Cameroon: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

Essential data for planning your trip to Cameroon — from population and demographics to economic indicators, healthcare infrastructure, tourism trends, and digital connectivity.

Population & Geography

Population
25,216,237
#53 of 197 countries
Area
475,440 km²
#55 of 248 countries
Density
53.0 / km²
#161 of 245 countries

Cameroon has a population of 25,216,237 spread across 475,440 km², giving it an average density of 53.0 people per km².

Demographics

Median Age
19.4
Life Expectancy
64.2 yrs
Literacy Rate
72.6%
Government
presidential republic
Ethnic Groups
Religions
GDP by Sector

Population Trends

How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.

Age Structure Over Time
Population Growth Rate (%)
Urban vs Rural (%)
Birth & Death Rates (per 1,000)

Economy & Cost of Living

Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. Cameroon is classified as a lower middle income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 32% of US levels, meaning your money goes significantly further here — accommodation, food, and transport are very affordable by Western standards.

Income Level
Lower middle income
GDP per Capita
$1,720
Cost of Living
32% of US
Inflation
7.4%
Inequality
42.2
High
GDP per Capita (USD)
GDP Growth (%)
Inflation Rate (%)
Employment
GDP/Capita (PPP)
$4,900
Unemployment
3.6%

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors. Tourism accounts for 7.1% of Cameroon's total exports, making it a significant contributor to the economy with solid visitor infrastructure.

Tourism Revenue
$437,000,000
Tourism % of Exports
7.1%
Air Passengers
331,025
International Tourist Arrivals
Tourism Receipts (USD)
Air Passengers Carried
Tourism as % of Exports

Health & Safety Infrastructure

Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available — Cameroon has 0.14 physicians per 1,000 people, which is well below the global average of 1.7. Travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is strongly recommended.

Physicians
0.14/1k
Hospital Beds
2.65/1k
Health Spend
$79/person
Infant Mortality
41.2/1k
Immunization
71%
Safe Drinking Water
71.4%
Bottled water recommended
Basic Sanitation
47.1%
Health Expenditure per Capita (USD)
Hospital Beds per 1,000

Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure

Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In Cameroon, 42% of the population uses the internet — connectivity can be limited outside major cities, so download offline maps and content before heading to rural areas. There are 96 mobile subscriptions per 100 people.

Internet Users
41.9%
Mobile Subs
96/100
Broadband
2.1/100
Electricity Access
72.0%
Internet Users (%)
Urbanization (%)

Source: World Bank Open Data