Cameroon has a population of 29.1M (ranked 52/197), compared with 64M in South Africa (ranked 24/197). Cameroon's land area is 182,514 sq mi versus 468,377 sq mi for South Africa (ranked 52nd vs. 24th).
By GDP, Cameroon ranks 91/197 ($53.3B) and South Africa ranks 40/197 ($401B). By GDP per capita, Cameroon ranks 158/197 ($1,830), while South Africa ranks 111/197 ($6,267).
Main facts and rankings
Cameroon
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Population |
30864115
|
65683993
|
| Population rank | 51/197 | 24/197 |
| GDP |
$53.3B
2024 |
$401B
2024 |
| GDP rank | 91/197 | 40/197 |
| GDP per capita |
$1,830
2024 |
$6,267
2024 |
| GDP per capita rank | 158/197 | 111/197 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$5,589
2024 |
$15,456
2024 |
| Government debt |
$22.8B
2024 |
$305B
2024 |
| Debt-to-GDP ratio |
42.8%
2024 |
76%
2024 |
| Government debt per person |
$784
2024 |
$4,761
2024 |
| Government debt per person rank | 152/185 | 83/185 |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$1,578
2026 |
$15,431
2026 |
| Land area | 182,514 sq mi | 468,377 sq mi |
| Population density |
168 ppl/mi²
2026 |
139.8 ppl/mi²
2026 |
| Fertility rate |
4.32
2023 |
2.22
2023 |
| Median age |
19 years
2024 |
29.5 years
2024 |
| Life expectancy |
64.5 years
2026 |
66.7 years
2026 |
Cameroon and South Africa: Comparison Charts
Cameroon and South Africa economies compared
| Year | GDP | |
|---|---|---|
|
Cameroon
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | $53,296,694,320 | $401,144,998,374 |
| 2023 | $48,814,501,547 | $381,440,724,491 |
| 2022 | $44,347,206,073 | $407,596,043,068 |
| 2021 | $45,011,937,347 | $419,986,284,375 |
| 2020 | $40,773,241,177 | $337,974,655,408 |
| 2019 | $39,667,757,528 | $389,330,032,224 |
| 2018 | $39,955,552,190 | $405,260,723,893 |
| 2017 | $36,098,547,033 | $381,448,814,653 |
| 2016 | $33,814,337,044 | $323,585,509,674 |
| 2015 | $32,210,233,020 | $346,709,790,459 |
| 2014 | $36,386,544,706 | $381,198,869,776 |
| 2013 | $33,728,621,180 | $400,886,013,596 |
| 2012 | $30,155,062,329 | $434,400,545,086 |
| 2011 | $30,630,910,495 | $458,199,494,831 |
| 2010 | $27,507,501,821 | $417,363,822,802 |
| 2009 | $27,932,970,317 | $329,754,060,647 |
| 2008 | $27,715,142,033 | $316,131,258,616 |
| 2007 | $23,928,250,433 | $333,077,117,254 |
| 2006 | $20,910,512,975 | $303,858,675,364 |
| 2005 | $19,509,852,207 | $288,867,217,197 |
| 2004 | $18,826,214,136 | $255,806,908,595 |
| 2003 | $15,970,315,035 | $197,018,965,309 |
| 2002 | $12,417,251,350 | $129,087,556,612 |
| 2001 | $10,953,485,349 | $135,429,905,923 |
| 2000 | $10,566,579,295 | $151,752,757,215 |
| 1999 | $11,565,826,465 | $151,516,957,079 |
| 1998 | $11,298,144,990 | $152,982,984,557 |
| 1997 | $10,789,458,433 | $168,978,057,328 |
