Cameroon is an African country located in Central and Western Africa. It is the most diverse country on the continent, home to more than 250 ethnic groups. The population of Cameroon is constantly growing, especially in cities, which affects the demographic picture and socio-economic development of the country.
According to the latest data, the population of Cameroon is more than 24 million. More than half of the population are young people under the age of 25. Like many African countries, the birth rate in Cameroon is high and the death rate is relatively low. This creates a high increase in natural population growth.
Cameroon is divided into 10 regions, the predominant populations of which are Bamundi, Fulani, Beti, Douala, Basa and other ethnic groups. A significant proportion of both Muslims and Christians. The diversity of ethnic composition creates a unique mosaic of cultures and traditions in the country, making Cameroon an interesting subject of study for anthropologists and ethnologists.
General information about Cameroon
| Status | Sovereign State |
| Square | more than 475,000 km² |
| Population | about 25.9 million people |
| Languages | French, English and over 230 local languages |
| Currency | Central African Franc (XAF) |
| Political system | President’s rule |
| State of the art | Low income developing country |
| Ethnic composition | Bamum, Douala, Beti, Fulbe, Wodza, Yaaka, Mandara, Bamileke and others |
Cameroon is a multi-ethnic state with a significant number of ethnic groups. The country’s official languages are French and English, and there are more than 230 local languages spoken, each specific to a specific ethnic group.
The local currency is the Central African Franc. Cameroon is a low-income developing country. The government form of government is the rule of the president.
A significant part of Cameroon’s territory is occupied by wild reserves and national parks, including the famous Wakone National Park, where tourist routes are developed for travelers who want to enjoy the natural resources of the country.
Geographical position
The country borders Nigeria, Chad, Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
Cameroon covers a variety of natural landscapes, from the coast with sandy beaches and mangrove forests to the high mountain peaks in the western part of the country. The interior is occupied by forests, savannas and fertile land for agriculture.
Cameroon’s geographical location has determined its natural wealth and diverse fauna. Here you can find such unique animals as elephants, gorillas, lions, buffalos and crocodiles.
One of the main attractions of Cameroon is Mount Fako, on top of which is the highest volcanic point in Africa — Cameroon Peak.
The geographical location of the country and its natural resources make Cameroon attractive to tourists and nature explorers.
Climatic conditions
The rainy season lasts from March to October and is characterized by intense rainfall and high humidity. Precipitation peaks in July and August. At this time, the temperature remains between 24-28 °C.
The dry season begins in November and continues until February. At this time, precipitation decreases significantly, temperatures rise to 30-35 ° C, and humidity decreases.
The climate of Cameroon is also influenced by the mountains located in the country. This includes Cameroon Peak, which is the highest peak in the country. The height of the mountains determines the variety of climatic conditions in different regions.
Cameroon’s unique climate regime contributes to its rich flora and fauna and also makes it an attractive tourist destination.
| Month | Average temperature (°C) | Precipitation (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 25 | 5 |
| February | 26 | 10 |
| March | 27 | 70 |
| April | 27 | 150 |
| May | 26 | 200 |
| June | 25 | 200 |
| July | 24 | 300 |
| August | 24 | 300 |
| September | 25 | 200 |
| October | 26 | 150 |
| November | 27 | 70 |
| December | 26 | 10 |
Cameroon population statistics:
The current population of Cameroon is about 27 million people. However, due to continuous population growth, this number is constantly increasing. Statistics show that the average annual growth rate is about 2.5%.
Cameroon has a predominantly young population. About 60% of Cameroonians are under 25 years of age, and the average age of the population is about 21 years.
There are a number of ethnic groups in the country, each with their own unique culture and traditions. The most common ethnic groups in Cameroon include the Bamumba, Fulani, Beti, Ewondo and Basa.
The majority of Cameroon’s population lives in rural areas, although there has also been an increase in the urban population in recent years. Large cities such as Yaounde and Douala are centers of industry and commerce, and attract many migrants from other regions of the country.
Statistics also show that Cameroon is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country. Christianity and Islam are the two main religions in the country, with animism and traditional beliefs also common.
As can be seen, Cameroon’s population is diverse in terms of ethnicity, religious beliefs and geographical spread. These factors contribute to the formation of the country’s culture and society.
Total population
According to the latest data, the total population of Cameroon is about 26 million. This makes Cameroon the second most populous country in Central Africa after Nigeria.
Over the past decades, Cameroon’s population has been growing at a fairly rapid pace. In 1960, the year of independence, the population was only about 5 million. Over the past fifty years it has increased more than fivefold.
Most of Cameroon’s population lives in urban areas, mainly in the capital Yaounde and the economic center Douala. Despite this, a significant part of the population still lives in rural areas, engaged in agriculture and fishing.
Rate of natural increase
The rate of natural population growth in Cameroon is impressive in its dynamics and diversity. The overall rate of natural increase, which is calculated as the difference between the birth rate and the death rate, is about 2.5% per year.
According to the latest statistics, the birth rate in the country is about 35.5 per 1000 people, and the death rate is about 10.5 per 1000 people. Thus, the difference between these indicators indicates a positive population growth in Cameroon.
However, it is worth noting that the rate of natural increase varies in different regions of the country. For example, rural areas have higher rates of natural increase compared to urban areas. This is due to differences in lifestyle, access to health care and education.
However, overall trends indicate that Cameroon’s population continues to grow rapidly. This is important to take into account when developing policies for the country’s social and economic development, as well as in planning housing and infrastructure construction.
| Year | Rate of natural increase (%) |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 2.4 |
| 2016 | 2.5 |
| 2017 | 2.6 |
| 2018 | 2.7 |
| 2019 | 2.8 |
Urban population
Cameroon’s urban population makes up a significant proportion of the country’s total population. According to the latest census conducted in 2018, more than 57% of Cameroon’s residents live in cities.
The largest city in Cameroon is the country’s capital, Yaoundé. Yaounde currently has a population of about 2.8 million people. However, recent years have seen a rapid increase in the urban population and expansion of Cameroon’s capital city.
Another major city in the country is Cameroon’s first capital, Douala. The city is home to more than 1.9 million people. Douala is an important economic and commercial center of the country, as well as its main port.
In the northern part of the country is the city of Garua with a population of about 400 thousand people. Garoua is the center of the Northern Cameroon region and serves as an important transport hub.
The urban population of Cameroon also includes other large cities such as Bamenda, Bafoussam, Buea, Maroua, etc. Each of them has its own characteristics and plays an important role in the economy and development of the country.
The rapid development of the urban population in Cameroon is due to increased industrialization, urbanization, influx of migrants from rural areas and international migrations. At the same time, there is a problem of lack of living space, instability of the labor market, social
Demographic characteristics
The population of Cameroon is constantly growing every year. The country’s population is expected to continue to increase in the coming decades. This demographic growth has its reasons, including the high birth rate and falling death rate in the country.
The majority of Cameroon’s population lives in cities and urban areas. The population of rural areas, although a significant proportion, is gradually decreasing. This process is explained by the influx of people into cities in search of better employment and education opportunities.
Cameroon is a country with many ethnic groups and cultural traditions. The main ethnic groups include Bamum, Fulbe, Beti, Ewondo, Bassa, Duala and others. Each ethnic group contributes to the cultural and social diversity of the country.
Like most African countries, Cameroon also has differences in demographic characteristics between men and women. For example, women have a higher life expectancy than men. In addition, the proportion of men in the total population exceeds that of women.