2017 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 enabled 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

land

472,710 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

667 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Fako on Mont Cameroun 4,045 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point

Fako on Mont Cameroun 4,045 m

mean elevation

667 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

Geographic coordinates

6 00 N, 12 00 E

Geography - note

sometimes referred to as the hinge of Africa because of its central location on the continent and its position at the west-south juncture of the Gulf of Guinea; 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 (2012)

Land boundaries

5,018 km Central African Republic 901 km, Chad 1,116 km, Republic of the Congo 494 km, Equatorial Guinea 183 km, Gabon 349 km, Nigeria 1,975 km

border countries (6)

Central African Republic 901 km, Chad 1,116 km, Republic of the Congo 494 km, Equatorial Guinea 183 km, Gabon 349 km, Nigeria 1,975 km

total

5,018 km

Land use

20.6% arable land 13.1%; permanent crops 3.3%; permanent pasture 4.2% 41.7% 37.7% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

20.6%

forest

41.7%

other

37.7% (2011 est.)

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 (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 (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

Population - distribution

population concentrated in the west and north, with the interior of the country sparsely populated

Terrain

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

Age structure

42.39% (male 5,337,879/female 5,257,026) 19.56% (male 2,456,061/female 2,432,500) 30.87% (male 3,880,906/female 3,835,107) 3.98% (male 485,059/female 509,649) 3.2% (male 372,415/female 428,283) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

42.39% (male 5,337,879/female 5,257,026)

15-24 years

19.56% (male 2,456,061/female 2,432,500)

25-54 years

30.87% (male 3,880,906/female 3,835,107)

55-64 years

3.98% (male 485,059/female 509,649)

65 years and over

3.2% (male 372,415/female 428,283) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

35.4 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

14.8% (2014)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

34.4% (2014)

Death rate

9.6 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Demographic profile

Cameroon has a large youth population, with more than 60% of the populace under the age of 25. Fertility is falling but remains at a high level, especially among poor, rural, and uneducated women, in part because of inadequate access to contraception. Life expectancy remains low at about 55 years due to the prevalence of HIV and AIDs and an elevated maternal mortality rate, which has remained high since 1990. Cameroon, particularly the northern region, is vulnerable to food insecurity largely because of government mismanagement, corruption, high production costs, inadequate infrastructure, and natural disasters. Despite economic growth in some regions, poverty is on the rise, and is most prevalent in rural areas, which are especially affected by a shortage of jobs, declining incomes, poor school and health care infrastructure, and a lack of clean water and sanitation. Underinvestment in social safety nets and ineffective public financial management also contribute to Cameroon’s high rate of poverty. International migration has been driven by unemployment (including fewer government jobs), poverty, the search for educational opportunities, and corruption. The US and Europe are preferred destinations, but, with tighter immigration restrictions in these countries, young Cameroonians are increasingly turning to neighboring states, such as Gabon and Nigeria, South Africa, other parts of Africa, and the Near and Far East. Cameroon’s limited resources make it dependent on UN support to host more than 320,000 refugees and asylum seekers as of September 2017. These refugees and asylum seekers are primarily from the Central African Republic and more recently Nigeria.

Dependency ratios

85.9 5.9 17 (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

5.9

potential support ratio

17 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

85.9

youth dependency ratio

80

Drinking water source

urban: 94.8% of population rural: 52.7% of population total: 75.6% of population urban: 5.2% of population rural: 47.3% of population total: 24.4% of population (2015 est.)

rural

47.3% of population

total

24.4% of population (2015 est.)

urban

5.2% of population

Education expenditures

3% of GDP (2013)

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

4.1% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

3.8% (2016 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

29,000 (2016 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

560,000 (2016 est.)

