Cabo Verde: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Cabo Verde?

Cabo Verde's unemployment rate was 6.2% in 2025, down 1.8 percentage points from 2024, according to the labour market statistics for 2025 from the National Statistics Institute (INE), based on its continuous multi-purpose survey (IMC). The rate was 5.6% for men and 6.9% for women, and 15.4% for young people aged 15 to 24.

The survey uses the International Labour Organization definition: people without work who looked for a job and could start. INE also publishes half-year figures; the rate for the second half of 2025 alone was 4.9%. The labour underutilisation rate, which adds underemployed people, is published alongside and is much higher.

Official sources: INE: Labour market statistics 2025 (PDF, Portuguese)

What is the minimum wage in Cabo Verde?

The national minimum wage is 17,000 escudos a month in the private sector and 19,000 escudos in public administration, according to the Prime Minister's state of the nation speech to parliament on 31 July 2025, published by the Government of Cabo Verde. The speech said both rates would converge at 20,000 escudos by 2027 under an agreement in the Social Concertation Council.

These are monthly gross amounts set by decree-law and published in the Official Bulletin. A new government took office after the elections of 17 May 2026, so check the Official Bulletin for any later change.

Official sources: Government of Cabo Verde: State of the nation speech, July 2025 (Portuguese)

How many workers in Cabo Verde have informal jobs?

97,289 employed people in Cabo Verde were in informal jobs in 2025, 45.6% of all jobs, according to the labour market statistics for 2025 from the National Statistics Institute (INE). That was 1,816 fewer informal jobs than in 2024. Informality was higher among men (49.8%) than women (40.4%).

INE follows ILO guidelines: a job is informal when, for example, it carries no social security cover, or when the worker is an employer or self-employed in an unregistered business. Most informal workers were employees (48.5%) or self-employed (37.0%). The private business sector was the largest employer, with 45.7% of workers.

Official sources: INE: Labour market statistics 2025 (PDF, Portuguese)

What is the minimum wage in Cabo Verde?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2024, is 15,000 CVE a month (about $147). It is the top of the series, which starts in 2014.

What is the average wage in Cabo Verde?

The ILO puts average monthly earnings of employees in Cabo Verde at $324 a month in 2015. Sub-Saharan Africa median: $258 a month; Cabo Verde is 3rd highest of 7. Of 93 countries with 2015 data, 74th highest.

What is Cabo Verde's unemployment rate?

According to the ILO, the unemployment rate in Cabo Verde was 11.9% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at 14.7%; its low point was 2010, at 10.7%. It is 10th highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 5.2%. World rank, highest first: 25th of 174.

What is the youth unemployment rate in Cabo Verde?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 28.4%. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at 34.5%; its low point was 2010, at 21.3%. It is 8th highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 8.8%. World rank, highest first: 20th of 174.

What is the labour force participation rate in Cabo Verde?

According to the ILO, the labour force participation rate in Cabo Verde was 57.0% in 2025. The peak was 59.2% in 2017 and the low 53.4% in 2020. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 64.3%, and Cabo Verde placed 34th highest of 45. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 126th highest.

What share of women in Cabo Verde are in the labour force?

In 2025, the labour force participation rate for women in Cabo Verde was 50.5%, according to the ILO. The peak was 52.0% in 2017 and the low 46.3% in 2005. It is 32nd highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 57.3%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 111th highest.

What is the employment rate in Cabo Verde?

The ILO puts the employment to population ratio in Cabo Verde at 50.2% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2010, at 52.8%; its low point was 2020, at 45.6%. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 58.8%; Cabo Verde is 35th highest of 45. Worldwide: 134th of 174.

How common is self-employment in Cabo Verde?

In 2025, the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Cabo Verde was 34.3%, according to the ILO. That is the lowest since at least 2005. It is 37th highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 67.6%. Worldwide: 76th of 174.

How many people in Cabo Verde are employees?

61.5%: that is the share of workers who are paid employees in Cabo Verde for 2025, according to the ILO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 29.0%; Cabo Verde is 8th highest of 45. World rank, highest first: 94th of 174.