Cameroon: general information about country, happiness index 2024

World Happiness Report for Cameroon 2024

  • Overall Happiness Rank Cameroon: 104
  • Happiness Score Cameroon:4.874

Happiness is a subjective concept that has long been debated by philosophers, psychologists, and economists alike. However, in recent years, there has been a growing interest in quantifying happiness and using it as a measure of a nation’s overall well-being. This is where the concept of the Happiness Index comes into play.

What is the Happiness Index?

The Happiness Index is a measure that attempts to quantify the overall happiness and life satisfaction of a country’s population. It is based on the idea that traditional economic indicators, such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), do not fully capture the overall well-being of a society. The Happiness Index takes into account various factors that contribute to an individual’s sense of happiness and life satisfaction, including social support, freedom to make life choices, healthy life expectancy, and perceptions of corruption.

How is the Happiness Index Calculated?

The Happiness Index is calculated through a combination of subjective and objective data. The primary source of data is the Gallup World Poll, which is a survey conducted in over 160 countries. The survey asks respondents to rate their overall life satisfaction on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being the worst possible life and 10 being the best possible life.

In addition to the life satisfaction score, the Happiness Index also takes into account the following factors:

  1. GDP per capita: This is a measure of a country’s economic output and standard of living.
  2. Social support: This factor measures the extent to which individuals have supportive relationships and love in their lives.
  3. Healthy life expectancy: This is a measure of the number of years an individual is expected to live in good health.
  4. Freedom to make life choices: This factor measures the extent to which individuals are able to make decisions about their lives without external constraints.
  5. Generosity: This factor measures the extent to which individuals engage in charitable activities and donate to others.
  6. Perceptions of corruption: This factor measures the extent to which individuals perceive their society to be free from corruption.

These factors are weighted and combined to produce an overall Happiness Index score for each country.

What Does the Happiness Index Affect?

The Happiness Index has significant implications for policymaking and societal well-being. Countries with higher Happiness Index scores are generally considered to have better overall quality of life and well-being for their citizens. This can have positive impacts on various aspects of society, including:

  1. Economic productivity: Happier individuals tend to be more productive and engaged in their work, which can contribute to a country’s economic growth.
  2. Public health: Higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction are associated with better physical and mental health outcomes, which can reduce healthcare costs and improve overall well-being.
  3. Social cohesion: Societies with higher levels of happiness tend to have stronger social bonds and lower levels of conflict and crime.
  4. Environmental sustainability: Happier individuals may be more likely to engage in environmentally-friendly behaviors and support policies that promote sustainability.

By focusing on the factors that contribute to happiness and well-being, policymakers can develop strategies to improve the overall quality of life for their citizens. The Happiness Index provides a valuable tool for measuring progress and identifying areas where improvements can be made.

Short information

  • Abbreviation of Cameroon. CM.

    Cameroon is a country in Central Africa with a multi-party political system and a president as the head of state.

  • Cameroon is known for its diverse culture, with over 250 ethnic groups and various traditional music and dance styles.
  • The country has a significant economy, with a focus on agriculture, oil, and gas production.
  • Cameroon is home to Mount Cameroon, the highest mountain in West Africa.
  • Cameroon: An Overview

    Early History: The earliest inhabitants of the region were the Baaka hunter-gatherers, followed by various Bantu groups migrating from the east. The region was influenced by the Sao civilization, which flourished around Lake Chad from the 6th century BC to the 16th century AD.

    Kingdoms and Empires: The Sao civilization gave rise to the Kanem-Bornu and Baguirmi kingdoms. In the west, the Bamun and Bamileke established powerful kingdoms in the 18th century.

    Colonial Period: European contact began in the 15th century with the arrival of Portuguese explorers. In the 19th century, the region became a German colony known as Kamerun. After World War I, it was divided between France and Britain as French Cameroun and British Cameroons.

    Independence and Modern Era: French Cameroun gained independence in 1960, and British Cameroons joined through a referendum in 1961. The country faced political instability, including a coup attempt in 1984. Since the 1990s, Cameroon has transitioned to a multi-party democracy, but challenges with corruption and human rights abuses persist. Ongoing tensions with Anglophone separatists have led to conflict in the Northwest and Southwest regions.

    Current Political Situation: Cameroon is a unitary semi-presidential republic. Paul Biya has been the president since 1982, and his Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement party dominates politics. Recent elections have been marred by allegations of irregularities.

    International Relations: Cameroon has good relations with France and the United States. It is a member of the African Union, La Francophonie, and the Commonwealth of Nations. The country faces ongoing tensions with neighboring Nigeria over the Bakassi Peninsula and struggles with the Boko Haram insurgency in the Far North region.

    Human Development and Economy: Cameroon has a lower-middle-income economy driven by agriculture, oil, and mining. However, poverty and inequality remain high. The country has diverse natural resources and a relatively well-developed infrastructure but faces challenges in governance and economic diversification.

