Cameroon Poverty Rate
Poverty headcount ratio at $2.15/day SI.POV.DDAY
Cameroon's poverty rate was 26.70% in 2021, ranked 69th globally. This represents a 7.9% decrease from 2020. Data from World Bank, covering 1996–2021.
Overview
Cameroon's poverty rate stood at 26.70% in 2021, a decline of +2.30pp from 2014. Cameroon ranked 69th globally.
Cameroon’s poverty rate fell dramatically from its all‑time peak of 56.50 % in 1996 to a trough of 26.70 % in 2021, placing the country 69th globally according to the World Bank’s 2021 data. This 29.80‑percentage‑point decline over 25 years reflects sustained reductions in extreme deprivation, although the pace of improvement has slowed in the most recent five‑year window, during which the share of people living below the national poverty line fell by only a few tenths of a point. Compared with regional peers, Cameroon’s 2021 rate is marginally higher than Kosovo’s 25.00 % and slightly lower than Benin’s 27.20 %, while still above Côte d’Ivoire’s 20.90 % and well below Togo’s 34.40 %. The continued downward trajectory suggests that policies enhancing inclusive growth, expanding social safety nets, and improving rural livelihoods could further compress poverty, potentially moving Cameroon closer to the lower‑end peer benchmarks in the coming decade.
Data & projection
| Year | Poverty Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 26.70% | −2.30pp | #69 |
| 2014 | 29.00% | −7.00pp | #76 |
| 2007 | 36.00% | +5.20pp | #65 |
| 2001 | 30.80% | −25.70pp | #36 |
| 1996 | 56.50% | – | #37 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Cameroon matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2007. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw poverty rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Cameroon's poverty rate was 26.70% in 2021. Ranked 69th globally. This represents a 7.9% decrease from the previous year.
Cameroon's poverty rate peaked at 56.50% in 1996.
The lowest poverty rate in Cameroon was 26.70% in 2021.
Cameroon ranks 69th globally in poverty rate as of 2021.
The World Bank indicator code is SI.POV.DDAY. Data sourced from World Bank.
The poverty rate of Cameroon in 2021 was 26.70%. This ranks 69th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_cameroon_poverty-rate,
title = {Cameroon Poverty Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/cameroon/poverty-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}