Country Profile: Cameroon

Cameroon, located in Central Africa, boasts a diverse geography that includes coastal plains, dissected plateaus, and mountainous regions. With a population estimated at over 31 million, the country features a rich tapestry of ethnic groups and languages, primarily French and English. The economy, the largest in the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC), is closely tied to its abundant natural resources, although it faces challenges such as political instability and systemic corruption. Governance is characterized by a presidential republic with significant power concentrated in the hands of President Paul Biya, who has been in office since 1982.

Geography

Cameroon is strategically positioned at the western edge of the Bight of Biafra, bordered by Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea. The country's area totals approximately 475,440 sq km, slightly larger than California. Its varied climate ranges from tropical along the coast to semiarid in the northern regions, complemented by a diverse terrain that includes mountains, plains, and forests.

Highest Point: Fako on Mont Cameroon at 4,045 m.
Coastline: 402 km long.
Natural Resources: Petroleum, bauxite, iron ore, timber, and hydropower.
Forest Coverage: Approximately 41% of land area (2023).
Land Use: 20.9% of land is agricultural (2023).

People and Society

Cameroon has a population of approximately 31.5 million as of 2025, with a youthful median age of 19.4 years. The society is ethnically diverse, with major groups including the Bamileke, Biu-Mandara, and Arab-Choa. The country recognizes both French and English as official languages. Urbanization is on the rise, with nearly 59.3% of the population residing in urban areas.

Life Expectancy: 64.2 years (2024 est.).
Literacy Rate: 72.6% (2018 est.).
Major Religions: Roman Catholic (33.1%), Muslim (30.6%), and Protestant (27.1%).
Infant Mortality Rate: 44.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.).

Economy

Cameroon's economy is the largest in the CEMAC region, heavily reliant on natural resources. In 2023, the nominal GDP was approximately $51.3 billion, with a real GDP growth rate of 3.2%. However, recent political challenges and ongoing regional unrest have hindered economic growth, contributing to rising poverty levels in certain areas.

GDP per Capita: $4,900 (2024 est.).
Unemployment Rate: 3.6% (2024 est.).
Exports: Estimated at $8.4 billion in 2023, primarily in crude petroleum and natural gas.
Inflation Rate: 4.5% projected for 2024.

Government

Cameroon operates as a presidential republic, with a governance structure that includes a bicameral Parliament and a mixed legal system influenced by French and English law. President Paul Biya has maintained power since 1982, leading a government that emphasizes stability amidst various social challenges.

Capital: Yaoundé.
Administrative Divisions: 10 regions.
Legal System: Mixed system incorporating both civil and customary law.
Latest Constitution: Adopted on January 18, 1996.

Military and Security

The Cameroon Armed Forces consist of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, tasked with safeguarding the nation's security against internal and external threats. The military is currently engaged in efforts to combat terrorism, notably from groups like Boko Haram.

Military Expenditures: 1% of GDP (2024 est.).
Active Personnel: Estimated 40-50,000 including the Gendarmerie.
Deployment: 750 troops in the Central African Republic (2025).

Energy

Cameroon has a developing energy sector characterized by a mixture of hydroelectric and fossil fuel sources. As of 2023, about 71% of the population has access to electricity, with a significant portion generated from hydroelectric sources.

Installed Capacity: 1.798 million kW (2023 est.).
Petroleum Production: 64,000 bbl/day (2023 est.).
Natural Gas Production: 2.356 billion cubic meters (2023 est.).

Environment

Environmental issues in Cameroon encompass deforestation, soil erosion, and the impacts of climate change. The country is signatory to several international environmental agreements aimed at addressing these challenges.

Forest Coverage: 41% of land area (2023).
Carbon Dioxide Emissions: 6.707 million metric tonnes (2023 est.).
Municipal Waste Generation: 3.271 million tons annually (2024 est.).

Transportation

Cameroon has a developing transportation infrastructure with a network of roads, railways, and air services. The major ports are located in Douala, contributing significantly to trade.

Total Railways: 987 km (2014).
Airports: 37 (2025).
Merchant Marine: 198 vessels (2023).

Communications

The communication sector in Cameroon includes a mixture of fixed-line and mobile services, with a growing use of the internet. The government maintains control over broadcast media, influencing public access to information.

Mobile Subscriptions: 31.5 million (2024 est.).
Internet Users: 42% of the population (2023 est.).
Fixed-line Subscriptions: 67,500 (2024 est.).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	31,518,954	2025 estimate
Area	475,440 sq km
GDP (nominal)	$51.327 billion	2024 estimate
Unemployment Rate	3.6%	2024 estimate
Energy Consumption per Capita	4.271 million Btu/person	2023 estimate
Birth Rate	30.79 births/1,000 population	2025 estimate
Life Expectancy	64.2 years	2024 estimate
Infant Mortality Rate	44.6 deaths/1,000 live births	2025 estimate
Military Expenditures	1% of GDP	2024 estimate
Urban Population	59.3%	2023 estimate