World · permanent entity record · CM
Cameroon
Thirty-second orientation
Cameroon at a glance
- Nationality / demonym
- noun: Cameroonian(s); adjective: Cameroonian
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
- Government
- presidential republic
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
- Languages
- 24 major African language groups, English (official), French (official)
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Independently structured milestones · not a complete national history
Cameroon through time
Admitted to the United Nations
Cameroon became a member of the United Nations.
United Nations, Member States · source checked 2026-09-04
Source history · changed fields only
Changes since the final CIA profile
| Field | Maintained Almanac value | Final CIA profile |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 29,879,337World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025 | total: 31,518,954 (2025 est.) male: 15,683,611 female: 15,835,343CIA World Factbook · as of 2026-01-20 |
A difference may reflect a newer observation, a revised estimate, or a different source definition. This table reports the values and dates; it does not manufacture a trend.
World Development Indicators · latest available observation
People, economy, and access
Observation years vary by measure. Each row identifies the series and year instead of presenting unlike dates as one current snapshot.
- Gross domestic product
- $58.9 billion
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Gross domestic product per person
- $1,972
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Life expectancy at birth
- 64.0 years
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Urban population
- 55.7%
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, World Urbanization Prospects. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Access to electricity
- 72.0%
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS. Underlying providers: World Bank ESMAP, Tracking SDG 7. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- People using the internet
- 46.3%
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS. Underlying providers: International Telecommunication Union. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
World Development Indicators data are provided under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). The linked indicator metadata identifies the underlying statistical providers.
Maintained profile
- Capital
- Yaounde
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · The nation set and displayed federal short name follow the current State Department independent-states register, dated August 11, 2026.
- Area
- 475,440 sq km
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Final CIA source data preserved by a community mirror after the Factbook was retired; the mirror is not the issuing authority.
- Population
- 29,879,337
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.POP.TOTL. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Currency
- Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF)
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Currency label extracted from the Factbook exchange-rate field.
- Languages
- 24 major African language groups, English (official), French (official)
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Factbook language listing reproduced without inferring official status beyond the source wording.
- Nationality / demonym
- noun: Cameroonian(s); adjective: Cameroonian
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · The source’s noun and adjective forms are retained. These are language labels, not evidence of any individual person’s citizenship.
- Continent
- Africa
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Continental label standardized from the archived profile region “Africa.”
- Coastline
- 402 km
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Climate
- varies with terrain, from tropical along coast to semiarid and hot in north
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- 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.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Flag colors
- green, red, yellow
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Colors extracted from the flag description in the preserved final CIA profile.
- National symbol
- lion
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Highest point
- Fako on Mont Cameroun · 13,271 ft (4,045 m)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Lowest point
- Atlantic Ocean · 0 ft (0 m)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- NATO membership
- Not a member
- NATO, What is NATO? · Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
- BRICS membership
- Not a member
- BRICS Brazil, About the BRICS · Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data
Final CIA World Factbook profile
This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b
Introduction1 fields
- Background
- Powerful chiefdoms ruled much of the area of present-day Cameroon before it became a German colony known as Kamerun in 1884. After World War I, the territory was divided between France and the UK as League of Nations mandates. French Cameroon became independent in 1960 as the Republic of Cameroon. The following year, the southern portion of neighboring British Cameroon voted to merge with the new country to form the Federal Republic of Cameroon. In 1972, a new constitution replaced the federation with a unitary state, the United Republic of Cameroon. The country has generally enjoyed stability, which has enabled the development of agriculture, roads, and railways, as well as a petroleum industry. Nonetheless, unrest and violence in the country's two western, English-speaking regions have persisted since 2016. Movement toward democratic reform is slow, and political power remains firmly in the hands of President Paul BIYA.
