Quick facts
Cameroon population overview
Cameroon is the 17th most populous of 58 countries and territories in Africa. The United Nations put the population at 30,259,540 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +2.5% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 2,063 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 980,409 births (32.4 per 1,000 people) and 205,765 deaths (6.8 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 18,156 people. The infant mortality rate is 43.6 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 5,159,057 in 1960 to 29,879,337 in 2025 — a change of +479.2%, or +2.7% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 18.2 years; life expectancy at birth is 64.5 years; women have on average 4.3 children (2024, above the 2.1 replacement level); 41.1% of residents are under 15 and 2.8% are 65 or older (2025); 55.7% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Yaounde. Cameroon covers 475,440 km², giving a population density of about 64.9 people per km². GDP was $58.93B in 2025 — about $1,972 per person (World Bank classification: lower middle income).
Cameroon population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 30,860,406 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 30,259,540 |
| World rank | #51 of 238 |
| Rank in Africa | #17 of 58 |
| Share of world population | 0.4% |
| Annual growth rate | +2.5% |
| Births per year est. | 980,409 |
| Deaths per year est. | 205,765 |
| Net migration per year est. | -18,156 |
| Birth rate | 32.4 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 6.8 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 43.6 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 99.3 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 18.2 years |
| Life expectancy | 64.5 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 4.3 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 55.7% |
| Surface area 2023 | 475,440 km² |
| Population density | 64.9 per km² |
| Capital | Yaounde |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $58.93B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $1,972 |
| Income group World Bank | Lower middle income |
Cameroon population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 30,860,406 | – | – |
| 2025 | 29,879,337 | +755,593 | +2.6% |
| 2024 | 29,123,744 | +751,057 | +2.6% |
| 2023 | 28,372,687 | +739,916 | +2.7% |
| 2022 | 27,632,771 | +717,013 | +2.7% |
| 2021 | 26,915,758 | +705,200 | +2.7% |
| 2020 | 26,210,558 | +3,447,144 | +2.9% |
| 2015 | 22,763,414 | +3,095,348 | +3% |
| 2010 | 19,668,066 | +2,593,472 | +2.9% |
| 2005 | 17,074,594 | +2,161,963 | +2.7% |
| 2000 | 14,912,631 | +1,854,115 | +2.7% |
| 1995 | 13,058,516 | +1,726,695 | +2.9% |
| 1990 | 11,331,821 | +1,570,091 | +3% |
| 1985 | 9,761,730 | +1,249,511 | +2.8% |
| 1980 | 8,512,219 | +1,115,099 | +2.8% |
| 1975 | 7,397,120 | +947,327 | +2.8% |
| 1970 | 6,449,793 | +745,107 | +2.5% |
| 1965 | 5,704,686 | +545,629 | +2% |
| 1960 | 5,159,057 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Cameroon
Population over time
- From 5,159,057 in 1960 to 30,860,406 today — up 498.2%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +2.8% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 64 years (2024), up 29.3 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 4.3 births per woman (2024) — above the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 33.3 births vs 7 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 26.3 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 41.1% of the population is under 15 and 2.8% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has shrunk from 3.9% in 1960 — the population is getting younger.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 10.29 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 10.55 Mt in 2018 — down 2.4% since.
- Per person: 0.35 t in 2024, vs 0.18 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 370.7 kg of oil equivalent per person (2023), down 15.7% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 79.2% of final energy in 2021 (-2.4 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 42.7% of land area (2023).
- Net deforestation: cover fell from 47.6% to 42.7% since 1990 — roughly 23,410 km² of forest lost.
Urban population (% of total)
- 55.7% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 13.6% in 1960 (+42.1 points).
- Became majority-urban around 2008.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low — freshwater withdrawals are 0.4% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 9,880 m³ in 2022, down 81% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $58.93B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 83% since 2015.
- That works out to $1,972 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 3.6% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 3.4% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 46.3% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 108.2 per 100 people (2024) — more subscriptions than people.
Cameroon in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Cameroon in 2026?
As of October 2026, Cameroon has an estimated population of 30,860,406. The United Nations estimated 30,259,540 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +2.5% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Cameroon growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +2.5% per year — roughly 2,063 more people every day. Each year there are about 980,409 births and 205,765 deaths, with net migration of -18,156.
What is the population density of Cameroon?
About 64.9 people per square kilometre: 30,860,406 people living on 475,440 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Cameroon?
The median age is 18.2 years, and life expectancy at birth is 64.5 years. 41.1% of the population is under 15 and 2.8% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Cameroon rank by population?
Cameroon is the 51st most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 17th in Africa, with 0.4% of the global population.
How has the population of Cameroon changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 5,159,057; by 2025 it had grown to 29,879,337 (+479.2%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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Ivory CoastSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+2.5%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.