| 1996 | $11,093,538,846 | $163,234,925,381 |
| 1995 | $10,864,772,471 | $171,735,933,897 |
| 1994 | $8,902,446,252 | $153,512,712,382 |
| 1993 | $16,181,814,713 | $147,194,747,566 |
| 1992 | $12,071,775,335 | $146,956,150,987 |
| 1991 | $11,840,192,296 | $135,203,698,238 |
| 1990 | $12,314,482,628 | $126,048,140,142 |
| 1989 | $11,012,566,195 | $108,055,624,082 |
| 1988 | $12,236,057,362 | $103,976,831,871 |
| 1987 | $13,049,659,981 | $96,535,763,418 |
| 1986 | $11,857,056,199 | $73,354,771,399 |
| 1985 | $8,544,810,498 | $64,459,376,087 |
| 1984 | $7,311,938,026 | $84,870,163,366 |
| 1983 | $6,870,200,010 | $96,204,110,942 |
| 1982 | $6,611,255,964 | $85,904,057,409 |
| 1981 | $6,610,938,617 | $93,141,472,164 |
| 1980 | $6,674,569,047 | $89,411,864,402 |
| 1979 | $5,919,002,983 | $63,038,658,089 |
| 1978 | $4,662,852,583 | $51,607,412,902 |
| 1977 | $3,394,664,024 | $45,328,411,332 |
| 1976 | $2,898,090,002 | $41,150,460,288 |
| 1975 | $2,857,037,371 | $42,906,905,672 |
| 1974 | $2,157,415,533 | $41,389,186,095 |
| 1973 | $1,901,393,361 | $33,262,772,008 |
| 1972 | $1,498,251,890 | $24,515,919,217 |
| 1971 | $1,236,941,394 | $23,411,076,638 |
| 1970 | $1,151,216,993 | $21,218,391,513 |
| 1969 | $1,100,551,489 | $19,256,992,297 |
| 1968 | $1,046,191,218 | $17,124,793,150 |
| 1967 | $936,175,260 | $15,821,393,671 |
| 1966 | $851,112,535 | $14,211,394,315 |
| 1965 | $814,083,266 | $13,068,994,772 |
| 1964 | $776,650,177 | $11,955,995,218 |
| 1963 | $718,320,845 | $10,854,195,658 |
| 1962 | $694,247,864 | $9,813,996,074 |
| 1961 | $652,777,608 | $9,225,996,310 |
| 1960 | $614,206,068 | $8,748,596,501 |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/cameroon/south-africa | CC BY 
Cameroon and South Africa economies compared
| Year | GDP per capita | |
|---|---|---|
|
Cameroon
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | $1,830 | $6,267 |
| 2023 | $1,720 | $6,034 |
| 2022 | $1,605 | $6,534 |
| 2021 | $1,672 | $6,829 |
| 2020 | $1,556 | $5,581 |
| 2019 | $1,555 | $6,534 |
| 2018 | $1,611 | $6,914 |
| 2017 | $1,496 | $6,618 |
| 2016 | $1,442 | $5,651 |
| 2015 | $1,415 | $6,112 |
| 2014 | $1,649 | $6,857 |
| 2013 | $1,576 | $7,332 |
| 2012 | $1,449 | $8,077 |
| 2011 | $1,514 | $8,646 |
| 2010 | $1,399 | $7,973 |
| 2009 | $1,461 | $6,375 |
| 2008 | $1,492 | $6,185 |
| 2007 | $1,326 | $6,592 |
| 2006 | $1,191 | $6,077 |
| 2005 | $1,143 | $5,837 |
| 2004 | $1,133 | $5,221 |
| 2003 | $988 | $4,062 |
| 2002 | $790 | $2,688 |
| 2001 | $715 | $2,847 |
| 2000 | $709 | $3,218 |
| 1999 | $796 | $3,242 |
| 1998 | $799 | $3,310 |
| 1997 | $783 | $3,700 |
| 1996 | $827 | $3,618 |
| 1995 | $832 | $3,856 |
| 1994 | $701 | $3,489 |
| 1993 | $1,310 | $3,400 |
| 1992 | $1,005 | $3,462 |
| 1991 | $1,015 | $3,243 |
| 1990 | $1,087 | $3,093 |
| 1989 | $1,001 | $2,727 |
