Migration trends in Cape Verde

Africa

Cape Verde loses more people than it takes in: 146.4K emigrants against 14.8K immigrants. Net balance −131.6K — 25% of the country's population

524.9K

Population

14.8K

Immigrants

146.4K

Emigrants

−131.6K

Outflow

1 in 35 residents of Cape Verde was born abroad — and 1 in 5 people born in Cape Verde lives abroad

#142 in the world by net migration loss

Top corridors

The largest migration flows in Cape Verde

Where people move to

1Portugal

76.8K52.5%

2France

34.8K23.8%

3Angola

9.5K6.5%

Cape Verdean Diaspora

Where people come from

1Guinea-Bissau

5.6K37.6%

2Sao Tome and Principe

1.9K12.8%

3Senegal

1.6K11.0%

Immigrants in Cape Verde

Key moments

How migration has changed since 1990

1990

7.1K immigrants · 51.8K emigrants

2015

The diaspora passed 100K people

Today

Since 1990: roughly the same number of foreign-born residents and 94.6K more emigrants

Data source: International Migrant Stock 2024 (UN DESA, Population Division)

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