,829 m
Irrigated land
35 sq km (2012)
Map references
Africa
Land boundaries
total
0 km
Maritime claims
contiguous zone
24 nm
territorial sea
12 nm
exclusive economic zone
200 nm
Natural hazards
experiences extended periods of drought; the seasonal harmattan wind carries dust that reduces visibility; the region is both volcanically and seismically active
volcanism: Fogo (2,829 m), the only active volcano in Cabo Verde, last erupted in 1995
Geography - note
holds a strategic position 500 km off the west coast of Africa, near significant north-south maritime routes; it is one of four archipelagos in the North Atlantic that constitute Macaronesia, alongside the Azores (Portugal), Canary Islands (Spain), and Madeira (Portugal)
Natural resources
resources include salt, basalt rock, limestone, kaolin, fish, clay, and gypsum
Area - comparative
marginally larger than the state of Rhode Island
Geographic coordinates
16 00 N, 24 00 W
Population distribution
among the nine islands with inhabitants, population distribution varies significantly; the eastern islands are extremely arid and have sparse settlements; in contrast, the southern islands receive more rainfall and can support larger communities; approximately half of the population resides on Sao Tiago Island, home to the capital city of Praia; Mindelo, located on the northern island of Sao Vicente, also has a significant urban population, as illustrated in this population distribution map
People & Society
Literacy
male
92.9% (2024 est.)
female
84.1% (2024 est.)
total population
88.5% (2024 est.)
Languages
Portuguese (official), Crioulo (a creole language based on Portuguese featuring two primary dialects)
Religions
Roman Catholic 72.5%, Protestant 4% (includes Adventist 1.9%, Nazarene 1.8%, Assembly of God 0.2%, God is Love 0.1%), Christian Rationalism 1.7%, Muslim 1.3%, Jehovah's Witness 1.2%, Church of Jesus Christ 1%, other Christian 1.3%, other 1.2%, none 15.6%, no response 0.4% (2021 est.)
Sex ratio
at birth
1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years
1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years
0.96 male(s)/female
total population
0.95 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
0.62 male(s)/female
Birth rate
17.51 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
5.73 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
27.9 years
total
29.3 years (2025 est.)
female
29.6 years
Population
male
297,106
total
611,014 (2024 est.)
female
313,908
Nationality
noun
Cabo Verdean(s)
adjective
Cabo Verdean
Tobacco use
male
15.3% (2025 est.)
total
9.8% (2025 est.)
female
4.5% (2025 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
68% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
1.83% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years
26.4% (male 80,973/female 80,129)
15-64 years
67.2% (male 201,084/female 209,676)
65 years and over
6.4% (2024 est.) (male 15,049/female 24,103)
Ethnic groups
Creole (Mulatto) 71%, African 28%, European 1%
Child marriage
men married by age 18
1.5% (2018)
women married by age 15
1.8% (2018)
women married by age 18
8.4% (2018)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
48.8 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio
39.2 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio
10.5 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
9.5 (2024 est.)
Physician density
0.73 physicians/1,000 population (2023)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
6.9% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
16.1% of national budget (2022 est.)
Net migration rate
-0.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Hospital bed density
2 beds/1,000 population (2018 est.)
Total fertility rate
2.08 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: rural
rural: 82.9% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 89.9% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 93.2% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 17.1% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 10.1% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 6.8% of population (2022 est.)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% GDP)
4.3% of GDP (2023 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget)
13.4% national budget (2024 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male
26.3 deaths/1,000 live births
total
21.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
18.4 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
1.12% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
1.02 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
population distribution is uneven across the nine inhabited islands; the eastern islands are quite arid and have a low population density; in contrast, the southern islands receive greater amounts of rainfall and host larger populations; around fifty percent of the inhabitants reside on Sao Tiago Island, where the capital city, Praia, is situated; additionally, Mindelo, located on the northern island of Sao Vicente, also has a significant urban population, as illustrated in this population distribution map.