    Cultural Highlights: Cameroon has a rich cultural diversity with over 200 ethnic groups. It is known for its music, arts, and crafts. French and English are the official languages, but many local languages are spoken. The country has a vibrant cuisine influenced by its diverse populations and geography.

    Conclusion:

    Cameroon faces challenges in addressing poverty, regional disparities, corruption, and the Anglophone crisis. However, its strategic location, natural resources, and cultural diversity offer opportunities for economic growth and development if political stability and good governance can be achieved.

Main facts

1. Location

Cameroon is a country located in Central Africa, situated along the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west, Chad to the northeast, the Central African Republic to the east, and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south. The country also surrounds Lake Chad, a large inland sea shared with several neighboring countries.

2. Map References

Cameroon is situated in the Central African region of the African continent.

3. Area – Comparative

Cameroon has a total area of approximately 475,442 square kilometers, making it slightly larger than the US state of California.

4. Land Boundaries and Border Countries

Cameroon shares land borders with the following countries:

5. Coastline (if applicable)

Cameroon has a coastline of approximately 402 kilometers along the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean.

6. Maritime Claims

Cameroon has the following maritime claims:

  • Territorial sea: 12 nautical miles
  • Contiguous zone: 24 nautical miles
  • Exclusive economic zone: 200 nautical miles

7. Climate

Cameroon has a diverse climate due to its varying topography. The northern regions have a hot and semi-arid climate, while the southern part of the country experiences a tropical climate with heavy rainfall. The coastal areas have an equatorial climate, characterized by high temperatures and humidity.

8. Terrain

Cameroon’s terrain is predominantly characterized by highlands, plateaus, and mountains. The country’s highest point is Mount Cameroon, an active volcano rising to an elevation of 4,095 meters (13,435 feet). Significant portions of Cameroon are also covered by dense rainforests, particularly in the central and southern regions.

9. Elevation Extremes

Highest Elevation: Mount Cameroon (4,095 meters / 13,435 feet)

Lowest Elevation: Atlantic Ocean (0 meters / 0 feet)

10. Natural Resources

Cameroon is endowed with the following major natural resources:

  • Petroleum
  • Bauxite
  • Hydropower potential
  • Timber
  • Iron ore

11. Major Bodies of Water

The major bodies of water in Cameroon include:

12. Natural Hazards

The primary natural hazards affecting Cameroon include:

  • Volcanic activity (Mount Cameroon is an active volcano)
  • Periodic droughts and floods
  • Environmental hazards such as soil erosion and desertification

13. Geography – Notes

Cameroon is a diverse country with varied landscapes, ranging from coastal mangrove swamps and rainforests to the mountainous regions and savannas in the north. The country’s biodiversity and natural resources contribute significantly to its economy. However, deforestation, soil degradation, and desertification pose environmental challenges that need to be addressed.

  • Forest Area (% of land area): 39.30%. This is the percentage of a country’s total land area that is covered by natural or planted forests.
  • Co2 Emissions: 8,291. CO2 emissions refer to the release of carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy production, transportation, and industrial processes.
  • Agricultural Land( %). 20.60%. Agricultural land refers to the share of land area that is arable and used for cultivating crops or raising livestock.
  • Geographic Coordinates:  7.36972212.354722.
  • Capital: The capital of Cameroon is  Yaoundé
  • Major Cities:
  • Population: 25,876,380
  • Area(Km2): 475440
  • Population Density( P/Km²):56. This is the number of people living per square kilometer of land area in a given region or country.
  • Calling Code:237
  • Official Language(s):Cameroon is English (20%), French (80%).
  • Currency: XAF

Main Economic Indicators

Cameroon has a lower-middle-income economy largely driven by the oil, gas, mining, agriculture, and forestry sectors. It has a relatively diverse economic profile, but faces challenges such as high poverty rates, an underdeveloped private sector, and infrastructure deficiencies. The government has implemented economic policies aimed at promoting industrialization and economic diversification.

Inflation Rate (Consumer Prices)

2021: 2.3% (Source: World Bank)
2020: 2.4% (Source: World Bank)

Credit Ratings

Fitch: B (Stable)
Moody’s: B2 (Stable)
Standard & Poor’s: B- (Stable)

GDP – Composition by Sector of Origin

Agriculture: 16.2%
Industry: 26.6%
Services: 57.2%

Key Agricultural and Industrial Products

Agricultural Products: Plantains, cassava, maize, peanuts, millet, cocoa beans, bananas, taro, rubber, oil palm fruit

Industrial Products: Crude petroleum, sawn wood, refined petroleum, gold, aluminum, cement, beverages, rubber products

Labor Force

Total Labor Force: 10.28 million (2021 est.)
Comparative Ranking: 55th largest labor force in the world (2021 est.)

