Cameroon

The population of Cameroon is approximately 31M (2024).

The capital of Cameroon is Yaoundé.

Cameroon's GDP per capita is $2K (2024).

Life expectancy in Cameroon is 63.97 years (2024).

Cameroon covers 475,442 km² (183,569 sq mi).

Cameroon has a moderate population density of 64 people per km², close to the global average of 60.

Cameroon's population is growing rapidly at 2.6% per year — among the fastest in the world.

Based on GDP per capita, Cameroon falls in the lower-middle GDP-per-person tier at $2K. Official World Bank income groups use Atlas-method GNI per capita, so this is a GDP-based comparison rather than an official income-group label.

Cameroon's intentional homicide rate is 6.8 per 100,000 people, close to the global average.

Cameroon has 2 official languages: English, French.

Cameroon uses the Central African CFA franc (Fr) as its sole official currency.

The best months to visit Cameroon are January, July, August, December, based on climate data for the capital.

According to current estimates, Cameroon has a population of approximately 30.7 million people. This reflects an annual population growth rate of 2.6%, positioning the nation as the 52 largest globally and the 3 largest within the Middle Africa subregion. High birth rates and a young demographic continue to drive this expansion.

The adult literacy rate in Cameroon is approximately 73%, based on the latest available data. This figure places the country 134 out of 170 nations in global literacy rankings. While primary education is mandated, significant efforts continue to be made to improve educational access and outcomes across both urban and rural regions.

Recent estimates show that the life expectancy at birth in Cameroon is approximately 64 years. This metric ranks the country 192 globally. Health indicators are influenced by ongoing efforts to improve maternal care and combat infectious diseases, though the nation remains in the lower tier of global rankings due to varied regional health challenges.

Cameroon's total GDP ranks 92 globally and 14 within the African continent. With a projected GDP per capita of 1,961 USD, the country ranks 174 in the world for individual economic output. The economy is characterized by a 3.5% annual growth rate and is heavily influenced by the petroleum and timber sectors.

Current data indicates that approximately 46% of the population in Cameroon are internet users. This results in a global rank of 167 for internet penetration. Connectivity is largely concentrated in urban centers where 55.4% of the population resides, though infrastructure projects are underway to bridge the digital divide between major cities and rural areas.

The latest estimates place the unemployment rate in Cameroon at 3.6%. In global comparisons where nations are ranked from lowest to highest unemployment, Cameroon holds the 126 position. This relatively low figure is partly attributed to the large portion of the workforce engaged in informal labor and agricultural activities within the country.

Cameroon is rich in natural resources, which serve as the foundation for its economic development. The most significant assets include petroleum, bauxite, iron ore, and timber. Additionally, the country utilizes its extensive river systems for hydropower and manages diverse agricultural land to support its population of approximately 30.7 million people.

The estimated 2026 population of Cameroon is 30,665,446 people. This figure is projected from the latest official 2024 data of 29,123,744 using an annual growth rate of 2.61%. The population continues to expand rapidly due to high fertility rates and steady improvements in life expectancy.

Cameroon currently holds the global rank of 52nd out of 215 countries and territories. Regionally, it is the 17th most populous country in Africa and the 3rd largest in the Middle Africa subregion, following the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Angola in total population size.

The current estimated population density in Cameroon is 64.8 people per km² (167.8 per sq mi). This places the country at 143rd in global density rankings. Population is most heavily concentrated in the coastal areas and the western highlands, while the southeastern rainforests remain relatively sparsely inhabited.

The population of Cameroon is growing rapidly at an annual rate of 2.61%. Current daily estimates show a net gain of approximately 2,085 people. This growth is driven by a high birth rate of 33.3 per 1,000 people, which significantly outweighs the death rate of 7 per 1,000.

The current fertility rate in Cameroon is 4.26 births per woman, which is the 17th highest in the world. High fertility is a primary driver of the nation's 2.61% annual growth rate. This trend is especially prevalent in rural areas, where traditional large family structures remain common.

Approximately 55.4% of Cameroon's population lives in urban areas, according to the latest available data. This ranks Cameroon 141st globally for urbanization. Major cities like Douala and the capital, Yaoundé, attract thousands of new residents annually from rural regions, seeking employment and better access to social services.