Cameroon

Country Flag Details

three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), red, and yellow, with a yellow five-pointed star centered in the red band; the vertical tricolor recalls the flag of France; red symbolizes unity, yellow the sun, happiness, and the savannahs in the north, and green hope and the forests in the south; the star is referred to as the “star of unity”

note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Background

Cameroon resulted from the merger of former French Cameroon and British Cameroon in the early 1960s. The country has generally enjoyed stability, permitting the development of agriculture, roads, railways, and a petroleum industry.

Geography

Area

total : 475,440 sq km
land: 472,710 sq km
water: 2,730 sq km

Climate

varies with terrain, from tropical along coast to semiarid and hot in north

Natural resources

petroleum, bauxite, iron ore, timber, hydropower

People and Society

Population

total: 30,966,105

Ethnic groups

Bamileke-Bamu 22.2%, Biu-Mandara 16.4%, Arab-Choa/Hausa/Kanuri 13.5%, Beti/Bassa, Mbam 13.1%, Grassfields 9.9%, Adamawa-Ubangi, 9.8%, Cotier/Ngoe/Oroko 4.6%, Southwestern Bantu 4.3%, Kako/Meka 2.3%, foreign/other ethnic group 3.8% (2022 est.)

Languages

24 major African language groups, English (official), French (official)

Religions

Roman Catholic 33.1%, Muslim 30.6%, Protestant 27.1% other Christian 6.1%, animist 1.3%, other 0.7%, none 1.2% (2022 est.)

Population growth rate

2.71% (2024 est.)

Government

Government type

presidential republic

Capital

name: Yaounde

Executive branch

chief of state: President Paul BIYA (since 6 November 1982)
head of government: Prime Minister Joseph NGUTE (since 4 January 2019)

Economy

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$138.191 billion (2023 est.)
$133.843 billion (2022 est.)
$129.022 billion (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita

$4,900 (2023 est.)
$4,800 (2022 est.)
$4,800 (2021 est.)

Exports

$8.641 billion (2022 est.)
$7.447 billion (2021 est.)
$6.124 billion (2020 est.)

Exports – partners

Netherlands 21%, France 14%, UAE 13%, India 9%, China 8% (2023)

Exports – commodities

crude petroleum, natural gas, gold, cocoa beans, wood (2023)

Imports

$9.759 billion (2022 est.)
$9.025 billion (2021 est.)
$7.212 billion (2020 est.)

Imports – partners

China 43%, France 6%, India 6%, Belgium 4%, UAE 4% (2023)

Imports – commodities

garments, refined petroleum, plastic products, wheat, rice (2023)

Export structure by product groups in 2023 ( % of total export) (UNSTAD)

The export profile of a nation reflects the diversity, composition, and economic significance of the goods and services it trades on the global stage, providing essential insights into the overall health of its economy, its competitive advantages, and its developmental status. In Cameroon, this profile showcases a strong blend of mineral fuels, agricultural products, and raw materials, with a notable reliance on crude oil and cocoa exports. These sectors are pivotal in shaping the nation’s economic landscape, highlighting a concerning lack of diversification that is critical for sustainable growth and future development.

Poverty and vulnerable employment in Cameroon (World Bank)

Vulnerable employment refers to a state characterized by a lack of job security, low wages, and inadequate social protections such as health insurance, pensions, and labor rights. This category primarily includes Own-Account Workers, who work independently without employees like street vendors and small-scale farmers, and Contributing Family Workers, who engage in family businesses or farms without formal remuneration. In 2023, approximately 68 percent of total employment in  Cameroon comprised vulnerable jobs. Such employment is frequently informal and unstable, lacking essential benefits, which makes these workers especially susceptible to economic shocks, exploitation, and the harsh realities of poverty.