Current Account Balance

2021: -$1.54 billion (Source: World Bank)
2020: -$1.18 billion (Source: World Bank)
Comparative Ranking: 144th highest current account balance in the world (2021 est.)

Exports and Imports

Exports (2021): $5.63 billion (Source: World Bank)
Key Export Partners: China, Italy, Malaysia, Spain, Netherlands
Main Exports: Crude petroleum, sawn wood, cocoa beans, refined petroleum, cotton

Imports (2021): $6.78 billion (Source: World Bank)
Key Import Partners: China, France, Turkey, United States, Russia
Main Imports: Refined petroleum, delivery trucks, rice, wheat, iron structures

Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold

Foreign Exchange Reserves (2021): $4.34 billion (Source: World Bank)
Gold Reserves (2021): 0.3 tonnes (Source: World Gold Council)

  • GDP (Current US$):$38,760,467,033. It represents a country’s gross domestic product measured in current US dollars. Higher values indicate a larger economy and economic output.
  • Tax Revenue (% of GDP): 12.80%. It refers to the amount of tax revenue collected by the government, expressed as a percentage of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Higher values indicate a higher tax burden relative to the size of the economy.
  • Total Tax Rate (% of commercial profits): 57.70%. This is the sum of all taxes payable by businesses, expressed as a percentage of their commercial profits. Higher values indicate a higher tax burden on businesses.
  • Gasoline Price. $1.03. It refers to the cost of one liter or gallon of gasoline/petrol. Higher values indicate more expensive gasoline prices for consumers and businesses.
  • Minimum wage. $0.35. It refers to the lowest legally mandated hourly wage that employers must pay their workers. Higher values indicate a higher minimum level of pay for low-wage workers.
  • Unemployment Rate (%): 3.38%. It represents the percentage of the labor force that is unemployed and actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate more joblessness in the economy.

Social Indicators

1. National Identity

Noun: Cameroonian(s)

Adjective: Cameroonian

2. Ethnic Groups

– Cameroonian Highlander 31%
– Equatorial Bantu 19%
– Kirdi 11%
– Fulani 10%
– Northwestern Bantu 8%
– Eastern Nigritic 7%
– Other African 13%
– Non-African less than 1%

3. Religions

– Christian 69.2%
    – Catholic 38.4%
    – Protestant 26.5%
    – Other Christian 4.3%
– Muslim 20.9%
– Animist 5.6%
– Other 0.9%
– None 3.4%

4. Age Structure

– 0-14 years: 42.51%
– 15-64 years: 54.42%
– 65 years and over: 3.07%

5. Dependency Ratios

Total dependency ratio: 83.9
Youth dependency ratio: 78.1
Elderly dependency ratio: 5.7

6. Median Age

Total: 18.7 years
Male: 18.3 years
Female: 19.1 years

7. Lifestyle Indicators

Obesity rate: 12.7%
Alcohol consumption: 5.8 liters of pure alcohol per capita per year
Tobacco use: 11.4% of adults
Life expectancy at birth: 59.8 years

  • Life Expectancy at Birth: 58.9. Life Expectancy at Birth refers to the estimated average number of years a newborn is expected to live based on current mortality rates. Higher values indicate better health outcomes and living conditions in a country or region.
  • Literacy Rate (% of adults): 79%. It refers to the percentage of the population aged 15 and above who can read and write with understanding of a short simple statement about their everyday life. Higher literacy rates indicate better educational attainment within a population.
  • Birth Rate:35.39. Birth Rate is the total number of live births per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher birth rates indicate a larger share of the population being born each year.
  • Death Rate:9. Death Rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher death rates indicate more people dying annually within a population.
  • Fertility Rate: 4.57. Fertility Rate is the average number of children a woman would have over her reproductive years based on current birth rates. Higher fertility rates indicate larger family sizes and population growth.
  • Internet Users (% of population): 20.5%. Internet Users (% of population) refers to the percentage of the total population in a country or region that has access to and uses the internet. Higher values indicate greater internet penetration and connectivity among the population.
  • Urban Population: 14,741,256. Urban Population refers to the percentage or number of people living in urban areas or cities within a country or region. Higher urban population values indicate greater urbanization and concentration of people in cities compared to rural areas.
  • Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure):69.70%. Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure) represents the portion of total health care costs that individuals pay directly out of their own pockets, rather than being covered by insurance or government programs. Higher values indicate greater personal financial burden for health care expenses.

Infrastructure and Services

  • Armed Forces Size: 24000. Armed Forces Size refers to the total number of active personnel serving in a country’s military forces, including the army, navy, air force, and other branches. Higher values indicate a larger military presence and personnel.
  • Physicians per Thousand: Number of doctors per 1,000 people is 0.09
  • Population: Labor Force Participation (%): 76.10%. This is the percentage of the total population aged 15 and older that is economically active, meaning they are either employed or actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate a greater proportion of the working-age population engaged in the labor force.

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