Updated
Overview
Cameroon has 4.6 times the population of the Republic of the Congo: 29.88 million people against 6.48 million (2025).
Cameroon's economy is 3.6 times the size of the Republic of the Congo's, at $58.93B versus $16.31B.
Per person, the Republic of the Congo is the wealthier of the two: $2,515 against $1,972 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Cameroon | Republic of the Congo | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $58.93B | $16.31B | 2025 | $51.33B / $15.72B |
| GDP per capita | $1,972 | Higher: $2,515 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 3.2% | 3.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.4% | Lower: 2.4% | 2025 | 4.5% / 3.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.6% | 19.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 34 | 35 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $73 | Higher: $198 | 2024 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 29.88 million | 6.48 million | 2025 | 31.52 million / 6.10 million |
| Population growth | 2.6% | 2.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 18.0 yrs | 18.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 4.19 | 4.05 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 64.0 yrs | Higher: 66.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 56% | 64% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 46% | Higher: 47% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 475,442 km² | 342,000 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 62.8/km² | 19.0/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 9.63 Mt | Lower: 8.84 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 0.3 t | 1.4 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $534.85M | $182.04M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.0% | 1.2% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 34,000 | 12,000 | 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
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (3.2% for Cameroon, 3.1% for the Republic of the Congo).
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.4% in Cameroon and 2.4% in the Republic of the Congo.
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 18.0 (Cameroon) and 18.6 (the Republic of the Congo).
Life expectancy is 2.0 years longer in the Republic of the Congo (66.0 vs 64.0).
Geography
By land area, Cameroon is 39% larger than the Republic of the Congo: 475,442 km² versus 342,000 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 19.
Military
Cameroon spends 2.9 times as much on defence as the Republic of the Congo: $534.85M versus $182.04M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Cameroon fields the larger armed forces: 34,000 personnel against 12,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Cameroon bigger than the Republic of the Congo?
- Cameroon is larger by land area. Cameroon covers 475,442 km² while the Republic of the Congo covers 342,000 km², so Cameroon is 39% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Cameroon or the Republic of the Congo?
- Cameroon has the larger population: 29.88 million versus 6.48 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Cameroon richer than the Republic of the Congo?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the Republic of the Congo is richer: $2,515 against $1,972. Total GDP tells a different story: $58.93B for Cameroon versus $16.31B for the Republic of the Congo.
- Who spends more on their military, Cameroon or the Republic of the Congo?
- Cameroon spends more: $534.85M versus $182.04M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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