2025 country profile

How democratic is
Cape Verde?

Cape Verde scores 70.4 out of 100 and ranks 51 of 179 in our independent 2025 democracy measure. Its lowest-scoring test is public participation. Explore the evidence and history below.

Democracys.org beta estimate, derived from V-Dem v16. A measure of political institutions and conditions—not a percentage of democracy or a judgment of people.

Printable country brief Compare this country

DEMOCRACYS SCORE

70.4out of 100Substantial but incomplete

2025 rank51 of 179

10-year change−4.8

25-year change−4.2

Source-bound range63.4–77.8

Weakest areaParticipation

The source-bound range is an uncertainty guide, not a confidence interval for this combined score. How to read the range →

SCORE HISTORY

Cape Verde, 1975–2025

The shaded area is a plain-language uncertainty guide. Treat small score differences cautiously.

About uncertainty

BEYOND THE NUMBERS

What changed on the ground?

A documented development to help interpret the institutions behind the score.

2024 context · Freedom House assessment

Local elections demonstrated competitive access to office

The opposition won control of more municipalities than the governing party in December elections. Freedom House reports no major disruption, while noting a small number of complaints referred to prosecutors. The relevant test is whether competing groups can win and exercise office, not whether the incumbent party remains popular.

Read the country report · Freedom in the World 2025

AI-assisted source summary · not independently expert-reviewed

What this context does—and does not—explain

This is a selected development, not a complete political history. Its date may differ from the selected comparison period. It is not evidence that one event caused a particular number of points, and it may describe progress even when this index declines.

The scores use V-Dem. The narrative summarizes a separate assessment by Freedom House, whose definitions and coverage differ. Neither organization endorses this website. The summary is AI-assisted, source-linked, and has not received independent country-expert review. Source checked October 5, 2026.

Why democracy measures can disagree →

UNDERSTAND THE CHANGE

What drove the score?

2015–2025 · the measured story

The score for Cape Verde fell 4.8 points, from 75.2 to 70.4 between 2015 and 2025. 1 of the five areas improved while 4 worsened, so the headline combines competing movements. Public reasoning contributed the largest downward push in the score calculation.

Read the political context ↓

Largest influence on the calculation

Public reasoning

The evidence rates public justification, consultation, and engagement with opposing arguments less favorably.

Area score: 80.3 → 69.2
Approx. contribution to overall change: −2.2 points

Moving in the other direction

Participation

The evidence rates opportunities to participate through civic organizations, direct democracy, and local or regional institutions more favorably.

Area score: 50.8 → 53.8
Approx. contribution to overall change: +0.7 points

These contributions explain the calculation—not the causes. The five area scores combine several indicators; they do not identify which individual law, election, or event changed.

When did the biggest shifts appear?

The largest year-to-year movements within this period. These are changes in annual estimates, not precise dates of political events.

2015–2016−1.2 points
The overall score fell from 75.2 to 74.0. Public reasoning supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2020–2021−1.2 points
The overall score fell from 73.7 to 72.5. Political equality supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2021–2022−1.2 points
The overall score fell from 72.5 to 71.3. Elections supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.

Highest published score in this window: 75.2 in 2015. Small differences may fall within the source’s uncertainty.

See all five areas and how contributions are calculated

Changes in inputs versus contributions to the overall score
Area	2015	2025	Input change	Approx. contribution
Public reasoning	80.3	69.2	−11.1	−2.2
Political equality	78.8	72.0	−6.8	−1.3
Rights and checks	89.9	84.5	−5.4	−1.0
Elections	79.5	74.5	−5.0	−1.0
Participation	50.8	53.8	+3.0	+0.7

We change the five inputs from their starting to ending values in every possible order, then average each area’s effect on the formula. This distributes the formula’s interactions (a Shapley allocation). It is a mathematical attribution, not a causal estimate.

Inputs and published scores are rounded, so contributions are approximate and may not add exactly to the displayed total. No significance test is implied. Read the full scoring method →

BENEATH THE SCORE

Five dimensions of democracy

The headline score cannot show where a political system is strong or constrained. These five tests can. Each has equal weight in the beta standard.

Free and fair elections

Can people choose their leaders through broad voting rights, honest elections, free political groups, and open public debate?

74.5

Rights and checks on power

Are basic freedoms protected, laws applied fairly, courts independent, and leaders prevented from abusing power?

