Cape Verde Population
Sub-Saharan Africa · 172nd most populous · Upper middle income
Population right now (estimate)
530,326
The population of Cape Verde is about 530,326 as of 22 October 2026 (estimate), and 530 thousand for 2026 as a whole — 0.01% of the world's people.
Cape Verde is ranked 172nd of 217 by population. Growth has nearly stopped: the population changes by only 0.44% a year. By 2050 it is projected to reach about 566 thousand. That is 2.5 times its 1960 population of 210 thousand. Population density is 131 people per square kilometre. 78% of people live in cities (2025).
Population 2026
530 thousand
Yearly change
+0.44%
World rank
172nd
Share of world
0.01%
Density
131/km²
Land area
4,030 km²
Life expectancy
76.2 yrs
Births per woman
1.51
GDP per capita
$5,796
GDP
$3.1B
Population of Cape Verde, 1960–2050
Cape Verde population by year
| Year | Population | Yearly change | Density (per km²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 210,024 | — | 52 |
| 1970 | 287,885 | +3.09% | 71 |
| 1980 | 323,301 | +1.20% | 80 |
| 1990 | 375,428 | +2.07% | 93 |
| 2000 | 453,317 | +1.52% | 112 |
| 2010 | 509,784 | +0.72% | 126 |
| 2020 | 514,679 | +0.11% | 128 |
| 2024 | 524,877 | +0.49% | 130 |
| 2026proj. | 529,630 | +0.44% | 131 |
| 2030proj. | 538,614 | +0.42% | 134 |
| 2040proj. | 557,374 | +0.28% | 138 |
| 2050proj. | 566,134 | +0.04% | 140 |
Cape Verde vs Bangladesh
Bangladesh (178 million) has 336 times as many people as Cape Verde. Bangladesh is 10.4 times more densely populated.
Cape Verde population: questions and answers
What is the population of Cape Verde in 2026?
About 529,630 (530 thousand), based on World Bank projections.
Is Cape Verde's population growing?
Yes, by about 0.44% a year (2026).
What is the population density of Cape Verde?
About 131 people per km², with a land area of 4,030 km².
What will the population of Cape Verde be in 2050?
About 566 thousand on World Bank projections.
What is the capital of Cape Verde?
Praia.
What is the life expectancy in Cape Verde?
76.2 years at birth (2024).
Sources: World Bank Open Data — World Development Indicators and Population Estimates and Projections (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0). Data retrieved 2026-10-22. Live figures are mathematical estimates interpolated between the World Bank's mid-year values, not real-time counts.