Total population living in extreme poverty by world region in Cameroon
Cameroon: Total population living in extreme poverty by world region was 7.31 million people in 2021. ▲ Rising
Total population living in extreme poverty by world region in Cameroon, 1996–2021
Source: World Bank Poverty and Inequality Platform (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in people.
Analysis
Cameroon recorded 7.31 million people for total population living in extreme poverty by world region in 2021.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 14.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total population living in extreme poverty by world region in Cameroon peaked at 7.58 million people in 1996 and was at its lowest, 4.72 million people, in 2001.
Cameroon ranks 21st of 120 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
Total population living in extreme poverty by world region in Cameroon, year by year
| Year | people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 7.58 million people | — |
| 2001 | 4.72 million people | -37.7% |
| 2007 | 6.50 million people | +37.8% |
| 2014 | 6.40 million people | -1.5% |
| 2021 | 7.31 million people | +14.2% |
Cameroon compared with similar countries
- Cameroon's 7.31 million people is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 1.70 million people, 4.3× the median. (29 countries reporting)
- Cameroon's 7.31 million people is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 9.40 million people, 78% of the median. (26 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 7.58 million people | 7.58 million people | 7.58 million people | 1 |
| 2000s | 5.61 million people | 4.72 million people | 6.50 million people | 2 |
| 2010s | 6.40 million people | 6.40 million people | 6.40 million people | 1 |
| 2020s | 7.31 million people | 7.31 million people | 7.31 million people | 1 |
Countries ranked near Cameroon
More poverty & inequality data for Cameroon
- Number of income/consumption surveys in the past decade available via the World Bank 1 surveys (2025)
- Number of income/consumption surveys in the past decade available via 0 surveys per person (2025)
- Number of income/consumption surveys in the past decade available via 0 surveys per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Fertility rate vs. share living in extreme poverty 4.32 live births per woman (2023)
- Cereal yield vs. share in extreme poverty 1,770 kg per hectare (2024)
- Cereal yield vs extreme poverty, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Cereal yield vs extreme poverty, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2024)
- Tax revenues vs income inequality, gaps filled 13.04 (2019)
- Tax revenue as share of GDP vs. income inequality 13.0% (2019)
- Tax revenues vs income inequality, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2019)
Frequently asked questions
- What is total population living in extreme poverty by world region in Cameroon?
- Total population living in extreme poverty by world region in Cameroon was 7.31 million people in 2021, according to World Bank Poverty and Inequality Platform (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest total population living in extreme poverty by world region recorded in Cameroon?
- The highest recorded value was 7.58 million people in 1996.
- What is the lowest total population living in extreme poverty by world region recorded in Cameroon?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.72 million people in 2001.
- How does Cameroon rank for total population living in extreme poverty by world region?
- Cameroon ranks 21st out of 120 countries with data for 2021.
- Is total population living in extreme poverty by world region rising or falling in Cameroon?
- Over the last ten years it is up 14.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Cameroon data come from?
- The figures come from World Bank Poverty and Inequality Platform (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Total population living in extreme poverty by world region. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Number of people living in households with an income or consumption below $3 per day.