Hospital bed density

1.3 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate

51 deaths/1,000 live births 54.6 deaths/1,000 live births 47.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

47.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

54.6 deaths/1,000 live births

total

51 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

59 years 57.6 years 60.4 years (2017 est.)

female

60.4 years (2017 est.)

male

57.6 years

total population

59 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 75% 81.2% 68.9% (2015 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

68.9% (2015 est.)

male

81.2%

total population

75%

Major infectious diseases

very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever schistosomiasis meningococcal meningitis rabies (2016)

animal contact disease

rabies (2016)

degree of risk

very high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

respiratory disease

meningococcal meningitis

vectorborne diseases

malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever

water contact disease

schistosomiasis

Major urban areas - population

YAOUNDE (capital) 3.066 million; Douala 2.943 million (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

596 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

18.5 years 18.4 years 18.7 years (2017 est.)

female

18.7 years (2017 est.)

male

18.4 years

total

18.5 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

19.7 years median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2011 est.)

note

median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2011 est.)

Nationality

Cameroonian(s) Cameroonian

adjective

Cameroonian

noun

Cameroonian(s)

Net migration rate

-0.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

11.4% (2016)

Physicians density

0.08 physicians/1,000 population (2010)

Population

24,994,885 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 (July 2017 est.)

note

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 (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

population concentrated in the west and north, with the interior of the country sparsely populated

Population growth rate

2.56% (2017 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 38.4%, Protestant 26.3%, other Christian 4.5%, Muslim 20.9%, animist 5.6%, other 1%, non-believer 3.2% (2005 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 61.8% of population rural: 26.8% of population total: 45.8% of population urban: 38.2% of population rural: 73.2% of population total: 54.2% of population (2015 est.)

rural

73.2% of population

total

54.2% of population (2015 est.)

urban

38.2% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

12 years 13 years 11 years (2015)

female

11 years (2015)

male

13 years

total

12 years

Sex ratio

1.03 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female 0.87 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.02 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.01 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.01 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.95 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.87 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

1.01 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

4.64 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

6.4% 5.3% 7.5% (2010 est.)

female

7.5% (2010 est.)

male

5.3%

total

6.4%

Urbanization

55.5% of total population (2017) 3.4% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

3.4% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

55.5% of total population (2017)

Administrative divisions

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

Citizenship

no at least one parent must be a citizen of Cameroon no 5 years

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

at least one parent must be a citizen of Cameroon

dual citizenship recognized

no

residency requirement for naturalization

5 years

Constitution

several previous; latest effective 18 January 1996 proposed by the president of the republic or by Parliament; amendment drafts require approval of at least one-third of the membership in either house of Parliament; passage requires absolute majority vote of the Parliament membership; passage of drafts requested by the president for a second reading in Parliament requires two-thirds majority vote of its membership; the president can opt to submit drafts to a referendum, in which case passage requires a simple majority; constitutional articles on Cameroon’s unity and territorial integrity and its democratic principles cannot be amended; amended 2008 (2017)

amendments

proposed by the president of the republic or by Parliament; amendment drafts require approval of at least one-third of the membership in either house of Parliament; passage requires absolute majority vote of the Parliament membership; passage of drafts requested by the president for a second reading in Parliament requires two-thirds majority vote of its membership; the president can opt to submit drafts to a referendum, in which case passage requires a simple majority; constitutional articles on Cameroon’s unity and territorial integrity and its democratic principles cannot be amended; amended 2008 (2017)

history

several previous; latest effective 18 January 1996

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 in the 15th century, Portuguese explorers named the area near the mouth of the Wouri River the Rio dos Camaroes (River of Prawns) after the abundant shrimp in the water; over time the designation became Cameroon in English; this is the only instance where a country is named after a crustacean

conventional long form

Republic of Cameroon

conventional short form

Cameroon

etymology

in the 15th century, Portuguese explorers named the area near the mouth of the Wouri River the Rio dos Camaroes (River of Prawns) after the abundant shrimp in the water; over time the designation became Cameroon in English; this is the only instance where a country is named after a crustacean

