2011 Edition

Background

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 permitted the development of agriculture, roads, and railways, as well as a petroleum industry. Despite slow movement toward democratic reform, political power remains firmly in the hands of President Paul BIYA.

Area

475,440 sq km 472,710 sq km 2,730 sq km

total

475,440 sq km

water

2,730 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than California

Climate

varies with terrain, from tropical along coast to semiarid and hot in north

Coastline

402 km

Elevation extremes

Atlantic Ocean 0 m Fako 4,095 m (on Mt. Cameroon)

highest point

Fako 4,095 m (on Mt. Cameroon)

lowest point

Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

waterborne diseases are prevalent; deforestation; overgrazing; desertification; poaching; overfishing

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling none of the selected agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

0.99 cu km/yr (18%/8%/74%) 61 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

61 cu m/yr (2000)

total

0.99 cu km/yr (18%/8%/74%)

Geographic coordinates

6 00 N, 12 00 E

Geography - note

sometimes referred to as the hinge of Africa; throughout the country there are 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

Irrigated land

290 sq km (2008)

Land boundaries

4,591 km Central African Republic 797 km, Chad 1,094 km, Republic of the Congo 523 km, Equatorial Guinea 189 km, Gabon 298 km, Nigeria 1,690 km

border countries

Central African Republic 797 km, Chad 1,094 km, Republic of the Congo 523 km, Equatorial Guinea 189 km, Gabon 298 km, Nigeria 1,690 km

total

4,591 km

Land use

12.54% 2.52% 84.94% (2005)

arable land

12.54%

other

84.94% (2005)

permanent crops

2.52%

Location

Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

12 nm 24 nm

contiguous zone

24 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

volcanic activity with periodic releases of poisonous gases from Lake Nyos and Lake Monoun volcanoes Mt. Cameroon (elev. 4,095 m), which last erupted in 2000, is the most frequently active volcano in West Africa; lakes in Oku volcanic field have released fatal levels of gas on occasion, killing some 1,700 people in 1986

volcanism

Mt. Cameroon (elev. 4,095 m), which last erupted in 2000, is the most frequently active volcano in West Africa; lakes in Oku volcanic field have released fatal levels of gas on occasion, killing some 1,700 people in 1986

Natural resources

petroleum, bauxite, iron ore, timber, hydropower

Terrain

diverse, with coastal plain in southwest, dissected plateau in center, mountains in west, plains in north

Total renewable water resources

285.5 cu km (2003)

Age structure

40.5% (male 4,027,381/female 3,956,219) 56.2% (male 5,564,570/female 5,505,857) 3.3% (male 300,929/female 356,335) (2011 est.)

0-14 years

40.5% (male 4,027,381/female 3,956,219)

15-64 years

56.2% (male 5,564,570/female 5,505,857)

65 years and over

3.3% (male 300,929/female 356,335) (2011 est.)

Birth rate

33.04 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

16.6% (2006)

Death rate

11.83 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 92% of population rural: 51% of population total: 74% of population urban: 8% of population rural: 49% of population total: 26% of population (2008)

rural

49% of population

total

26% of population (2008)

urban

8% of population

Education expenditures

3.7% of GDP (2009)

Ethnic groups

Cameroon Highlanders 31%, Equatorial Bantu 19%, Kirdi 11%, Fulani 10%, Northwestern Bantu 8%, Eastern Nigritic 7%, other African 13%, non-African less than 1%

Health expenditures

5.6% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

5.3% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

37,000 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

610,000 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

1.5 beds/1,000 population (2006)

Infant mortality rate

60.91 deaths/1,000 live births 65.48 deaths/1,000 live births 56.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

female

56.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

total

60.91 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

24 major African language groups, English (official), French (official)

Life expectancy at birth

54.39 years 53.52 years 55.28 years (2011 est.)

female

55.28 years (2011 est.)

total population

54.39 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 67.9% 77% 59.8% (2001 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

59.8% (2001 est.)

male

77%

total population

67.9%

Major cities - population

Douala 2.053 million; YAOUNDE (capital) 1.739 million (2009)

