Cameroon Population
Cameroon has an estimated population of about 29.1 million, which makes it the 52nd most populous of the 115 countries tracked here.
Its population is growing rapidly, at 2.61% a year.
The capital is Yaounde.
The counter below is a live estimate interpolated from the World Bank's latest annual figures — not a real-time measurement. It links to its source, base year and method via the ⓘ next to it.
Statistics
Population trend
Population 2015–2024 (World Bank)
How Cameroon's population is changing
Cameroon records about 2,659 births and 561 deaths a day. That is a natural increase of roughly 2,098 people per day, or about 766,295 a year before migration is counted.
Net migration runs at about 13,892 over the reported period, with more people leaving than arriving. That is equivalent to about 2% of its natural change.
If the current rate held indefinitely, Cameroon would take roughly 27 years to double in size — a projection of today's rate, not a forecast.
Over the 9 years from 2015 to 2024, the population rose from 22.8 million to 29.1 million — a gain of 6.36 million, or 27.9%.
Where people live in Cameroon
With about 60 people per square kilometre, Cameroon is moderately populated, close to the world average of 62. That ranks 76th of the 115 countries here. Its closest comparisons on density are Bulgaria and Guinea.
Cameroon covers about 472,710 km² of land, which is what turns a population of 29.1 million into that density figure.
About 55.4% of people live in urban areas, making Cameroon majority urban, almost exactly the world average of 57.6%. That works out to roughly 16.1 million town and city dwellers and 13.0 million living rurally.
Age, fertility and life expectancy in Cameroon
Cameroon has a very young population: about 41.4% are under 15 and 2.8% are 65 or older. Children outnumber over-65s by roughly 14.8 to one.
The total fertility rate is about 4.26 births per woman, above the ~2.1 replacement level, which is what sustains growth from births alone. The world figure is about 2.19.
Life expectancy at birth is about 64.0 years, roughly 9.5 years below the global average of 73.5.
Cameroon at a glance
| Indicator | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 29.1 million | 2024 |
| World rank by population | #52 | 2024 |
| Annual growth rate | 2.61% | 2024 |
| Population density | 60 /km² | 2023 |
| Land area | 472,710 km² | 2023 |
| Urban population | 55.4% | 2024 |
| Life expectancy at birth | 64.0 years | 2024 |
| Fertility rate | 4.26 births per woman | 2024 |
| Population under 15 | 41.4% | 2024 |
| Population 65 and over | 2.8% | 2024 |
| Net migration | -13,892 | 2024 |
| Births per day | 2,659 | 2024 |
| Deaths per day | 561 | 2024 |
Frequently asked questions
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Is Cameroon's population growing or shrinking?
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Where do these Cameroon figures come from?
Current local time in Cameroon
Methodology & sources
Data: World Bank (CC BY 4.0), base year 2024. The live counter animates the latest annual growth rate per second; it is an estimate, not a real-time measurement. No figures are invented — every number traces back to the World Bank indicators listed above.
Source: World Bank