Central government revenues as a share of GDP in Cameroon
Cameroon: Central government revenues as a share of GDP was 13.7% in 2021. ▲ Rising
Central government revenues as a share of GDP in Cameroon, 1990–2021
Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF) Government Finance Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of GDP.
Analysis
The most recent figure for central government revenues as a share of gdp in Cameroon is 13.7%, measured in 2021.
The figure is up 4.7% on the previous year and down 13.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, central government revenues as a share of gdp in Cameroon peaked at 16.3% in 2014 and was at its lowest, 7.8%, in 1994.
That places Cameroon 139th out of 157 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 18 years of available data.
Central government revenues as a share of GDP in Cameroon, year by year
| Year | % of GDP | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 14.3% | — |
| 1991 | 15.2% | +6.3% |
| 1992 | 15.5% | +2.4% |
| 1993 | 9.8% | -37.0% |
| 1994 | 7.8% | -20.3% |
| 1995 | 9.9% | +26.9% |
| 1998 | 12.9% | +30.8% |
| 1999 | 12.2% | -5.8% |
| 2012 | 15.9% | +30.2% |
| 2013 | 15.8% | -0.3% |
| 2014 | 16.3% | +3.3% |
| 2015 | 15.5% | -5.2% |
| 2016 | 14.5% | -6.2% |
| 2017 | 14.7% | +1.2% |
| 2018 | 15.2% | +3.1% |
| 2019 | 14.8% | -2.0% |
| 2020 | 13.1% | -11.6% |
| 2021 | 13.7% | +4.7% |
Cameroon compared with similar countries
- Cameroon's 13.7% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 19.7%, 70% of the median. (36 countries reporting)
- Cameroon's 13.7% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 15.8%, 87% of the median. (36 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 12.2% | 7.8% | 15.5% | 8 |
| 2010s | 15.3% | 14.5% | 16.3% | 8 |
| 2020s | 13.4% | 13.1% | 13.7% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Cameroon
- 136 Uganda 14.0% compare
- 137 Lao People's Democratic Republic 13.9% compare
- 138 Cambodia 13.8% compare
- 140 Lebanon 13.5% compare
- 141 Côte d'Ivoire 13.4% compare
- 142 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 13.2% compare
More economy & growth data for Cameroon
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 04 - Annual real GDP 2.05 Percent per annum (2029)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 02 - Annual real GDP 4.53 Percent per annum (2029)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), gaps 63.42 million BoP, current US$ (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.0012 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 2.18 BoP, current US$ per person (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), gaps filled 888.22 million BoP, current US$ (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), annual 8.12 % change on previous year (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.0167 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 30.5 BoP, current US$ per person (2024)
- Total reserves (includes gold, current US$), annual growth rate 3.68 % change on previous year (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is central government revenues as a share of gdp in Cameroon?
- Central government revenues as a share of gdp in Cameroon was 13.7% in 2021, according to International Monetary Fund (IMF) Government Finance Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest central government revenues as a share of gdp recorded in Cameroon?
- The highest recorded value was 16.3% in 2014.
- What is the lowest central government revenues as a share of gdp recorded in Cameroon?
- The lowest recorded value was 7.8% in 1994.
- How does Cameroon rank for central government revenues as a share of gdp?
- Cameroon ranks 139th out of 157 countries with data for 2021.
- Is central government revenues as a share of gdp rising or falling in Cameroon?
- Over the last ten years it is down 13.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Cameroon data come from?
- The figures come from International Monetary Fund (IMF) Government Finance Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Central government revenues as a share of GDP. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Taxes, social contributions, and other revenues such as fines, fees, rent, and income from property or sales included. Grants excluded.