Understanding poverty level significance at $2.15 per day

The poverty level at $2.15 per day (measured in 2017 purchasing power parity, or PPP) is a key global benchmark used by the World Bank to define extreme poverty in low-income countries. It indicates:
1. Basic Survival Threshold
• People living below $2.15 per day struggle to afford essential needs such as food, clean water, shelter, healthcare, and education.
2. Economic Underdevelopment
• A high percentage of a country’s population living below this threshold suggests low economic productivity, high unemployment, and weak social safety nets.
3. Inequality and Social Vulnerability
• It reflects deep income inequality and a lack of access to opportunities for upward mobility.
• People in this category are more vulnerable to shocks like food price increases, climate disasters, or health crises.
4. Policy Challenges
• Governments need targeted interventions such as social welfare programs, job creation, and improved access to education and healthcare to reduce poverty. In 2023, over 6 million people in Cameroon lived in poverty at $2.15 per day.

A country's export structure is a reflection of its level of development and productive capacities

The export structure of a country refers to the composition, diversity, and value of the goods and services it sells to other countries. It provides key insights into the country’s economic health, competitiveness, and level of development. Productive capacities of a country refer to its ability to produce goods and services efficiently and sustainably over time. These capacities are shaped by various factors, including human capital, natural resources, infrastructure, private sector, development, technology & innovation,  institutions & governance, financial systems trade & market access.

Here’s  what the export structure and productive capacities of a country  typically indicate:

  1. Level of Economic Development
  • Developed economies usually export high-value manufactured goods, technology, and services.
  • Developing economies often rely on raw materials, agricultural products, or low-value manufactured goods.
  1. Industrial and Sectoral Strengths
  • A strong presence of high-tech or industrial goods (e.g., machinery, electronics) suggests a well-developed manufacturing sector.
  • A dominance of commodities (e.g., oil, minerals, agricultural products) indicates reliance on natural resources.
  1. Export Diversification
  • A diverse export base (multiple industries) makes a country’s economy more stable and resilient to global price shocks.
  • A concentrated export base (few key products) makes it vulnerable to market fluctuations.
  1. Trade Partnerships and Dependence
  • If exports are heavily dependent on a single country or region, the economy is more exposed to geopolitical and trade risks.
  • A wide range of trading partners indicates stronger global integration.
  1. Competitiveness and Value Addition
  • Exporting mainly raw materials (e.g., crude oil instead of refined petroleum) suggests limited industrial processing capacity.
  • A high share of finished and high-tech goods suggests strong value addition and competitiveness.

Cameroon-Sanitation

Cameroon – Proportion of population served with at least basic sanitation

In 2022, the proportion of the population served with at least basic sanitation in Cameroon was 43.1 %. The proportion of the population served with at least basic sanitation in Cameroon increased from 38.3 % in 2000 to 43.1 % in 2022, an absolute change of 4.8 percentage points increase.

Cameroon – Proportion of urban population served with at least basic sanitation

In 2022, Cameroon’s urban population served with at least basic sanitation was 58.2 %. The proportion of urban population served with at least basic sanitation in Cameroon increased from 54.8 % in 2000 to 58.2 % in 2022, an absolute change of 3.4 pp increase.

Cameroon – Proportion of rural population served with at least basic sanitation

In 2022, the proportion of the rural population served with at least basic sanitation for Cameroon was 21.7 %. Proportion of rural population served with at least basic sanitation of Cameroon fell gradually from 24.5% in 2000 to 21.7 % in 2022, an absolute change of 2.8 pp decrease.

Cameroon – Proportion of population served with at least basic sanitation: A Global Perspective

In 2022, a staggering 57 percent of people in Cameroon were without access to even basic sanitation, highlighting a severe disparity when compared to countries like China, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam, which boasted access rates of 95.9 percent, 88.2 percent, 95.1 percent, and 99.0 percent respectively. The lack of safe sanitation facilities is not just a mere statistic; it represents a fundamental human right essential for ensuring health, preserving dignity, and promoting overall well-being. These alarming figures emphasize the pressing necessity for collaborative and unified efforts aimed at creating sustainable and inclusive solutions that can provide safe sanitation for everyone across Sub-Saharan Africa. By working together, we can build healthier and more resilient communities that thrive in dignity and health.

