Cabo Verde Trade Balance
External balance on goods and services NE.RSB.GNFS.CD
Cabo Verde's trade balance was $-281.7M in 2025, ranked 86th globally. This represents a 10.2% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1980–2025.
Overview
Cabo Verde's trade balance stood at $-281.7M in 2025, a rise of +$31.9M from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach $-281.7M by 2025. Cabo Verde ranked 86th globally.
Cabo Verde’s trade balance has remained persistently negative, widening from a modest deficit of –70,982,648.20 in 1980 to a 2025 shortfall of –281,719,043.29, the 86th‑largest deficit among World Bank reporting economies. The early 1980s saw the least severe imbalance, with the all‑time peak of –68,654,776.92 recorded in 1981, while the deepest contraction occurred in 2021 when the deficit surged to –610,535,248.89. Over the 46‑year series, the country’s external gap has more than quadrupled, reflecting limited export diversification and reliance on imported fuels and foodstuffs. Compared with peers of similar rank, Cabo Verde’s deficit exceeds Sudan’s –270,206,773.72 but is slightly smaller than Samoa’s –289,136,566.27, underscoring the regional challenge of balancing trade in small island economies. Continued investment in value‑added processing and tourism‑linked exports will be crucial to curb the widening gap and shift the trajectory toward a modest surplus.
Data & projection
| Year | Trade Balance | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | $-165.0M | - | - |
| 2026* trend | $-223.3M | - | - |
| 2025* trend | $-281.7M | - | - |
| 2025 | $-281.7M | +$31.9M | #86 |
| 2024 | $-313.6M | +$98.9M | #81 |
| 2023 | $-412.5M | +$28.5M | #78 |
| 2022 | $-441.0M | +$169.5M | #92 |
| 2021 | $-610.5M | −$104.0M | #75 |
| 2020 | $-506.5M | −$277.0M | #82 |
| 2019 | $-229.6M | +$82.1M | #88 |
| 2018 | $-311.7M | +$6.1M | #91 |
| 2017 | $-317.8M | −$87.8M | #85 |
| 2016 | $-230.0M | −$24.6M | #90 |
| 2015 | $-205.4M | +$137.8M | #103 |
| 2014 | $-343.2M | −$117.2M | #91 |
| 2013 | $-225.9M | +$74.9M | #99 |
| 2012 | $-300.8M | +$207.0M | #96 |
| 2011 | $-507.8M | −$51.9M | #92 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Cabo Verde matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 1991. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw trade balance improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Cabo Verde's trade balance was $-281.7M in 2025. Ranked 86th globally. This represents a 10.2% increase from the previous year.
Cabo Verde's trade balance peaked at $-68.7M in 1981.
The lowest trade balance in Cabo Verde was $-610.5M in 2021.
Cabo Verde ranks 86th globally in trade balance as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is NE.RSB.GNFS.CD. Data sourced from World Bank.
Cabo Verde's trade balance is projected to reach $-281.7M by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The trade balance of Cabo Verde in 2025 was $-281.7M. This ranks 86th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_cabo-verde_trade-balance,
title = {Cabo Verde Trade Balance},
url = {https://historysaid.com/cabo-verde/trade-balance/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}