Population of Cameroon

As of May 2026, the population of Cameroon is 30.8 million. The number of inhabitants has increased by 768 thousand in the last year, representing a growth of 2.53%. The median age of the population has increased in recent years, rising from 17.2 years in 2016 to 18.1 years in 2026. Currently, life expectancy at birth is 62.9 years and population density is 66.3 inhabitants per square kilometer.

Population Growth

The population growth rate of Cameroon peaked in 1980, reaching around 3.79% annually, but has since declined to approximately 2.48% in 2026. However, the annual increase in the number of people continues to rise, reaching around 768.12 thousand in 2026.

Life Expectancy

In Cameroon, life expectancy at birth has been increasing, with the indicator rising from 54.9 years in 2006 to 62.9 years in 2026, representing an increase de 8 years over the past 2 decades.

Most populous cities in Cameroon

Cameroon has several cities considered medium-sized by their number of inhabitants, but there are also some large ones. The most populous city is Douala, Littoral, with approximately 1.3 million inhabitants. It is followed by Yaoundé, Centre with 1.3 million and Bamenda, North-West with 420.4 thousand.

These are the 20 most populous cities in Cameroon: