Net migration in Cape Verde
Cape Verde: Net migration was -1,284 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Net migration in Cape Verde, 1960–2025
Source: World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division.
Analysis
In 2025, net migration in Cape Verde stood at -1,284.
That represents a change of down 6.2% on the previous year and up 79.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, net migration in Cape Verde peaked at 1,608 in 1969 and was at its lowest, -7,226, in 2011.
Cape Verde ranks 114th of 218 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Net migration in Cape Verde, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | -2,267 | — |
| 1961 | 49 | -102.2% |
| 1962 | 904 | +1744.9% |
| 1963 | 945 | +4.5% |
| 1964 | 1,006 | +6.5% |
| 1965 | 1,093 | +8.6% |
| 1966 | 1,230 | +12.5% |
| 1967 | 1,376 | +11.9% |
| 1968 | 1,521 | +10.5% |
| 1969 | 1,608 | +5.7% |
| 1970 | 172 | -89.3% |
| 1971 | -4,085 | -2475.0% |
| 1972 | -6,316 | +54.6% |
| 1973 | -6,410 | +1.5% |
| 1974 | -6,512 | +1.6% |
| 1975 | -5,829 | -10.5% |
| 1976 | -6,389 | +9.6% |
| 1977 | -6,730 | +5.3% |
| 1978 | -6,833 | +1.5% |
| 1979 | -6,875 | +0.6% |
| 1980 | -5,980 | -13.0% |
| 1981 | -5,684 | -4.9% |
| 1982 | -5,629 | -1.0% |
| 1983 | -5,834 | +3.6% |
| 1984 | -6,035 | +3.4% |
| 1985 | -6,192 | +2.6% |
| 1986 | -6,314 | +2.0% |
| 1987 | -6,418 | +1.6% |
| 1988 | -6,474 | +0.9% |
| 1989 | -5,704 | -11.9% |
| 1990 | -2,398 | -58.0% |
| 1991 | -2,924 | +21.9% |
| 1992 | -3,231 | +10.5% |
| 1993 | -3,393 | +5.0% |
| 1994 | -3,299 | -2.8% |
| 1995 | -3,125 | -5.3% |
| 1996 | -3,297 | +5.5% |
| 1997 | -3,211 | -2.6% |
| 1998 | -3,332 | +3.8% |
| 1999 | -3,371 | +1.2% |
| 2000 | -2,772 | -17.8% |
| 2001 | -2,528 | -8.8% |
| 2002 | -2,751 | +8.8% |
| 2003 | -2,898 | +5.3% |
| 2004 | -2,993 | +3.3% |
| 2005 | -2,768 | -7.5% |
| 2006 | -2,408 | -13.0% |
| 2007 | -2,200 | -8.6% |
| 2008 | -2,340 | +6.4% |
| 2009 | -2,618 | +11.9% |
| 2010 | -5,069 | +93.6% |
| 2011 | -7,226 | +42.6% |
| 2012 | -6,779 | -6.2% |
| 2013 | -6,622 | -2.3% |
| 2014 | -6,578 | -0.7% |
| 2015 | -6,226 | -5.4% |
| 2016 | -6,004 | -3.6% |
| 2017 | -5,550 | -7.6% |
| 2018 | -4,679 | -15.7% |
| 2019 | -4,001 | -14.5% |
| 2020 | -3,362 | -16.0% |
| 2021 | 0 | -100.0% |
| 2022 | -1,253 | — |
| 2023 | -1,226 | -2.2% |
| 2024 | -1,209 | -1.4% |
| 2025 | -1,284 | +6.2% |
Cape Verde compared with similar countries
- Cape Verde's -1,284 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is -2,815, 46% of the median. (59 countries reporting)
- Cape Verde's -1,284 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is -5,646, 23% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Net migration in Cape Verde changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | -2475.0% | 172 | -4,085 |
| 1962 | +1744.9% | 49 | 904 |
| 1961 | +102.2% | -2,267 | 49 |
| 2021 | +100.0% | -3,362 | 0 |
| 2010 | -93.6% | -2,618 | -5,069 |
| 1970 | -89.3% | 1,608 | 172 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 746.5 | -2,267 | 1,608 | 10 |
| 1970s | -5,581 | -6,875 | 172 | 10 |
| 1980s | -6,026 | -6,474 | -5,629 | 10 |
| 1990s | -3,158 | -3,393 | -2,398 | 10 |
| 2000s | -2,628 | -2,993 | -2,200 | 10 |
| 2010s | -5,873 | -7,226 | -4,001 | 10 |
| 2020s | -1,389 | -3,362 | 0 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Cape Verde
- 111 Micronesia (country) -1,125 compare
- 112 Saint Martin (French part) -1,170 compare
- 113 French Polynesia -1,199 compare
- 115 Uruguay -1,338 compare
- 116 Guinea-Bissau -1,373 compare
- 117 Marshall Islands -1,698 compare
More financial sector data for Cape Verde
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, annual growth rate 7.55 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0.0017 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, per capita 9.88 units per person (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, annual growth rate 2.42 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, per unit of GDP 0.0012 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, per capita 7.21 units per person (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, annual growth rate 7.55 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0.0017 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, per capita 9.88 units per person (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, SDR, annual growth rate 2.42 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is net migration in Cape Verde?
- Net migration in Cape Verde was -1,284 in 2025, according to World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division.
- What is the highest net migration recorded in Cape Verde?
- The highest recorded value was 1,608 in 1969.
- What is the lowest net migration recorded in Cape Verde?
- The lowest recorded value was -7,226 in 2011.
- How does Cape Verde rank for net migration?
- Cape Verde ranks 114th out of 218 countries with data for 2025.
- Is net migration rising or falling in Cape Verde?
- Over the last ten years it is up 79.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Cape Verde data come from?
- The figures come from World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division, published as part of Net migration. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Net migration is the net total of migrants during the period, that is, the number of immigrants minus the number of emigrants, including both citizens and noncitizens.