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Cameroon · Employment & wages

Unemployment, participation, employment, youth, wages and hours.

19 indicators · 12 with data

Unemployment

Unemployment

% of labour force

64th of 185 · 19th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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UnemploymentCameroon's unemployment fell from 8.1 % in 1996 to 3.6 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020250%2%4%6%8%10%3.6 %

Cameroon's unemployment fell from 8.1 % in 1996 to 3.6 % in 2025.

Youth unemployment

% of labour force ages 15–24

38th of 183 · 19th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Youth unemploymentCameroon's youth unemployment fell from 12.1 % in 1996 to 6.5 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020250%5%10%6.5 %

Cameroon's youth unemployment fell from 12.1 % in 1996 to 6.5 % in 2025.

Participation

Participation

% of population ages 15+

56th of 182 · 21st in Sub-Saharan Africa
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ParticipationCameroon's participation fell from 82.1 % in 1996 to 65.2 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202560%65%70%75%80%85%65.2 %

Cameroon's participation fell from 82.1 % in 1996 to 65.2 % in 2025.

Labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+)

% of female population ages 15+

70th of 182 · 25th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+)Cameroon's labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+) fell from 77.7 % in 1996 to 56.6 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202555%60%65%70%75%80%56.6 %

Cameroon's labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+) fell from 77.7 % in 1996 to 56.6 % in 2025.

Employment

Employment to population ratio (ages 15+)

% of population ages 15+

50th of 182 · 19th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Employment to population ratio (ages 15+)Cameroon's employment to population ratio (ages 15+) fell from 75.5 % in 1996 to 62.8 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202560%65%70%75%80%85%62.8 %

Cameroon's employment to population ratio (ages 15+) fell from 75.5 % in 1996 to 62.8 % in 2025.

Labour force, total

people

50th of 182 · 14th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Labour force, totalCameroon's labour force, total rose from 5.98M in 1996 to 11.5M in 2025.2000200520102015202020256M8M10M12M11.5M

Cameroon's labour force, total rose from 5.98M in 1996 to 11.5M in 2025.

Self-employed (% of total employment)

% of employment

34th of 182 · 25th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Self-employed (% of total employment)Cameroon's self-employed (% of total employment) fell from 84.9 % in 1996 to 69.3 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202565%70%75%80%85%90%69.3 %

Cameroon's self-employed (% of total employment) fell from 84.9 % in 1996 to 69.3 % in 2025.

Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)

% of employment

152nd of 182 · 23rd in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)Cameroon's vulnerable employment (% of total employment) fell from 82.5 % in 1996 to 67.6 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202565%70%75%80%85%67.6 %

Cameroon's vulnerable employment (% of total employment) fell from 82.5 % in 1996 to 67.6 % in 2025.

Structure

Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)

% of employment

36th of 182 · 24th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)Cameroon's employment in agriculture (% of total employment) fell from 65.3 % in 1996 to 41.9 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202540%50%60%70%41.9 %

Cameroon's employment in agriculture (% of total employment) fell from 65.3 % in 1996 to 41.9 % in 2025.

Employment in industry (% of total employment)

% of employment

142nd of 182 · 22nd in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Employment in industry (% of total employment)Cameroon's employment in industry (% of total employment) rose from 13.4 % in 1996 to 14.6 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202510%11%12%13%14%15%14.6 %

Cameroon's employment in industry (% of total employment) rose from 13.4 % in 1996 to 14.6 % in 2025.

Employment in services (% of total employment)

% of employment

146th of 182 · 21st in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Employment in services (% of total employment)Cameroon's employment in services (% of total employment) rose from 21.3 % in 1996 to 43.5 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020250%10%20%30%40%50%43.5 %

Cameroon's employment in services (% of total employment) rose from 21.3 % in 1996 to 43.5 % in 2025.

Productivity

GDP per person employed (constant 2021 PPP $)

constant 2021 PPP $

137th of 168 · 20th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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GDP per person employed (constant 2021 PPP $)Cameroon's gdp per person employed (constant 2021 ppp $) rose from intl $8,728 in 1996 to intl $13.4k in 2025.200020052010201520202025intl $8kintl $10kintl $12kintl $14kintl $13.4k

Cameroon's gdp per person employed (constant 2021 ppp $) rose from intl $8,728 in 1996 to intl $13.4k in 2025.

›No data available (7)

These indicators exist in the registry but no source reports a value for Cameroon.

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