Things to Know About Life in Cameroon

Atomic Answer: Things To Know About Life In Cameroon is a critical component of the Canadian immigration framework. As of 2026, applicants navigating this pathway must adhere to the latest IRCC guidelines, ensure all documentation is properly prepared, and meet the specific eligibility requirements. Processing times and exact costs will vary based on individual circumstances.

Cameroon is a lower-middle-income country with a population of over 27 million. Bordering the Atlantic Ocean, the country borders the Central African Republic, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Nigeria. The northwestern and southwestern regions bordering Nigeria are anglophone, while the rest of the country is francophone.

Cameroon is rich in natural resources, including oil, gas, minerals, high-value timber, and agricultural products such as coffee, cotton, cocoa, corn, and cassava. However, despite its rich resources, the country is economically challenged by a very high rate of poverty, poor education and healthcare systems, widespread corruption, and national security threats that hinder the growth of its tourism sector. Cameroon aims to be an “emerging market” by 2035.

Living Standards in Cameroon

Living standards in Cameroon are better than most of the poor nations that make up the African continent. Cameroon has a single-party political system led by a president and is considered a relatively wealthy country, as its economy is driven by oil and agriculture. However, life in Cameroon is very difficult for the local population, with over 40% of the country's population living below the poverty line. Malnutrition is common in Cameroon, with 38% of children under the age of 5 dying from malnutrition. According to the latest figures, 540,000 people in the country are living with HIV; although this number is decreasing, it is known that there are still around 350,000 children orphaned by AIDS.

Conditions in the north and north-west of Cameroon are particularly difficult. In urban areas, only 58% of the population has access to sanitation, while in rural areas this figure drops to 42%. For these reasons, water-related diseases are common in Cameroon, especially among children. Various organisations, such as UNICEF, are running campaigns in schools to promote the need to wash hands after using the toilet and before eating, in order to protect children’s health and prevent the outbreak of cholera.

While 70% of the population of Cameroon is engaged in agriculture, 13% is employed in industries such as timber, tobacco, printing, clay and glassware production. The wealthiest segment of the country is engaged in the service sector. Approximately 5,000 people are engaged in fishing.

Cameroon ranked 153rd out of 189 countries and territories in 2019 in terms of life expectancy, literacy, access to information and living standards, with life expectancy in the country being 58.92 years.

Cost of Living in Cameroon

In Cameroon, the monthly living expenses of a single person, including rent, are around $852, while the monthly expenses of a family of 4 are $2100. While a person living alone must pay $421 for rent and household expenses, this expense is $799 for a family of 4.

A person living alone would have to pay $290 per month for food and $55 for transportation. A family of four would have to pay $787 per month for food and $148 for transportation.

In Cameroon, a movie ticket costs $7.4, a monthly gym membership costs $24.4, a new pair of sneakers costs $93, a new pair of pants costs $60 and a haircut costs $8.2.

Cameroon House Prices

In Cameroon, rents for 1-bedroom apartments in city centers are 368,500 CFA francs, while rents for 3-bedroom apartments are 784,500 CFA francs. In areas away from the city center, rents are lower. Rent for 1-bedroom apartments is 222,250 CFA francs, and rents for 3-bedroom apartments are 433,500 CFA francs.

Prices for houses for sale in Cameroon range from 1,166,200 CFA francs per square meter in urban centers to 540,500 CFA francs in rural areas.

Cameroon Market Prices

Market prices for basic food items in Cameroon are given below.

1 litre of milk: 1,330 CFA francs
500g of bread: 335 CFA francs
1 kg of rice: 660 CFA francs
12 eggs: 1,020 CFA francs
1 kilo of chicken: 3,070 CFA francs
1 kilo of red meat: 2,970 CFA francs
1 kilo of apples: 1,830 CFA francs
1 kilo of oranges: 710 CFA francs
1 kilo of tomatoes: 626 CFA francs
1 kilo of potatoes: 915 CFA francs
1 kilo of onions: 746 CFA francs
1.5 litres of water: 370 CFA francs

Cameroon Crime Rates and Security

Crime rates are very high in Cameroon. It is important to avoid problematic areas and protect valuables. Foreigners are at risk of various crimes, especially theft; therefore, it is important to lock car doors, carry small amounts of cash and not wear jewelry or valuables while traveling.

Home protection is also important in Cameroon. Installing break-in bars on windows, choosing a quality lock and using a burglar alarm are all essential to prevent theft, which is common across the country.

Areas that foreigners should particularly avoid include Yaoundé, Douala and Buea. There are also cases of carjackings and kidnappings on the roads bordering Cameroon's neighbouring countries of Nigeria, Chad and the Central African Republic.

Cameroon's Education System

Education in Cameroon is free and compulsory for 6 years from age 6. The first stage of education is primary school, followed by 7 years of free and optional secondary education. Approximately 3% of national GDP is spent on education.

The largely nomadic nature of the Cameroonian population and their traditional lifestyles make school attendance rates particularly low in the north of the country, while school attendance rates are higher in the south.

Most public schools have a mixed English and French education system. Religious education is important in Cameroon, and most public schools offer education based on the Christian faith.

There are also several international schools in Cameroon. These multilingual institutions follow the American school calendar and curriculum and are often preferred by foreigners.

Cameroon's Health System

There is a significant shortage of qualified healthcare professionals in Cameroon. With fewer than two doctors per 10,000 people, the healthcare system relies heavily on nurses and midwives to provide quality care. Free public hospitals lack modern facilities and the ability to treat a large number of patients. The government's shortfall in public spending is contributing to these problems. Approximately 56% of the country's total GDP is spent on healthcare.

Among the main health problems of the people in Cameroon is that approximately 5% of the population has HIV/AIDS.

In order to improve the quality of healthcare in Cameroon, a private healthcare system has been implemented, and thanks to this system, the country currently hosts 50 private hospitals that offer higher standards of service, equipment and facilities. It is recommended that foreigners living in Cameroon have health insurance that allows them to receive private healthcare services.

Working Conditions in Cameroon

The legal weekly working hours in Cameroon are 40 hours in non-agricultural sectors and 48 hours in agriculture. Individuals can retire at the age of 60. The minimum wage in Cameroon is 36,270 CFA francs, while the average salary is 5,518,700 CFA francs.

All regulations regarding work and working conditions are made by the Cameroonian Ministry of Labour and Social Security .

Foreign nationals who want to work in paid employment in Cameroon are required to obtain a Cameroon work visa .

Pros and Cons of Living in Cameroon

The advantages of living in Cameroon are listed below.

Cameroon has friendly people and the country's natural beauty is worth seeing.
There is no language problem as European languages such as English and French are spoken in the country.
The country has a rich cuisine and productive agricultural products.
There are many tourist places to visit in Cameroon.
Cameroon has a unique and rich culture.

The disadvantages of living in Cameroon can be listed as follows.

The country has a high crime rate and corruption is common.
Electricity distribution is not sufficient and power outages occur frequently.
There is a significant hygiene problem in Cameroon, and many people do not have access to clean water or proper sanitation.
Being a hot country makes living conditions difficult from time to time.
The health system and institutions in the country are of poor quality and inadequate. Accessing good health care is difficult and expensive.
Housing conditions are poor in most areas.
There is a significant water pollution problem in the country and many areas do not have access to clean water.

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