ARCHIVE // CM // 2015

Cameroon

2015 Edition — sovereign

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Communications
Broadcast media [time series]
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 [time series]
.cm
Internet users [time series]
total: 1.5 million | percent of population: 6.5% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 108
Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]
AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 3 (2001)
Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]
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monopoly provider of fixed-line service, provides connections for only about 3 per 100 persons; equipment is old and outdated, and connections with many parts of the country are unreliable | domestic: mobile-cellular usage, in part a reflection of the poor condition and general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 | 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 - fixed lines [time series]
total subscriptions: 1.05 million | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 5 (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 76
Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]
total: 17.3 million | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 75 (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 61
Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]
1 (2001)
Economy
Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]
coffee, cocoa, cotton, rubber, bananas, oilseed, grains, cassava (manioc, tapioca); livestock; timber
Budget [time series]
revenues: $5.503 billion | expenditures: $6.92 billion (2014 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]
-4.4% of GDP (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 149
Central bank discount rate [time series]
4.25% (31 December 2009) | country comparison to the world: 94
Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]
13.8% (31 December 2014 est.) | 14% (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 51
Current account balance [time series]
-$1.333 billion (2014 est.) | -$1.332 billion (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 127
Debt - external [time series]
$5.006 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $4.217 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 126
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]
44.6 (2001) | 47.7 (1996) | country comparison to the world: 43
Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]
Modest oil resources and favorable agricultural conditions provide Cameroon with one of the best-endowed primary commodity economies in sub-Saharan Africa. Cameroon’s economy suffers from political and economic 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, the 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 diverting funds from education, healthcare, and infrastructure projects. Cameroon devotes significant resources to several large infrastructure projects under construction, including a deep sea port in Kribi and the Lom Pangar Hydropower Project. Cameroon’s energy sector continues to diversify, recently opening a natural gas powered electricity generating plant. Oil remains Cameroon’s main export commodity accounting for nearly 40% of export earnings despite falling global oil prices. 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 [time series]
Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per dollar - | 491.2 (2014 est.) | 494.04 (2013 est.) | 510.53 (2012 est.) | 471.87 (2011 est.) | 495.28 (2010 est.)
Exports [time series]
$6.376 billion (2014 est.) | $5.819 billion (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 108
Exports - commodities [time series]
crude oil and petroleum products, lumber, cocoa beans, aluminum, coffee, cotton
Exports - partners [time series]
Spain 13.9%, China 12%, India 10.1%, Italy 8.1%, Netherlands 8%, Belgium 5.1%, France 4.6%, Norway 4.5%, UK 4.3% (2014)
Fiscal year [time series]
1 July - 30 June
GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]
$31.67 billion (2014 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]
$67.2 billion (2014 est.) | $63.92 billion (2013 est.) | $60.54 billion (2012 est.) | note: data are in 2014 US dollars | country comparison to the world: 96
GDP - composition, by end use [time series]
household consumption: 68.9% | government consumption: 14% | investment in fixed capital: 21% | investment in inventories: 0% | exports of goods and services: 28.6% | imports of goods and services: -32.5% | (2014 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin [time series]
agriculture: 19.9% | industry: 27.6% | services: 52.5% (2014 est.)
Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]
$3,000 (2014 est.) | $2,800 (2013 est.) | $2,700 (2012 est.) | note: data are in 2014 US dollars | country comparison to the world: 189
Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]
5.1% (2014 est.) | 5.6% (2013 est.) | 4.6% (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 52
Gross national saving [time series]
17.9% of GDP (2014 est.) | 17.8% of GDP (2013 est.) | 17.1% of GDP (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 103
Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]
lowest 10%: 2.3% | highest 10%: 35.4% (2001)
Imports [time series]
$6.937 billion (2014 est.) | $6.484 billion (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 117
Imports - commodities [time series]
machinery, electrical equipment, transport equipment, fuel, food
Imports - partners [time series]
China 26.2%, Nigeria 12%, France 11.8%, Belgium 4.9%, US 4.2% (2014)
Industrial production growth rate [time series]
4.9% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 54
Industries [time series]
petroleum production and refining, aluminum production, food processing, light consumer goods, textiles, lumber, ship repair
Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]
1.9% (2014 est.) | 1.9% (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 95
Labor force [time series]
9.105 million (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 54
Labor force - by occupation [time series]
agriculture: 70% | industry: 13% | services: 17% (2001 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]
$230 million (31 December 2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 116
Population below poverty line [time series]
48% (2000 est.)
