Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Cameroon

Cameroon: Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) was 2.5% in 2021. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2021)
2.5%
World rank
149th
of 181 countries
All-time high
21.3%
in 2005
All-time low
1.7%
in 1985
Years of data
8
1985–2021

Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Cameroon, 1985–2021

051015201985200320211985: 1.71996: 9.52001: 8.22005: 21.32007: 2.62010: 3.42014: 3.12021: 2.5

Source: Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).

Analysis

The most recent figure for unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Cameroon is 2.5%, measured in 2021.

That represents a change of down 27.0% over ten years.

Over the whole period, unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Cameroon peaked at 21.3% in 2005 and was at its lowest, 1.7%, in 1985.

Cameroon ranks 149th of 181 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.

Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Cameroon, year by year

Annual values for Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) (national estimate) in Cameroon, 1985 to 2021.
Year Value Change
1985 1.7%
1996 9.5% +446.8%
2001 8.2% -13.6%
2005 21.3% +160.2%
2007 2.6% -87.6%
2010 3.4% +28.9%
2014 3.1% -9.8%
2021 2.5% -19.1%

Cameroon compared with similar countries

  • Cameroon's 2.5% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 3.8%, 65% of the median. (39 countries reporting)
  • Cameroon's 2.5% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 4.4%, 56% of the median. (32 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1980s 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% 1
1990s 9.5% 9.5% 9.5% 1
2000s 10.7% 2.6% 21.3% 3
2010s 3.2% 3.1% 3.4% 2
2020s 2.5% 2.5% 2.5% 1

Countries ranked near Cameroon

  1. 146 Bhutan 2.6% compare
  2. 147 Czechia 2.5% compare
  3. 148 Mexico 2.5% compare
  4. 150 El Salvador 2.4% compare
  5. 151 Seychelles 2.4% compare
  6. 152 Bolivia, Plurinational State of 2.3% compare

See the full ranking of 205 places →

More work & labour data for Cameroon

All data for Cameroon →

Frequently asked questions

What is unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Cameroon?
Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Cameroon was 2.5% in 2021, according to Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
What is the highest unemployment, male (% of male labor force) recorded in Cameroon?
The highest recorded value was 21.3% in 2005.
What is the lowest unemployment, male (% of male labor force) recorded in Cameroon?
The lowest recorded value was 1.7% in 1985.
How does Cameroon rank for unemployment, male (% of male labor force)?
Cameroon ranks 149th out of 181 countries with data for 2021.
Is unemployment, male (% of male labor force) rising or falling in Cameroon?
Over the last ten years it is down 27.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Cameroon data come from?
The figures come from Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as part of Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) (national estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Cameroon. Statizoid, drawing on Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO). Retrieved 14 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/unemployment-male-percent-of-male-labor-force-national-estimate/cameroon/

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About this data

Indicator
Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) (national estimate)
Source
Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO)
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
205 places, 5,415 data points, 1960–2025
Last refreshed

Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment. Definitions of labor force and unemployment differ by country.