Cameroon statistics — population, economy, trade and telecom
As Africa’s regional integration agenda accelerates through 2026, Cameroon occupies a pivotal position — serving as the economic gateway between Central and West Africa, hosting the headquarters of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), and managing one of the continent’s most structurally diverse economies. Understanding Cameroon’s statistical profile is essential for investors, policymakers, and development partners seeking to navigate the Central African corridor with precision.
Population and Demographics
Cameroon’s population is estimated at approximately 29 to 30 million people as of 2025, making it one of Central Africa’s most populous nations. The UN projects a growth rate of roughly 2.6% per year, placing sustained pressure on infrastructure, employment markets, and public services. The median age sits at approximately 18 to 19 years, reflecting an overwhelmingly young population that represents both a demographic dividend and a governance challenge. Urbanisation is advancing steadily, with World Bank estimates suggesting that around 60% of Cameroonians now live in urban areas — a figure driven largely by the continued expansion of Douala, the commercial capital, and Yaoundé, the political capital. Douala alone is estimated to house upwards of four million residents, functioning as the country’s primary economic engine. Cameroon’s bilingual status — French and English — and its more than 250 ethnic groups make it one of Africa’s most culturally complex societies, a factor that continues to shape both political dynamics and regional economic disparities, particularly in the context of the ongoing Anglophone crisis in the Northwest and Southwest regions.
Economic Indicators
Cameroon is classified as a lower-middle-income country. World Bank estimates put its GDP at roughly 47 to 50 billion USD in current terms for 2024, with GDP per capita hovering around 1,600 to 1,700 USD. IMF projections for 2024–2025 indicated real GDP growth in the range of 4.0% to 4.5%, supported by public investment, hydrocarbon revenues, and a recovering agricultural export sector. Inflation has remained a concern across the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) zone; consumer price inflation in Cameroon was estimated at approximately 6% to 7% in 2024, easing from earlier post-pandemic highs but still above the CEMAC convergence target of 3%. Cameroon uses the Central African CFA franc (XAF), pegged to the euro, which provides monetary stability but limits independent monetary policy. Unemployment, particularly youth unemployment, is structurally elevated — industry reports suggest rates above 30% when accounting for underemployment and informal labour. Public debt-to-GDP has risen over the past decade; IMF Article IV consultations placed the ratio at approximately 43% to 46% of GDP in recent years, a level considered manageable but requiring fiscal discipline given external debt service obligations.
Trade and External Accounts
Cameroon’s export base is anchored by crude oil and petroleum products, which account for a significant but declining share of export revenues as reserves mature. Beyond hydrocarbons, cocoa and cocoa products, timber and wood products, cotton, aluminium, and bananas are among the country’s principal export commodities. Cameroon is one of Africa’s top cocoa producers and a major supplier to European chocolate manufacturers. On the import side, the country relies heavily on refined petroleum products, machinery, vehicles, pharmaceuticals, and foodstuffs including rice and wheat. China has emerged as Cameroon’s dominant trading partner for both imports and infrastructure financing, while France, the Netherlands, Belgium, and other EU member states remain critical export destinations. The current account has historically run a deficit, reflecting the import-intensive nature of Cameroon’s investment cycle and consumer goods demand; World Bank data suggests the deficit has ranged between 3% and 5% of GDP in recent years. The Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) framework with the European Union continues to shape trade policy, though its full implementation remains a subject of ongoing negotiation.
Key Sectors
Agriculture remains the backbone of Cameroon’s economy, employing an estimated 60% of the workforce and contributing roughly 20% to 25% of GDP. Cocoa, coffee, palm oil, rubber, and food crops are central to both export earnings and rural livelihoods. The industrial sector — contributing approximately 25% to 30% of GDP — is anchored by oil extraction, aluminium smelting at the Alucam facility in Édéa, agro-processing, and construction. The Lom Pangar hydroelectric dam and associated energy infrastructure have expanded domestic power generation capacity, though electricity access gaps persist in rural areas. The services sector accounts for the largest share of GDP, estimated at roughly 45% to 50%, encompassing trade, transport, finance, and public administration. Tourism remains underdeveloped relative to Cameroon’s ecological and cultural assets — the country hosts diverse ecosystems ranging from the Sahel to equatorial rainforest — but security concerns and infrastructure deficits have constrained visitor arrivals. The mining sector holds significant untapped potential, with deposits of bauxite, iron ore, cobalt, and nickel identified in various regions, though large-scale extraction remains limited by financing and logistics challenges.
Telecommunications and Digital
Cameroon’s telecommunications sector has expanded considerably over the past decade. Mobile penetration is estimated at approximately 85% to 90% of the population on a SIM-card basis, though unique subscriber penetration is lower. Internet penetration stood at roughly 35% to 40% as of 2024–2025, according to ITU and GSMA estimates, with mobile internet accounting for the vast majority of connections. The market is dominated by two principal operators — MTN Cameroon and Orange Cameroon — which together control the overwhelming majority of mobile subscriptions and mobile data traffic. A third operator, Camtel, the state-owned incumbent, holds the fixed-line and fibre infrastructure mandate. Mobile money has gained meaningful traction, with MTN Mobile Money and Orange Money serving as primary platforms; industry reports suggest mobile money transaction volumes have grown substantially, though financial inclusion gaps remain significant in rural and conflict-affected regions. The government’s Digital Cameroon strategy aims to expand broadband infrastructure, develop a national data centre, and promote e-government services, though implementation pace has been uneven.
Sources and Methodology
This dashboard draws on a range of authoritative international and regional sources. Macroeconomic and fiscal data are sourced primarily from the World Bank’s World Development Indicators and Open Data platform, and from IMF Article IV Consultation reports and Regional Economic Outlooks for Sub-Saharan Africa and the CEMAC zone. Population and demographic figures reference UN Population Division projections and the Institut National de la Statistique (INS) of Cameroon. Trade data are informed by the International Trade Centre (ITC), UN Comtrade, and UNCTAD. Telecommunications and digital indicators draw on the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the GSMA Intelligence database, and operator-level disclosures. Sector-level analysis incorporates African Development Bank (AfDB) country reports and African Union Commission economic assessments. Where precise figures could not be independently verified, approximate ranges and qualifying language have been used to ensure analytical integrity. Readers are encouraged to consult primary sources directly for the most current data points, as statistics for Cameroon are subject to revision as national accounts methodology is updated.
For a deeper qualitative and strategic analysis of Cameroon’s political economy, security landscape, and investment environment, visit our Cameroon expert briefing. To benchmark Cameroon against other African nations, explore our all African country statistics hub. For broader context on growth drivers, structural transformation, and regional integration across the continent, see our African economy pillar.
