A guide to understanding Cameroonian immigrants in the US

By Hinsley Njila (Edited by Innocent Chia)

Far too often when one listens to Cameroonians argue about their country, you cannot help but be startled by some off-the-wall statistics that gets quoted as fact.  For instance, it is not uncommon for Cameroonians to openly state that there are close to a million Cameroonians in the US. It is also common to hear them matter-of-factly state that Cameroon has an economy based on output from Agricaulture³. At best, both of these statements are grossly misguided, stemming oftentimes from sheer ignorance, other times from patriotic engineering by politicians, and sometimes are exaggerated memories from primary school text books. The basic question today is: what do the numbers tell us about Cameroonians in the US?

Over the years, many people have asked us other very important questions like: why are Cameroonian immigrants largely inconsequential and mostly ignored in their country of birth? Why are there so few Cameroonians on college campuses among other African immigrants? Why are there so few airlines (3) serving Cameroon and charging such high prices? Why is there no notably successful Cameroonian immigrant focused business in the US? All of these questions require an understanding of data to answer.

Realfocus Capital Intelligence has partnered with  the American Community Survey to bring some key stats that will help shape the understanding of these and other issues. Our analysis focuses on Cameroonian immigrants in the US from 2008 – 2010 (the years for which the latest data is available). We have called out a few noteworthy facts, as well as provided some key dashboards with a little more detail. Detailed insights, analyses and reports are available at www.realfocuscapital.com, alongside with contact information at info@realfocuscapital.com.

Some key stats: 
-    There are currently about 33,1711 Cameroon immigrants (in other words, 0.2% of Cameroon’s estimated 20,129,2782 population)
-    The median age is 33.8 years (median age of Cameroonians in Cameroon is 19.42 years)
-    28% are naturalized US Citizens
-    7 out of 10 Cameroonians in the US arrived after 2000, and only 11% lived here before 1990
-    More than 95% of Cameroonians have at least a high school diploma (Most already had it before coming to the US).
-    96% of Cameroonian immigrants had some earnings in 2010, with a median household income of $48,542
-    The median household income for married couples was $71,054
-    33% of Cameroonians had no health insurance coverage between 2008 and 2010
-    13% of Cameroonians in the US live in poverty. Female headed households are twice as likely to be in poverty as married households.
-    1 in 2 Cameroons in the US works in a single industry - Education services, healthcare and social assistance.
-    Close to 8 out of 10 Cameroonian immigrants has studied just two occupations – Management, Business & Service occupations.
-    1.0% are civilian veterans of the US armed forces.
-    4% changed residence from one state to another from 2008 – 2010, 74% stayed in the same house.

The honest suspicion here is that these charts will be undergoing intense scrutiny and interpretations. Better yet, there is a secret hope that conversations will be had in earnest about what influence Cameroonians in the US can, and/or do, weild in both "homes". In other words, are Cameroonians in educational/professional fields that are pivotal to the future of the global economy? Better yet, if Cameroonian nurses - for example - all returned to Cameroon today, will they be going to grow and manage the health industry in partnership with those on the field already, or will they be seeking positions in other sectors and pretend as if they never studied or practiced nursing at a high level in the US? If not, why not?

1 - Population estimate includes a margin of error of +/- 3,165. Actual survey methodology can be found on the American community survey website.

2 - Population estimates including median age can be found on cia.gov, 'The World factbook' page. Overall population is July 2012 estimate.

3 - According to CIA and World Bank, Cameroon has had a service based economy since the early 1990's, with Services contributing nearly 49% of GDP, while Agriculture contributes nearly 20%.

Comments

[Julia Gham]

Interesting. We need some stepping up to fill some gaps or make use of great opportunities.

[Michial Trayler]

Thank you for sharing this. Over the last several months I have been researching this very topic and finding valid data has been a challenge. I have also been looking over immigration numbers for the last 30 years as well for the numbers for central West African countries, Cameroon specifically.

I can confirm that since 2000 the immigration numbers leaped much higher as compared to the previous three decades. It is almost as if something radically changed to foster that initiative. I am looking into that.

The other data I have been looking at is the geolocation data and patterns in the USA. Finally, the data that was available prior to 2000 is weak and often unavailable, but since then Cameroonians have been specifically tracked by the BLS, and other agencies.

[Ndahwo Emmanuel]

"Better yet, if Cameroonian nurses - for example - all returned to Cameroon today, will they be going to grow and manage the health industry in partnership with those on the field already, or will they be seeking positions in other sectors and pretend as if they never studied or practiced nursing at a high level in the US? If not, why not?"
My brother you hit the nail exactly where it belongs. They are many of them who boast so much about being nurses while in the U.S., but are very aware that it's a profession that in Cameroon, many reluctantly wanted to join because it's thought that it's meant for those who can't make it academically. What a shame for those who would sweat to work in hospitals in the U.S., but shun to take care of their own people back home in Cameroon.

[gustav Achu]

Kudos Hinsley for a very thorough, meticulous and inciteful work. This clearly rules the line between fact and popular believes which i think as a people is necessary for our growth. This should also get each of us thinking of how we can impact our dear cameroon positively. Whether we like it or not most of us may only return to cameroon full time as retirees- if at all. As such this calls for a need to reflect on creative ways of impacting our home from our adopted "home". we may give numerous excuses- bad government, dirty streets , bottlenecks, insecurity etc.This doesnot change the fact , it is our country and an unerasable part of our DNA. And if you see America like me- it is sort of Barcelona with the best talent but unfortunately from different countries and cultural heritage.Messi is not a Barcelonian or spaniard and will never be- he is an Argentinian who plays for Barcelona. As such as American as we maybe , we still need to able able to hold on to our camerooness because posterity will judge us on what we did for our home- cameroon.

[Adamu Olinga Enow Njeunfac James]

Himselfly, you did not give number currently serving time in the pen and those tapped by DEA for trafficking. Better still, many Cameroonians are undocumented, about 770,000. When u add the 30,000 you surveyed, that makes the 1 million u have been hearing of.

[Anzhi]

Adamu 770.000+30 is not equal to 1 million

[Bara]

Anzhi I am sure you meant to say 770.000+30.000 is not equal to 1 million

[qfvabula]

Cameroon is like a beautiful woman with tons of suitors with Biya at the forefront. The fewer the competition the better for him hence the mass exodus open door policy.

[nji]

You should use better charts