| 1988 | $1,145 | $2,702 |
| 1987 | $1,258 | $2,586 |
| 1986 | $1,179 | $2,027 |
| 1985 | $875 | $1,839 |
| 1984 | $772 | $2,504 |
| 1983 | $746 | $2,938 |
| 1982 | $732 | $2,717 |
| 1981 | $750 | $3,050 |
| 1980 | $784 | $3,029 |
| 1979 | $718 | $2,202 |
| 1978 | $582 | $1,852 |
| 1977 | $435 | $1,671 |
| 1976 | $381 | $1,559 |
| 1975 | $386 | $1,670 |
| 1974 | $299.9 | $1,656 |
| 1973 | $271.8 | $1,369 |
| 1972 | $220.1 | $1,038 |
| 1971 | $186.7 | $1,020 |
| 1970 | $178.5 | $952 |
| 1969 | $175.2 | $891 |
| 1968 | $170.8 | $817 |
| 1967 | $156.6 | $779 |
| 1966 | $145.8 | $722 |
| 1965 | $142.7 | $685 |
| 1964 | $139.2 | $646 |
| 1963 | $131.6 | $605 |
| 1962 | $130 | $563 |
| 1961 | $124.6 | $546 |
| 1960 | $119.1 | $532 |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/cameroon/south-africa | CC BY
Cameroon vs. South Africa life expectancy calculator
| Year | Life expectancy, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
Cameroon
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2026 | 64.5 | 66.7 |
| 2025 | 64.2 | 66.5 |
| 2024 | 64 | 66.3 |
| 2023 | 63.7 | 66.1 |
| 2022 | 62.4 | 65.5 |
| 2021 | 61.1 | 62 |
| 2020 | 61.7 | 65.2 |
| 2019 | 61.7 | 66.1 |
| 2018 | 61.2 | 65.7 |
| 2017 | 60.8 | 65.4 |
| 2016 | 60.3 | 64.7 |
| 2015 | 59.7 | 64.1 |
| 2014 | 59.1 | 63.2 |
| 2013 | 58.7 | 62.4 |
| 2012 | 58.2 | 61.7 |
| 2011 | 57.5 | 60.6 |
| 2010 | 57 | 58.9 |
| 2009 | 56.5 | 57.4 |
| 2008 | 56.1 | 56 |
| 2007 | 55.7 | 54.9 |
| 2006 | 55.3 | 54.2 |
| 2005 | 54.9 | 53.9 |
| 2004 | 54.6 | 54 |
| 2003 | 54.3 | 54.2 |
| 2002 | 53.9 | 55.6 |
| 2001 | 53.6 | 57.2 |
| 2000 | 53.3 | 58.4 |
| 1999 | 53.2 | 59.2 |
| 1998 | 53 | 59.9 |
| 1997 | 53.1 | 60.5 |
| 1996 | 53.2 | 61.1 |
| 1995 | 53.3 | 61.6 |
| 1994 | 53.5 | 62.1 |
| 1993 | 53.9 | 62.6 |
| 1992 | 54.1 | 62.8 |
| 1991 | 54.2 | 63 |
| 1990 | 54.3 | 62.9 |
| 1989 | 54.4 | 63 |
| 1988 | 54.4 | 62.9 |
| 1987 | 54.2 | 62.7 |
| 1986 | 53.6 | 62.4 |
| 1985 | 53.5 | 62.2 |
| 1984 | 52.9 | 61.8 |
| 1983 | 52.4 | 61.4 |
| 1982 | 51.8 | 60.9 |
| 1981 | 51.2 | 60.4 |
| 1980 | 50.9 | 60 |
| 1979 | 50.5 | 59.5 |
| 1978 | 50.3 | 59 |
| 1977 | 50.1 | 58.5 |
| 1976 | 50 | 58 |
| 1975 | 49.9 | 57.6 |
| 1974 | 49.7 | 57.1 |
| 1973 | 49.5 | 56.7 |
| 1972 | 49.1 | 56.4 |
| 1971 | 48.6 | 56 |
| 1970 | 48 | 55.7 |
| 1969 | 47.2 | 55.4 |
| 1968 | 46.4 | 55.2 |
| 1967 | 45.6 | 55 |
| 1966 | 44.8 | 54.7 |
| 1965 | 44.2 | 54.4 |
| 1964 | 43.6 | 54.2 |
| 1963 | 43.1 | 53.9 |
| 1962 | 42.6 | 53.6 |
| 1961 | 35.2 | 53.1 |
| 1960 | 34.7 | 52.6 |
| 1959 | 39.8 | 51.9 |
| 1958 | 39.1 | 51.1 |
| 1957 | 38.3 | 50.2 |
| 1956 | 38.4 | 49.2 |
| 1955 | 37.5 | 48.2 |
| 1954 | 36.5 | 47.1 |
| 1953 | 35.5 | 46.1 |
| 1952 | 34.6 | 45 |
| 1951 | 33.9 | 44.1 |
| 1950 | 33.1 | 43.1 |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).
