Cape Verde

Cape Verde has suffered severe droughts during the twentieth century. As a result there are currently more people with origins in Cape Verde living outside the country than in it. Although the country has suffered a great deal, in 2008 it became the second nation since Botswana to be promoted by the United Nations out of the UN classification as one of the 50 least developed countries.

The primary religion of the country is Roman Catholicism, with more than 85 percent of the population claiming membership. The largest of several Protestant churches is the Church of the Nazarene. Seventh-day Adventists, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Assemblies of God, the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, and other Pentecostal and evangelical groups are among the other Protestant religions. There are also small Muslim and Baha’i communities.

The Constitution provides for freedom of religion and the separation of church and state. However, the Catholic Church has a privileged status. The government provides the church with free time on state-run television to broadcast its services. The Constitution also prohibits the state from imposing religious beliefs and practices. In recent years there have been no known reports of abuses or infringements on people’s right to practice their religion freely in Cape Verde.

2010 U.S. State Department International Religious Freedom Report on Cape Verde

Cape Verde - New World Encyclopedia

Cape Verde Country Profile- BBC News