COUNTRY CAPE VERDE

Country Cape Verde

Country Cape Verde

Introduction

Cape Verde is an Island country, spanning to 10 different islands, located in the central Atlantic Ocean, near the coast of West Africa. It covers an area of 4000 square kilometer of volcanic origin. It is barren country, where it hardly rains, and the landscapes are not green. The country has a population of 500,000, and the capital city of the country is Praia. Around 40% population lives in rural areas, 20% lives below the poverty line and the literacy rate of the country is 85%. It has a very stable democratic government, and the country is witnessing notable economic growth irrespective of lack of natural resources. Donor and development organizations regularly provide assistance to the country that helps the country achieve economic growth. The economic growth of the country increased to 5.3% in 2010 as compared to 3.6% in 2009. Apart from the economic growth, foreign direct investment and associated construction witnessed a decline in 2010; it would require more assistance from donor organization and European Union, in order to achieve good results.

Poverty in Cape Verde

Although, the country has achieved economic development and its literacy rate is very high too, but due to poor natural resources, country is primarily very poor. There are many factors that lead to such state of poverty in the country. It witnesses prolonged periods of droughts, water shortage problems, and sometimes a bizarre economic growth. People find it difficult to cope up with these problems, but the issue did not become very significant due to the fact that the country witnessed high mortality rates and famines, the country was able to get out of a serious problem. The country is still witnessing very high pressure, in terms of resources and it is difficult for the country to manage the resources. Increase in rural migration is making water and sanitation problems more severe.

All the factors discussed, are causing an increase in the overall increase in the poverty of the country. Most of the people living under the poverty line are living in rural areas. In the rural areas, 70% people are poor and 85% is leaving in ultra poor condition. Poverty is causing an increase in the unemployment rate, and it has now increased to 25%. Although, the overall literacy of the country is very good, but poor people are mostly illiterate, due to which they find it difficult to get decent jobs. Remittances are one of the major source through which country and its people are able to manage resources and survive. The country has faced this trend from last few decades. Remittances average around 12% of GDP from 1989 to 1992. The families living in the country largely depend on the remittances and 60% to 70% of Cape Verde families rely on remittances, which are the only major source of income for these families (Lopes, J., Nunes, A., & Balsa, C, 2011).

National Disaster

The country faces serious problems of limited resources and natural disasters ...