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Cameroon

2012 Edition · 265 data fields

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Introduction

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.

Geography

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)

1.18 cu km/yr (18.2%/8.1%/73.7%) 601 cu m/yr (2000)
per capita
601 cu m/yr (2000)
total
1.18 cu km/yr (18.2%/8.1%/73.7%)

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 (2003)

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

12.6% 2.52% 84.86% (2005)
arable land
12.6%
other
84.86% (2005)
permanent crops
2.52%

Location

Central 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

273 cu km (2003)

People and Society

Age structure

40.3% (male 4,091,453/ female 4,018,699) 56.3% (male 5,702,336/ female 5,638,464) 3.4% (male 310,129/ female 368,797) (2012 est.)
0-14 years
40.3% (male 4,091,453/ female 4,018,699)
15-64 years
56.3% (male 5,702,336/ female 5,638,464)
65 years and over
3.4% (male 310,129/ female 368,797) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

32.49 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

16.6% (2006)

Death rate

11.66 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)

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

59.7 deaths/1,000 live births 64.19 deaths/1,000 live births 55.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)
female
55.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)
total
59.7 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

54.71 years 53.82 years 55.63 years (2012 est.)
female
55.63 years (2012 est.)
total population
54.71 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 75.9% 84% 67.8% (2001 est.)
definition
age 15 and over can read and write
female
67.8% (2001 est.)
male
84%
total population
75.9%

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

690 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

19.6 years 19.5 years 19.7 years (2012 est.)
female
19.7 years (2012 est.)
male
19.5 years
total
19.6 years

Nationality

Cameroonian(s) Cameroonian
adjective
Cameroonian
noun
Cameroonian(s)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Physicians density

0.19 physicians/1,000 population (2004)

Population

20,129,878 (July 2012 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

2.082% (2012 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
rural
65% of population
total
53% of population
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 0.84 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
15-64 years
1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over
0.84 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

4.09 children born/woman (2012 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)

Government

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, EITI (candidate country), FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), 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 February 2013) 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 February 2013)

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 and 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

Economy

Agriculture - products

coffee, cocoa, cotton, rubber, bananas, oilseed, grains, cassava (manioc); livestock; timber

Budget

$5.243 billion $5.61 billion (2012 est.)
expenditures
$5.61 billion (2012 est.)
revenues
$5.243 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-1.5% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

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

Commercial bank prime lending rate

14% (31 December 2012 est.) 14% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

-$946.4 million (2012 est.) -$1.365 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$3.343 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $3.147 billion (31 December 2011 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. Subsidies for electricity, food, and fuel have strained the budget. New mining projects - in diamonds, for example - have attracted foreign investment, but large ventures will take time to develop. Cameroon's business environment - one of the world's worst - is a deterrent to foreign investment.

Exchange rates

Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per dollar - 514.1 (2012 est.) 471.87 (2011 est.) 495.28 (2010 est.) 472.19 (2009) 447.81 (2008)

Exports

$6.538 billion (2012 est.) $5.544 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Spain 13.4%, China 11.4%, Netherlands 9.8%, Italy 8.9%, France 6.4%, US 5.9%, India 5.7%, Germany 4.8%, Belgium 4.1% (2011)

Fiscal year

1 July - 30 June

GDP - composition by sector

19.8% 30.9% 49.3% (2012 est.)
agriculture
19.8%
industry
30.9%
services
49.3% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$2,300 (2012 est.) $2,300 (2011 est.) $2,300 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

4.7% (2012 est.) 4.2% (2011 est.) 2.9% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$24.51 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$50.32 billion (2012 est.) $48.07 billion (2011 est.) $46.13 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.3% 35.4% (2001)
highest 10%
35.4% (2001)
lowest 10%
2.3%

Imports

$6.597 billion (2012 est.) $6.108 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery, electrical equipment, transport equipment, fuel, food

Imports - partners

China 16.8%, France 16.6%, Nigeria 12.3%, Belgium 5.3%, Italy 4.3%, US 4.2% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate

4% (2010 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.9% (2012 est.) 2.9% (2011 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

19.8% of GDP (2012 est.)

Labor force

8.264 million (2012 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

Population below poverty line

48% (2000 est.)

Public debt

14.7% of GDP (2012 est.) 13.9% of GDP (2011 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$3.851 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $3.245 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$6.279 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $5.66 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$2.81 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $2.523 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$3.973 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $3.514 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

21.4% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

30% (2001 est.)

Energy

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

7.361 million Mt (2010 est.)

Crude oil - exports

64,740 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - imports

32,490 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - production

61,580 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

200 million bbl (1 January 2012 est.)

Electricity - consumption

5.049 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

27.8% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

72.2% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

1.115 million kW (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

5.589 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

20 million cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - production

20 million cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

135.1 billion cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

29,410 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

17,470 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

5,715 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

42,520 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Communications

Broadcast media

government maintains tight control over broadcast media; state-owned Cameroon Radio Television (CRTV), broadcasting on both a TV 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

10,207 (2012)

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 3 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 50 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) (2011)
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 50 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 3 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) (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

669,000 (2011)

Telephones - mobile cellular

10.486 million (2011)

Transportation

Airports

34 (2012)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2012)
1,524 to 2,437 m
3
2,438 to 3,047 m
5
914 to 1,523 m
1 (2012)
over 3,047 m
2
total
11

Airports - with unpaved runways

7 (2012)
1,524 to 2,437 m
3
914 to 1,523 m
13
total
23
under 914 m
7 (2012)

Pipelines

oil 886 km (2010)

Ports and terminals

Douala, Garoua, Limboh Terminal

Railways

1,245 km 1,245 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)
total
1,245 km

Roadways

50,000 km 5,000 km 45,000 km there are 28,857 km of national roads (2008)
total
50,000 km
unpaved
45,000 km

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)

Military and Security

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

Special Rapid Intervention Brigade (Brigade Speciale d'Intervention Rapide, BSIR), Cameroon Armed Forces (Forces Armees Camerounaises, FAC), Army (L'Armee de Terre), Air Force (Armee de l'Air du Cameroun, AAC), Fire Fighter Corps, Gendarmerie, Navy (Marine Nationale Republique (MNR), includes naval infantry) (2012)

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 makes periodic calls for volunteers (2012)

Transnational Issues

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 agreed 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

90,176 (Central African Republic); 5,251 (Chad) (2011)
refugees (country of origin)
90,176 (Central African Republic); 5,251 (Chad) (2011)

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