84.5

Public participation

Can people shape public life through civic groups, direct voting, and meaningful local and regional government?

53.8

Public reasoning

Do leaders explain decisions, consult the public, answer opposing arguments, and consider the common good?

69.2

Political equality

Do different social groups have equal rights, access, resources, and a real chance to influence political power?

72.0

HOW TO READ THIS PROFILE

Two kinds of evidence.
One clearer picture.

The score breakdown identifies which parts of the measure changed most. The country report adds documented political context. Together they help explain the institutions at stake—but they do not prove that a specific event produced a specific number of points.

Why this score differs from other democracy indices →

What a declining score can—and cannot—tell us about democratic backsliding

A recent improvement can coexist with a long-term decline. Always compare the dates, check the linked source, and consider developments the selected narrative does not cover.

ANNUAL DATA

Cape Verde score table

Download Cape Verde CSV

Year	Score	Source-bound range	Elections	Rights & checks	Participation	Reasoning	Equality
2025	70.4	63.4–77.8	74.5	84.5	53.8	69.2	72.0
2024	70.8	64.1–78.3	75.2	85.8	52.8	69.7	72.7
2023	71.0	65.0–79.0	75.0	86.1	52.8	70.0	73.1
2022	71.3	64.9–78.6	75.4	86.8	52.8	70.0	73.6
2021	72.5	66.5–80.0	77.5	88.0	53.3	71.3	74.9
2020	73.7	68.1–81.2	79.3	89.2	53.3	71.8	77.4
2019	74.2	68.6–81.3	79.0	90.7	53.3	72.7	78.3
2018	73.2	66.7–79.9	78.3	90.9	51.5	70.3	77.9
2017	74.0	67.9–80.7	79.7	89.5	51.5	75.3	76.8
2016	74.0	68.0–80.5	80.0	90.0	50.0	75.8	77.4
2015	75.2	69.9–81.7	79.5	89.9	50.8	80.3	78.8
2014	75.2	70.0–81.9	79.4	90.0	50.8	79.9	79.4
2013	75.3	69.6–81.9	79.4	90.3	50.8	80.0	79.4
2012	76.0	70.9–82.3	78.8	90.3	50.8	84.8	78.7
2011	75.9	70.4–81.8	78.8	90.3	50.8	84.2	78.8
2010	75.7	70.9–82.3	77.9	90.3	51.0	84.0	78.8
2009	75.8	70.6–82.1	78.2	90.3	50.5	84.0	79.8
2008	76.0	70.6–82.2	78.2	90.3	50.5	84.8	79.8
2007	75.6	70.2–82.2	78.1	90.3	50.5	84.1	78.7
2006	75.4	70.2–82.0	77.8	90.3	50.5	84.1	77.9
2005	75.2	69.6–81.8	76.7	90.3	50.5	84.1	77.8
2004	75.1	69.6–81.8	76.7	90.0	50.5	84.1	77.8
2003	75.1	69.6–81.8	76.7	90.0	50.5	84.1	77.8
2002	75.1	69.6–81.8	76.7	90.0	50.5	84.1	77.8
2001	74.4	69.1–81.5	76.2	90.0	50.5	83.0	75.6
2000	74.6	69.3–81.5	77.2	89.9	50.5	83.0	75.6
1999	74.7	69.3–81.5	77.8	89.9	50.5	83.0	75.6
