Cape Verde/Society

Society in Cape Verde

An overview of key social indicators. Select a category for detailed trends, charts, and insights.

Explore Social Domains

Demographics

Coming Soon
Population
522.3K(2023)
Population Growth
0.5%(2023)
Fertility Rate
1.52(2023)
Death Rate
5.1 per 1k(2023)
Net Migration
-1.2K(2024)

Public Health

Coming Soon
Life Expectancy
76.1 years(2023)
Under-5 Mortality
11.6 per 1k(2023)
Maternal Mortality
40 per 100k(2023)
Health Expenditure (as share of GDP)
6.7%(2022)

Education & Human Capital

Coming Soon
Literacy Rate
91%(2022)
Primary Enrollment
93.4%(2018)
Secondary Enrollment
86.5%(2021)
Tertiary Enrollment
20.2(2018)
Education Expenditure (as share of GDP)
4.7%(2022)

Living Standards & Connectivity

Coming Soon
Internet Users
73.5%(2023)
Access to Electricity
98.6%(2023)
Access to Basic Drinking Water
89.9%(2022)
Urban Population
355.1K(2023)
Rural Population
167.2K(2023)

Current Snapshot Overview

A summary of key social and demographic indicators for Cape Verde

  • Cape Verde has an estimated population of 522K
    2023
    , with a modest annual growth rate of 0.5%
    2023
    , suggesting a mature demographic transition with stable, but limitated, population increase. A below-replacement fertility rate of 1.5 births per woman
    2023
    suggests gradual population aging and potential future workforce shortages. Net emigration of approximately 1K individuals annually (or 2.3 per 1,000 inhabitants)
    2024
    adds pressure to demographic transitions and workforce sustainability.
  • Regarding public health, the country maintains a reasonable health standard with a life expectancy of 76.1 years
    2023
    , though there is scope for further improvements to achieve higher global benchmarks. Concurrently, maternal and child health indicators show solid progress, with child mortality (under 5 years) at 11.6 per 1,000 live births
    2023
    and maternal mortality at 40 per 100,000 live births
    2023
    , indicating improving but still developing services. These outcomes are supported by a moderate commitment to health system development, with 6.7% of GDP directed to healthcare expenditure
    2022
    .
  • Strong educational foundations are evident in the high adult literacy rate of 91%
    2022
    , which significantly contributes to human capital development. Complementing this, educational access shows solid progress through 93% primary enrollment
    2018
    and 86% secondary participation rates
    2021
    . This educational framework is supported by moderate public support, with 4.7% of GDP allocated to public educational expenditure
    2022
    , reflecting a balanced approach to funding.
  • In terms of infrastructure and connectivity, the predominantly urban character, with 68% urban population
    2023
    , supports modern economic structures while maintaining important rural-urban linkages. Furthermore, infrastructure development shows strong progress with 99% electricity access
    2023
    and 74% internet penetration
    2023
    , supporting ongoing modernization efforts and enhancing quality of life.

Key Development Insights

Population Dynamics

The combination of low fertility and net emigration poses significant long-term risks to workforce sustainability and economic vitality.

Public Health System

Public health outcomes are a core indicator of national development and quality of life. Access to healthcare is essential for sustainable growth.

Human Capital Formation

Educational attainment is a direct driver of economic innovation and global competitiveness. Investment in education is key to unlocking human potential.

Infrastructure & Connectivity

Infrastructure shapes economic efficiency, urbanization patterns, and digital integration, being critical for modern economies.

More About This Country

Neighbors & Regional Peers

Note: The information on this page has been compiled from authoritative sources. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, please note that some figures may not be current or entirely precise.