Updated
Overview
Cameroon has 5.4 times the population of the Central African Republic: 29.88 million people against 5.51 million (2025).
Cameroon's economy is 19 times the size of the Central African Republic's, at $58.93B versus $3.07B.
Per person, Cameroon is the wealthier of the two: $1,972 against $556 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Cameroon | Central African Republic | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $58.93B | $3.07B | 2025 | $51.33B / $2.75B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $1,972 | $556 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 3.2% | Higher: 4.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.4% | Lower: 1.0% | 2025 | 4.5% / 3.0% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.6% | 6.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 34 | 42 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $73 | $58 | 2024 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 29.88 million | 5.51 million | 2025 | 31.52 million / 5.75 million |
| Population growth | 2.6% | 3.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 18.0 yrs | 14.5 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 4.19 | 5.81 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 64.0 yrs | 57.7 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 56% | 45% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 46% | 14% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 475,442 km² | 622,984 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 62.8/km² | 8.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 9.63 Mt | Lower: 0.40 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 0.3 t | Lower: 0.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $534.85M | $71.17M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.0% | 2.5% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 34,000 | 10,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
The Central African Republic is growing faster: 4.5% annual GDP growth versus 3.2%.
Cameroon runs the hotter price environment: 3.4% inflation versus 1.0%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Cameroon: a price level of 34 versus 42 on a US=100 scale.
People and society
The Central African Republic is the younger society: median age 14.5 versus 18.0 years.
Life expectancy is 6.3 years longer in Cameroon (64.0 vs 57.7).
Cameroon is considerably more urbanized: 56% of people live in cities, against 45%.
Internet adoption is higher in Cameroon (46% vs 14% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Cameroon is 24% smaller than the Central African Republic: 475,442 km² versus 622,984 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Cameroon is far more densely settled: 63 people per km² against 9.
Military
Cameroon spends 7.5 times as much on defence as the Central African Republic: $534.85M versus $71.17M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, the Central African Republic carries the heavier military burden: 2.5% of GDP versus 1.0%.
Cameroon fields the larger armed forces: 34,000 personnel against 10,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Cameroon bigger than the Central African Republic?
- The Central African Republic is larger by land area. Cameroon covers 475,442 km² while the Central African Republic covers 622,984 km², so the Central African Republic is 31% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Cameroon or the Central African Republic?
- Cameroon has the larger population: 29.88 million versus 5.51 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Cameroon richer than the Central African Republic?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Cameroon is richer: $1,972 against $556. Total GDP tells the same story: $58.93B for Cameroon versus $3.07B for the Central African Republic.
- Who spends more on their military, Cameroon or the Central African Republic?
- Cameroon spends more: $534.85M versus $71.17M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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