Major infectious diseases

very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever malaria and yellow fever schistosomiasis meningococcal meningitis rabies (2009)

animal contact disease

rabies (2009)

degree of risk

very high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever

respiratory disease

meningococcal meningitis

vectorborne diseases

malaria and yellow fever

water contact disease

schistosomiasis

Maternal mortality rate

600 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)

Median age

19.4 years 19.3 years 19.6 years (2011 est.)

female

19.6 years (2011 est.)

male

19.3 years

total

19.4 years

Nationality

Cameroonian(s) Cameroonian

adjective

Cameroonian

noun

Cameroonian(s)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Physicians density

0.19 physicians/1,000 population (2004)

Population

19,711,291 (July 2011 est.) estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected

Population growth rate

2.121% (2011 est.)

Religions

indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 40%, Muslim 20%

Sanitation facility access

urban: 56% of population rural: 35% of population total: 47% of population urban: 44% of population rural: 65% of population total: 53% of population (2008)

rural

65% of population

total

53% of population (2008)

urban

44% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

10 years 11 years 9 years (2009)

female

9 years (2009)

male

11 years

total

10 years

Sex ratio

1.03 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.85 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.85 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

1.01 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.02 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

4.17 children born/woman (2011 est.)

Urbanization

58% of total population (2010) 3.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

3.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

58% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

10 regions (regions, singular - region); Adamaoua, Centre, Est, Extreme-Nord, Littoral, Nord, North-West (Nord-Ouest), Ouest, Sud, South-West (Sud-Ouest)

Capital

Yaounde 3 52 N, 11 31 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

3 52 N, 11 31 E

name

Yaounde

time difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

approved by referendum 20 May 1972; adopted 2 June 1972; revised January 1996; amended April 2008

Country name

Republic of Cameroon Cameroon Republique du Cameroun/Republic of Cameroon Cameroun/Cameroon French Cameroon, British Cameroon, Federal Republic of Cameroon, United Republic of Cameroon

conventional long form

Republic of Cameroon

conventional short form

Cameroon

former

French Cameroon, British Cameroon, Federal Republic of Cameroon, United Republic of Cameroon

local long form

Republique du Cameroun/Republic of Cameroon

local short form

Cameroun/Cameroon

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Robert P. JACKSON Avenue Rosa Parks, Yaounde P. O. Box 817, Yaounde; pouch: American Embassy, US Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2520 [237] 2220 15 00; Consular: [237] 2220 16 03 [237] 2220 16 00 Ext. 4531; Consular FAX: [237] 2220 17 52 Douala

branch office(s)

Douala

chief of mission

Ambassador Robert P. JACKSON

embassy

Avenue Rosa Parks, Yaounde

FAX

[237] 2220 16 00 Ext. 4531; Consular FAX: [237] 2220 17 52

mailing address

P. O. Box 817, Yaounde; pouch: American Embassy, US Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2520

telephone

[237] 2220 15 00; Consular: [237] 2220 16 03

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Joseph FOE-ATANGANA 2349 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 265-8790 [1] (202) 387-3826

chancery

2349 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Joseph FOE-ATANGANA

FAX

[1] (202) 387-3826

telephone

[1] (202) 265-8790

Executive branch

President Paul BIYA (since 6 November 1982) Prime Minister Philemon YANG (since 30 June 2009) Cabinet appointed by the president from proposals submitted by the prime minister president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (with no term limits per 2008 constitutional amendment); election last held on 9 October 2011 (next to be held in October 2018); prime minister appointed by the president President Paul BIYA reelected; percent of vote - Paul BIYA 78.0%, John FRU NDI 10.7%, Garga Haman ADJI 3.2%, Adamou Ndam NJOYA 1.7%, Paul Abine AYAH 1.3%, other 5.1%

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the president from proposals submitted by the prime minister

chief of state

President Paul BIYA (since 6 November 1982)

election results

President Paul BIYA reelected; percent of vote - Paul BIYA 78.0%, John FRU NDI 10.7%, Garga Haman ADJI 3.2%, Adamou Ndam NJOYA 1.7%, Paul Abine AYAH 1.3%, other 5.1%

elections

president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (with no term limits per 2008 constitutional amendment); election last held on 9 October 2011 (next to be held in October 2018); prime minister appointed by the president

head of government

Prime Minister Philemon YANG (since 30 June 2009)