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 (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Matthew SMITH (since 7 September 2017) Avenue Rosa Parks, Yaounde P.O. Box 817, Yaounde; pouch: American Embassy, US Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2520 [237] 22220 1500; Consular: [237] 22220 1603 [237] 22220 1500 Ext. 4531; Consular FAX: [237] 22220 1752 Douala

branch office(s)

Douala

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Matthew SMITH (since 7 September 2017)

embassy

Avenue Rosa Parks, Yaounde

FAX

[237] 22220 1500 Ext. 4531; Consular FAX: [237] 22220 1752

mailing address

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

telephone

[237] 22220 1500; Consular: [237] 22220 1603

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Essomba ETOUNDI (since 27 June 2016) 2349 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; current temporary address - 3400 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 265-8790 [1] (202) 387-3826

chancery

2349 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; current temporary address - 3400 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Essomba ETOUNDI (since 27 June 2016)

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 proposed by the prime minister, appointed by the president president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 7-year term (no term limits); election last held on 9 October 2011 (next to be held in October 2018); prime minister appointed by the president Paul BIYA reelected president; percent of vote - Paul BIYA (CPDM) 78.0%, John FRU NDI (SDF) 10.7%, Garga Haman ADJI 3.2%, other 8.1%

cabinet

Cabinet proposed by the prime minister, appointed by the president

chief of state

President Paul BIYA (since 6 November 1982)

election results

Paul BIYA reelected president; percent of vote - Paul BIYA (CPDM) 78.0%, John FRU NDI (SDF) 10.7%, Garga Haman ADJI 3.2%, other 8.1%

elections/appointments

president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 7-year term (no term limits); 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

note

uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Government type

presidential republic

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 (compliant country), FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, 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, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court of Cameroon (consists of 9 titular and 6 surrogate judges and organized into judicial, administrative, and audit chambers); Constitutional Council (consists of 11 members) Supreme Court judges appointed by the president with the advice of the Higher Judicial Council of Cameroon, a body chaired by the president and includes the minister of justice, selected magistrates, and representatives of the National Assembly; judge term NA; Constitutional Council members appointed by the president for single 9-year terms Parliamentary Court of Justice (jurisdiction limited to cases involving the president and prime minister); appellate and first instance courts; circuit and magistrate's courts

highest court(s)

Supreme Court of Cameroon (consists of 9 titular and 6 surrogate judges and organized into judicial, administrative, and audit chambers); Constitutional Council (consists of 11 members)

judge selection and term of office

Supreme Court judges appointed by the president with the advice of the Higher Judicial Council of Cameroon, a body chaired by the president and includes the minister of justice, selected magistrates, and representatives of the National Assembly; judge term NA; Constitutional Council members appointed by the president for single 9-year terms

subordinate courts

Parliamentary Court of Justice (jurisdiction limited to cases involving the president and prime minister); appellate and first instance courts; circuit and magistrate's courts

Legal system

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

Legislative branch

bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of the Senate or Senat (100 seats; 70 members indirectly elected by regional councils and 30 appointed by the president; members serve 5-year terms) and the National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (180 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms); note - the 100-member Senate was formed at the time of the April 2013 election Senate last held on 14 April 2013 (next to be held in 2018); National Assembly last held on 30 September 2013 (next to be held in 2018) Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CPDM 56, SDF 14; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CPDM 148, SDF 18, UNDP 5, UDC 4, UPC 3, other 2

description

bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of the Senate or Senat (100 seats; 70 members indirectly elected by regional councils and 30 appointed by the president; members serve 5-year terms) and the National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (180 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms); note - the 100-member Senate was formed at the time of the April 2013 election

election results

Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CPDM 56, SDF 14; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CPDM 148, SDF 18, UNDP 5, UDC 4, UPC 3, other 2

elections

Senate last held on 14 April 2013 (next to be held in 2018); National Assembly last held on 30 September 2013 (next to be held in 2018)

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)

note

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

National holiday

State Unification Day (National Day), 20 May (1972)