Life expectancy at birth
male
72 years
female
76.7 years
total population
74.3 years (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
40 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: rural
rural: 77.8% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 89.8% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 95.6% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 22.2% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 10.2% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 4.4% of population (2022 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita
beer
2.28 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine
1.82 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
total
4.7 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits
0.6 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols
0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Major urban areas - population
168,000 PRAIA (capital) (2018)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
11.8% (2016)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
45% (2021 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
2.2% (2018 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
male
13 years (2018 est.)
total
13 years (2018 est.)
female
14 years (2018 est.)
Environment
Climate
temperate; characterized by warm, arid summers; limited and irregular precipitation
Land use
other
68% (2023 est.)
forest
12.4% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
19.6% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 12.4% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 6.2% (2023 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
68% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
1.83% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
132,600 tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled
17.4% (2022 est.)
Environmental issues
deforestation driven by the need for firewood; shortages of water; occurrences of drought; desertification; erosion of soil; unlawful extraction of beach sand; excessive fishing practices
Total water withdrawal
municipal
155.895 million cubic meters (2022)
industrial
5.614 million cubic meters (2022)
agricultural
103.217 million cubic meters (2022)
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions
714,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids
714,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
27.4 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Total renewable water resources
300 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
International environmental agreements
party to
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified
none of the selected agreements
Government
Flag
description: five horizontal bands of unequal width; the uppermost blue band occupies half the flag's height; beneath it are three slender bands of white, red, and white, followed by a lower blue stripe; centered on the red band, towards the left, is a circle containing 10 five-pointed yellow stars
meaning: blue signifies the sea and sky; the stripes denote the country's establishment through peace (white) and effort (red); the stars symbolize the 10 principal islands
Capital
name
Praia
etymology
the former Portuguese designation was Villa de Praia ("Village of the Beach"); it was abbreviated to Praia in 1974
time difference
UTC-1 (4 hours ahead of Washington, DC, in Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
14 55 N, 23 31 W
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of Cabo Verde
dual citizenship recognized
yes
residency requirement for naturalization
5 years
Constitution
history
previous 1981; latest effective 25 September 1992
amendment process
proposals necessitate backing from a minimum of four-fifths of the active National Assembly members; amendment proposals require sponsorship from at least one-third of the active Assembly members; for passage, a two-thirds majority vote from the Assembly members is necessary; constitutional provisions, including those pertaining to national independence, government structure, political pluralism, suffrage, and human rights and freedoms, are not subject to amendment
Country name
etymology
the name originates from the Cape Verde (Green Cape) peninsula located on the Senegalese coast, which marks the westernmost point of Africa and is the closest mainland to the islands
local long form
Republica de Cabo Verde
local short form
Cabo Verde
conventional long form
Republic of Cabo Verde
conventional short form
Cabo Verde
Independence
5 July 1975 (from Portugal)
Legal system
civil law system based on Portugal's legal framework
Government type
parliamentary republic
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court of Justice (comprises the chief justice and at least 7 judges, organized into civil, criminal, and administrative divisions)
subordinate courts
appeals courts, first-instance (municipal) courts; audit, military, and fiscal and customs courts
judge selection and term of office
judges are appointed as follows - 1 by the president of the republic, 1 elected by the National Assembly, and 3 by the Superior Judicial Council (SJC), which is an independent body of 16 members, chaired by the chief justice and including the attorney general, 8 private citizens, 2 judges, 2 prosecutors, the senior legal inspector from the Attorney General's office, and a representative from the Ministry of Justice; the chief justice is appointed by the president of the republic from among peers of the Supreme Court of Justice in consultation with the SJC; judges serve for life
