Given its population size, Cameroon's demographic profile is extremely complex. There are an estimated 250 distinct ethnic groups, and these may be categorised or classified into five large regional-cultural divisions.
The western highlanders or Semi-Bantu or grassfielders account for an estimated 38 percent of the population, This includes the Bamun, Bamileke, and many smaller Tikar groups from the Northwest.
The coastal tropical forest peoples, who account for 12 percent of the population, include the Duala, Bassa, and a number of smaller groups from the Southwest.
The southern tropical forest peoples, include the Beti-Pahuin, Bulu and the Fang who are both subgroups of the Beti-Pahuin, Maka, Njem, and Baka pygmies. They account for 18 percent of the population.
The predominantly Islamic peoples from the northern semi-arid regions and the central highlands, including the Fulani make up for 14 percent of the population.
The "Kirdi", non-Islamic or of late Islamic peoples from the northern desert and the central highlands account for 18 percent of the population.
The western highlanders or Semi-Bantu or grassfielders account for an estimated 38 percent of the population, This includes the Bamun, Bamileke, and many smaller Tikar groups from the Northwest.
The coastal tropical forest peoples, who account for 12 percent of the population, include the Duala, Bassa, and a number of smaller groups from the Southwest.
The southern tropical forest peoples, include the Beti-Pahuin, Bulu and the Fang who are both subgroups of the Beti-Pahuin, Maka, Njem, and Baka pygmies. They account for 18 percent of the population.
The predominantly Islamic peoples from the northern semi-arid regions and the central highlands, including the Fulani make up for 14 percent of the population.
The "Kirdi", non-Islamic or of late Islamic peoples from the northern desert and the central highlands account for 18 percent of the population.