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Geography20 fields
- Location
- Central Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Area
- total : 475,440 sq km land: 472,710 sq km water: 2,730 sq km
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Area - comparative
- slightly larger than California; about four times the size of Pennsylvania
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Land boundaries
- total: 5,018 km border countries (6): Central African Republic 901 km; Chad 1,116 km; Republic of the Congo 494 km; Equatorial Guinea 183 km; Gabon 349 km; Nigeria 1975 km
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Maritime claims
- territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Climate
- varies with terrain, from tropical along coast to semiarid and hot in north
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Terrain
- diverse, with coastal plain in southwest, dissected plateau in center, mountains in west, plains in north
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Elevation
- highest point: Fako on Mont Cameroun 4,045 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 667 m
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Natural resources
- petroleum, bauxite, iron ore, timber, hydropower
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Land use
- agricultural land: 20.9% (2023 est.) arable land: 13.1% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 3.6% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 4.2% (2023 est.) forest: 41% (2023 est.) other: 38.1% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Major lakes (area sq km)
- fresh water lake(s): Lake Chad (endorheic lake shared with Niger, Nigeria, and Chad) - 10,360-25,900 sq km note - area varies by season and year to year
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Major watersheds (area sq km)
- Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km), Niger (2,261,741 sq km) Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Lake Chad (2,497,738 sq km)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Population distribution
- population concentrated in the west and north, with the interior of the country sparsely populated, as shown in this population distribution map
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Natural hazards
- volcanic activity with periodic releases of poisonous gases from Lake Nyos and Lake Monoun volcanoes volcanism: Mt. Cameroon (4,095 m), which last erupted in 2000, is the most frequently active volcano in West Africa; lakes in the Oku volcanic field sometimes release fatal levels of gas, which killed about 1,700 people in 1986
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Geography - note
- sometimes referred to as the hinge of Africa because of its central location on the continent and its position at the west-south juncture of the Gulf of Guinea; areas of thermal springs and indications of current or prior volcanic activity; Mount Cameroon, the highest mountain in Sub-Saharan west Africa, is an active volcano
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
People and Society36 fields
- Population
- total: 31,518,954 (2025 est.) male: 15,683,611 female: 15,835,343
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Nationality
- noun: Cameroonian(s) adjective: Cameroonian
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Languages
- 24 major African language groups, English (official), French (official) major-language sample(s): The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. (English) The World Factbook, une source indispensable d'informations de base. (French)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Age structure
- 0-14 years: 41.5% (male 6,477,438/female 6,364,987) 15-64 years: 55.3% (male 8,488,522/female 8,638,519) 65 years and over: 3.2% (2024 est.) (male 463,628/female 533,011)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Dependency ratios
- total dependency ratio: 77.6 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 71.8 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 5.8 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 17.3 (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Median age
- total: 19.4 years (2025 est.) male: 18.6 years female: 19.2 years
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Birth rate
- 30.79 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Death rate
- 6.73 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Net migration rate
- -0.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Population distribution
- population concentrated in the west and north, with the interior of the country sparsely populated, as shown in this population distribution map
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Urbanization
- urban population: 59.3% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 3.43% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Major urban areas - population
- 4.509 million YAOUNDE (capital), 4.063 million Douala (2023)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Sex ratio
- at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Mother's mean age at first birth
- 20.1 years (2018 est.) note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-49
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Maternal mortality ratio
- 258 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Infant mortality rate
- total: 44.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 50.8 deaths/1,000 live births female: 41.3 deaths/1,000 live births
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Life expectancy at birth
- total population: 64.2 years (2024 est.) male: 62.3 years female: 66.1 years
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Total fertility rate
- 3.87 children born/woman (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Drinking water source