Flag description

three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), red, and yellow, with a yellow five-pointed star centered in the red band; the vertical tricolor recalls the flag of France; red symbolizes unity, yellow the sun, happiness, and the savannahs in the north, and green hope and the forests in the south; the star is referred to as the "star of unity" uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Government type

republic; multiparty presidential regime

Independence

1 January 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, C, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president); High Court of Justice (consists of nine judges and six substitute judges; elected by the National Assembly)

Legal system

mixed legal system of English common law, French civil law, and customary law

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (180 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms); note - the president can either lengthen or shorten the term of the legislature last held on 22 July 2007 (next to be held in July 2012) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CPDM 140, SDF 14, UDC 4, UNDP 4, MP 1, vacant 17 the constitution calls for an upper chamber for the legislature, to be called a Senate, but it has yet to be established

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CPDM 140, SDF 14, UDC 4, UNDP 4, MP 1, vacant 17

elections

last held on 22 July 2007 (next to be held in July 2012)

National anthem

"O Cameroun, Berceau de nos Ancetres" (O Cameroon, Cradle of Our Forefathers) Rene Djam AFAME, Samuel Minkio BAMBA, Moise Nyatte NKO'O [French], Benard Nsokika FONLON [English]/Rene Djam AFAME adopted 1957; Cameroon's anthem, also known as "Chant de Ralliement" (The Rallying Song), has been used unofficially since 1948 although officially adopted in 1957; the anthem has French and English versions whose lyrics differ

lyrics/music

Rene Djam AFAME, Samuel Minkio BAMBA, Moise Nyatte NKO'O [French], Benard Nsokika FONLON [English]/Rene Djam AFAME

name

"O Cameroun, Berceau de nos Ancetres" (O Cameroon, Cradle of Our Forefathers)

National holiday

Republic Day (National Day), 20 May (1972)

National symbol(s)

lion

Political parties and leaders

Cameroon People's Democratic Movement or CPDM [Paul BIYA]; Cameroonian Democratic Union or UDC [Adamou Ndam NJOYA]; Movement for the Defense of the Republic or MDR [Dakole DAISSALA]; Movement for the Liberation and Development of Cameroon or MLDC [Marcel YONDO]; National Union for Democracy and Progress or UNDP [Maigari BELLO BOUBA]; Progressive Movement or MP; Social Democratic Front or SDF [John FRU NDI]; Union of Peoples of Cameroon or UPC [Augustin Frederic KODOCK]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Human Rights Defense Group [Albert MUKONG, president]; Southern Cameroon National Council [Ayamba Ette OTUN]

Suffrage

20 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

coffee, cocoa, cotton, rubber, bananas, oilseed, grains, root starches; livestock; timber

Budget

$3.881 billion $4.434 billion (2010 est.)

expenditures

$4.434 billion (2010 est.)

revenues

$3.881 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-2.5% of GDP (2010 est.)

Central bank discount rate

NA% (31 December 2010 est.) 4.25% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

14% (31 December 2010 est.)

Current account balance

-$825.1 million (2010 est.) -$1.137 billion (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$3.123 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $2.941 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

44.6 (2001) 47.7 (1996)

Economy - overview

Because of its modest oil resources and favorable agricultural conditions, Cameroon has one of the best-endowed primary commodity economies in sub-Saharan Africa. Still, it faces many of the serious problems confronting other underdeveloped countries, such as stagnant per capita income, a relatively inequitable distribution of income, a top-heavy civil service, endemic corruption, and a generally unfavorable climate for business enterprise. Since 1990, the government has embarked on various IMF and World Bank programs designed to spur business investment, increase efficiency in agriculture, improve trade, and recapitalize the nation's banks. The IMF is pressing for more reforms, including increased budget transparency, privatization, and poverty reduction programs. Weak prices for oil led to the significant slowdown in growth in 2010. The government is under pressure to reduce its budget deficit, which by the government's own forecast will hit 2.8% of GDP, but the presidential election in 2011 may make fiscal austerity difficult.

