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Cameroon Income Share Top 10%

Income share held by highest 10%  SI.DST.10TH.10

Cameroon's income share top 10% was 31.10% in 2021, ranked 66th globally. This represents a 11.1% decrease from 2020. Data from World Bank, covering 1996–2021.

31.10% −3.90pp (-11.1%)
Year 2021 Rank #66 Global Peak 36.10% (1996) Source World Bank

Cameroon Income Share Top 10% (1996–2021)

Overview

Cameroon's income share top 10% stood at 31.10% in 2021, a decline of +3.90pp from 2014. Cameroon ranked 66th globally.

Cameroon's income share held by the top 10% of earners has exhibited a downward trend over the past two and a half decades, according to World Bank data. The indicator peaked at 36.10% in 1996, marking the highest share of national income held by the wealthiest segment of the population. By contrast, the trough of 31.10% was recorded in 2021, indicating a reduction of nearly 5 percentage points in the income share of the top 10%. This decline places Cameroon at the 66th position globally, outpacing peer countries such as Malaysia, which holds a 30.90% income share for the top 10%. The decrease in income inequality in Cameroon is a positive development, as it suggests that the country is moving towards a more equitable distribution of wealth. However, a continuation of the current economic trajectory, coupled with sustained investments in education and social welfare programs, would be necessary to further reduce income inequality and solidify this trend.

Data & projection

Year Income Share Top 10% YoY change Rank
2021 31.10% −3.90pp #66
2014 35.00% +2.00pp #72
2007 33.00% −0.60pp #59
2001 33.60% −2.50pp #31
1996 36.10% – #31

Detected Pattern

Export Boom Cycle
Current account surplus with strong export growth (>15% YoY), reserve accumulation, and moderate GDP growth. Typical of commodity exporters during price surges.
Reserves YoY +69.0% GDP growth 4.3% C/A balance 1.2%
Occurred 768 times, 546 successful
Reserves YoY
+25.6%
GDP growth
4.0%
C/A balance
14.5%
Reserves YoY
+14.6%
GDP growth
3.7%
C/A balance
2.9%
Reserves YoY
+12.8%
GDP growth
43.8%
C/A balance
16.4%
Reserves YoY
+12.6%
GDP growth
6.0%
C/A balance
0.5%
Reserves YoY
+38.3%
GDP growth
5.0%
C/A balance
1.2%
Reserves YoY
+18.0%
GDP growth
2.9%
C/A balance
3.9%

Analysis

Cameroon matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2007. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw income share top 10% improve within 24 months. View full analysis →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cameroon's income share top 10%?▾

Cameroon's income share top 10% was 31.10% in 2021. Ranked 66th globally. This represents a 11.1% decrease from the previous year.

What was the highest income share top 10% in Cameroon?▾

Cameroon's income share top 10% peaked at 36.10% in 1996.

What was the lowest income share top 10% in Cameroon?▾

The lowest income share top 10% in Cameroon was 31.10% in 2021.

How does Cameroon rank in income share top 10%?▾

Cameroon ranks 66th globally in income share top 10% as of 2021.

What is the World Bank indicator code for income share top 10%?▾

The World Bank indicator code is SI.DST.10TH.10. Data sourced from World Bank.

What is the income share top 10% of Cameroon in 2021?▾

The income share top 10% of Cameroon in 2021 was 31.10%. This ranks 66th in the world.

Cite this page

APA
Cameroon Income Share Top 10%. HistorySaid. Retrieved November 13, 2026, from https://historysaid.com/cameroon/income-top-10/
BibTeX
@misc{historysaid_cameroon_income-top-10, title = {Cameroon Income Share Top 10%}, url = {https://historysaid.com/cameroon/income-top-10/}, publisher = {HistorySaid}, year = {2026} }
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