- urban: 81.6% of population (2022 est.) rural: 52.5% of population (2022 est.) total: 69.6% of population (2022 est.) urban: 18.4% of population (2022 est.) rural: 47.5% of population (2022 est.) total: 30.4% of population (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Health expenditure
- 3.8% of GDP (2021) 3.9% of national budget (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Physician density
- 0.14 physicians/1,000 population (2022)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Hospital bed density
- 2.6 beds/1,000 population (2016 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Sanitation facility access
- urban: 83.2% of population (2022 est.) rural: 27.4% of population (2022 est.) total: 60.2% of population (2022 est.) urban: 16.8% of population (2022 est.) rural: 72.6% of population (2022 est.) total: 39.8% of population (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Alcohol consumption per capita
- total: 4.09 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 2.36 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0.16 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 0.01 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 1.56 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Tobacco use
- total: 5% (2025 est.) male: 9.2% (2025 est.) female: 0.9% (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Children under the age of 5 years underweight
- 11% (2018 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Currently married women (ages 15-49)
- 58.1% (2018 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Child marriage
- women married by age 15: 10.7% (2018) women married by age 18: 29.8% (2018) men married by age 18: 2.9% (2018)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Education expenditure
- 2.8% of GDP (2023 est.) 13.8% national budget (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Literacy
- total population: 72.6% (2018 est.) male: 79.7% (2018 est.) female: 66.2% (2018 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
- total: 11 years (2023 est.) male: 12 years (2023 est.) female: 10 years (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Environment11 fields
- Environmental issues
- deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; poaching; overfishing; overhunting
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- International environmental agreements
- party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Nuclear Test Ban
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Climate
- varies with terrain, from tropical along coast to semiarid and hot in north
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Land use
- agricultural land: 20.9% (2023 est.) arable land: 13.1% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 3.6% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 4.2% (2023 est.) forest: 41% (2023 est.) other: 38.1% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Urbanization
- urban population: 59.3% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 3.43% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Carbon dioxide emissions
- 6.707 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 200 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 5.658 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from consumed natural gas: 1.049 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Particulate matter emissions
- 62 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Methane emissions
- energy: 293.3 kt (2022-2024 est.) agriculture: 278.2 kt (2019-2021 est.) waste: 166.4 kt (2019-2021 est.) other: 24 kt (2019-2021 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Waste and recycling
- municipal solid waste generated annually: 3.271 million tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 4.6% (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Total water withdrawal
- municipal: 246.8 million cubic meters (2022 est.) industrial: 104.6 million cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 737 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Total renewable water resources
- 283.15 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Government25 fields
- Country name
- conventional long form: Republic of Cameroon conventional short form: Cameroon local long form: République du Cameroun (French)/Republic of Cameroon (English) local short form: Cameroun/Cameroon former: Kamerun, French Cameroon, British Cameroon, Federal Republic of Cameroon, United Republic of Cameroon etymology: in the 16th century, Portuguese explorers named an estuary near the mouth of the Wouri River the Rio dos Camaroes (River of Prawns) after the abundant shrimp in the water; the name Camaroes evolved into "Cameroon"
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Capital
- name: Yaounde geographic coordinates: 3 52 N, 11 31 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: Germans founded the city in 1888, but the name comes from the native Ewondo people; the meaning of the name is unclear
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Administrative divisions
- 10 regions (régions, singular - région); Adamaoua, Centre, East (Est), Far North (Extrême-Nord), Littoral, North (Nord), North-West (Nord-Ouest), West (Ouest), South (Sud), South-West (Sud-Ouest)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Legal system
- mixed system of English common law, French civil law, and customary law
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Constitution
- history: several previous; latest effective 18 January 1996 amendment process: proposed by the president of the republic or by Parliament; amendment drafts require approval of at least one third of the membership in either house of Parliament; passage requires absolute majority vote of the Parliament membership; passage of drafts requested by the president for a second reading in Parliament requires two-thirds majority vote of its membership; the president can opt to submit drafts to a referendum, in which case passage requires a simple majority; constitutional articles on Cameroon’s unity and territorial integrity and its democratic principles cannot be amended