Executive branch
cabinet
Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister
chief of state
President Jose Maria Pereira NEVES (since 9 November 2021)
election results
2020: Jose Maria Pereira NEVES elected president; vote percentages - Jose Maria Pereira NEVES (PAICV) 51.7%, Carlos VEIGA (MPD) 42.4%, Casimiro DE PINA (independent) 1.8%, Fernando Rocha DELGADO (independent) 1.4%, Helio SANCHES (independent) 1.14%, Gilson ALVES (independent) 0.8%, Joaquim MONTEIRO (independent) 3.4%
2016: Jorge Carlos FONSECA reelected president; vote percentages - Jorge Carlos FONSECA (MPD) 74.1%, Albertino GRACA (independent) 22.5%, others 3.4%
head of government
Prime Minister Jose Ulisses CORREIA e SILVA (since 22 April 2016)
most recent election date
17 October 2021
election/appointment process
the president is directly elected through an absolute-majority popular vote in up to 2 rounds, if necessary, for a term of 5 years (eligible for one additional term); the prime minister is nominated by the National Assembly and appointed by the president
expected date of next election
October 2026
National holiday
Independence Day, 5 July (1975)
National color(s)
blue, white, red, yellow
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
1 (cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Cidade Velha; Historic Center of Ribeira Grande
Political parties
African Party for Independence of Cabo Verde or PAICV
Democratic and Independent Cabo Verdean Union or UCID
Democratic Christian Party or PDC
Democratic Renewal Party or PRD
Movement for Democracy or MPD
Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD
Party of Work and Solidarity or PTS
Social Democratic Party or PSD
Legislative branch
term in office
5 years
number of seats
72 (all directly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
legislature name
National Assembly (Assembleia Nacional)
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
4/18/2021
expected date of next election
April 2026
percentage of women in chamber
44.4%
parties elected and seats per party
Movement for Democracy (MpD) (38); African Party for the Independence of Cabo Verde (PAICV) (30); Union for an Independent Democratic Cape Verde (UCID) (4)
National anthem(s)
title
"Cantico da Liberdade" (Song of Freedom)
history
adopted 1996
lyrics/music
Amilcar Spencer LOPES/Adalberto Higino Tavares SILVA
National symbol(s)
ten five-pointed yellow stars
National coat of arms
established in 1992, the coat of arms incorporates the national emblem of ten stars symbolizing the country’s islands; the stylized torch and triangle in the center symbolize freedom and national unity, while the three blue lines signify the ocean and sky; the country's name is inscribed in Portuguese, the official language; the plumbob atop the circle, used in construction for precision in vertical alignment, represents justice, righteousness, and truth; the interlinked chains symbolize a dedication to the populace and their well-being
Administrative divisions
22 municipalities (concelhos, singular - concelho); Boa Vista, Brava, Maio, Mosteiros, Paul, Porto Novo, Praia, Ribeira Brava, Ribeira Grande, Ribeira Grande de Santiago, Sal, Santa Catarina, Santa Catarina do Fogo, Santa Cruz, São Domingos, São Filipe, São Lourenco dos Orgaos, São Miguel, São Salvador do Mundo, São Vicente, Tarrafal, Tarrafal de São Nicolau
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 965-1207
chancery
3415 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone
[1] (202) 965-6820
chief of mission
Ambassador Jose Luis do Livramento MONTEIRO ALVES DE BRITO (since 23 December 2020)
consulate(s) general
Boston
email address and website
[email protected]
https://www.embcv-usa.gov.cv/
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[238] 261-1355
embassy
Rua Abilio Macedo 6, Praia
telephone
[238] 260-8900
mailing address
2460 Praia Place, Washington DC 20521-2460
chief of mission
Ambassador Jennifer ADAMS (since 10 September 2024)
email address and website
[email protected]
https://cv.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ACP, AfDB, AOSIS, AU, CD, CPLP, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation
has not presented a declaration regarding ICJ jurisdiction; accepts jurisdiction of the ICCt
Economy
Budget
revenues
$453.182 million (2020 est.)
expenditures
$623.816 million (2020 est.)
Exports
Exports 2022
$851.907 million (2022 est.)
Exports 2023
$972.636 million (2023 est.)
Exports 2024
$1.158 billion (2024 est.)
Imports
Imports 2022
$1.31 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023
$1.428 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2024
$1.473 billion (2024 est.)
Industries
food and beverages, fish processing, clothing and footwear, salt extraction, ship maintenance
Labor force
224,500 (2024 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2016
127.6% of GDP (2016 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2022
14% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023
12.5% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2024
12.1% of GDP (2024 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
Cabo Verdean escudos (CVE) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2020
96.796 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
93.218 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
104.863 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
101.805 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2024
101.922 (2024 est.)
Debt - external
Debt - external 2023
$1.385 billion (2023 est.)