Public debt [time series]
22.7% of GDP (2014 est.) | 19.4% of GDP (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 136
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]
$3.503 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $3.384 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 105
Stock of broad money [time series]
$6.439 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $6.633 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 121
Stock of domestic credit [time series]
$3.318 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $3.114 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 129
Stock of narrow money [time series]
$3.861 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $3.988 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 112
Taxes and other revenues [time series]
17.1% of GDP (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 181
Unemployment rate [time series]
30% (2001 est.) | country comparison to the world: 183
Energy
Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]
6.224 million Mt (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 122
Crude oil - exports [time series]
55,680 bbl/day (2010 est.) | country comparison to the world: 45
Crude oil - imports [time series]
34,220 bbl/day (2010 est.) | country comparison to the world: 61
Crude oil - production [time series]
62,760 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 56
Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]
200 million bbl (1 January 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 59
Electricity - consumption [time series]
5.267 billion kWh (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 112
Electricity - exports [time series]
0 kWh (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 123
Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]
28.6% of total installed capacity (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 183
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]
71.4% of total installed capacity (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 22
Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 67
Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 170
Electricity - imports [time series]
0 kWh (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 130
Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]
1.007 million kW (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 123
Electricity - production [time series]
5.857 billion kWh (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 115
Natural gas - consumption [time series]
165 million cu m (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 103
Natural gas - exports [time series]
0 cu m (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 78
Natural gas - imports [time series]
0 cu m (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 176
Natural gas - production [time series]
165 million cu m (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 78
Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]
135.1 billion cu m (1 January 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 49
Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]
29,680 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 115
Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]
13,370 bbl/day (2010 est.) | country comparison to the world: 80
Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]
6,018 bbl/day (2010 est.) | country comparison to the world: 143
Refined petroleum products - production [time series]
43,500 bbl/day (2010 est.) | country comparison to the world: 83
Geography
Area [time series]
total: 475,440 sq km | land: 472,710 sq km | water: 2,730 sq km | country comparison to the world: 54
Area - comparative [time series]
slightly larger than California
Climate [time series]
varies with terrain, from tropical along coast to semiarid and hot in north
Coastline [time series]
402 km
Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m | highest point: Fako 4,095 m (on Cameroon Mountain)
Environment - current issues [time series]
waterborne diseases are prevalent; deforestation; overgrazing; desertification; poaching; overfishing
International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]
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
Total water withdrawal (Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)) [time series]
total: 0.97 cu km/yr (23%/10%/68%) | per capita: 58.9 cu m/yr (2005)
Geographic coordinates [time series]
6 00 N, 12 00 E
Geography - note [time series]
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 [time series]
256.5 sq km (2003)
Land boundaries [time series]
total: 5,018 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
Land use [time series]
agricultural land: 20.6% | arable land 13.1%; permanent crops 3.3%; permanent pasture 4.2% | forest: 41.7% | other: 37.7% (2011 est.)
Location [time series]
Central Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria
Map references [time series]
Africa
Maritime claims [time series]
territorial sea: 12 nm | contiguous zone: 24 nm
Natural hazards [time series]
volcanic activity with periodic releases of poisonous gases from Lake Nyos and Lake Monoun volcanoes | 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 [time series]
petroleum, bauxite, iron ore, timber, hydropower
Terrain [time series]
diverse, with coastal plain in southwest, dissected plateau in center, mountains in west, plains in north
Total renewable water resources [time series]
285.5 cu km (2011)
Government
Administrative divisions [time series]
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 [time series]
name: Yaounde | geographic coordinates: 3 52 N, 11 31 E | time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Constitution [time series]
several previous; latest effective 18 January 1996; amended 2008 (2008)
Country name [time series]
conventional long form: Republic of Cameroon | conventional short form: Cameroon | local long form: Republique du Cameroun/Republic of Cameroon | local short form: Cameroun/Cameroon | former: French Cameroon, British Cameroon, Federal Republic of Cameroon, United Republic of Cameroon
Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]
chief of mission: Ambassador Michael Stephen HOZA (since 19 September 2014) | embassy: Avenue Rosa Parks, Yaounde | mailing address: P. O. Box 817, Yaounde; pouch: American Embassy, US Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2520 | telephone: [237] 22220 15 00; Consular: [237] 22220 16 03 | FAX: [237] 22220 15 00 Ext. 4531; Consular FAX: [237] 22220 17 52 | branch office(s): Douala
Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]
chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph FOE-ATANGANA (since 12 September 2008) | chancery: 2349 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; current temporary address - 3400 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 | telephone: [1] (202) 265-8790 | FAX: [1] (202) 387-3826
Executive branch [time series]
chief of state: President Paul BIYA (since 6 November 1982) | head of government: Prime Minister Philemon YANG (since 30 June 2009) | cabinet: Cabinet proposed by the prime minister, appointed by the president | 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 | 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%
Flag (Flag description) [time series]
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" | note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Government type [time series]
republic; multiparty presidential regime
Independence [time series]
1 January 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship)
International law organization participation [time series]
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; non-party state to the ICCt
International organization participation [time series]
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 [time series]
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 [time series]
mixed legal system of English common law, French civil law, and customary law
Legislative branch [time series]
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 | 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) | 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
National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]
name: "O Cameroun, Berceau de nos Ancetres" (O Cameroon, Cradle of Our Forefathers) | lyrics/music: Rene Djam AFAME, Samuel Minkio BAMBA, Moise Nyatte NKO'O [French], Benard Nsokika FONLON [English]/Rene Djam AFAME | 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 [time series]
State Unification Day (National Day), 20 May (1972)
National symbol(s) [time series]
lion; national colors: green, red, yellow
Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]
Cameroon People's Democratic Movement or CPDM [Paul BIYA] | Cameroon People's Party or CPP [Edith Kah WALLA] | 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 parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]
Network of Human Rights Defenders in Central Africa or REDHAC [Maximilliene Ngo MBE] | Tribunal 53 [Patrice NGANANG]
Suffrage [time series]
20 years of age; universal
Introduction
Background [time series]
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.