Cameroon- Proportion of the rural population with at least basic sanitation services: A Global Perspective

Unsafe sanitation remains a critical global issue, leading to the tragic loss of hundreds of thousands of lives each year and underscoring the urgent need for safe sanitation to be recognized as an essential human right for all individuals. Alarmingly, in 2022, a staggering 78 percent of the rural population in Cameroon lacked access to basic sanitation services. In sharp contrast, countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka have made significant strides in this area, with remarkable percentages of their rural populations—98.4 percent, 83.6 percent, and 94.9 percent respectively—having access to fundamental sanitation facilities during the same year, highlighting that progress is possible and essential for public health and dignity.

Cameroon-Water Supply

 

Cameroon – Proportion of total population served with at least basic water

In 2022, the proportion of the population served with at least basic water in Cameroon was 69.6 %. The proportion of the population served with at least basic water in Cameroon increased from 56.3 % in 2000 to 69.6 % in 2022, an absolute change of 13.3 pp increase between 2000 and 2022.

Cameroon – Proportion of urban population served with at least basic water

In 2022, the proportion of the urban population served with at least basic water in Cameroon was 81.6 %. The proportion of the urban population served with at least basic water in Cameroon fell gradually from 82.7 % in 2000 to 81.6 % in 2022, an absolute change of 1.1 pp decrease between 2000 and 2022.

Cameroon – Proportion of rural population with at least basic water

In 2022, the proportion of the rural population served with at least basic water in Cameroon was 52.5 %. The proportion of the rural population served with at least basic water of Cameroon increased from 34.2 % in 2000 to 52.5 % in 2022, an absolute increase of 18.3 pp increase between 2000 and 2022.

Cameroon – Proportion of total population served with at least basic drinking water services: A Global Perspective

In 2022, only 69.6% of Cameroon’s population had access to basic drinking water services, highlighting a dramatic disparity compared to the 100% access achieved in countries like South Korea and Thailand, where the provision of safe drinking water is a guaranteed right. These alarming figures not only underscore the challenges faced by millions but also emphasize the profound effects on health, education, and overall quality of life for those affected. It is crucial for us to recognize these inequalities and actively advocate for sustainable solutions, improved infrastructure, and collaborative efforts that ensure every individual across Sub-Saharan Africa can enjoy access to this essential resource, fostering healthier communities and brighter futures.

Cameroon-Proportion of rural population served with at least basic water: A Global Perspective

In 2022, only 52.5% of the rural population in Cameroon had access to at least basic drinking water services, a stark contrast to the impressive rates seen in Bangladesh, Thailand, and Vietnam, which stood at 98.3%, 100%, and 97.2%, respectively. Access to safe drinking water is a fundamental human right that must be guaranteed for everyone. To secure the long-term sustainability of this essential resource, it is crucial to foster effective governance through collaborative partnerships among local communities, government entities, and international organizations. By working together, we can strive for a future where every rural individual in Sub-Saharan Africa has dependable access to safe drinking water, and it is imperative that we support initiatives aimed at tackling current issues while creating a more equitable and sustainable water future for all.

Cameroon-Access to Electricity

Cameroon-Access to Electricity (% of population)

In 2022, proportion of population with access to electricity for Cameroon was 71.0%. The proportion of population with access to electricity of Cameroon increased from 41% in 2000 to 71.0 % in 2022, an absolute change of 30 pp increase between 2000 and 2022.

Cameroon-Access to Electricity (% urban population)

In 2022, proportion of urban population with access to electricity for Cameroon was 94%. The proportion of urban population with access to electricity of Cameroon increased from 79% % in 2000 to 94% in 2022, an absolute change of 15 pp increase between 2000 and 2022.

Cameroon-Access to Electricity (% rural population)

In 2022, proportion of rural population with access to electricity for Cameroon was 25 %. The proportion of rural population with access to electricity of Cameroon increased from 9.2 % % in 2000 to 25% in 2022, an absolute change of 15.8 pp increase between 2000 and 2022.