Economic overview
stable, middle-income, developing island economy; robust GDP growth driven by the recovery of the tourism sector; ongoing poverty alleviation through the PEDS II development strategy; significant dependence on foreign remittances and assistance to cover external debt
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2022
12.3% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023
12% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024
11.9% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
Spain 46%, Portugal 9%, Togo 7%, Italy 7%, India 6% (2023)
Imports - partners
Portugal 29%, Saudi Arabia 11%, Netherlands 9%, Spain 8%, China 7% (2023)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2022
$8,900 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023
$9,300 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024
$9,900 (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2022
15.8% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023
5.4% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2024
7.3% (2024 est.)
Agricultural products
sugarcane, tomatoes, coconuts, pulses, goat milk, milk, vegetables, bananas, cabbages, onions (2023)
Exports - commodities
fish, refined petroleum, railway cargo containers, shellfish, garments (2023)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, aircraft, automobiles, fish, railway cargo containers (2023)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2022
-$78.271 million (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2023
-$64.439 million (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2024
$101.072 million (2024 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
18.4% (of GDP) (2020 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$2.768 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
74.7% (2024 est.)
government consumption
20.7% (2024 est.)
investment in inventories
0% (2024 est.)
investment in fixed capital
16% (2024 est.)
exports of goods and services
41.9% (2024 est.)
imports of goods and services
-53.2% (2024 est.)
Population below poverty line
35.2% (2015 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
7.9% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
3.7% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
1% (2024 est.)
Industrial production growth rate
4.4% (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$4.6 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$4.848 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$5.2 billion (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male
24.6% (2024 est.)
total
28.2% (2024 est.)
female
33.8% (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$729.566 million (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$837.881 million (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024
$783.106 million (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry
10.5% (2024 est.)
services
69.4% (2024 est.)
agriculture
4.7% (2024 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%
2.2% (2015 est.)
highest 10%
32.3% (2015 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2015
42.4 (2015 est.)
Energy
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption
5,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Electricity
consumption
400 million kWh (2023 est.)
installed generating capacity
200,000 kW (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses
106 million kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity access
electrification - rural areas
96.9%
electrification - urban areas
95.3%
electrification - total population
97.1% (2022 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023
19.999 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
wind
14.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar
14.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
fossil fuels
71.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
74% (2023 est.)
Broadcast media
a government-operated television and radio network, alongside an increasing array of private broadcasters; public television and radio services from Portugal for Africa are accessible; broadcasts from several international networks are available (2019)
Internet country code
.cv
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
60,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
12 (2023 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
590,354 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
112 (2024 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
38,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
7 (2023 est.)
Transportation
Ports
large
0
small
1
medium
0
key ports
Porto da Praia, Porto Grande
very small
1
total ports
2 (2024)
ports with oil terminals
1
Airports
10 (2025)
Merchant marine
total
44 (2023)
by type
general cargo 14, oil tanker 2, other 28
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
D4
Military & Security
Military - note
The FACV is tasked with external defense responsibilities and, when necessary, collaborates with the police to fulfill an internal security role. Its functions encompass the surveillance and patrolling of the nation's airspace and maritime zones, engaging in training drills, carrying out search and rescue operations, combating drug trafficking and other illegal activities, as well as providing assistance to law enforcement and civil society (2025)
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2020
0.5% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021
0.5% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022
0.5% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023
0.6% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2024
0.6% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military and security forces
Cabo Verdean Armed Forces (FACV): National Guard (GN), Cabo Verde Coast Guard (Guardia Costeira de Cabo Verde, GCCV) (2025)
Military service age and obligation
Individuals may enlist for voluntary service at 17 years of age (with parental consent), while those aged 18 to 35 may be subject to selective compulsory service, which carries a 14-month service requirement (2025)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
The FACV possesses a limited stock of primarily outdated or secondhand equipment, largely sourced from China, several European nations, and the former Soviet Union (2025)
Military and security service personnel strengths
The FACV is composed of roughly 1,000 to 1,500 active personnel (2025)
Transnational Issues
Trafficking in persons
tier rating
Tier 2 Watch List — Cabo Verde did not show significant improvements in its efforts to combat trafficking relative to the prior reporting period, resulting in a downgrade to the Tier 2 Watch List; for further information, please visit: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/cabo-verde/
Refugees and internally displaced persons
stateless persons
115 (2024 est.)