GeoRank.org/facts/cameroon/south-africa | CC BY
Cameroon and South Africa population clocks and comparison
| Year | Population | |
|---|---|---|
|
Cameroon
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | 29,123,744 | 64,007,187 |
| 2023 | 28,372,687 | 63,212,384 |
| 2022 | 27,632,771 | 62,378,410 |
| 2021 | 26,915,758 | 61,502,603 |
| 2020 | 26,210,558 | 60,562,381 |
| 2019 | 25,506,095 | 59,587,885 |
| 2018 | 24,806,383 | 58,613,001 |
| 2017 | 24,128,601 | 57,635,162 |
| 2016 | 23,454,161 | 57,259,551 |
| 2015 | 22,763,414 | 56,723,537 |
| 2014 | 22,059,893 | 55,594,838 |
| 2013 | 21,402,376 | 54,678,791 |
| 2012 | 20,809,529 | 53,782,567 |
| 2011 | 20,232,304 | 52,995,205 |
| 2010 | 19,668,066 | 52,344,051 |
| 2009 | 19,113,974 | 51,728,516 |
| 2008 | 18,574,056 | 51,114,599 |
| 2007 | 18,049,896 | 50,528,584 |
| 2006 | 17,550,407 | 49,998,277 |
| 2005 | 17,074,594 | 49,490,033 |
| 2004 | 16,610,487 | 48,991,421 |
| 2003 | 16,160,340 | 48,500,348 |
| 2002 | 15,725,528 | 48,019,415 |
| 2001 | 15,309,490 | 47,566,800 |
| 2000 | 14,912,631 | 47,159,719 |
| 1999 | 14,525,140 | 46,730,335 |
| 1998 | 14,144,860 | 46,223,880 |
| 1997 | 13,775,214 | 45,666,838 |
| 1996 | 13,414,757 | 45,123,018 |
| 1995 | 13,058,516 | 44,541,554 |
| 1994 | 12,704,903 | 44,004,139 |
| 1993 | 12,353,131 | 43,297,156 |
| 1992 | 12,006,353 | 42,443,509 |
| 1991 | 11,667,180 | 41,687,898 |
| 1990 | 11,331,821 | 40,746,268 |
| 1989 | 11,002,745 | 39,628,575 |
| 1988 | 10,684,968 | 38,480,649 |
| 1987 | 10,370,749 | 37,326,190 |
| 1986 | 10,060,342 | 36,180,515 |
| 1985 | 9,761,730 | 35,042,093 |
| 1984 | 9,475,078 | 33,892,788 |
| 1983 | 9,215,397 | 32,739,304 |
| 1982 | 9,028,678 | 31,615,339 |
| 1981 | 8,816,377 | 30,541,044 |
| 1980 | 8,512,219 | 29,518,857 |
| 1979 | 8,239,641 | 28,634,162 |
| 1978 | 8,011,921 | 27,869,507 |
| 1977 | 7,796,501 | 27,118,952 |
| 1976 | 7,597,962 | 26,395,450 |
| 1975 | 7,397,120 | 25,690,940 |
| 1974 | 7,193,583 | 24,989,108 |
| 1973 | 6,996,660 | 24,294,263 |
| 1972 | 6,806,872 | 23,609,456 |
| 1971 | 6,624,408 | 22,942,143 |
| 1970 | 6,449,793 | 22,279,984 |
| 1969 | 6,283,462 | 21,614,676 |
| 1968 | 6,125,863 | 20,957,287 |
| 1967 | 5,977,318 | 20,314,066 |
| 1966 | 5,837,295 | 19,690,087 |
| 1965 | 5,704,686 | 19,089,380 |
| 1964 | 5,578,257 | 18,511,361 |
| 1963 | 5,456,623 | 17,954,564 |
| 1962 | 5,338,620 | 17,418,522 |
| 1961 | 5,239,273 | 16,908,035 |
| 1960 | 5,159,057 | 16,440,172 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/cameroon/south-africa | CC BY
Fertility rates in Cameroon and South Africa
| Year | Fertility rate | |
|---|---|---|
|
Cameroon
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2023 | 4.32 | 2.22 |