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- International law organization participation
- accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; non-party state to the ICCt
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Citizenship
- citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Cameroon dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Executive branch
- chief of state: President Paul BIYA (since 6 November 1982) head of government: Prime Minister Joseph NGUTE (since 4 January 2019) cabinet: Cabinet proposed by the prime minister, appointed by the president election/appointment process: president directly elected by simple-majority popular vote for a 7-year term (no term limits); prime minister appointed by the president most recent election date: 12 October 2025 election results: 2025- Paul BIYA reelected president; percent of vote - Paul BIYA (CPDM) 53.7%, Issa Tchiroma BAKARY (CNSF) 35.2%, Cabral LIBII (PCRN) 3.4%, Bello Boubou MAIGARI (UNDP)2.4%, other 5.3% 2018: Paul BIYA reelected president; percent of vote - Paul BIYA (CPDM) 71.3%, Maurice KAMTO (MRC) 14.2%, Cabral LIBII (Univers) 6.3%, other 8.2% (2018) expected date of next election: October 2032
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Legislative branch
- legislature name: Parlement - Parliament legislative structure: bicameral
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Legislative branch - lower chamber
- chamber name: National Assembly (Assemblée nationale - National Assembly) number of seats: 180 (all directly elected) electoral system: proportional representation scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 3/12/2023 parties elected and seats per party: Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (RDPC/CPDM) (152); Other (28) percentage of women in chamber: 33.9% expected date of next election: February 2026
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Legislative branch - upper chamber
- chamber name: Senate (Sénat - Senate) number of seats: 100 (70 indirectly elected; 30 appointed) scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 2/9/2020 to 3/22/2020 percentage of women in chamber: 33% expected date of next election: March 2027
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Judicial branch
- highest court(s): Supreme Court of Cameroon (consists of 9 titular and 6 surrogate judges and organized into judicial, administrative, and audit chambers); Constitutional Council (consists of 11 members) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges appointed by the president with the advice of the Higher Judicial Council of Cameroon, a body chaired by the president and includes the minister of justice, selected magistrates, and representatives of the National Assembly; judge term NA; Constitutional Council members appointed by the president for renewable 6-year terms subordinate courts: Parliamentary Court of Justice (jurisdiction limited to cases involving the president and prime minister); appellate and first instance courts; circuit and magistrates' courts
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Political parties
- Alliance for Democracy and Development Cameroon People's Democratic Movement or CPDM Cameroon People's Party or CPP Cameroon Renaissance Movement or MRC Cameroonian Democratic Union or UDC Cameroonian Party for National Reconciliation or PCRN Front for the National Salvation of Cameroon or FSNC Movement for the Defense of the Republic or MDR Movement for the Liberation and Development of Cameroon or MLDC National Union for Democracy and Progress or UNDP Progressive Movement or MP Social Democratic Front or SDF Union of Peoples of Cameroon or UPC Union of Socialist Movements
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Diplomatic representation in the US
- chief of mission: Ambassador Henri ETOUNDI ESSOMBA (since 27 June 2016) chancery: 2349 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-8790 FAX: [1] (202) 387-3826 email address and website: mail@cameroonembassyusa Cameroon Embassy in Washington DC, USA (cameroonembassyusa.org)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Diplomatic representation from the US
- chief of mission: Ambassador Christopher J. LAMORA (since 21 March 2022) embassy: Avenue Rosa Parks, Yaoundé mailing address: 2520 Yaounde Place, Washington, DC 20521-2520 telephone: [237] 22251-4000 FAX: [237] 22251-4000, Ext. 4531 email address and website: YaoundeACS@state.gov https://cm.usembassy.gov/ branch office(s): Douala
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- International organization participation
- ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, C, CEMAC, EITI (compliant country), FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LCBC, MIGA, MNJTF, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNMISS, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Independence
- 1 January 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National holiday
- State Unification Day (National Day), 20 May (1972)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Flag
- description: three equal vertical bands of green (left side), red, and yellow, with a small five-pointed yellow star centered in the red band meaning: red stands for unity; yellow for the sun, happiness, and the northern savannahs; green for hope and the southern forests; the star is called the "star of unity;" the vertical tricolor design is similar to the French flag history: uses the colors of the Pan-African movement
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National anthem(s)
- title: "O Cameroun, Berceau de Nos Ancêtres" (O Cameroon, Cradle of Our Forefathers) lyrics/music: Rene Djam AFAME, Samuel Minkio BAMBA, Moise Nyatte NKO'O [French], Benard Nsokika FONLON [English]/Rene Djam AFAME history: adopted 1957; lyrics were changed slightly to the current version in 1978
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National heritage