Military
Manpower available for military service [time series]
males age 16-49: 4,667,251 | females age 16-49: 4,548,909 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service [time series]
males age 16-49: 2,794,998 | females age 16-49: 2,718,110 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]
male: 215,248 | female: 211,636 (2010 est.)
Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]
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), Fire Fighter Corps, Gendarmerie (2013)
Military expenditures [time series]
1.42% of GDP (2012) | 1.37% of GDP (2011) | 1.42% of GDP (2010) | country comparison to the world: 70
Military service age and obligation [time series]
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)
People and Society
Age structure [time series]
0-14 years: 42.78% (male 5,115,958/female 5,039,122) | 15-24 years: 19.58% (male 2,337,061/female 2,310,178) | 25-54 years: 30.53% (male 3,644,779/female 3,603,610) | 55-64 years: 3.96% (male 458,001/female 481,717) | 65 years and over: 3.15% (male 348,754/female 400,038) (2015 est.)
Birth rate [time series]
36.17 births/1,000 population (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 18
Child labor - children ages 5-14 [time series]
total number: 1,396,281 | percentage: 31% (2006 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight [time series]
15.1% (2011) | country comparison to the world: 47
Contraceptive prevalence rate [time series]
23.4% (2011)
Death rate [time series]
10.11 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 42
Dependency ratios [time series]
total dependency ratio: 84.3% | youth dependency ratio: 78.4% | elderly dependency ratio: 5.9% | potential support ratio: 16.9% (2015 est.)
Drinking water source [time series]
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.)
Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]
3% of GDP (2012) | country comparison to the world: 133
Ethnic groups [time series]
Cameroon Highlanders 31%, Equatorial Bantu 19%, Kirdi 11%, Fulani 10%, Northwestern Bantu 8%, Eastern Nigritic 7%, other African 13%, non-African less than 1%
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]
4.77% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 14
HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]
34,200 (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 7
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]
657,500 (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 15
Health expenditure (Health expenditures) [time series]
5.1% of GDP (2013) | country comparison to the world: 139
Hospital bed density [time series]
1.3 beds/1,000 population (2010)
Infant mortality rate [time series]
total: 53.63 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 57.28 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 49.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 29
Languages [time series]
24 major African language groups, English (official), French (official)
Life expectancy at birth [time series]
total population: 57.93 years | male: 56.62 years | female: 59.28 years (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 203
Literacy [time series]
definition: age 15 and over can read and write | total population: 75% | male: 81.2% | female: 68.9% (2015 est.)
Major infectious diseases [time series]
degree of risk: very high | food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever | vectorborne diseases: malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever | water contact disease: schistosomiasis | respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis | animal contact disease: rabies (2013)
Major urban areas - population [time series]
YAOUNDE (capital) 3.066 million; Douala 2.943 million (2015)
Median age [time series]
total: 18.4 years | male: 18.3 years | female: 18.5 years (2015 est.)
Nationality [time series]
noun: Cameroonian(s) | adjective: Cameroonian
Net migration rate [time series]
-0.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 117
Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]
9.6% (2014) | country comparison to the world: 130
Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]
0.08 physicians/1,000 population (2009)
Population [time series]
23,739,218 | 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 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 54
Population growth rate [time series]
2.59% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 19
Religions [time series]
indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 40%, Muslim 20%
Sanitation facility access [time series]
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.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]
total: 10 years | male: 11 years | female: 10 years (2011)
Sex ratio [time series]
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female | 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 | total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2015 est.)
Total fertility rate [time series]
4.76 children born/woman (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 20
Urbanization [time series]
urban population: 54.4% of total population (2015) | rate of urbanization: 3.6% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international [time series]
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 [time series]
refugees (country of origin): 253,042 (Central African Republic); 58,220 (Nigeria) (2015) | IDPs: 81,693 (2015)
Transportation
Airports [time series]
33 (2013) | country comparison to the world: 112
Airports - with paved runways [time series]
total: 11 | over 3,047 m: 2 | 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 | 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]
total: 22 | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 | 914 to 1,523 m: 10 | 8 (2013)
Pipelines [time series]
gas 53 km; liquid petroleum gas 5 km; oil 1,107 km; water 35 km (2013)
Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]
river port(s): Douala (Wouri); Garoua (Benoue) | oil terminal(s): Limboh Terminal
Railways [time series]
total: 987 km | 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) | country comparison to the world: 82
Roadways [time series]
total: 51,350 km | paved: 4,108 km | unpaved: 47,242 km | note: there are 28,857 km of national roads (2011) | country comparison to the world: 76
Waterways [time series]
(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)