| 2022 | 4.4 | 2.23 |
| 2021 | 4.47 | 2.25 |
| 2020 | 4.56 | 2.26 |
| 2019 | 4.65 | 2.26 |
| 2018 | 4.74 | 2.27 |
| 2017 | 4.8 | 2.28 |
| 2016 | 4.84 | 2.26 |
| 2015 | 4.84 | 2.36 |
| 2014 | 4.84 | 2.42 |
| 2013 | 4.91 | 2.43 |
| 2012 | 4.98 | 2.45 |
| 2011 | 5.05 | 2.44 |
| 2010 | 5.15 | 2.44 |
| 2009 | 5.24 | 2.5 |
| 2008 | 5.29 | 2.68 |
| 2007 | 5.34 | 2.55 |
| 2006 | 5.37 | 2.55 |
| 2005 | 5.42 | 2.51 |
| 2004 | 5.44 | 2.44 |
| 2003 | 5.43 | 2.36 |
| 2002 | 5.44 | 2.32 |
| 2001 | 5.44 | 2.37 |
| 2000 | 5.51 | 2.41 |
| 1999 | 5.6 | 2.56 |
| 1998 | 5.66 | 2.63 |
| 1997 | 5.71 | 2.73 |
| 1996 | 5.8 | 2.99 |
| 1995 | 5.92 | 3.17 |
| 1994 | 6.04 | 3.26 |
| 1993 | 6.16 | 3.37 |
| 1992 | 6.26 | 3.48 |
| 1991 | 6.32 | 3.62 |
| 1990 | 6.36 | 3.72 |
| 1989 | 6.41 | 3.98 |
| 1988 | 6.48 | 4.18 |
| 1987 | 6.54 | 4.35 |
| 1986 | 6.57 | 4.41 |
| 1985 | 6.56 | 4.5 |
| 1984 | 6.56 | 4.57 |
| 1983 | 6.58 | 4.63 |
| 1982 | 6.59 | 4.7 |
| 1981 | 6.61 | 4.71 |
| 1980 | 6.61 | 4.78 |
| 1979 | 6.58 | 4.82 |
| 1978 | 6.55 | 4.85 |
| 1977 | 6.51 | 4.94 |
| 1976 | 6.45 | 5.07 |
| 1975 | 6.4 | 5.19 |
| 1974 | 6.36 | 5.3 |
| 1973 | 6.33 | 5.41 |
| 1972 | 6.29 | 5.49 |
| 1971 | 6.26 | 5.57 |
| 1970 | 6.2 | 5.63 |
| 1969 | 6.14 | 5.72 |
| 1968 | 6.04 | 5.78 |
| 1967 | 5.95 | 5.85 |
| 1966 | 5.85 | 5.91 |
| 1965 | 5.8 | 5.89 |
| 1964 | 5.74 | 5.96 |
| 1963 | 5.73 | 6.01 |
| 1962 | 5.73 | 6.05 |
| 1961 | 5.73 | 6.08 |
| 1960 | 5.73 | 6.11 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/cameroon/south-africa | CC BY
Cameroon and South Africa demographics compared
| Year | Median age, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
Cameroon
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | 19 | 29.5 |
| 2023 | 18.8 | 29.2 |
| 2022 | 18.7 | 28.9 |
| 2021 | 18.6 | 28.6 |
| 2020 | 18.5 | 28.3 |
| 2019 | 18.5 | 27.9 |
| 2018 | 18.4 | 27.5 |
| 2017 | 18.4 | 27 |
| 2016 | 18.3 | 26.7 |
| 2015 | 18.3 | 26.4 |
| 2014 | 18.2 | 26 |
| 2013 | 18.1 | 25.7 |
| 2012 | 18 | 25.3 |
| 2011 | 17.9 | 25 |
| 2010 | 17.9 | 24.6 |
| 2009 | 17.8 | 24.3 |
| 2008 | 17.8 | 24 |
| 2007 | 17.7 | 23.8 |
| 2006 | 17.7 | 23.5 |
| 2005 | 17.6 | 23.3 |
| 2004 | 17.6 | 23.1 |
| 2003 | 17.5 | 22.8 |
| 2002 | 17.5 | 22.4 |
| 2001 | 17.4 | 22.2 |
| 2000 | 17.3 | 21.9 |
| 1999 | 17.2 | 21.6 |
| 1998 | 17.1 | 21.4 |
| 1997 | 17.1 | 21.2 |
| 1996 | 17 | 21.2 |
| 1995 | 16.9 | 21.5 |
| 1994 | 16.9 | 22 |
| 1993 | 16.8 | 21.9 |
| 1992 | 16.8 | 21.5 |
| 1991 | 16.8 | 21.5 |
| 1990 | 16.8 | 21.3 |
| 1989 | 16.8 | 21.1 |
| 1988 | 16.9 | 20.9 |
| 1987 | 16.9 | 20.7 |
| 1986 | 17 | 20.5 |
| 1985 | 17.1 | 20.4 |
| 1984 | 17.1 | 20.2 |
| 1983 | 17.3 | 20 |
