Cabo Verde: health and care

How many people die in Cabo Verde each year?

2,925 deaths were registered in Cabo Verde in 2023, 107 fewer than in 2022, according to the vital statistics for 2023 from the National Statistics Institute (INE). The crude death rate was 5.9 per 1,000 people. Men accounted for 56.4% of deaths, and 58.7% of people who died were 65 or older.

The figures come from civil registration records. Infant mortality was 13.7 per 1,000 live births and under-five mortality 14.5. Registered births fell to 6,760, 1,287 fewer than in 2022, taking the birth rate from 16 to 13 per 1,000. Late registration means the counts for recent years can still rise.

Official sources: INE: Vital statistics 2023 (PDF, Portuguese)

How many doctors are there in Cabo Verde?

The public health service in Cabo Verde had 359 doctors in 2023, 7.05 per 10,000 people, according to the Statistical Yearbook 2023 of the National Statistics Institute (INE), using Ministry of Health human resources data. 205 were specialists and 154 general practitioners. There were 958 nurses, 18.82 per 10,000 people.

The counts cover staff of the Ministry of Health, so doctors working only in private practice are not included. The country has two central hospitals, in Praia and São Vicente, and four regional hospitals. Some complex care, such as certain cancer treatments, involves evacuation abroad.

Official sources: INE: Statistical Yearbook of Cabo Verde 2023 (PDF, Portuguese)

What is life expectancy in Cabo Verde?

According to the UN Population Division, life expectancy at birth in Cabo Verde was 76.2 years in 2024. No year since 2005 has been higher. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 64.3 years; Cabo Verde is 2nd highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 77th of 193.

How many babies die in Cabo Verde?

10.6 per 1,000: that is the infant mortality rate in Cabo Verde for 2024, according to the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation. That is the lowest since at least 2005. It is 47th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 37.2 per 1,000. Of 192 countries with 2024 data, 109th highest.

How many women die in childbirth in Cabo Verde?

40.0 per 100,000: that is the maternal mortality ratio in Cabo Verde for 2023, according to the WHO. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 48th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 257 per 100,000. World rank, highest first: 104th of 192.

What is Cabo Verde's health spending?

The WHO puts current health spending in Cabo Verde at 5.8% of GDP in 2023. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at 7.0% of GDP; its low point was 2008, at 3.3% of GDP. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 4.4% of GDP; Cabo Verde is 17th highest of 48. Worldwide: 105th of 191.

How much of health care in Cabo Verde do patients pay for?

The WHO puts out-of-pocket health spending in Cabo Verde at 25.7% in 2023. Since 2005 it has ranged from 22.1% (2022) to 34.1% (2017). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 32.4%, and Cabo Verde placed 34th highest of 48. Worldwide: 108th of 191.

What is the doctor to patient ratio in Cabo Verde?

The WHO puts the number of doctors per 1,000 people in Cabo Verde at 0.73 per 1,000 in 2023. The peak was 0.74 per 1,000 in 2015 and the low 0.14 per 1,000 in 2009. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 0.18 per 1,000; Cabo Verde is 1st highest of 16. Of 58 countries with 2023 data, 36th highest.

How many hospital beds does Cabo Verde have?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2022, is 2.2 per 1,000. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 1.6 per 1,000, and Cabo Verde placed 4th highest of 8. Of 110 countries with 2022 data, 71st highest.

What is measles vaccine coverage in Cabo Verde?

95.0%: that is measles vaccination among children aged 12 to 23 months in Cabo Verde for 2024, according to WHO and UNICEF. The peak was 99.0% in 2018 and the low 91.0% in 2012. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 81.0%; Cabo Verde is 5th highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 60th of 191.