1998	74.7	69.3–81.6	77.8	90.0	50.5	83.0	75.6
1997	74.7	69.3–81.6	77.8	90.0	50.5	83.0	75.6
1996	74.8	69.6–82.0	77.6	90.0	50.5	83.0	76.2
1995	73.9	68.3–81.0	73.2	90.0	50.5	83.0	76.2
1994	72.7	67.1–80.0	71.4	90.0	50.5	83.0	71.9
1993	72.7	67.1–80.0	71.4	90.0	50.5	83.0	71.9
1992	71.4	65.7–79.0	71.4	90.0	45.5	83.0	71.9
1991	66.8	59.9–74.6	66.2	87.1	40.4	73.6	71.9
1990	49.3	40.6–56.4	33.8	71.4	20.0	64.7	70.0
1989	48.8	40.2–55.8	32.1	70.7	20.0	66.3	68.5
1988	48.8	40.2–55.8	32.1	70.7	20.0	66.3	68.5
1987	46.4	37.6–53.5	31.2	69.4	20.0	55.3	68.5
1986	46.3	37.6–53.5	31.2	68.9	20.0	55.3	68.5
1985	46.2	37.8–53.6	30.2	68.9	20.0	55.3	69.3
1984	46.2	37.8–53.6	30.2	68.9	20.0	55.3	69.3
1983	46.1	37.7–53.5	30.2	68.4	20.0	55.3	69.3
1982	46.1	37.7–53.5	30.2	68.4	20.0	55.3	69.3
1981	46.1	37.7–53.5	30.2	68.4	20.0	55.3	69.3
1980	40.0	32.8–46.4	16.6	53.8	20.0	55.3	69.3
1979	39.2	31.8–45.2	15.6	51.9	20.0	55.3	68.3
1978	39.2	31.8–45.2	15.6	51.9	20.0	55.3	68.3
1977	39.2	31.8–45.2	15.6	51.9	20.0	55.3	68.3
1976	39.2	31.8–45.2	15.6	51.9	20.0	55.3	68.3
1975	27.0	19.6–33.3	19.4	56.9	14.9	12.8	42.9
1974	10.8	5.7–14.2	3.8	31.5	8.6	5.0	12.8
1973	10.6	5.9–13.6	3.8	33.5	6.8	5.0	12.8
1972	7.8	3.7–10.5	3.8	13.2	6.8	5.0	12.8
1971	7.3	3.3–9.9	2.3	13.2	6.8	5.0	12.8
1970	7.3	3.3–9.9	2.2	13.2	6.8	5.0	13.0
1969	7.3	3.3–9.9	2.2	13.1	6.8	5.0	13.0
1968	7.3	3.2–9.8	2.2	13.1	6.8	5.0	12.9
1967	7.3	3.2–9.8	2.2	13.1	6.8	5.0	12.9
1966	7.3	3.2–9.8	2.2	13.1	6.8	5.0	12.9
1965	7.3	3.2–9.8	2.2	13.1	6.8	5.0	12.9
1964	7.3	3.2–9.8	2.2	13.1	6.8	5.0	12.9
1963	7.3	3.2–9.8	2.2	13.1	6.8	5.0	12.9
1962	7.3	3.2–9.8	2.2	13.1	6.8	5.0	12.9
1961	7.3	3.2–9.8	2.2	13.1	6.8	5.0	12.9
1960	7.3	3.2–9.8	2.2	13.1	6.8	5.0	12.9
1959	7.3	3.2–9.8	2.2	13.1	6.8	5.0	12.9
1958	7.3	3.2–9.8	2.2	13.1	6.8	5.0	12.9
1957	7.3	3.2–9.8	2.2	13.1	6.8	5.0	12.9
1956	7.3	3.2–9.8	2.2	13.1	6.8	5.0	12.9
1955	7.3	3.2–9.8	2.2	13.1	6.8	5.0	12.9
1954	7.3	3.2–9.8	2.2	13.1	6.8	5.0	12.9
1953	7.3	3.2–9.8	2.2	13.1	6.8	5.0	12.9
1952	7.3	3.2–9.8	2.2	13.1	6.8	5.0	12.9
1951	7.3	3.2–9.8	2.2	13.1	6.8	5.0	12.9
1950	7.1	3.2–9.7	2.2	13.1	5.8	5.0	12.9
1949	6.8	3.0–9.2	1.7	13.1	5.3	5.0	12.9
1948	6.8	3.0–9.2	1.7	13.1	5.3	5.0	12.9
1947	6.8	3.0–9.2	1.7	13.1	5.3	5.0	12.9
1946	6.8	3.0–9.2	1.7	13.1	5.3	5.0	12.9
1945	6.8	3.0–9.2	1.7	13.1	5.3	5.0	12.9
1944	6.8	3.0–9.3	1.7	12.9	5.3	5.0	12.9
1943	6.8	3.0–9.3	1.7	12.9	5.3	5.0	12.9
1942	6.8	3.0–9.3	1.7	12.9	5.3	5.0	12.9
1941	6.8	3.0–9.3	1.7	12.9	5.3	5.0	12.9