| 1982 | 17.5 | 19.8 |
| 1981 | 17.8 | 19.6 |
| 1980 | 17.8 | 19.4 |
| 1979 | 17.9 | 19.3 |
| 1978 | 18 | 19.2 |
| 1977 | 18.2 | 19.1 |
| 1976 | 18.3 | 19 |
| 1975 | 18.5 | 18.9 |
| 1974 | 18.6 | 18.9 |
| 1973 | 18.8 | 18.8 |
| 1972 | 18.9 | 18.8 |
| 1971 | 19 | 18.8 |
| 1970 | 19.2 | 18.8 |
| 1969 | 19.4 | 18.8 |
| 1968 | 19.5 | 18.8 |
| 1967 | 19.7 | 18.8 |
| 1966 | 19.8 | 18.8 |
| 1965 | 19.9 | 18.8 |
| 1964 | 20 | 18.9 |
| 1963 | 20.1 | 18.9 |
| 1962 | 20.1 | 18.9 |
| 1961 | 20.3 | 19 |
| 1960 | 20.5 | 19 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/cameroon/south-africa | CC BY
Interactive Maps
Use the buttons below to switch between world maps comparing statistics for Cameroon and South Africa.
National statistics comparison
Finance
|
Cameroon
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| GNI, Atlas method |
$49.5B
2024 |
$391B
2024 |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP |
16.7%
2024 |
33%
2024 |
| Education expenditure, % of GDP |
2.84%
2023 |
6.02%
2024 |
| Military expenditure, % of GDP |
1.01%
2024 |
0.7%
2024 |
| Armed forces personnel |
34,000
2020 |
89,000
2020 |
| Deficit/surplus, % of GDP |
-1.48%
2024 |
-5.79%
2024 |
| Unemployment rate |
3.28%
2021 |
32.3%
2024 |
| Services, % of GDP |
50.7%
2024 |
63%
2024 |
| Industry, % of GDP |
23.2%
2024 |
24.3%
2024 |
| Economic freedom index |
52
2026 |
58.6
2026 |
| Income share by richest 10% |
31.1%
2021 |
50.5%
2014 |
| Income share by poorest 10% |
2.1%
2021 |
0.9%
2014 |
| Number of millionaires | n/a |
90,595
2025 |
| Percentage of millionaires | n/a |
0.22%
2025 |
| Number of billionaires | n/a |
7
2025 |
| Percentage of billionaires | n/a |
0.00002%
2025 |
| Listed domestic companies | n/a |
220
2024 |
| Market capitalization of domestic companies | n/a |
$986B
2024 |
| Total reserves including gold |
$4.88B
2023 |
$65.4B
2024 |
| Personal remittances received |
$690M
2024 |
$855M
2024 |
| International tourist arrivals |
1,021,000
2019 |
3,886,600
2020 |
| International tourism as share of exports |
7.14%
2020 |
2.89%
2020 |
| Banked people share |
60.9%
2024 |
81.1%
2024 |
Energy
|
Cameroon
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita |
384 kg
2022 |
1,939 kg
2023 |
| GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use |
$13.5
2022 |
$7.84
2023 |
| Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions |
10.3 megatons
2024 |
440 megatons
2024 |
| CO2 emissions per capita |
0.35 tons
2024 |
6.88 tons
2024 |
| Fossil fuel energy use share |
22.9%
2022 |
93.3%
2022 |
| Renewable energy use share |
79.2%
2021 |
9.7%
2021 |
| Alternative and nuclear energy use share |
5.73%
2022 |
3.58%
2023 |
| Net energy imports use share |