National symbol(s)

lion; national colors: green, red, yellow

lion; national colors

green, red, yellow

Political parties and leaders

Alliance for Democracy and Development Cameroon People's Democratic Movement or CPDM [Paul BIYA] Cameroon People's Party or CPP [Edith Kah WALLA] Cameroon Renaissance Movement or MRC [Maurice KAMTO] 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 [Jean-Jacques EKINDI] Social Democratic Front or SDF [John FRU NDI] Union of Peoples of Cameroon or UPC [Provisionary Management Bureau]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Network of Human Rights Defenders in Central Africa or REDHAC [Maximilliene Ngo MBE] Tribunal 53 Articles [Patrice NGANANG]

Suffrage

20 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

$4.678 billion $6.615 billion (2016 est.)

expenditures

$6.615 billion (2016 est.)

revenues

$4.678 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-6.6% of GDP (2016 est.)

Central bank discount rate

4.25% (31 December 2009)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

12.5% (31 December 2016 est.) 13% (31 December 2015 est.)

Current account balance

$-1.065 billion (2016 est.) $-1.173 billion (2015 est.)

Debt - external

$7.364 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $6.558 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

44.6 (2001) 46.5 (2014 est.)

Economy - overview

Cameroon’s market-based, diversified economy features oil and gas, timber, aluminum, agriculture, mining and the service sector. Oil remains Cameroon’s main export commodity, and despite falling global oil prices, still accounts for nearly 40% of exports. Cameroon’s economy suffers from factors that often impact underdeveloped countries, such as stagnant per capita income, a relatively inequitable distribution of income, a top-heavy civil service, endemic corruption, continuing inefficiencies of a large parastatal system in key sectors, 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 continues to press for economic reforms, including increased budget transparency, privatization, and poverty reduction programs. The Government of Cameroon provides subsidies for electricity, food, and fuel that have strained the federal budget and diverted funds from education, healthcare, and infrastructure projects, as low oil prices have led to lower revenues. Cameroon devotes significant resources to several large infrastructure projects currently under construction, including a deep seaport in Kribi and the Lom Pangar Hydropower Project. Cameroon’s energy sector continues to diversify, recently opening a natural gas-powered electricity generating plant. Cameroon continues to seek foreign investment to improve its inadequate infrastructure, create jobs, and improve its economic footprint, but its unfavorable business environment remains a significant deterrent to foreign investment.

Exchange rates

Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar - 593.01 (2016 est.) 593.01 (2015 est.) 591.45 (2014 est.) 494.42 (2013 est.) 510.53 (2012 est.)

Exports

$4.561 billion (2016 est.) $5.217 billion (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Netherlands 21%, India 11.3%, Italy 11%, China 8%, Spain 6.7%, France 5.9% (2016)

Fiscal year

1 July - 30 June

GDP - composition, by end use

71.7% 12.2% 20.2% 0.6% 18.5% -23% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services

18.5%

government consumption

12.2%

household consumption

71.7%

imports of goods and services

-23% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital

20.2%

investment in inventories

0.6%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

23% 28.2% 48.8% (2016 est.)

agriculture

23%

industry

28.2%

services

48.8% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$3,300 (2016 est.) $3,200 (2015 est.) $3,100 (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

4.7% (2016 est.) 5.8% (2015 est.) 5.9% (2014 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$29.33 billion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$77.1 billion (2016 est.) $72.73 billion (2015 est.) $68.03 billion (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

Gross national saving

16.5% of GDP (2016 est.) 17.2% of GDP (2015 est.) 18.6% of GDP (2014 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

37.5% 35.4% (2001)

highest 10%

35.4% (2001)

lowest 10%

37.5%

Imports

$4.784 billion (2016 est.) $5.589 billion (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery, electrical equipment, transport equipment, fuel, food

Imports - partners

China 17.8%, Nigeria 12%, France 11%, Thailand 4.6%, Togo 4.5% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

4.2% (2016 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0.9% (2016 est.) 2.7% (2015 est.)

