Cameroon Population
Sub-Saharan Africa · 51st most populous · Lower middle income
Population right now (estimate)
30,879,811
The population of Cameroon is about 30,879,811 as of 22 October 2026 (estimate), and 30.6 million for 2026 as a whole — 0.37% of the world's people.
Cameroon is ranked 51st of 217 by population. Its population is growing fast — about 2.5% a year, roughly 2,139 more people every day. By 2050 it is projected to reach about 51.1 million. That is 5.9 times its 1960 population of 5.2 million. Population density is 65 people per square kilometre. 56% of people live in cities (2025).
Population 2026
30.6 million
Yearly change
+2.55%
World rank
51st
Share of world
0.37%
Density
65/km²
Land area
472,710 km²
Life expectancy
64.0 yrs
Births per woman
4.26
GDP per capita
$1,972
GDP
$58.9B
Population of Cameroon, 1960–2050
Cameroon population by year
| Year | Population | Yearly change | Density (per km²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 5,159,057 | — | 11 |
| 1970 | 6,449,793 | +2.65% | 14 |
| 1980 | 8,512,219 | +3.31% | 18 |
| 1990 | 11,331,821 | +2.99% | 24 |
| 2000 | 14,912,631 | +2.67% | 32 |
| 2010 | 19,668,066 | +2.90% | 42 |
| 2020 | 26,210,558 | +2.76% | 55 |
| 2024 | 29,123,744 | +2.65% | 62 |
| 2026proj. | 30,640,817 | +2.55% | 65 |
| 2030proj. | 33,777,190 | +2.42% | 71 |
| 2040proj. | 42,208,003 | +2.12% | 89 |
| 2050proj. | 51,096,317 | +1.78% | 108 |
Cameroon vs Bangladesh
Bangladesh (178 million) has 5.8 times as many people as Cameroon. Bangladesh is 21.1 times more densely populated.
Cameroon population: questions and answers
What is the population of Cameroon in 2026?
About 30,640,817 (30.6 million), based on World Bank projections.
Is Cameroon's population growing?
Yes, by about 2.55% a year (2026).
What is the population density of Cameroon?
About 65 people per km², with a land area of 472,710 km².
What will the population of Cameroon be in 2050?
About 51.1 million on World Bank projections.
What is the capital of Cameroon?
Yaoundé.
What is the life expectancy in Cameroon?
64.0 years at birth (2024).
Sources: World Bank Open Data — World Development Indicators and Population Estimates and Projections (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0). Data retrieved 2026-10-22. Live figures are mathematical estimates interpolated between the World Bank's mid-year values, not real-time counts.