Unemployment Rate: Cabo Verde

Analysis# Cabo Verde Unemployment Rate Cabo Verde's unemployment rate stands at 8.5% in 2026, representing a dramatic improvement from its peak of 26% in 1992. Since 1980, the country has achieved a 60.5% reduction in unemployment, reflecting sustained economic progress. The current rate matches the all-time low recorded in 2019, positioning Cabo Verde among the better-performing economies in the region. A pivotal shift occurred between 2018 and 2019, when unemployment dropped sharply from 12.2% to 8.5%—a 3.7 percentage point decline in a single year. This improvement has proven durable, with the rate holding steady at 8.5% for seven consecutive years through 2026. Projections indicate this stabilization will continue, suggesting Cabo Verde has successfully transitioned to a more stable labor market equilibrium.