Country Profile: Cameroon

Cameroon, located in Central Africa, presents a rich tapestry of geography and culture. The nation, which has a mixed ethnicity and a population of approximately 30.97 million as of 2024, has a diversified economy largely supported by its natural resources, including petroleum and agriculture. Governed as a presidential republic, Cameroon has experienced relative stability, although there are ongoing challenges with unrest in its English-speaking regions and slow progress towards democratic reforms under the long-standing leadership of President Paul Biya.

Geography

Cameroon is strategically situated between Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria, bordered by the Bight of Biafra. Covering an area of 475,440 sq km, the country features diverse landscapes including coastal plains, mountains, and plateaus. The climate ranges from tropical in coastal areas to semiarid in the north.

402 km of coastline along the Atlantic Ocean.
Highest point: Fako on Mont Cameroun, 4,045 m.
Natural resources include petroleum, bauxite, iron ore, timber, and hydropower.
41% of land is covered by forests (2023).
Major lake: Lake Chad, seasonal variations in area from 10,360 to 25,900 sq km.

People and Society

The population of Cameroon comprises over 30.97 million individuals, with a youthful demographic where approximately 41.5% are aged 0-14 years. It is characterized by a rich cultural diversity, with more than 24 major languages spoken and various religious affiliations including Roman Catholic, Muslim, and Protestant communities.

59.3% of the population live in urban areas (2023).
72.6% literacy rate (2018).
Major urban agglomerations include Yaoundé (4.509 million) and Douala (4.063 million).
Median age is 18.9 years (2024).
Birth rate of 34.7 births/1,000 population (2024).

Economy

Cameroon holds the title of the largest economy in the CEMAC region, driven largely by agriculture, industrial production, and the petroleum sector. Despite its rich resource base, the economy faces challenges from instability and corruption, impacting its overall growth.

Real GDP (PPP) estimated at $143.264 billion (2024).
GDP growth rate projected at 3.7% (2024).
49.9% of GDP derived from services (2024).
Unemployment rate at 3.6% (2024).
Major exports include crude petroleum, natural gas, gold, and agricultural products like cocoa beans.

Government

Cameroon operates as a presidential republic with a complex political landscape shaped by a mix of English common law and French civil law. The country is divided into 10 regions and features both a bicameral legislature and a mixed legal system, showcasing a blend of traditional and modern governance.

President: Paul Biya (since 1982).
Upcoming presidential elections are scheduled for October 2032.
The legislature consists of 180 National Assembly members and 100 Senate members.
National holiday is celebrated on May 20 (State Unification Day).

Military and Security

The Cameroon Armed Forces (FAC) consist of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and National Gendarmerie, with a focus on defending territorial integrity and responding to internal security threats, including terrorism from groups like Boko Haram.

Estimated 40,000-50,000 active military personnel (2025).
Military expenditure at 1% of GDP (2024).
Key military concerns include threats from Boko Haram and armed separatist movements.
National Gendarmerie's role includes customs and traffic control.

Energy

Cameroon's energy sector is characterized by significant reliance on hydropower, although oil and gas also contribute substantially. Access to electricity remains a challenge, particularly in rural areas.

71% of total population has access to electricity (2022).
Installed generating capacity is 1.798 million kW (2023).
63.1% of installed capacity comes from hydroelectric sources.
Total petroleum production stands at 64,000 bbl/day (2023).

Environment

Cameroon faces various environmental challenges, including deforestation, soil erosion, and desertification, while also engaging in international agreements for biodiversity and climate change mitigation.

41% of land is forested (2023).
Major environmental concerns include deforestation and poaching.
Carbon dioxide emissions at approximately 6.707 million metric tonnes (2023).
Participation in 14 international environmental agreements.

Transportation

Cameroon's transportation infrastructure includes a network of railways and ports that facilitate trade, although development opportunities remain for enhancement.

Total railway length is 987 km (2014).
37 airports in operation (2025).
Key ports are located in Douala and Kribi.
The merchant marine consists of 198 vessels (2023).

Communications

A growing telecommunications sector in Cameroon is marked by increasing mobile phone subscriptions and internet usage, although government control over media remains prevalent.

Mobile cellular subscriptions: 26.2 million (2023).
Internet coverage reaches 42% of the population (2023).
Fixed line subscriptions total 896,000 (2022).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	30,966,105 (2024 est.)
Area	475,440 sq km
GDP (Purchasing Power Parity)	$143.264 billion (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate	3.6% (2024 est.)
Electricity Access	71% (2022 est.)
Literacy Rate	72.6% (2018 est.)
Birth Rate	34.7 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
Life Expectancy at Birth	64.2 years (2024 est.)
Urban Population	59.3% (2023)
Military Expenditure	1% of GDP (2024 est.)