Cape Verde Birth and Fertility Rates Hit Historic Lows
Cape Verde is experiencing a sharp and steady decline in its birth and fertility rates, according to new data released by the National Institute of Statistics (INE). The archipelago’s Vital Statistics bulletin for 2024 reveals that both population growth and marriage rates are slowing, signaling a significant demographic shift for the Atlantic nation.
Birth Rates Hit New Lows
In 2024, Cape Verde recorded 5,999 live births, a drop of 814 compared to the previous year. This decline pushed the crude birth rate down to 11.7 per thousand inhabitants, falling from 13.4 per thousand in 2023. This marks a continuation of a downward trend that experts first highlighted between 2022 and 2023.
The general fertility rate—a measure of live births per thousand women of childbearing age (15 to 49)—has plummeted even more dramatically. In 2016, the rate stood at 77.1 per thousand. By 2023, it had fallen to 52.5, and it reached a historic low of 46 per thousand in 2024. The INE confirmed this is the lowest value recorded since the current tracking period began in 2016.
Seasonal Patterns and Daily Averages
Despite the overall decline, certain seasonal trends remain consistent. For the fourth year in a row, September emerged as the busiest month for maternity wards, with 573 births recorded—an average of 19 per day. June saw the fewest births, with only 364 babies born, averaging 12 per day.
Rising Mortality and Fewer Marriages
While births are decreasing, the mortality rate has seen a slight uptick. Cape Verde registered 3,082 deaths in 2024, an increase of 157 over the previous year. This pushed the crude mortality rate to 6 per thousand, up from 5.7 in 2023.
The data also suggests a shift in social structures, as fewer couples are heading to the altar. The country registered 2,236 marriages in 2024, down by 199 from the previous year. The marriage rate now stands at 4.4 per thousand, compared to 4.8 per thousand in 2023.
These converging trends—fewer births, fewer marriages, and a slight increase in deaths—point to a changing demographic landscape for Cape Verde as it navigates the complexities of a shrinking natural growth rate.
Image: Pexels – Piotrek Wilk