Electricity - consumption

4.883 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

5.421 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Exchange rates

Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs 495.28 (2010) 472.19 (2009) 447.81 (2008) 493.51 (2007) 522.59 (2006)

Exports

$4.494 billion (2010 est.) $4.079 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

crude oil and petroleum products, lumber, cocoa beans, aluminum, coffee, cotton

Exports - partners

Spain 15.1%, Netherlands 12.8%, China 9.4%, Italy 9.3%, France 6.5%, US 6.4% (2010)

GDP - composition by sector

19.7% 31.4% 48.9% (2010 est.)

agriculture

19.7%

industry

31.4%

services

48.9% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$2,300 (2010 est.) $2,300 (2009 est.) $2,300 (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

3% (2010 est.) 2% (2009 est.) 2.6% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$22.48 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$44.33 billion (2010 est.) $43.04 billion (2009 est.) $42.22 billion (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.3% 35.4% (2001)

highest 10%

35.4% (2001)

lowest 10%

2.3%

Imports

$4.975 billion (2010 est.) $4.405 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery, electrical equipment, transport equipment, fuel, food

Imports - partners

France 19.1%, China 13.3%, Nigeria 12.4%, Belgium 5.5%, Germany 4% (2010)

Industrial production growth rate

4% (2010 est.)

Industries

petroleum production and refining, aluminum production, food processing, light consumer goods, textiles, lumber, ship repair

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.3% (2010 est.) 3% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

19.3% of GDP (2010 est.)

Labor force

7.836 million (2010 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

70% 13% 17% (2001 est.)

agriculture

70%

industry

13%

services

17% (2001 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Natural gas - consumption

20 million cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - production

20 million cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

135.1 billion cu m (1 January 2011 est.)

Oil - consumption

30,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - exports

101,300 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - imports

46,490 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - production

65,330 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

200 million bbl (1 January 2011 est.)

Population below poverty line

48% (2000 est.)

Public debt

16.1% of GDP (2010 est.) 15.1% of GDP (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$3.665 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $3.676 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$5.344 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $5.103 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$1.587 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $1.58 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$3.264 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $3.188 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

17.3% of GDP (2010 est.)

Unemployment rate

30% (2001 est.)

Broadcast media

government maintains tight control over broadcast media; state-owned Cameroon Radio Television (CRTV), broadcasting on both a television and radio network, was the only officially recognized and fully licensed broadcaster until August 2007 when the government finally issued licenses to 2 private TV broadcasters and 1 private radio broadcaster; about 70 privately-owned unlicensed radio stations operating but are subject to closure at any time; foreign news services required to partner with state-owned national station (2007)

Internet country code

.cm

Internet hosts

90 (2010)

Internet users

749,600 (2009)

Telephone system

system includes cable, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter; Camtel, the monopoly provider of fixed-line service, provides connections for only about 2 per 100 persons; equipment is old and outdated, and connections with many parts of the country are unreliable mobile-cellular usage, in part a reflection of the poor condition and general inadequacy of the fixed-line network, has increased sharply, reaching a subscribership base of 40 per 100 persons country code - 237; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and Asia; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2009)

domestic

mobile-cellular usage, in part a reflection of the poor condition and general inadequacy of the fixed-line network, has increased sharply, reaching a subscribership base of 40 per 100 persons

general assessment

system includes cable, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter; Camtel, the monopoly provider of fixed-line service, provides connections for only about 2 per 100 persons; equipment is old and outdated, and connections with many parts of the country are unreliable

international

country code - 237; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and Asia; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2009)

Telephones - main lines in use

496,500 (2010)

Telephones - mobile cellular

8.156 million (2010)

Airports

34 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

3

2,438 to 3,047 m

5

914 to 1,523 m

1 (2010)

over 3,047 m

2

total

11

Airports - with unpaved runways

6 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

3

914 to 1,523 m

14

total

23

under 914 m

6 (2010)

Pipelines

oil 886 km (2010)

Ports and terminals

Douala, Garoua, Limboh Terminal

Railways

987 km 987 km 1.000-m gauge (2010)

total

987 km

Roadways

50,000 km 5,000 km 45,000 km (2004)

total

50,000 km

unpaved

45,000 km (2004)

