Cape Verde Population
The island state was uninhabited when the Portuguese discovered and colonized the islands in the 1400s. Cape Verde is today a democratically ruled republic with a growing economy. Few natural resources and drought have led to the fact that many of the country’s inhabitants live abroad.
Key figures and facts
- Capital: Praia
- Ethnic groups: Creole (mulatto) 71%, African 28%, European 1%
- Language: Portuguese (official), Creole (mixture of Portuguese and West African)
- Religion: Catholic Christians (mixed with African faith) 77.3%, Protestant and other Christian 8%, Muslims 1.8% other or none 12.8%
- Population: 553 335 (2018)
- Control Form: Republic
- Area: 4 030 000
- Currency: Escudo at 100 centavos
- GNP per capita: 6 551 PPP $
- National Day: July 5th
Cape Verde Population
Cape Verde’s population was estimated at 418,200 in 2005 and natural growth (born ÷ dead) to 1.9%. Due to considerable emigration, i.a. to Brazil, Venezuela, Portugal and the United States, real growth is much lower; 0.7% (2004). It is estimated that there are approximately twice as many Cape Verdeans living abroad than on the archipelago. The high emigration is due, among other things, to scarcity of resources such as land and water as well as work.
About 70% of the residents are of mixed, mainly Portuguese and African, origin, a result of Cape Verde’s history as Portuguese colony and intermediate station for slave traffic in the 14th century. The rest of the population consists mainly of blacks.
The settlement is the closest along the coast of São Tiago, Santo Antão and São Vicente. Approximately 1/3 of the population lives in cities. Largest city capital Praia on São Tiago.
Population of Cabo Verde by Year (Historical)
| Year | Population | Annual Growth Rate | Population Density | Global Rank |
| 2020 | 555,876 | 1.100% | 137.9620 | 172 |
| 2019 | 549,824 | 1.130% | 136.4603 | 172 |
| 2018 | 543,656 | 1.170% | 134.9298 | 172 |
| 2017 | 537,387 | 1.200% | 133.3742 | 172 |
| 2016 | 531,035 | 1.220% | 131.7980 | 172 |
| 2015 | 524,632 | 1.270% | 130.2092 | 172 |
| 2010 | 492,543 | 1.250% | 122.2467 | 171 |
| 2005 | 462,921 | 1.580% | 114.8963 | 170 |
| 2000 | 428,077 | 2.080% | 106.2501 | 169 |
| 1995 | 386,173 | 2.710% | 95.8521 | 170 |
| 1990 | 337,839 | 1.630% | 83.8586 | 173 |
| 1985 | 311,567 | 1.890% | 77.3394 | 172 |
| 1980 | 283,736 | 0.990% | 70.4335 | 170 |
| 1975 | 270,136 | 0.120% | 67.0588 | 167 |
| 1970 | 268,516 | 3.120% | 66.6568 | 167 |
| 1965 | 230,307 | 2.690% | 57.1757 | 168 |
| 1960 | 201,654 | 0.460% | 50.0658 | 168 |
| 1955 | 197,084 | 2.060% | 48.9318 | 167 |
| 1950 | 177,954 | 0.000% | 44.1849 | 167 |
Major Cities in Cabo Verde by Population
| Rank | City | Population |
| 1 | Praia | 113,253 |
| 2 | Mindelo | 70,500 |
| 3 | Santa Maria | 17,120 |
| 4 | Cova Figueira | 15,239 |
| 5 | Santa Cruz | 9,377 |
| 6 | Pedra Badejo | 9,232 |
| 7 | Sao Filipe | 8,078 |
| 8 | Assomada | 7,816 |
| 9 | Tarrafal | 6,352 |
| 10 | Espargos | 6,062 |
| 11 | Porto Novo | 5,469 |
| 12 | Calheta | 5,289 |
| 13 | Vila da Ribeira Brava | 5,213 |
| 14 | Tarrafal de Sao Nicolau | 4,928 |
| 15 | Picos | 3,667 |
| 16 | Vila do Maio | 2,898 |
| 17 | Ribeira Grande | 2,839 |
| 18 | Cidade Velha | 2,037 |
| 19 | Vila de Sal Rei | 2,011 |
| 20 | Sao Domingos | 1,739 |
| 21 | Pombas | 1,707 |
| 22 | Vila Nova Sintra | 1,702 |
| 23 | Porto dos Mosteiros | 366 |
Religion
About 93% belong to the Catholic Church, the remaining are Protestants or to traditional religions.
Language
The official language is Portuguese. Linguistic language is crioulo, a Creole language based on Portuguese.