Pico do Fogo

Cape Verde

Name: World Residence Index 2026 scores for Cape Verde
Published: 2026

Region: West Africa
Capital: Praia
Currency: Cape Verdean Escudo (CVE)
Density: 138 / km²

WRI Score 2026

64.51

scale 1–100 · higher is better

Global rank: 103rd
In Africa: 3rd
Ranked: 211

Parameter Breakdown · 2026

The nine components behind the score.

Every parameter is scored 1–100, higher is better, equally weighted; their sum normalises to the 0–100 WRI Score.

Personal Income Tax · 100 = no income tax Top rate 27%· KPMG / EY
46.5
Above-average top marginal rate.
Population Density · 100 = uncrowded 138 / km²· UN WPP
46.6
Densely populated relative to land area.
GDP per Capita · 100 = highest output per resident $6,069· IMF WEO 2026
29.1
Among the lowest per-capita output levels on this list.
Life Expectancy · 100 = longest life expectancy 74 years· WHO / UN
56.4
Moderate life expectancy relative to peers.
Tourism & Lifestyle · 100 = strongest lifestyle appeal 1.5 arrivals per capita· UNWTO
86.4
Strong inbound tourism relative to population.
Unemployment · 100 = lowest unemployment 11%· ILO / SECO
61.3
Moderate unemployment relative to peers.
Warmongering · 100 = least militarised 0.5% of GDP· SIPRI
100.0
Minimal defence spending relative to output.
Safety & Rule of Law · 100 = safest Composite· UNODC · WJP · TI
61.5
Moderate safety and rule-of-law composite.
Ideological Neutrality · 100 = most ideologically neutral WRI rubric composite· WRI rubric
96.0
Among the highest ideological-neutrality scores on this list.

Where it sits

Among the world's elite tier.

Cape Verde holds 103rd of 211 with a WRI Score of 64.51 — holds a comfortable position in the upper half. Its strength lies in military posture (100) and ideological neutrality (96); GDP per capita remains a clear structural constraint.