-28.7%
2022 |
-12.5%
2023 |
| Electric power consumption per capita |
283.7 kWh
2022 |
3,247 kWh
2023 |
| Renewable electricity output share |
53.9%
2021 |
6.45%
2021 |
| Hydroelectric share |
70.5%
2022 |
2.91%
2023 |
| Nuclear share |
0%
2021 |
3.73%
2023 |
| Electricity access |
72%
2023 |
87.7%
2023 |
Society
|
Cameroon
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world population |
0.36%
2024 |
0.79%
2024 |
| Annual migration change |
-15,379
2025 |
+146,370
2025 |
| Urban population |
55.4%
2024 |
63.7%
2024 |
| Male:Female ratio |
49.8:50.2
2024 |
48.7:51.3
2024 |
| Average male height |
5.65 ft
2025 |
5.56 ft
2025 |
| Average female height |
5.26 ft
2025 |
5.2 ft
2025 |
| Quality of life index |
23
2026 |
42.1
2026 |
| Corruption Perceptions Index |
26
2025 |
41
2025 |
| Higher education index |
32
2026 |
81
2026 |
| Homicides per 100K people |
4.54
2020 |
45.5
2022 |
| Road traffic mortality per 100K people |
30.2
2019 |
22.2
2019 |
| Visa free countries |
57
2025 |
109
2025 |
| Adult literacy rate |
78.2%
2020 |
91.2%
2024 |
| English speaking |
38%
2023 |
31%
2023 |
| People using the Internet |
41.9%
2023 |
75.7%
2023 |
Health
|
Cameroon
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Government health expenditure per capita |
$79.1
2023 |
$537
2023 |
| Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita |
$53.5
2023 |
$35.9
2023 |
| Life expectancy |
64.5 years
2026 |
66.7 years
2026 |
| Foreign aid share of health expenditure |
14.7%
2023 |
2.06%
2023 |
| Physicians per 1,000 people |
0.14
2022 |
0.79
2022 |
| Age at first childbirth |
20.1 years
2025 |
n/a |
| Maternal mortality per 100K births |
258
2023 |
118
2023 |
| Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age |
67.2
2023 |
34.7
2023 |
| Obesity rate |
15.5%
2022 |
31.4%
2022 |
| Diabetes prevalence |
6.9%
2024 |
7.2%
2024 |
| Air quality index |
7
2026 |
39
2026 |
| Tobacco use prevalence |
6.5%
2022 |
20.7%
2022 |
| Pure alcohol consumption per capita |
9.6 liters
2020 |
7.13 liters
2020 |
Territory
|
Cameroon
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world land |
0.32%
2026 |
0.81%
2026 |
| Land area per capita |
6,267 sq mi
2024 |
7,318 sq mi
2024 |
| Agricultural land area |
38,212 sq mi
2026 |
371,975 sq mi
2026 |
| Forest area |
77,886 sq mi
2026 |
65,409 sq mi
2026 |
| Roads length | n/a |
466,028 mi
2016 |
In-depth comparisons
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
- World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
- The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
- EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)
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