- total World Heritage Sites: 3 (two natural and one cultural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Dja Faunal Reserve (n); Sangha Trinational Forest (n); Diy-Gid-Biy Cultural Landscape of the Mandara Mountains (c)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Economy31 fields
- Economic overview
- largest CEMAC economy with many natural resources; recent political instability and terrorism reducing economic output; systemic corruption; poor property rights enforcement; increasing poverty in northern regions
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
- $143.264 billion (2024 est.) $138.191 billion (2023 est.) $133.843 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP growth rate
- 3.7% (2024 est.) 3.2% (2023 est.) 3.7% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP per capita
- $4,900 (2024 est.) $4,900 (2023 est.) $4,800 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- GDP (official exchange rate)
- $51.327 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Inflation rate (consumer prices)
- 4.5% (2024 est.) 7.4% (2023 est.) 6.2% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- GDP - composition, by sector of origin
- agriculture: 17.4% (2024 est.) industry: 25.6% (2024 est.) services: 49.9% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- GDP - composition, by end use
- household consumption: 74.5% (2024 est.) government consumption: 10.5% (2024 est.) investment in fixed capital: 21.4% (2024 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2024 est.) exports of goods and services: 14.7% (2024 est.) imports of goods and services: -21.1% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Agricultural products
- cassava, plantains, oil palm fruit, maize, taro, tomatoes, sorghum, sugarcane, bananas, vegetables (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Industries
- petroleum production and refining, aluminum production, food processing, light consumer goods, textiles, lumber, ship repair
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Industrial production growth rate
- 1.9% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Labor force
- 11.119 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Unemployment rate
- 3.6% (2024 est.) 3.7% (2023 est.) 3.7% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
- total: 6.2% (2024 est.) male: 5.9% (2024 est.) female: 6.7% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
- 42.2 (2021 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Average household expenditures
- on food: 45.8% of household expenditures (2023 est.) on alcohol and tobacco: 2.9% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Household income or consumption by percentage share
- lowest 10%: 2.1% (2021 est.) highest 10%: 31.1% (2021 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Remittances
- 1.6% of GDP (2023 est.) 1.3% of GDP (2022 est.) 1% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Budget
- revenues: $6.385 billion (2021 est.) expenditures: $7.624 billion (2021 est.) note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Taxes and other revenues
- 11.3% (of GDP) (2021 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Current account balance
- -$2.019 billion (2023 est.) -$1.505 billion (2022 est.) -$1.794 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports
- $8.353 billion (2023 est.) $8.641 billion (2022 est.) $7.447 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports - partners
- Netherlands 21%, France 14%, UAE 13%, India 9%, China 8% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports - commodities
- crude petroleum, natural gas, gold, cocoa beans, wood (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports
- $10.294 billion (2023 est.) $9.759 billion (2022 est.) $9.025 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports - partners
- China 43%, France 6%, India 6%, Belgium 4%, UAE 4% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports - commodities
- garments, refined petroleum, plastic products, wheat, rice (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
- $4.882 billion (2023 est.) $5.133 billion (2022 est.) $4.3 billion (2021 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Debt - external
- $11.112 billion (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exchange rates
- Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar - 606.345 (2024 est.) 606.57 (2023 est.) 623.76 (2022 est.) 554.531 (2021 est.) 575.586 (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Energy7 fields
- Electricity access
- electrification - total population: 71% (2022 est.) electrification - urban areas: 94% electrification - rural areas: 25%
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Electricity
- installed generating capacity: 1.798 million kW (2023 est.) consumption: 6.161 billion kWh (2023 est.) imports: 60 million kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 2.238 billion kWh (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Electricity generation sources
- fossil fuels: 36.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 0.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 63.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 0.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Petroleum
- total petroleum production: 64,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 41,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 200 million barrels (2021 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Natural gas
- production: 2.356 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) consumption: 534.691 million cubic meters (2023 est.) exports: 1.821 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) proven reserves: 135.071 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Energy consumption per capita
- 4.271 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Communications6 fields
- Telephones - fixed lines
