Cameroun 4e RGPH Achèvement: 75% Coverage Falls Below Standards

• Cameroon's 4th General Population and Housing Census, including agriculture and livestock, concluded on September 15, 2026.
• The census, which began on April 24, 2026, was extended twice, with the final deadline set by the Prime Minister's order.
• Despite extensions, the unofficial coverage rate reached only 75%, falling significantly short of the 95% international standard and 90% technical threshold.
• Initial coverage was 60% by July 31, prompting a 45-day extension to enumerate the remaining 40% of the population.
• Potential challenges included an increased budget from 13.2 billion F to 23.5 billion F and issues related to the payment of 32,000 agents.

For legal professionals and compliance officers, this reduced data reliability is a critical consideration.

The fourth General Population and Housing Census (RGPH) for Cameroon, which also incorporated a comprehensive agriculture and livestock enumeration, officially concluded its counting operations on September 15, 2026. This significant national undertaking, aimed at gathering crucial demographic and agricultural data, initially commenced on April 24, 2026. The final completion date was established by an order from the Prime Minister, Head of Government, issued on July 31, 2026, following earlier extensions.

The census operations faced several delays, having been initially prolonged on May 29 and again on July 31. The latter extension was necessitated by a concerningly low enumeration rate observed by the original July 31 deadline, which was meant to be the end of the first extended period. To address this shortfall and ensure broader data collection for the Cameroun 4e RGPH achèvement, an additional 45 days were allocated to enumerators.

Despite these efforts and the extended timeline, the overall coverage rate for the Cameroun Recensement général population remained significantly below expectations. By July 31, only approximately 60% of the population had been enumerated. The subsequent 45-day extension was specifically intended to cover the remaining 40% of the population. However, according to preliminary, unconsolidated, and unofficial statistics available at the close of the additional period, the intensified efforts only managed to increase the coverage to about 75%.

This 75% figure, while representing a 15% improvement over the July 31 statistics, falls considerably short of international standards, which typically mandate a 95% coverage rate for such censuses. Furthermore, it is below the technically acceptable tolerance threshold of 90%. The current reported coverage places the census results squarely within the "alert zone," defined as any rate below 80%, raising questions about the comprehensiveness of the RGPH Cameroun taux couverture.

The challenges in achieving a higher enumeration rate for the Cameroun Recensement général population and the Recensement agriculture Cameroun may stem from various underlying issues. One potential factor is related to the financing of the extensive operation. The initial budget allocated for the census was 13.2 billion F, but this figure was subsequently revised upwards to 23.5 billion F, indicating a substantial increase in required resources.

Another possible contributing factor could involve difficulties in the payment of the 32,000 agents deployed across the country to conduct the enumeration. Such issues can impact morale and efficiency, directly affecting the pace and thoroughness of data collection. Additionally, the source points to potential "sectoral instability" as a broader issue that might have hindered the smooth execution of the census, further complicating efforts to reach the target population.

The reported low coverage rate, even after multiple extensions and increased funding, has significant implications for the reliability and utility of the data collected during Cameroon's 4th General Population and Housing Census. With only an estimated 75% of the population enumerated, the official demographic and agricultural data derived from this census may be less robust and representative than anticipated. This situation places the data within an "alert zone" for reliability, suggesting potential inaccuracies or gaps in the national statistical picture.

For legal professionals and compliance officers, this reduced data reliability is a critical consideration. The official statistics from the Cameroun Recensement général population and Recensement agriculture Cameroun might not provide a fully accurate foundation for due diligence, market analysis, or the development of compliance strategies for clients operating in or contemplating investment in Cameroon. It necessitates careful evaluation of data sources and potentially requires adjustments to risk assessments, as reliance on potentially incomplete official figures could lead to misinformed decisions.

Lawyers and compliance officers should note that the official demographic and agricultural data from Cameroon's 4th census may be less reliable than expected due to the reported low coverage rate. This could impact due diligence, market analysis, and compliance strategies for clients operating in or considering investment in Cameroon, requiring careful consideration of data sources and potential adjustments to risk assessments.

Source: Reporting from local sources