By Doh James Sonkey
The Prime Minister, Head of Government, Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute has announced that the long-awaited 4th general population and housing census after those conducted in 1976, 1987, and 2005 will finally take place in the first quarter of 2026. The census initially planned for 2025 has therefore been shifted to 2026. The PM made the revelation last August 12, 2025 during an interministerial meeting he chaired at the Star Building in Yaounde. The Prime Minister, Head of Government ordered that the timetable for pooled activities be scrupulously respected.
This census will involve a comprehensive count of the population across all regions, subdivisions, and villages. It also includes a General Census of Agriculture & Livestock.
The census aims to provide crucial data for development planning and policy-making, helping Cameroon work towards its goal of “emergence”. It will also help in understanding the dynamics of population growth and housing needs.
The census was initially planned for 2023 but faced delays.
The census will involve the recruitment of numerous enumerators and supervisors. For example, in the past, Cameroon Business Today reported that 30,000 Cameroonians would be recruited as enumerators. The Central Bureau of Census and Population Studies (BUCREP) is the lead agency for the census, working with the UN and other partners.
Furthermore, a key aspect of the census preparations is the focus on preventing sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) during the data collection process. UN agencies are working with BUCREP to ensure that enumerators are trained on these issues. The census will also address the needs of displaced populations in conflict zones, ensuring they are included in the data.
The country’s 4th General Population and Housing Census will jointly be conducted along with a general census of agriculture and livestock scheduled for January 2026. This census was initially planned for 2025 but has been postponed. The census aims to gather crucial demographic data to inform public policies and development planning. The census will be conducted by the Central Bureau for Censuses and Population Studies (BUCREP). Around 32,059 census agents (enumerators) and supervisors will be recruited for the process. The census will also include strategies to address security challenges in regions like the North-West and South-West.
The census will also incorporate the use of technology. For instance, the use of mobile tablets for data collection and encryption for data security are planned. The government is also seeking funding partners to support the census, which is estimated to cost FCFA 64 billion.