World Factbook Title
navigation arrows
Download Publication
Africa :: Cameroon
page last updated on December 13, 2011
Flag of Cameroon
(CONTAINS DESCRIPTION)
Location of Cameroon
Click flag or map to enlarge Opens in New Window
 
Map of Cameroon
Click map to enlarge Opens in New Window
Photos of Cameroon
 
Navigation Arrow view 1 photo Opens in New Window
of Cameroon
Expand All | collapse All
Introduction ::Cameroon
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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 permitted 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.
Back to Top
Geography ::Cameroon
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
6 00 N, 12 00 E
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 475,440 sq km
country comparison to the world: 54
land: 472,710 sq km
water: 2,730 sq km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
slightly larger than California
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 4,591 km
border countries: Central African Republic 797 km, Chad 1,094 km, Republic of the Congo 523 km, Equatorial Guinea 189 km, Gabon 298 km, Nigeria 1,690 km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
402 km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
varies with terrain, from tropical along coast to semiarid and hot in north
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
diverse, with coastal plain in southwest, dissected plateau in center, mountains in west, plains in north
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Fako 4,095 m (on Mt. Cameroon)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
petroleum, bauxite, iron ore, timber, hydropower
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
arable land: 12.54%
permanent crops: 2.52%
other: 84.94% (2005)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
290 sq km (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
285.5 cu km (2003)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 0.99 cu km/yr (18%/8%/74%)
per capita: 61 cu m/yr (2000)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
waterborne diseases are prevalent; deforestation; overgrazing; desertification; poaching; overfishing
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
Back to Top
People and Society ::Cameroon
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
noun: Cameroonian(s)
adjective: Cameroonian
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Cameroon Highlanders 31%, Equatorial Bantu 19%, Kirdi 11%, Fulani 10%, Northwestern Bantu 8%, Eastern Nigritic 7%, other African 13%, non-African less than 1%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
24 major African language groups, English (official), French (official)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 40%, Muslim 20%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
19,711,291 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0-14 years: 40.5% (male 4,027,381/female 3,956,219)
15-64 years: 56.2% (male 5,564,570/female 5,505,857)
65 years and over: 3.3% (male 300,929/female 356,335) (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 19.4 years
male: 19.3 years
female: 19.6 years (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2.121% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
33.04 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
11.83 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
urban population: 58% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 3.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Douala 2.053 million; YAOUNDE (capital) 1.739 million (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
600 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)
country comparison to the world: 18
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 60.91 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 33
male: 65.48 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 56.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total population: 54.39 years
country comparison to the world: 200
male: 53.52 years
female: 55.28 years (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
4.17 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
5.6% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 126
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0.19 physicians/1,000 population (2004)
country comparison to the world: 151
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.5 beds/1,000 population (2006)
country comparison to the world: 120
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
improved:
urban: 92% of population
rural: 51% of population
total: 74% of population
unimproved:
urban: 8% of population
rural: 49% of population
total: 26% of population (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
improved:
urban: 56% of population
rural: 35% of population
total: 47% of population
unimproved:
urban: 44% of population
rural: 65% of population
total: 53% of population (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
5.3% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
610,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
37,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever
water contact disease: schistosomiasis
respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis
animal contact disease: rabies (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
16.6% (2006)
country comparison to the world: 48
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
3.7% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 113
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 67.9%
male: 77%
female: 59.8% (2001 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 10 years
male: 11 years
female: 9 years (2009)
Back to Top
Government ::Cameroon
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
republic; multiparty presidential regime
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
name: Yaounde
geographic coordinates: 3 52 N, 11 31 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
10 regions (regions, singular - region); Adamaoua, Centre, Est, Extreme-Nord, Littoral, Nord, North-West (Nord-Ouest), Ouest, Sud, South-West (Sud-Ouest)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1 January 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Republic Day (National Day), 20 May (1972)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
approved by referendum 20 May 1972; adopted 2 June 1972; revised January 1996; amended April 2008
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
mixed legal system of English common law, French civil law, and customary law
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; non-party state to the ICCt
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
20 years of age; universal
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
chief of state: President Paul BIYA (since 6 November 1982)
head of government: Prime Minister Philemon YANG (since 30 June 2009)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from proposals submitted by the prime minister
(For more information visit the World Leaders website Opens in New Window)
elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (with no term limits per 2008 constitutional amendment); election last held on 9 October 2011 (next to be held in October 2018); prime minister appointed by the president
election results: President Paul BIYA reelected; percent of vote - Paul BIYA 78.0%, John FRU NDI 10.7%, Garga Haman ADJI 3.2%, Adamou Ndam NJOYA 1.7%, Paul Abine AYAH 1.3%, other 5.1%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (180 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms); note - the president can either lengthen or shorten the term of the legislature
elections: last held on 22 July 2007 (next to be held in July 2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CPDM 140, SDF 14, UDC 4, UNDP 4, MP 1, vacant 17
note: the constitution calls for an upper chamber for the legislature, to be called a Senate, but it has yet to be established
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president); High Court of Justice (consists of nine judges and six substitute judges; elected by the National Assembly)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Cameroon People's Democratic Movement or CPDM [Paul BIYA]; 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; Social Democratic Front or SDF [John FRU NDI]; Union of Peoples of Cameroon or UPC [Augustin Frederic KODOCK]
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Human Rights Defense Group [Albert MUKONG, president]; Southern Cameroon National Council [Ayamba Ette OTUN]
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, C, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph FOE-ATANGANA
chancery: 2349 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 265-8790
FAX: [1] (202) 387-3826
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
chief of mission: Ambassador Robert P. JACKSON
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] 2220 15 00; Consular: [237] 2220 16 03
FAX: [237] 2220 16 00 Ext. 4531; Consular FAX: [237] 2220 17 52
branch office(s): Douala
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
lion
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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 although officially adopted in 1957; the anthem has French and English versions whose lyrics differ
Back to Top
Economy ::Cameroon
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Because of its modest oil resources and favorable agricultural conditions, Cameroon has one of the best-endowed primary commodity economies in sub-Saharan Africa. Still, it faces many of the serious problems confronting other underdeveloped countries, such as stagnant per capita income, a relatively inequitable distribution of income, a top-heavy civil service, endemic corruption, 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 is pressing for more reforms, including increased budget transparency, privatization, and poverty reduction programs. Weak prices for oil led to the significant slowdown in growth in 2010. The government is under pressure to reduce its budget deficit, which by the government's own forecast will hit 2.8% of GDP, but the presidential election in 2011 may make fiscal austerity difficult.