1940	6.8	3.0–9.3	1.7	12.9	5.3	5.0	12.9
1939	6.7	2.9–9.2	1.7	12.9	4.9	5.0	12.9
1938	6.7	2.9–9.2	1.7	12.9	4.9	5.0	12.9
1937	6.7	2.9–9.2	1.7	12.9	4.9	5.0	12.9
1936	6.7	2.9–9.2	1.7	12.9	4.9	5.0	12.9
1935	6.7	2.9–9.2	1.7	12.9	4.9	5.0	12.9
1934	6.7	2.9–9.2	1.7	12.9	4.9	5.0	12.9
1933	6.7	2.9–9.2	1.7	12.9	4.9	5.0	12.9
1932	6.7	3.0–9.3	2.0	12.9	4.7	5.0	12.6
1931	6.8	3.1–9.5	2.2	12.9	5.9	5.0	11.3
1930	6.8	3.1–9.5	2.2	12.9	5.9	5.0	11.3
1929	6.8	3.1–9.5	2.2	12.9	5.9	5.0	11.3
1928	6.8	3.1–9.5	2.2	12.9	5.9	5.0	11.3
1927	6.8	3.1–9.5	2.2	12.9	5.9	5.0	11.3
1926	6.8	3.1–9.5	2.2	12.9	5.9	5.0	11.3
1925	7.0	3.0–9.5	2.6	12.9	5.9	5.0	11.3
1924	7.0	3.0–9.5	2.6	12.9	5.9	5.0	11.3
1923	7.0	3.0–9.5	2.6	12.9	5.9	5.0	11.3
1922	7.0	3.0–9.5	2.6	12.9	5.9	5.0	11.3
1921	7.0	3.0–9.5	2.6	12.9	5.9	5.0	11.3
1920	7.0	3.0–9.5	2.6	12.9	5.9	5.0	11.3
1919	7.0	3.0–9.5	2.6	12.9	5.9	5.0	11.3
1918	7.0	3.0–9.5	2.6	12.9	5.9	5.0	11.3
1917	7.0	3.0–9.5	2.6	12.9	5.9	5.0	11.3
1916	7.0	3.0–9.5	2.6	12.9	5.9	5.0	11.3
1915	7.0	3.0–9.5	2.6	12.9	5.9	5.0	11.3
1914	7.0	3.0–9.5	2.6	12.9	5.9	5.0	11.3
1913	7.0	3.0–9.5	2.6	12.9	5.9	5.0	11.3
1912	7.0	3.0–9.5	2.6	12.9	5.9	5.0	11.3
1911	7.0	3.0–9.5	2.6	12.9	5.9	5.0	11.3
1910	7.0	3.1–9.6	2.7	12.9	5.9	5.0	11.3
1909	6.9	3.1–9.6	2.3	12.8	5.9	5.0	11.3
1908	6.9	3.1–9.6	2.3	12.8	5.9	5.0	11.3
1907	6.9	3.1–9.6	2.3	12.8	5.9	5.0	11.3
1906	6.9	3.1–9.6	2.3	12.8	5.9	5.0	11.3
1905	6.9	3.1–9.6	2.3	12.8	5.9	5.0	11.3
1904	6.9	3.1–9.6	2.3	12.8	5.9	5.0	11.3
1903	6.9	3.1–9.6	2.3	12.8	5.9	5.0	11.3
1902	6.9	3.1–9.6	2.3	12.8	5.9	5.0	11.3
1901	6.9	3.1–9.6	2.3	12.8	5.9	5.0	11.3
1900	6.9	3.1–9.6	2.3	12.8	5.9	5.0	11.3

CITE THIS PROFILE

Source and attribution

Democracys.org (2026), “Cape Verde Democracy Score, 1900–2025,” Democracys Standard v1.0 beta; derived from Coppedge et al. (2026), V-Dem Country-Year Dataset v16.

Open source DOI

NEARBY IN THE 2025 RANKING

#49Moldova70.8 #50Bulgaria70.4 #52Senegal70.4 #53The Gambia68.4

All rankings

How democratic isCape Verde?

Cape Verde, 1975–2025

Local elections demonstrated competitive access to office

Public reasoning

Participation

When did the biggest shifts appear?

Five dimensions of democracy

Free and fair elections

Rights and checks on power

Public participation

Public reasoning

Political equality

Two kinds of evidence.One clearer picture.

Cape Verde score table

Source and attribution

How democratic is
Cape Verde?

Two kinds of evidence.
One clearer picture.