As of 2024, the top 1% in Cameroon earned 13.27% of total national income, while the bottom 50% received just 12.37%. Cameroon’s income inequality has decreased since 1980, when the top 1% share was 18.49%.
Key Income Distribution Metrics for Cameroon in 2024
In 2024, income in Cameroon was distributed as follows: the wealthiest 1% of the population captured 13.27% of total national income, which is slightly lower than the global average of 16.17%. Meanwhile, the bottom half of earners received 12.37% of income, slightly lower than the global average of 14.97%.
| Metric | Cameroon | Global Average |
|---|---|---|
| Top 1% Income Share | 13.27% | 16.17% |
| Top 10% Income Share | 47.60% | 45.21% |
| Bottom 50% Income Share | 12.37% | 14.97% |
How Has Income Inequality Changed in Cameroon?
Top 1% Income Share Trend (1980-2024)
The share of income going to Cameroon’s top 1% has decreased over the past 44 years. In 1980, the top 1% captured 18.49% of national income. By 2024, this figure had fallen by 5.22 percentage points to 13.27%.
Top 10% vs Bottom 50% Income Gap Over Time
The income gap between the top 10% and bottom 50% in Cameroon has narrowed over this period. In 1980, the top 10% earned 54.31% while the bottom 50% received 11.51%. By 2024, these figures shifted to 47.60% and 12.37% respectively.
| Year | Top 1% | Top 10% | Bottom 50% | Gap (Top 10 – Bottom 50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 18.49% | 54.31% | 11.51% | 42.80 pp |
| 1986 | 18.49% | 54.31% | 11.51% | 42.80 pp |
| 1992 | 18.49% | 54.31% | 11.51% | 42.80 pp |
| 1998 | 18.75% | 53.30% | 11.86% | 41.44 pp |
| 2004 | 17.41% | 51.05% | 12.16% | 38.89 pp |
| 2010 | 15.75% | 51.07% | 11.38% | 39.69 pp |
| 2016 | 15.11% | 50.78% | 11.13% | 39.65 pp |
| 2022 | 13.27% | 47.60% | 12.37% | 35.23 pp |
How Cameroon Compares Globally
Cameroon vs Africa Average
Compared to other countries in Africa, Cameroon’s top 1% income share of 13.27% is slightly lower than the regional average of 15.62%. The bottom 50% in Cameroon receives 12.37% of income, compared to the Africa average of 13.46%.
Where Cameroon Ranks Among All Countries
- Top 1% income concentration: Cameroon ranks 127th out of 184 countries (higher rank = more concentrated wealth at the top)
- Bottom 50% income share: Cameroon ranks 135th out of 184 countries (higher rank = larger share for the bottom half)
Countries with similar income inequality levels to Cameroon include income distribution in Germany, income distribution in Morocco, Maldives's income inequality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income share of the top 1% in Cameroon?
As of 2024, the top 1% in Cameroon earned 13.27% of total national income. This level of concentration is considered moderate by international standards.
Is income inequality increasing or decreasing in Cameroon?
Income inequality in Cameroon has decreased since 1980. The top 1% income share moved from 18.49% in 1980 to 13.27% in 2024.
What percentage of income goes to the bottom 50% in Cameroon?
In 2024, the bottom 50% of earners in Cameroon received 12.37% of total national income. This compares with the top 10% who captured 47.60%.
Last updated: April 8, 2026
Data source: World Inequality Database (WID). This dataset covers income distribution metrics for 199 countries from 1980 to 2024.