Cameroon: cost of living

What is the poverty rate in Cameroon?

37.7% of Cameroonians were poor in 2022, about 10.1 million people out of 26.7 million, according to the INS's ECAM 5 household survey. The poverty line was 813 CFA francs a day per person.

Poverty was highest in the Far North, North-West and North survey regions and lowest in Yaoundé, Douala, the South, Centre and Littoral. The national development strategy (SND30) targets 30.8% by 2030. At the international line of USD 3.00 a day, the World Bank estimate for 2021 is 26.7%.

Official sources: INS: ECAM 5 main indicators · World Bank: Poverty at $3.00 a day, Cameroon

How expensive is it to live in Cameroon?

No official body publishes a cost-of-living comparison for Douala or Yaoundé against other countries. The World Bank's purchasing power parity factor for household consumption shows that 209 CFA francs bought in 2025 what one US dollar bought in the United States.

The official exchange rate averaged 582 CFA francs per dollar in 2025, so prices were on average about 36% of US levels. Within Cameroon, the INS reports price changes for ten regional capitals: in the year to July 2026 inflation was 2.4% in Douala and 2.9% in Yaoundé.

Official sources: World Bank: PPP conversion factor, private consumption, Cameroon · World Bank: Official exchange rate, Cameroon · INS: Monthly note on consumer prices, July 2026 (PDF)

How fast are food prices rising in Cameroon?

Food prices in Cameroon were 7.0% higher in July 2026 than a year earlier, and fresh produce 8.2% higher, according to the INS's July 2026 price note. In July alone vegetables rose 2.3%, fish and seafood 2.0% and meat 1.2%.

Food and non-alcoholic drinks make up about 42% of the index weights, so they drive overall inflation. Between 2022 and 2025 food prices rose 41.8% in total and transport costs 35.8%, while all prices rose 23.3%, according to the INS review of 2025.

Official sources: INS: Monthly note on consumer prices, July 2026 (PDF) · INS: Inflation in 2025

Are fuel prices rising in Cameroon?

Pump prices for fuel in Cameroon are set by the government and did not pass on the rise in world energy prices, according to the INS's July 2026 price note. Energy prices in the consumer price index rose 1.9% over the year to July 2026.

The current regulated price per litre could not be read from an official source on 15 October 2026. The BEAC's note on CEMAC inflation to June 2026 reports that Cameroon's refinery remains shut, so the country relies on imported fuel, including from Nigeria.

Official sources: INS: Monthly note on consumer prices, July 2026 (PDF) · BEAC: Inflation in the CEMAC to end-June 2026 (PDF)

What is Cameroon's inflation rate?

According to the IMF, consumer price inflation in Cameroon was 3.4% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2023, at 7.4%; its low point was 2017, at 0.6%. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 3.4%; Cameroon is 20th highest of 39. Of 165 countries with 2025 data, 71st highest.

How much do people in Cameroon spend?

$1,144: that is household consumption per person in Cameroon for 2025, according to the World Bank. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 13th highest of 37 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is $840. World rank, highest first: 99th of 124.

What is the extreme poverty rate in Cameroon?

In 2021, the share of people living on less than $3.00 a day in Cameroon was 26.7%, according to the World Bank. That compares with 36.0% in 2007. It is 11th highest of 13 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 38.6%. World rank, highest first: 11th of 80.

How many people in Cameroon are poor?

37.7%: that is the share of people below the national poverty line in Cameroon for 2021, according to the World Bank. It is 9th highest of 13 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 41.2%. Worldwide: 11th of 72.

What is income inequality in Cameroon?

42.2: that is the Gini index in Cameroon for 2021, according to the World Bank. In 2007 the figure was 42.8. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 36.2, and Cameroon placed 2nd highest of 13. Of 80 countries with 2021 data, 10th highest.

What is food insecurity in Cameroon?

In 2024, moderate or severe food insecurity in Cameroon was 60.9%, according to the FAO. The peak was 61.2% in 2023 and the low 49.9% in 2015. It is 17th highest of 34 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 60.5%. Of 135 countries with 2024 data, 20th highest.