Waterways

(major rivers in the south, such as the Wouri and the Sanaga, are largely non-navigable; in the north, the Benue, which connects through Nigeria to the Niger River, is navigable in the rainy season only to the port of Garoua) (2010)

Manpower available for military service

4,667,251 4,548,909 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

4,548,909 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

4,667,251

Manpower fit for military service

2,794,998 2,718,110 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

2,718,110 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

2,794,998

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

215,248 211,636 (2010 est.)

female

211,636 (2010 est.)

male

215,248

Military branches

Cameroon Armed Forces (Forces Armees Camerounaises, FAC): Army (L'Armee de Terre), Navy (includes naval infantry), Air Force (Armee de l'Air du Cameroun, AAC), Fire Fighter Corps, Gendarmerie (2011)

Cameroon Armed Forces (Forces Armees Camerounaises, FAC)

Army (L'Armee de Terre), Navy (includes naval infantry), Air Force (Armee de l'Air du Cameroun, AAC), Fire Fighter Corps, Gendarmerie (2011)

Military expenditures

1.3% of GDP (2009)

Military service age and obligation

18-23 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; no conscription; high school graduation required; service obligation 4 years; the government periodically calls for volunteers (2011)

Disputes - international

Joint Border Commission with Nigeria reviewed 2002 ICJ ruling on the entire boundary and bilaterally resolved differences, including June 2006 Greentree Agreement that immediately ceded sovereignty of the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon with a full phase-out of Nigerian control and patriation of residents in 2008; Cameroon and Nigeria agree on maritime delimitation in March 2008; sovereignty dispute between Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon over an island at the mouth of the Ntem River; only Nigeria and Cameroon have heeded the Lake Chad Commission's admonition to ratify the delimitation treaty, which also includes the Chad-Niger and Niger-Nigeria boundaries

Refugees and internally displaced persons

20,000-30,000 (Chad); 3,000 (Nigeria); 24,000 (Central African Republic) (2007)

refugees (country of origin)

20,000-30,000 (Chad); 3,000 (Nigeria); 24,000 (Central African Republic) (2007)

Trafficking in persons

Cameroon is a source, transit, and destination country for women and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation; most victims are children trafficked within country: girls are primarily trafficked for domestic servitude and sexual exploitation and both boys and girls are trafficked for forced labor in sweatshops, bars, restaurants, street vending, mining, and on tea and cocoa plantations; children are trafficked into Cameroon from neighboring states for forced labor in agriculture, fishing, street vending, and spare-parts shops; Nigerian and Beninese children transiting Cameroon to Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, or adjacent countries often fall victim to traffickers; it is a source country for women transported by sex-trafficking rings to Europe; Cameroonian trafficking victims were reported in the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Cyprus, Norway, and Senegal Tier 2 Watch List - while the government modestly increased its efforts to prevent trafficking, including the creation of an inter-ministerial committee and a national action plan, it failed to convict or punish trafficking offenders, including complicit officials, under its child trafficking law, did not take steps to enact a 2006 draft law prohibiting the trafficking of adults, and did not exhibit significant efforts to protect victims of trafficking (2011)

current situation

Cameroon is a source, transit, and destination country for women and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation; most victims are children trafficked within country: girls are primarily trafficked for domestic servitude and sexual exploitation and both boys and girls are trafficked for forced labor in sweatshops, bars, restaurants, street vending, mining, and on tea and cocoa plantations; children are trafficked into Cameroon from neighboring states for forced labor in agriculture, fishing, street vending, and spare-parts shops; Nigerian and Beninese children transiting Cameroon to Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, or adjacent countries often fall victim to traffickers; it is a source country for women transported by sex-trafficking rings to Europe; Cameroonian trafficking victims were reported in the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Cyprus, Norway, and Senegal

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List - while the government modestly increased its efforts to prevent trafficking, including the creation of an inter-ministerial committee and a national action plan, it failed to convict or punish trafficking offenders, including complicit officials, under its child trafficking law, did not take steps to enact a 2006 draft law prohibiting the trafficking of adults, and did not exhibit significant efforts to protect victims of trafficking (2011)