Country Profile: Cameroon

Cameroon, located in Central Africa, is bordered by the Bight of Biafra and shares frontiers with Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria, the Central African Republic, Chad, and the Republic of the Congo. With a population of approximately 31 million, the country exhibits a diverse blend of ethnicities and languages, predominantly French and English due to its colonial history. The economy is the largest in the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) and is characterized by its vast natural resources, including petroleum and agricultural products. Although Cameroon has enjoyed a degree of stability, challenges such as political unrest and regional violence persist, particularly in the English-speaking areas.

Geography

Cameroon's geography is marked by diverse terrains ranging from coastal plains in the southwest to mountainous regions in the west and arid plains in the north. The country covers an area of approximately 475,440 square kilometers and has a coastline of 402 kilometers along the Atlantic Ocean. Various climatic zones exist within the country, varying from tropical along the coast to semiarid in the north.

475,440 sq km - Total area.
402 km - Length of coastline.
20.6% - Percentage of agricultural land (2022).
42.8% - Forest cover (2022).
4,045 m - Highest elevation (Mount Cameroon).

People and Society

Cameroon has an estimated population of 30,966,105 (2024), comprising multiple ethnic groups, with the largest being the Bamileke-Bamu at 22.2%. The country is officially bilingual, with both English and French recognized as official languages. The population structure shows a youthful demographic, with 41.5% under the age of 15 and a median age of 18.9 years.

59.3% - Urban population (2023).
34.7 births/1,000 - Birth rate (2024).
64.2 years - Life expectancy at birth (2024).
72.5% - Literacy rate (2018).
3.8% - Proportion of the population practicing animism (2022).

Economy

Cameroon's economy is diverse, with agriculture, industry, and services comprising 17.4%, 25.6%, and 49.9% of GDP respectively as of 2024. While the nation is rich in natural resources, including petroleum and timber, ongoing political instability and security issues have hampered economic growth. The real GDP is projected to reach $143.264 billion in 2024, reflecting a growth rate of 3.7%.

$143.264 billion - Projected real GDP (2024).
3.6% - Unemployment rate (2024).
1.6% of GDP - Remittances as of 2023.
$51.327 billion - GDP at official exchange rate (2024).
42.2 - Gini Index (2021), indicating income inequality.

Government

Cameroon operates as a presidential republic, with a political system characterized by a strong presidency held by Paul Biya since 1982. The government consists of an executive branch led by the president, a bicameral parliament, and a mixed legal system. Its legislative framework includes a National Assembly and a Senate that contribute to the governance of the state.

10 - Number of regions in Cameroon.
71.3% - Percentage of votes obtained by Paul Biya in the latest election (2018).
20 years - Minimum voting age.
5 years - Naturalization residency requirement.
1 January 1960 - Date of independence from French administration.

Military and Security

The Cameroon Armed Forces consist of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and National Gendarmerie, totaling around 40,000-50,000 active personnel. Security challenges include threats from Boko Haram and internal conflicts in English-speaking regions. Military expenditures make up 1% of GDP.

750 - Troops deployed in Central African Republic (2024).
18-24 years - Age range for voluntary military service.
1% - Military expenditure as a percentage of GDP (2024).
350 - Police deployed alongside military in peacekeeping efforts.
40,000-50,000 - Estimated active military personnel (2025).

Energy

Cameroon has a robust energy sector, heavily reliant on hydroelectric power, which accounts for 63.1% of the installed capacity. The country's electricity access stands at 71%, with urban areas achieving higher electrification rates.

1.798 million kW - Installed electricity generating capacity (2023).
36.1% - Share of fossil fuels in total installed capacity (2023).
6.161 billion kWh - Total electricity consumption (2023).
64,000 bbl/day - Petroleum production (2023).
2.356 billion cubic meters - Natural gas production (2023).

Environment

Cameroon faces several environmental challenges, including deforestation, soil erosion, and urban waste management issues. The country is a participant in multiple international environmental agreements aimed at addressing these challenges, underlining its commitment to sustainable development.

42.8% - Forest cover (2022).
3,270,617 tons - Municipal solid waste generated annually (2013).
0.4% - Percentage of waste recycled (2009).
250 million cubic meters - Municipal water withdrawal (2020).
283.15 billion cubic meters - Total renewable water resources (2020).

Transportation

Cameroon has a developing transportation infrastructure comprising 37 airports and a railway network of 987 km primarily connecting major cities. The country has several ports, with Douala being the largest, facilitating international trade.

37 - Number of airports (2025).
198 - Merchant marine vessels (2023).
987 km - Total railway length (2014).
7 - Total ports (2024).
1 - Number of heliports (2025).

Communications

The communication sector in Cameroon is growing, with mobile cellular subscriptions reaching 26.2 million (2023). Internet usage is at 42% of the population, though the government maintains strict control over media.

3 - Fixed-line subscriptions per 100 inhabitants (2022).
42% - Internet users as a percentage of the population (2023).
603,000 - Fixed broadband subscriptions (2022).
896,000 - Total fixed-line subscriptions (2022).
83 - Mobile subscriptions per 100 inhabitants (2022).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	30,966,105	2024 estimate
Area	475,440 sq km	Total area
GDP	$143.264 billion	Projected 2024 GDP (PPP)
Unemployment Rate	3.6%	2024 estimate
Birth Rate	34.7 births/1,000	2024 estimate
Life Expectancy	64.2 years	2024 estimate
Urban Population	59.3%	Percentage of total population (2023)
Electrification	71%	Total population with electricity access
Military Expenditure	1%	As a percentage of GDP (2024)
Forest Cover	42.8%	Percentage of land area (2022)