Economy Overview
Cameroon’s market-based, diversified economy features oil and gas, timber, aluminum, agriculture, mining and the service sector. Oil remains Cameroon’s main export commodity, and despite falling global oil prices, still accounts for nearly 40% of exports. Cameroon’s economy suffers from 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, 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 and diverted funds from education, healthcare, and infrastructure projects, as low oil prices have led to lower revenues. Cameroon devotes significant resources to several large infrastructure projects currently under construction, including a deep seaport in Kribi and the Lom Pangar Hydropower Project. Cameroon’s energy sector continues to diversify, recently opening a natural gas-powered electricity generating plant. 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.
Agriculture Products
cassava, plantains, maize, oil palm fruit, taro, sugar cane, sorghum, tomatoes, bananas, vegetables
Industries
petroleum production and refining, aluminum production, food processing, light consumer goods, textiles, lumber, ship repair
Industrial Production Growth Rate
3.3% (2017 est.)
Labor Force
9.912 million (2017 est.)
Labor Force by Occupation
Agriculture: 70%
Industry: 13%
Services: 17% (2001 est.)
Unemployment Rate
0: 4.3% (2014 est.)
1: 30% (2001 est.)
Youth Unemployment Rate
Total: 6.3%
Male: 5.8%
Female: 6.8% (2014 est.)
Population Below Poverty Line
37.5% (2014 est.)
Household Income or Consumption by Percentage Share
Lowest 10%: 37.5%
Highest 10%: 35.4% (2001)
Distribution of Family Income Gini Index
0: 46.5 (2014 est.)
1: 46.6 (2014 est.)
Budget
Revenues: 5.363 billion (2017 est.)
Expenditures: 6.556 billion (2017 est.)
Budget Surplus
-3.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public Debt
0: 36.9% of GDP (2017 est.)
1: 32.5% of GDP (2016 est.)
Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate
Market Value of Publicly Traded Shares
Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold
0: $3.235 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
1: $2.26 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt External
0: $9.375 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
1: $7.364 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Stock of Direct Foreign Investment at Home
Stock of Direct Foreign Investment Abroad
Exchange Rates
0: Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar -
1: 605.3 (2017 est.)
2: 593.01 (2016 est.)
3: 593.01 (2015 est.)
4: 591.45 (2014 est.)
5: 494.42 (2013 est.)
