Cape Verde is an archipelago off the coast of West Africa. It is made up of 10 islands and 8 islets, with the capital city of Praia located on the island of Santiago. It has a population of over 500,000 people and covers an area of about 4,033 km2 (1,557 sq mi).
The society in Cape Verde is shaped by a mixture of Portuguese and African cultures. This blend is evident in their language, cuisine, music, religion and traditions. The official language spoken in Cape Verde is Portuguese but many locals also speak Creole as their first language. The predominant religion is Catholicism but the country also has a number of Protestant churches.
The economy in Cape Verde relies heavily on tourism and fishing as well as its strong agricultural sector which grows coffee, sugarcane and fruits such as bananas and mangoes. The country also has a growing service sector which includes banking and finance services as well as telecommunications infrastructure which allows for internet access to all parts of the country.
Cape Verdeans enjoy a high level of human development according to the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI). This includes access to basic healthcare services such as primary care clinics and hospitals as well as education from pre-primary school through to tertiary level institutions such as universities.
Cape Verdeans are generally very welcoming people who enjoy socialising with family members or friends at cafes or restaurants or attending traditional festivals such as Carnival or New Year’s Eve celebrations. Music is also very popular among locals with genres such Morna being particularly popular among older generations while younger people tend to prefer genres like Kizomba or Reggaeton.
Overall, it can be said that Cape Verde offers its citizens an environment that promotes both economic development and social cohesion through its strong cultural heritage combined with modern advances in technology that allow for greater access to education, healthcare services and employment opportunities for all its citizens regardless of age or gender.
Demographics of Cape Verde
Cape Verde is an archipelago off the northwest coast of Africa and is composed of 10 islands and 8 islets. According to wholevehicles.com, the population of Cape Verde was estimated at 545,989 in 2019, with a population density of 136 people per km2 (352 per sq mi). The majority of citizens live in rural areas, with only about 20% living in urban areas.
The largest city and capital is Praia, located on the island of Santiago. Other major cities include Mindelo on the island of São Vicente, Assomada on Santiago Island, Santa Maria on Sal Island and Espargos on Sal Island.
The demographics of Cape Verde are diverse and reflect its history as a former Portuguese colony. The majority (71%) are Creole people who have African and European ancestry while about 28% are white or mixed race (mestiço). There are also small populations of Europeans, Asians and Mulattos.
In terms of religion, 85% identify as Roman Catholic while 8% identify as Protestant or other Christian denominations. A small number (1%) adhere to Islam or other religions such as Buddhism or Hinduism.
Cape Verde has a young population with nearly half (48%) aged under 24 years old and a median age of 21 years old. Life expectancy for both men and women is 73 years old which is higher than the global average life expectancy which stands at around 70 years old for both sexes.
The literacy rate in Cape Verde stands at around 90%, one of the highest rates in Africa. Education is free up to secondary level but higher education costs money so access can be limited for some families who cannot afford it. Despite this, education levels are generally high with many citizens having obtained tertiary qualifications such as university degrees or professional certifications such as nursing or engineering qualifications.
Cape Verde has a vibrant economy that relies heavily on tourism as well as fishing, agriculture and services sectors such as banking and finance services telecommunications infrastructure which allows for internet access to all parts of the country. Unemployment levels remain high however at around 18%, particularly among younger generations who often struggle to find suitable employment opportunities due to lack of experience or skills required by employers in today’s market place.
Poverty in Cape Verde
Poverty is a major challenge facing Cape Verde, with an estimated 20% of the population living below the poverty line. This figure is even higher in rural areas, where approximately one third of the population lives in poverty. Poverty in Cape Verde is both urban and rural, affecting those living in both cities and villages. Those living in poverty are often unable to access basic services such as education and health care due to financial constraints.
The main causes of poverty in Cape Verde are low incomes, unemployment and underemployment. The majority of people living in poverty are employed but earn wages that are too low to allow them to meet their basic needs or save for the future. Unemployment levels remain high at around 18%, particularly among younger generations who often struggle to find suitable employment opportunities due to lack of experience or skills required by employers in today’s market place. In addition, many people work on a casual basis without any form of social security or benefits such as health insurance or unemployment benefits which leaves them vulnerable if they become ill or lose their job.
In addition, access to basic services such as education and health care can be difficult for those living in poverty due to financial constraints. Education is free up to secondary level but higher education costs money so access can be limited for some families who cannot afford it. Health care costs can also be prohibitively expensive for those on low incomes with many having no access to medical insurance or any form of social security which could provide them with financial assistance if they become ill or injured.
Finally, inequality remains a significant problem in Cape Verde with income disparities between rich and poor households widening over recent years as a result of economic growth favouring richer households more than poorer ones. This has led to increased levels of deprivation amongst poorer households who have not been able to benefit from economic growth experienced by the country over recent years while wealthy households have become richer still despite rising levels of inequality across society as a whole.
In order to address the issue of poverty in Cape Verde, there needs to be a greater investment into creating jobs that pay decent wages and provide social security benefits such as health insurance and unemployment benefits so that people have some form of protection when they fall ill or lose their job through no fault of their own. In addition, there needs to be greater investment into improving access to basic services such as education and health care so that all citizens regardless of their financial situation have access to these vital services which are essential for improving quality life outcomes amongst all members of society regardless of their socio-economic background.
Labor Market in Cape Verde
According to Countryvv, the labor market in Cape Verde is characterized by a high level of informality, low wages, and limited access to social security benefits. The majority of the population is employed in the informal sector, which includes subsistence agriculture and fishing, small-scale services such as hairdressing and tailoring, and jobs in the construction industry. The formal economy is comprised of tourism, manufacturing, and government services.
In terms of wages, most workers in the informal sector earn less than the national minimum wage set by the government. This has resulted in a large number of people living below the poverty line with many facing difficulty in making ends meet due to their low incomes. In addition to this, those working in the informal sector have little or no access to social security benefits such as health insurance or unemployment benefits which leaves them vulnerable if they become ill or lose their job.
The unemployment rate (11%) is relatively high compared to other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa due to a lack of job opportunities available for citizens who are unable to find work within the formal economy. This has been compounded by a rise in youth unemployment with many young people lacking skills or experience which would enable them to secure employment within the formal economy resulting in them being forced into informal employment where wages are much lower than those offered within the formal sector.
In order to address these issues and create more inclusive labor markets that provide decent work opportunities for all citizens regardless of their skills or experience level there needs to be greater investment into creating jobs that pay decent wages and provide social security benefits such as health insurance and unemployment benefits so that people have some form of protection when they fall ill or lose their job through no fault of their own. In addition, there needs to be a greater investment into providing training for young people so that they are equipped with the skills and experience needed by employers within both the formal and informal sectors so that they can gain meaningful employment opportunities that provide them with an adequate income on which they can live comfortably without having to rely on subsistence agriculture or small-scale services as their main source of income.
