Cape Verde
Atlantic island chain with reliable trade winds and visa-free access
63/100 FutureLife Score #107 FutureLife Index 2026
63/100
FutureLife Score
#107
FutureLife Index 2026
Save to board
$1,000
Comfortable/mo
7/10
Safety
5.8/10
Healthcare
#72
Happiness rank
Key Scores
63/100
Higher = better
Future Life Score
7/10
Safety Index
5.8/10
Healthcare
#72
Lower = happier
Happiness Rank
Why people move to Cape Verde
+Almost year-round sunshine - 350 days a year
+10 diverse islands each with distinct character
+Safer than most African mainland destinations
+Portuguese-speaking with Creole culture
+World-class kitesurfing on Sal and Boa Vista
Island LifeBeachSafe Africa
Culture & context
Lusophone Atlantic archipelago off West Africa - Creole culture, morna music tradition (Cesária Évora), volcanic islands.
People, religion & languages
Population
~600K
67% urban
Languages
Portuguese (official) and Cape Verdean Creole
Also: English (tourism, US diaspora ties)
Day-to-day English
Moderate in tourism.
Religion
Catholic majority - Portuguese colonial heritage.
Catholic
77%
Protestant
10%
No affiliation
11%
Other
2%
Culture & etiquette
What locals value and what to watch for
Morabeza (warmth)Music (morna, coladeira)FamilyOcean lifeCreole identity
Do
- Listen to morna music - it's the cultural soul
- Greet warmly
Avoid
- Confusing Cape Verde with mainland Africa - distinct island culture
Pace of life
Famously slow ('no stress').
Expat-friendliness
Welcoming; small but growing expat community.
Holidays & food culture
Cachupa (slow-cooked corn and beans) is national dish.
CachupaPastelGrogue (sugar-cane spirit)
Mealtimes
Lunch 13:00–14:30, dinner 20:00–22:00.
Dietary norms
Fish-led; veg accessible.
Major holidays
July 5
Independence Day
January 20
Heroes Day
December 25
Christmas
Work culture & business norms
Working weekMonday–Friday
Hours08:00–17:00.
HierarchyModerate.
PunctualityFlexible - island time.
Meeting stylePersonal first.
Business attireSmart casual.
Monthly cost snapshot
Comfortable lifestyle$1,000/mo
Semi-Luxury lifestyle$1,800/mo
Luxury lifestyle$3,700/mo
Single person, before income tax
AI affordability check
At $4,000/month remote income you'd have $3,000 surplus after budget-tier costs - saving 75% of your income.
Quick facts
LanguagePortuguese
CurrencyCVE
Internet20 Mbps avg
EnglishModerate
Future Life Score63/100
Future Life Rank#107
PR pathModerate
CitizenshipNo clear path
Passport rank#80
Visa-free80 countries
Income tax30% top rate
VAT20%
CapitalPraia
Best airportsSID (Sal), RAI (Praia), BVC (Boa Vista)
Coastline965 km Atlantic
Population~600K
Avg temp27°C / 81°F
Visa options
Tourist VisaEasy
Residency PermitModerate
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