Central government spending as share of GDP in Cameroon
Cameroon: Central government spending as share of GDP was 12.4% in 2021. ▬ Flat
Central government spending as share of GDP in Cameroon, 1990–2021
Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF), OECD, and World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of GDP.
Analysis
In 2021, central government spending as share of gdp in Cameroon stood at 12.4%.
That represents a change of up 3.0% on the previous year and down 2.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, central government spending as share of gdp in Cameroon peaked at 15.8% in 1991 and was at its lowest, 8.9%, in 1995.
Cameroon ranks 142nd of 157 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Central government spending as share of GDP in Cameroon, year by year
| Year | % of GDP | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 14.6% | — |
| 1991 | 15.8% | +8.6% |
| 1992 | 14.9% | -5.6% |
| 1993 | 9.9% | -33.7% |
| 1994 | 9.1% | -8.5% |
| 1995 | 8.9% | -2.1% |
| 1998 | 10.1% | +14.1% |
| 1999 | 10.4% | +2.8% |
| 2012 | 12.8% | +22.6% |
| 2013 | 12.9% | +1.4% |
| 2014 | 12.9% | -0.6% |
| 2015 | 12.4% | -3.4% |
| 2016 | 11.9% | -4.2% |
| 2017 | 10.5% | -11.5% |
| 2018 | 11.4% | +8.0% |
| 2019 | 12.3% | +8.4% |
| 2020 | 12.1% | -2.1% |
| 2021 | 12.4% | +3.0% |
Cameroon compared with similar countries
- Cameroon's 12.4% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 22.3%, 56% of the median. (37 countries reporting)
- Cameroon's 12.4% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 16.5%, 75% of the median. (36 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 11.7% | 8.9% | 15.8% | 8 |
| 2010s | 12.1% | 10.5% | 12.9% | 8 |
| 2020s | 12.2% | 12.1% | 12.4% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Cameroon
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 spending as share of gdp in Cameroon?
- Central government spending as share of gdp in Cameroon was 12.4% in 2021, according to International Monetary Fund (IMF), OECD, and World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest central government spending as share of gdp recorded in Cameroon?
- The highest recorded value was 15.8% in 1991.
- What is the lowest central government spending as share of gdp recorded in Cameroon?
- The lowest recorded value was 8.9% in 1995.
- How does Cameroon rank for central government spending as share of gdp?
- Cameroon ranks 142nd out of 157 countries with data for 2021.
- Is central government spending as share of gdp rising or falling in Cameroon?
- Over the last ten years it is down 2.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Cameroon data come from?
- The figures come from International Monetary Fund (IMF), OECD, and World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Central government spending as share of GDP. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Central government expense (cash payments for operating activities of the government in providing goods and services), as share of GDP. It excludes capital investment, such as infrastructure or equipment.