Cabo Verde: public finances

How big is the Cabo Verde state budget for 2026?

Projected budget spending for 2026 is 103,888 million escudos after the amending budget approved by the National Assembly on 31 July 2026, down from 104,011 million, according to the Government of Cabo Verde. The government said the amendment moved money towards education (139 million escudos more), medicines (300 million more) and social support (50 million more) without raising total spending.

The amending budget was presented by the new government that took office after the May 2026 elections. It keeps a fuel support package of about 1,700 million escudos. The full budget documents and execution reports are published by the Ministry of Finance.

Official sources: Government of Cabo Verde: Parliament approves amending budget for 2026 (Portuguese)

What is Cabo Verde's public debt?

Cabo Verde's public debt was 93.3% of GDP at the end of the first quarter of 2026, 7.9 percentage points lower than a year earlier, according to the provisional state account for the first quarter of 2026 announced by the Ministry of Finance. The same account showed an overall budget surplus of 0.4% of GDP for the quarter.

The primary balance, which leaves out interest, was a surplus of 0.8% of GDP, and tax revenue rose 12.0%. Quarterly ratios use an estimate of annual GDP and are revised. The full provisional accounts are on the Ministry of Finance portal.

Official sources: Government of Cabo Verde: Provisional state account, Q1 2026 (Portuguese)

What is Cabo Verde's national debt?

According to the IMF, general government gross debt in Cabo Verde was 115.4% of GDP in 2025. The peak was 168.4% of GDP in 2021 and the low 57.5% of GDP in 2008. It is 3rd highest of 46 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 53.0% of GDP. World rank, highest first: 13th of 185.

What is Cabo Verde's fiscal deficit?

1.1% of GDP: that is general government net lending or borrowing in Cabo Verde for 2025, according to the IMF. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was -3.0% of GDP, and Cabo Verde placed 3rd highest of 47. World rank, highest first: 26th of 188.

What is Cabo Verde's government revenue?

In 2025, general government revenue in Cabo Verde was 28.3% of GDP, according to the IMF. No year since 2005 has been higher. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 18.4% of GDP; Cabo Verde is 6th highest of 47. Worldwide: 86th of 187.

How much does Cabo Verde's government spend?

The latest figure from the IMF, for 2025, is 27.2% of GDP. The peak was 35.7% of GDP in 2010 and the low 25.7% of GDP in 2023. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 20.8% of GDP; Cabo Verde is 14th highest of 46. World rank, highest first: 111th of 186.

What is Cabo Verde's tax to GDP ratio?

The IMF puts central government tax revenue in Cabo Verde at 18.4% of GDP in 2020. Its high point since 2005 was 2006, at 22.7% of GDP; its low point was 2014, at 15.5% of GDP. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 12.6% of GDP, and Cabo Verde placed 9th highest of 32. World rank, highest first: 51st of 136.

What is Cabo Verde's military budget as a share of GDP?

0.7% of GDP: that is military spending in Cabo Verde for 2025, according to SIPRI. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 1.3% of GDP, and Cabo Verde placed 37th highest of 44. Of 149 countries with 2025 data, 129th highest.