Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Cameroon
Cameroon: Refugee population by country or territory of origin was 140,366 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Cameroon, 1989–2025
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for refugee population by country or territory of origin in Cameroon is 140,366, measured in 2025.
That represents a change of up 27.7% on the previous year and up 1,228.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, refugee population by country or territory of origin in Cameroon peaked at 147,352 in 2022 and was at its lowest, 60, in 1989.
Cameroon ranks 25th of 205 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Cameroon, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 60 | — |
| 1990 | 100 | +66.7% |
| 1992 | 84 | -16.0% |
| 1993 | 170 | +102.4% |
| 1994 | 236 | +38.8% |
| 1995 | 2,018 | +755.1% |
| 1996 | 2,111 | +4.6% |
| 1997 | 2,250 | +6.6% |
| 1998 | 1,349 | -40.0% |
| 1999 | 1,651 | +22.4% |
| 2000 | 2,067 | +25.2% |
| 2001 | 2,729 | +32.0% |
| 2002 | 5,228 | +91.6% |
| 2003 | 6,215 | +18.9% |
| 2004 | 7,631 | +22.8% |
| 2005 | 9,096 | +19.2% |
| 2006 | 10,373 | +14.0% |
| 2007 | 11,499 | +10.9% |
| 2008 | 13,852 | +20.5% |
| 2009 | 14,752 | +6.5% |
| 2010 | 14,952 | +1.4% |
| 2011 | 15,149 | +1.3% |
| 2012 | 13,360 | -11.8% |
| 2013 | 11,410 | -14.6% |
| 2014 | 10,739 | -5.9% |
| 2015 | 10,565 | -1.6% |
| 2016 | 10,344 | -2.1% |
| 2017 | 11,032 | +6.7% |
| 2018 | 45,118 | +309.0% |
| 2019 | 66,241 | +46.8% |
| 2020 | 78,481 | +18.5% |
| 2021 | 125,477 | +59.9% |
| 2022 | 147,352 | +17.4% |
| 2023 | 110,715 | -24.9% |
| 2024 | 109,879 | -0.8% |
| 2025 | 140,366 | +27.7% |
Cameroon compared with similar countries
- Cameroon's 140,366 is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 9,568, 14.7× the median. (47 countries reporting)
- Cameroon's 140,366 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 12,726, 11.0× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Cameroon changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | +755.1% | 236 | 2,018 |
| 2018 | +309.0% | 11,032 | 45,118 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 60 | 60 | 60 | 1 |
| 1990s | 1,108 | 84 | 2,250 | 9 |
| 2000s | 8,344 | 2,067 | 14,752 | 10 |
| 2010s | 20,891 | 10,344 | 66,241 | 10 |
| 2020s | 118,712 | 78,481 | 147,352 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Cameroon
More population data for Cameroon
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.5809 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate 1.75 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.5809 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.5077 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 51,280 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 2.39 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.1831 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate 0.571 (2100)
- Population density 188.01 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 6.42 million (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is refugee population by country or territory of origin in Cameroon?
- Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Cameroon was 140,366 in 2025, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest refugee population by country or territory of origin recorded in Cameroon?
- The highest recorded value was 147,352 in 2022.
- What is the lowest refugee population by country or territory of origin recorded in Cameroon?
- The lowest recorded value was 60 in 1989.
- How does Cameroon rank for refugee population by country or territory of origin?
- Cameroon ranks 25th out of 205 countries with data for 2025.
- Is refugee population by country or territory of origin rising or falling in Cameroon?
- Over the last ten years it is up 1,228.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Cameroon data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Refugee population by country or territory of origin. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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