Labor force

9.659 million (2016 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

70% 13% 17% (2001 est.)

agriculture

70%

industry

13%

services

17% (2001 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$230 million (31 December 2012 est.)

Population below poverty line

30% (2001 est.)

Public debt

30.5% of GDP (2016 est.) 28.3% of GDP (2015 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$2.26 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $3.568 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of broad money

$6.33 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $6.218 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$5.714 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $4.232 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$3.86 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $3.786 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

15.9% of GDP (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

4.3% (2014 est.) 30% (2001 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

6.5 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

64,290 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - imports

39,120 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - production

93,200 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

200 million bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

5.702 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

52.9% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

46.7% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0.6% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

1.414 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

1.545 million kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

6.61 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity access

10,100,000 55% 88% 17% (2013)

electrification - rural areas

17% (2013)

electrification - total population

55%

electrification - urban areas

88%

population without electricity

10,100,000

Natural gas - consumption

1.08 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - production

680 million cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

135.1 billion cu m (1 January 2017 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

42,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

17,560 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

3,320 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

54,740 bbl/day (2014 est.)

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 users

6,090,201 25.0% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

25.0% (July 2016 est.)

total

6,090,201

Telephone system

system includes cable, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter; Camtel, the monopoly provider of fixed-line service, provides connections for only about 4 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 over 65 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) (2016)

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 over 65 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 4 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) (2016)

Telephones - fixed lines

1,051,073 4 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

4 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

1,051,073

Telephones - mobile cellular

16,331,852 67 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

67 (July 2016 est.)

total

16,331,852

Airports

33 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m

3

2,438 to 3,047 m

5

914 to 1,523 m

1 (2017)

over 3,047 m

2

total

11

Airports - with unpaved runways

8 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

4

914 to 1,523 m

10

total

22

under 914 m

8 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

TJ (2016)

National air transport system

267,208 0 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

0 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

267,208

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

3

number of registered air carriers

1

Pipelines

gas 53 km; liquid petroleum gas 5 km; oil 1,107 km; water 35 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Douala (Wouri); Garoua (Benoue) Limboh Terminal

oil terminal(s)

Limboh Terminal

river port(s)

Douala (Wouri); Garoua (Benoue)

Railways

987 km 987 km 1.000-m gauge railway connections generally efficient but limited; rail lines connect major cities of Douala, Yaounde, Ngaoundere, and Garoua; passenger and freight service provided by CAMRAIL (2014)

narrow gauge

987 km 1.000-m gauge

note

railway connections generally efficient but limited; rail lines connect major cities of Douala, Yaounde, Ngaoundere, and Garoua; passenger and freight service provided by CAMRAIL (2014)

total

987 km

Roadways

51,350 km 4,108 km 47,242 km there are 28,857 km of national roads (2011)

note

there are 28,857 km of national roads (2011)

paved

4,108 km

total

51,350 km

unpaved

47,242 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 branches

Cameroon Armed Forces (Forces Armees Camerounaises, FAC): Army (L'Armee de Terre), Navy (Marine Nationale Republique, MNR, includes naval infantry), Air Force (Armee de l'Air du Cameroun, AAC), Rapid Intervention Brigade, Fire Fighter Corps, Gendarmerie (2015)

Cameroon Armed Forces (Forces Armees Camerounaises, FAC)

Army (L'Armee de Terre), Navy (Marine Nationale Republique, MNR, includes naval infantry), Air Force (Armee de l'Air du Cameroun, AAC), Rapid Intervention Brigade, Fire Fighter Corps, Gendarmerie (2015)

Military expenditures

1.6% of GDP (2016) 1.25% of GDP (2015) 1.25% of GDP (2014) 1.33% of GDP (2013) 1.34% of GDP (2012)

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; periodic government calls for volunteers (2012)

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

241,354 (Central African Republic); 90,428 (Nigeria) (2017) 328,785 (2017)

IDPs

328,785 (2017)

refugees (country of origin)

241,354 (Central African Republic); 90,428 (Nigeria) (2017)