Cabo Verde Net Migration

Cabo Verde’s net migration has swung markedly over the six‑decade series, moving from a modest inflow of 1,608.00 in the 1969 peak to a deep outflow of –7,226.00 in the 2011 trough, before moderating to –1,284.00 in 2025, placing the island nation at rank 104 globally. The early post‑independence era saw positive migration, likely driven by labor demand in the diaspora, while the sharp reversal in the early 2010s coincided with economic stagnation and limited domestic opportunities, prompting a sustained exodus. Compared with peers of similar rank, Uruguay recorded –1,338.00 and French Polynesia –1,199.00 in the same year, underscoring that Cabo Verde’s outflow remains slightly less severe than Uruguay’s but exceeds that of French Polynesia. The recent attenuation of net loss suggests that modest improvements in tourism and renewable‑energy projects may curb future outmigration, though any reversal will depend on the country’s ability to generate stable, well‑paid jobs for its young population.