Cameroon

Despite some developmental progress, the infant mortality rate stands alarmingly high at 41.20 per 1,000 live births. This rate is a stark indicator of persistent weaknesses in primary healthcare access, maternal care, and sanitation across the country.

Cameroon reports a surprisingly low unemployment rate of 3.61%. However, given the low GDP per capita ($1,720.48), this figure likely masks significant underemployment and informal sector activity, indicating that many jobs do not provide adequate income or security.

The country faces a demographic challenge characterized by a high fertility rate (4.32 children per woman) coupled with a relatively low life expectancy (63.70 years). This combination indicates a rapidly growing, young population that puts continuous strain on limited health and education resources.

Cameroon maintains substantial natural capital, with over 42% of its total land area covered by forests. This high percentage highlights the country's critical role in regional biodiversity and carbon sequestration, but also suggests a major potential conflict between conservation efforts and development needs.