Key Facts: Cape Verde Wages
- Country
- Cape Verde (CPV)
- Continent
- Africa
- Currency
- Cape Verdean escudo (CVE)
- Minimum Wage
- $98.08 /hr ($1.05 USD)
- Average Gross Monthly Salary
- $45,000 /month
- Average Gross Annual Salary
- $540,000 /year
- Median Individual Income
- $204,000 /year
- Standard Work Week
- 44 hours
- Data Source
- Government of Cabo Verde / Ministry of Finance
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-25
Cape Verde — Average Salary & Wages
Cape Verdean escudo (CVE) Data verified Jan 2026 Sources
The average salary in Cape Verde is
$540,000 a year
But half of all workers earn less than $204,000 .
The average is lifted by bonuses and high earners. Most workers earn less than that.
The minimum wage in Cape Verde is $98.08/hr ($1.05 USD) as of 2026. The average gross monthly salary is $45,000 ($480.62 USD). The median monthly income is $17,000 ($181.57 USD).
Estimates. Cape Verde is classified as a lower-middle-income country by the World Bank. Remittances from the diaspora play a significant role in household income.
Estimated average monthly earnings in the formal sector. Tourism, financial services, and telecommunications offer higher wages. Significant variation between Praia/Mindelo and other islands.
Minimum Wage Trend
Since 2008, the minimum wage has grown +55% in nominal terms.
• PPP ADJUSTED
In Cape Verde, the minimum wage has the purchasing power of $2.07/hr in the United States, adjusted for local cost of living using the World Bank PPP conversion factor.
In Context
At minimum wage, a full-time worker in Cape Verde earns $17,000/mo. That is 38% of the average gross salary.
- Monthly (full-time)
- $17,000 at min. wage
- Share of avg. salary
- 38% gross, before tax
- USD equivalent
- $181.57/mo monthly
- Nominal growth
- +55% since 2008
Wage Breakdown
- Hourly
- $98.08
- Monthly
- $17,000
- Annual
- $204,000Based on 12 monthly payments
National minimum wage for the private sector, increased from CVE 15,000 to CVE 17,000 effective January 1, 2025, following an agreement between social partners and the government in August 2024. Public administration sector minimum is CVE 19,000/month. The previous increase (from CVE 13,000 to CVE 15,000) took effect January 1, 2024, after a decade without adjustment.
Work Week
- Standard
- 44 hrs/wk
- Maximum
- 44 hrs/wk
- Overtime
- 1.5x pay
Legal maximum of 44 hours per week, spread over 5 or 6 days, with daily work not exceeding 8 hours (extendable by 1 hour with an additional half-day rest). Overtime capped at 2 hours/day and 160 hours/year (extendable to 300 with written consent). Overtime paid at 150% of normal rate. Governed by Labor Code (Legislative Decree No. 5/2007).
How Cape Verde Compares
| Metric | Cape Verde | Africa Avg. | Africa Highest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min. wage (USD equiv.) | $1.05/hr | $0.91/hr | $6.06/hr (Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha) |
| Avg. salary (USD equiv.) | $480.62/mo | $381.86/mo | $1,630.41/mo (South Africa) |
Countries with Similar Minimum Wages
| Country | Min. Wage /hr (USD) |
|---|---|
| Kazakhstan | $1.05 |
| Algeria | $1.02 |
| Tuvalu | $1.08 |
| Iran | $1.02 |
| Samoa | $1.09 |
| Cape Verde | $1.05 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Cape Verde?
The minimum wage in Cape Verde is $98.08/hr (approximately $1.05 USD), effective since 2025-01-01. National minimum wage for the private sector, increased from CVE 15,000 to CVE 17,000 effective January 1, 2025, following an agreement between social partners and the government in August 2024. Public administration sector minimum is CVE 19,000/month. The previous increase (from CVE 13,000 to CVE 15,000) took effect January 1, 2024, after a decade without adjustment.
What is the average salary in Cape Verde?
The average gross monthly salary in Cape Verde is $45,000 (approximately $480.62 USD). Estimated average monthly earnings in the formal sector. Tourism, financial services, and telecommunications offer higher wages. Significant variation between Praia/Mindelo and other islands. Source: Instituto Nacional de Estatistica (INE) / World Bank estimates (2024).
How many hours is the standard work week in Cape Verde?
The standard work week in Cape Verde is 44 hours, with a legal maximum of 44 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the normal rate. Legal maximum of 44 hours per week, spread over 5 or 6 days, with daily work not exceeding 8 hours (extendable by 1 hour with an additional half-day rest). Overtime capped at 2 hours/day and 160 hours/year (extendable to 300 with written consent). Overtime paid at 150% of normal rate. Governed by Labor Code (Legislative Decree No. 5/2007).
How has the minimum wage in Cape Verde changed over time?
The minimum wage in Cape Verde has changed as follows: $11,000 in 2008, $13,000 in 2014, $15,000 in 2024, $17,000 in 2025. This represents 4 recorded adjustments.
What is the minimum wage in Cape Verde in USD?
The minimum wage in Cape Verde converts to approximately $1.05/hr in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
What is the average salary in Cape Verde in USD?
The average gross monthly salary in Cape Verde is approximately $480.62 per month in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
How does Cape Verde's minimum wage compare to the Africa average?
Cape Verde's minimum wage ranks #8 out of 33 countries with statutory minimum wages in Africa, placing it above the median for Africa.
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