Cabo Verde External Debt to GNI
External debt stocks as % of GNI DT.DOD.DECT.GN.ZS
Cabo Verde's external debt to gni was 73.60% in 2025, ranked 20th globally. This represents a 15.3% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1981–2025.
Overview
Cabo Verde's external debt to gni stood at 73.60% in 2025, a decline of +13.29pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 73.60% by 2025. Cabo Verde ranked 20th globally.
Cabo Verde's external debt to GNI ratio has exhibited significant volatility over the past 45 years, with the debt burden reaching an all-time high of 136.24% in 2020 and plummeting to a low of 28.13% in 1981. Despite a recent decline, the country still struggles with a substantial debt-to-GNI ratio, standing at 73.60% in 2025, ranking it 20th globally. For comparison, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, a peer island nation, also faces a high debt burden, with a ratio of 73.87% in 2025. This trend suggests that Cabo Verde's economic resilience remains threatened by its high external debt. A potential shift in the trajectory could occur if the country manages to secure significant debt relief or investment, allowing it to rebalance its economy and reduce its reliance on external financing.
Data & projection
| Year | External Debt to GNI | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 49.20% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 61.40% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 73.60% | - | - |
| 2025 | 73.60% | −13.29pp | #20 |
| 2024 | 86.89% | −11.25pp | #100 |
| 2023 | 98.14% | −10.14pp | #106 |
| 2022 | 108.28% | −13.13pp | #109 |
| 2021 | 121.41% | −14.83pp | #110 |
| 2020 | 136.24% | +38.79pp | #110 |
| 2019 | 97.44% | +0.56pp | #105 |
| 2018 | 96.88% | −12.39pp | #108 |
| 2017 | 109.27% | +6.64pp | #111 |
| 2016 | 102.63% | −6.27pp | #108 |
| 2015 | 108.90% | +13.85pp | #112 |
| 2014 | 95.05% | −5.16pp | #108 |
| 2013 | 100.21% | +12.76pp | #112 |
| 2012 | 87.45% | +34.68pp | #108 |
| 2011 | 52.77% | +2.25pp | #84 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Cabo Verde matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 1991. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw external debt to gni improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Cabo Verde's external debt to gni was 73.60% in 2025. Ranked 20th globally. This represents a 15.3% decrease from the previous year.
Cabo Verde's external debt to gni peaked at 136.24% in 2020.
The lowest external debt to gni in Cabo Verde was 28.13% in 1981.
Cabo Verde ranks 20th globally in external debt to gni as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is DT.DOD.DECT.GN.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Cabo Verde's external debt to gni is projected to reach 73.60% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The external debt to gni of Cabo Verde in 2025 was 73.60%. This ranks 20th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_cabo-verde_external-debt-to-gni,
title = {Cabo Verde External Debt to GNI},
url = {https://historysaid.com/cabo-verde/external-debt-to-gni/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}