Quick facts
Cape Verde (Cabo Verde) population overview
Cabo Verde is the 54th most populous of 58 countries and territories in Africa. The United Nations put the population at 529,323 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +0.4% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 6 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 6,352 births (12 per 1,000 people) and 2,752 deaths (5.2 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 1,323 people. The infant mortality rate is 8.8 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 210,024 in 1960 to 527,326 in 2025 — a change of +151.1%, or +1.4% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 29.5 years; life expectancy at birth is 76.6 years; women have on average 1.5 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 24.7% of residents are under 15 and 7.2% are 65 or older (2025); 77.6% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Praia. Cabo Verde covers 4,030 km², giving a population density of about 132 people per km². GDP was $3.06B in 2025 — about $5,796 per person (World Bank classification: upper middle income).
Cape Verde (Cabo Verde) population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 531,095 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 529,323 |
| World rank | #175 of 238 |
| Rank in Africa | #54 of 58 |
| Share of world population | 0.006% |
| Annual growth rate | +0.4% |
| Births per year est. | 6,352 |
| Deaths per year est. | 2,752 |
| Net migration per year est. | -1,323 |
| Birth rate | 12 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 5.2 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 8.8 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 103.4 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 29.5 years |
| Life expectancy | 76.6 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 1.5 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 77.6% |
| Surface area 2023 | 4,030 km² |
| Population density | 132 per km² |
| Capital | Praia |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $3.06B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $5,796 |
| Income group World Bank | Upper middle income |
Cape Verde (Cabo Verde) population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 531,095 | – | – |
| 2025 | 527,326 | +2,449 | +0.5% |
| 2024 | 524,877 | +2,546 | +0.5% |
| 2023 | 522,331 | +2,590 | +0.5% |
| 2022 | 519,741 | +3,092 | +0.6% |
| 2021 | 516,649 | +1,970 | +0.4% |
| 2020 | 514,679 | +2,285 | +0.1% |
| 2015 | 512,394 | +2,610 | +0.1% |
| 2010 | 509,784 | +24,669 | +1% |
| 2005 | 485,115 | +31,798 | +1.4% |
| 2000 | 453,317 | +35,213 | +1.6% |
| 1995 | 418,104 | +42,676 | +2.2% |
| 1990 | 375,428 | +28,063 | +1.6% |
| 1985 | 347,365 | +24,064 | +1.4% |
| 1980 | 323,301 | +17,454 | +1.1% |
| 1975 | 305,847 | +17,962 | +1.2% |
| 1970 | 287,885 | +43,029 | +3.3% |
| 1965 | 244,856 | +34,832 | +3.1% |
| 1960 | 210,024 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Cabo Verde
Population over time
- From 210,024 in 1960 to 531,095 today — up 152.9%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +0.3% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 76.2 years (2024), up 27.5 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 1.5 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 12.2 births vs 5.1 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 7.1 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 24.7% of the population is under 15 and 7.2% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 4.2% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 0.68 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 0.89 Mt in 2017 — down 23.9% since.
- Per person: 1.29 t in 2024, vs 0.52 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 207.6 kg of oil equivalent per person (2007), up 168.3% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 21.8% of final energy in 2022 (+0.7 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 11.6% of land area (2023).
- Net afforestation: cover grew from 3.8% to 11.6% since 1990 — roughly 312 km² of forest gained.
Urban population (% of total)
- 77.6% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 6.5% in 1960 (+71.1 points).
- Became majority-urban around 1996.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: high — freshwater withdrawals are 59.7% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 577 m³ in 2022, down 58.6% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $3.06B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 74.7% since 2015.
- That works out to $5,796 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 11.9% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 2.3% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 74.7% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 111.8 per 100 people (2024) — more subscriptions than people.
Cabo Verde in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Cabo Verde in 2026?
As of October 2026, Cabo Verde has an estimated population of 531,095. The United Nations estimated 529,323 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +0.4% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Cabo Verde growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +0.4% per year — roughly 6 more people every day. Each year there are about 6,352 births and 2,752 deaths, with net migration of -1,323.
What is the population density of Cabo Verde?
About 132 people per square kilometre: 531,095 people living on 4,030 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Cabo Verde?
The median age is 29.5 years, and life expectancy at birth is 76.6 years. 24.7% of the population is under 15 and 7.2% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Cabo Verde rank by population?
Cabo Verde is the 175th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 54th in Africa, with 0.006% of the global population.
How has the population of Cabo Verde changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 210,024; by 2025 it had grown to 527,326 (+151.1%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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Western SaharaSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+0.4%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.