- total subscriptions: 67,500 (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2024 est.) less than 1
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Telephones - mobile cellular
- total subscriptions: 31.5 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 108 (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Broadcast media
- government maintains tight control over broadcast media; state-owned Cameroon Radio Television (CRTV), with both TV and radio broadcasts, was the only officially recognized and fully licensed broadcaster until 2007, when the government issued licenses to 2 private TV broadcasters and 1 private radio broadcaster; about 70 privately owned, unlicensed radio stations operate under “administrative tolerance,” meaning the stations could be subject to closure at any time (2023)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Internet users
- percent of population: 42% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Broadband - fixed subscriptions
- total: 603,000 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Transportation6 fields
- Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
- TJ
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Railways
- total: 987 km (2014) narrow gauge: 987 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge note: railway connections generally efficient but limited; rail lines connect major cities of Douala, Yaounde, Ngaoundere, and Garoua; passenger and freight service provided by CAMRAIL
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Merchant marine
- total: 198 (2023) by type: bulk carrier 2, general cargo 91, oil tanker 42, other 63
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Ports
- total ports: 7 (2024) large: 0 medium: 1 small: 0 very small: 5 size unknown: 1 ports with oil terminals: 5 key ports: Douala, Ebome Marine Terminal, Kole Oil Terminal, Kome Kribi 1 Marine Terminal, Kribi Deep Sea Port, Limboh Terminal, Moudi Marine Terminal
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military and Security7 fields
- Military and security forces
- Cameroon Armed Forces (Forces Armees Camerounaises, FAC): Army, Cameroon Navy (includes naval infantry or fusiliers marin), Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Firefighting Corps General Delegation for National Security (Délégation Générale à la Sûreté Nationale or DGSN): Cameroon Police (2025) note 1: the Army includes the Rapid Intervention Brigade (Brigade d’Intervention Rapide or BIR), which maintains its own command and control structure and reports directly to the Chief of Defense staff and the Presidency; the BIR includes airborne/airmobile, amphibious, armored reconnaissance, artillery, and counterterrorism forces, as well as support elements, such as intelligence note 2: the Cameroon Police and the National Gendarmerie are responsible for internal security; the Gendarmerie conducts administrative, criminal, and military investigative functions; other missions include customs, air and maritime surveillance, and road traffic control; in times of conflict, it participates in internal defense
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military expenditures
- 1% of GDP (2024 est.) 1% of GDP (2023 est.) 1% of GDP (2022 est.) 1% of GDP (2021 est.) 1% of GDP (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military and security service personnel strengths
- estimated 40-50,000 active FAC, including the Gendarmerie (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
- the FAC inventory is comprised of armaments from a variety of countries, including China, Israel, Russia/former Soviet Union, South Africa, the US, and some Western European countries, particularly France (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military service age and obligation
- 18-23 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women (18-28 for medical services); no conscription; service obligation 4 years (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military deployments
- 750 (plus about 400 police) Central African Republic (MINUSCA) (2025) note: Cameroon has committed approximately 2,000-2,500 troops to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) against Boko Haram and other terrorist groups operating in the general area of the Lake Chad Basin and along Nigeria's northeast border; national MNJTF troop contingents are deployed within their own country territories, although cross‐border operations occur occasionally
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military - note
- the Cameroon Armed Forces (FAC) are responsible for defending the country's territorial integrity, providing humanitarian assistance, supporting regional peacekeeping operations, and contributing to internal security; key areas of focus are the threat from the terrorist groups Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa along its frontiers with Nigeria and Chad (Far North region) and, since 2016, an insurgency from armed Anglophone separatist groups in the North-West and South-West regions; in addition, the FAC often deploys ground units to the border region with the Central African Republic to counter intrusions from armed militias and bandits; the Navy’s missions include protecting Cameroon’s oil installations, combatting crime and piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, and patrolling the country’s lakes and rivers; the FAC's small Air Force supports both the ground and naval forces (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Terrorism1 fields
- Terrorist group(s)
- Boko Haram; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham – West Africa note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Transnational Issues1 fields
- Refugees and internally displaced persons
- refugees: 443,740 (2024 est.) IDPs: 1,058,405 (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
The underlying United States government material is public domain. The Almanac’s reuse terms do not change the legal status of this preserved source layer.