• Cameroon:
• Society

Cameroon - Society

Population: 18,549,000 (2007); 52% in urban areas and 22% in urban agglomerations of more than 1 million people; growth 2.8% p.a. 1970–90 and 2.3% p.a. 1990–2004; birth rate (2005) 35 per 1,000 people (45 in 1970); life expectancy 46 years (44 in 1970). The population is ethnically diverse. In the north, the people are mostly Hausa, Fulbé (Fulani), Sudanese and Choa Arab. In the west, the Bamiléké (about 1.5 million) are the biggest ethnic group, followed by Tiker and Bamoun. South of the River Sanaga, there are Bantu groups: Fang, Ewondo, Boulou, Eton, Bassa, Bakoko, Douala. Some pygmies live in the south-eastern forested country.

Religion: Mainly Christians (about half of whom are Roman Catholics), with a substantial minority of Muslims, and a dominant attachment to traditional beliefs.

Language: French and English are both official languages; French is spoken by about 80% of the population, English by about 20%. There are about 240 indigenous languages including 24 major language groups.

Media: The state-run CRTV operates the national radio and TV networks. Max TV, Canal 2 and STV are private TV stations. Radio Reine is a Catholic-owned radio station.

Cameroon Tribune (daily in French and English editions) is the official newspaper. Le Messager is the leading independent daily in French, published in Douala since 1979. Other independent papers include Mutations (published daily in French), The Herald (three times weekly, in English) and The Post (twice weekly, in English).

There are 75 TV sets (2002), ten personal computers (2004) and 22 internet users (2006) per 1,000 people.

Education: Public spending on education was 1.8% of GDP in 2005. There are six years of compulsory education starting at age six. The pupil–teacher ratio for primary is 48:1 and for secondary 25:1. School attendance is lower in the Far North province, where the population is partly nomadic. The school year starts in September.

About 6.1% of the relevant age group is enrolled in tertiary education (2005). There are universities at Yaoundé (two), Dschang, Ngaoundéré, Douala and Buéa.

Health: There are three referral hospitals, some 70 general hospitals, some 50 private hospitals, plus a wide network of public and private health centres – some of which are for the treatment of leprosy. 66% of the population uses an improved drinking water source and 58% in urban areas have adequate sanitation facilities (2004/2005). Infant mortality was 87 per 1,000 live births in 2005 (151 in 1960). At the end of 2005, 4.9% of people age 15 and over were HIV positive.

Communications: Country code 237. Telephones can usually be found in post offices and restaurants, and telephone booths are available in all towns. International calls can be made from CAMTEL offices. The main towns are linked by automatic dialling, but this can be unreliable. Mobile phone coverage is patchy but is improving in the south. There are roaming agreements with international mobile companies.

Many of the main towns have internet cafes, though visitors should note that charges are significantly higher outside Yaoundé and Douala.

There are six main telephone lines and 138 mobile phones per 1,000 people (2006).

Public holidays: New Year’s Day, Youth Day (11 February), Labour Day (1 May), National Day (20 May), Sheep Festival (21 May), Assumption (15 August), Unification Day (1 October) and Christmas Day.

Religious festivals whose dates vary from year to year include Prophet’s Birthday, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Ascension Day, Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan) and Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).