_*Economy #_Overview: Over the past decade the economy has registered a remarkable performance because of the development of an offshore oil industry. Real GDP growth annually averaged 10% from 1978 to 1985. In 1986 Cameroon had one of the highest levels of income per capita in tropical Africa, with oil revenues picking up the slack as growth in other sectors softened. Because of the sharp drop in oil prices, however, the economy experienced serious budgetary difficulties and balance-of-payments disequilibrium. Despite the recent upsurge in oil prices, Cameroon's economic outlook is troubled. Oil reserves currently being exploited will be depleted in the early 1990s, so ways must be found to boost agricultural and industrial exports in the medium term. The Sixth Cameroon Development Plan (1986-91) stresses balanced development and designates agriculture as the basis of the country's economic future.
_#_GDP: $11.5 billion, per capita $1,040; real growth rate 0.7% (1990 est.)
_#_Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.6% (FY88)
_#_Unemployment rate: 25% (1990 est.)
_#_Budget: revenues $1.7 billion; expenditures $2.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA million (FY89)
_#_Exports: $2.1 billion (f.o.b., 1990 est.);
commodities—petroleum products 56%, coffee, cocoa, timber, manufactures;
partners—EC (particularly the French) about 50%, US 10%
_#_Imports: $2.1 billion (c.i.f., 1990 est.);
commodities—machines and electrical equipment, transport equipment, chemical products, consumer goods;