Cameroon – Proportion of the total population with access to electricity: A Global Perspective

In 2022, just 71 percent of Cameroon’s population had access to electricity, a significant increase from 41 percent in 2000. In stark contrast, countries such as Thailand, China, and South Korea have achieved nearly universal electricity access. This disparity highlights the urgent challenges surrounding energy availability that profoundly affect daily life and impede economic development. Addressing this issue is essential, as reliable electricity not only powers homes but also fuels businesses, healthcare, and education, which are vital for the progress of society. It is crucial for all stakeholders, including governments, private sectors, and communities, to unite and confront the pressing need for enhanced energy infrastructure in Sub-Saharan Africa. By working collaboratively and investing in sustainable solutions, we can ensure that every individual enjoys dependable access to electricity, ultimately improving quality of life and fostering inclusive, sustainable growth across the region.

Cameroon-Proportion of the rural population with access to electricity: A Global Perspective

As of 2022, only 25 percent of Cameroon’s rural population had access to electricity, marking a notable increase from just 9.2 percent in 2000. However, this progress stands in stark comparison to countries like South Korea, Thailand, and China, which achieved universal access for their rural communities by the same year. This significant disparity not only hampers daily life but also stifles economic growth, underscoring the pressing need for concerted efforts among government entities, NGOs, and businesses to enhance energy infrastructure in Cameroon. By coming together and pooling our resources, expertise, and determination, we can effectively close this gap, empower local communities, and ultimately pave the way for a more sustainable and prosperous future for all.

Cameroon – Health Outcomes

Cameroon-Life expectancy: A Global Perspective

The global average life expectancy for newborns has risen significantly from 47 years in 1950 to an impressive 71 years in 2021; however, this upward trajectory is not experienced uniformly across all regions of the world. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the progress made has been relatively modest, as demonstrated by Cameroon’s increase from just 35 years in 1960 to 61 years in 2022, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced in this part of the region. In stark contrast, the Maldives has witnessed a remarkable transformation, with life expectancy soaring from 39 years in 1960 to an extraordinary 81 years in 2022, showcasing the potential for significant improvements in well-being when conditions are favorable. A careful examination of the accompanying chart provides a deeper understanding of the distinct trends that separate the countries of Sub-Saharan Africa from those in other developing regions, underscoring the need for targeted efforts to address disparities in health outcomes.

Cameroon- Mortality Rate, under-5 (per 1,000 live births): A Global Perspective

The under-five mortality rate reflects the likelihood, per 1,000 live births, that a child will not live to see their fifth birthday. In 2022, Cameroon recorded a child mortality rate of 69.8, down significantly from 179 in 1980. Since 1950, there has been a substantial global decline in child mortality, driven by improvements in living standards, healthcare, nutrition, and access to clean water. Europe and North America have reached remarkable rates below 4 percent, highlighting significant advancements. While countries in South America, Asia, and North Africa are making progress, Sub-Saharan Africa continues to grapple with serious challenges. For instance, child mortality rates were 179 in Cameroon and 206 in Bangladesh in 1980, but by 2022, Bangladesh improved to 29 while Cameroon reported around 70. We invite you to examine the comprehensive statistics in the chart and join us in our efforts to close the gaps between Sub-Saharan African nations and nations in other developing regions, as your involvement can create a lasting impact.

Cameroon-Maternal mortality ratio:(per 100,000 live births): A Global Perspective

In 2020, Cameroon experienced a maternal mortality ratio of 438 deaths per 100,000 live births, indicating a gradual reduction from 651 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2000. This statistic starkly contrasts with those from countries such as China, Sri Lanka, and South Korea, which recorded maternal mortality rates of 23, 29, and 8 deaths per 100,000 live births respectively in 2022. The critical nature of maternal health necessitates immediate and concerted efforts to address this pressing issue. It is imperative to prioritize the development of comprehensive healthcare services, enhanced education, and robust community support systems to guarantee that every woman has access to essential maternal care. By engaging in and supporting maternal health initiatives, we can promote healthier families and contribute to the sustainability of maternal well-being throughout Sub-Saharan Africa.