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$44.33 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
$43.04 billion (2009 est.)
$42.22 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$22.48 billion (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
3% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
2% (2009 est.)
2.6% (2008 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$2,300 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183
$2,300 (2009 est.)
$2,300 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
agriculture: 19.7%
industry: 31.4%
services: 48.9% (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
7.836 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
agriculture: 70%
industry: 13%
services: 17% (2001 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
30% (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
48% (2000 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
lowest 10%: 2.3%
highest 10%: 35.4% (2001)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
44.6 (2001)
country comparison to the world: 41
47.7 (1996)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
19.3% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
revenues: $3.881 billion
expenditures: $4.434 billion (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
17.3% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
-2.5% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
16.1% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119
15.1% of GDP (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.3% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
3% (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
4.25% (31 December 2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
14% (31 December 2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$3.264 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
$3.188 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$5.344 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
$5.103 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$1.587 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137
$1.58 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
coffee, cocoa, cotton, rubber, bananas, oilseed, grains, root starches; livestock; timber
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
petroleum production and refining, aluminum production, food processing, light consumer goods, textiles, lumber, ship repair
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
4% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
5.421 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
4.883 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 kWh (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 kWh (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
65,330 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
30,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
101,300 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
46,490 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
200 million bbl (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
20 million cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
20 million cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
135.1 billion cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
-$825.1 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127
-$1.137 billion (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$4.494 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
$4.079 billion (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
crude oil and petroleum products, lumber, cocoa beans, aluminum, coffee, cotton
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Spain 15.1%, Netherlands 12.8%, China 9.4%, Italy 9.3%, France 6.5%, US 6.4% (2010)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$4.975 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
$4.405 billion (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
machinery, electrical equipment, transport equipment, fuel, food
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
France 19.1%, China 13.3%, Nigeria 12.4%, Belgium 5.5%, Germany 4% (2010)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$3.665 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
$3.676 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$3.123 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127
$2.941 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs
495.28 (2010)
472.19 (2009)
447.81 (2008)
493.51 (2007)
522.59 (2006)
Back to Top
Communications ::Cameroon
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
496,500 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 98
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
8.156 million (2010)
country comparison to the world: 81
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
general assessment: system includes cable, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter; Camtel, the monopoly provider of fixed-line service, provides connections for only about 2 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 40 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) (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
government maintains tight control over broadcast media; state-owned Cameroon Radio Television (CRTV), broadcasting on both a television 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)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
.cm
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
90 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 205
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
749,600 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 106
Back to Top
Transportation ::Cameroon
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
34 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 111
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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 (2010)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 23
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 14
under 914 m: 6 (2010)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
oil 886 km (2010)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 987 km
country comparison to the world: 88
narrow gauge: 987 km 1.000-m gauge (2010)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 50,000 km
country comparison to the world: 80
paved: 5,000 km
unpaved: 45,000 km (2004)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
(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)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Douala, Garoua, Limboh Terminal
Back to Top
Military ::Cameroon
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Cameroon Armed Forces (Forces Armees Camerounaises, FAC): Army (L'Armee de Terre), Navy (includes naval infantry), Air Force (Armee de l'Air du Cameroun, AAC), Fire Fighter Corps, Gendarmerie (2011)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
18-23 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; no conscription; high school graduation required; service obligation 4 years; the government periodically calls for volunteers (2011)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
males age 16-49: 4,667,251
females age 16-49: 4,548,909 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
males age 16-49: 2,794,998
females age 16-49: 2,718,110 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
male: 215,248
female: 211,636 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.3% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 117
Back to Top
Transnational Issues ::Cameroon
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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 agree 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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
refugees (country of origin): 20,000-30,000 (Chad); 3,000 (Nigeria); 24,000 (Central African Republic) (2007)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
current situation: Cameroon is a source, transit, and destination country for women and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation; most victims are children trafficked within country: girls are primarily trafficked for domestic servitude and sexual exploitation and both boys and girls are trafficked for forced labor in sweatshops, bars, restaurants, street vending, mining, and on tea and cocoa plantations; children are trafficked into Cameroon from neighboring states for forced labor in agriculture, fishing, street vending, and spare-parts shops; Nigerian and Beninese children transiting Cameroon to Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, or adjacent countries often fall victim to traffickers; it is a source country for women transported by sex-trafficking rings to Europe; Cameroonian trafficking victims were reported in the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Cyprus, Norway, and Senegal
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - while the government modestly increased its efforts to prevent trafficking, including the creation of an inter-ministerial committee and a national action plan, it failed to convict or punish trafficking offenders, including complicit officials, under its child trafficking law, did not take steps to enact a 2006 draft law prohibiting the trafficking of adults, and did not exhibit significant efforts to protect victims of trafficking (2011)
Back to Top
Expand All | collapse All