The National Human Development Report 2022 was officially launched in Yaounde, Cameroon on Wednesday, 5th of February 2025.
The National Report on Human Development 2022, described as one of the key instruments helping in the implementation process of the National Development Strategy 2020-2030 (NDS30), was officially presented on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at the Hilton Hotel in Yaounde.
The document titled: “National Human Development Report 2022-What Human Capital for Structural Transformation of the Cameroonian Economy?”, is a 202 pager that offers analyses of the situation of human capital in Cameroon and the ways to align it with the objectives of structural transformation of the Cameroonian economy.
The said report highlights the situation of human capital in Cameroon according to its different components: education and vocational training; health and nutrition; social and cultural capital.
The presentation and official launch of this important document was coupled with the launch of the Sahel Human Development Report 2023 and the Global Human Development Report 2023-2024.
The event organized by the Ministry of Economy Planning and Regional Development and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), brought together several government officials, national and international partners.
Alamine Ousmane Mey, Minister of Economy, Planning, and Regional Development chaired the ceremony alongside the Minister of Finance, Louis Paul Motaze, Minister delegate incharge of Planning, Paul Tasong Njukang, the Representative of UN’s Humanitarian Coordinator, Nadine Perrault and UNDP’s Deputy Representative, Martin Hart-Hansen.
Taking the floor during the official launch of these reports, Martin Hart-Hansen, UNDP’s Deputy Representative said:
“This Report, entitled: “What human capital for the structural transformation of the Cameroonian economy?”, highlights the crucial role of human capital in achieving the structural transformation so desired by the National Development Strategy 2020-2030 (SND30). The report provides a detailed overview of human development and the structure of human capital in the country and its 10 regions. The human capital indicators in Cameroon are put into perspective with those of emerging countries that have been able to carry out their structural transformation. This data can thus serve as a basis for informing the design, strategies, and ambitions of Cameroon’s human capital development policies to accelerate the achievement of the country’s goals in terms of education, health, and structural transformation. The report highlights progress in human development while highlighting the challenges that remain. The level of human development and human capital in Cameroon is considered average, with only 6.5 years of study on average among the population, barely reaching high school, which is not compatible with the human capital needed to facilitate the envisioned structural transformation. With an increasingly digitized and scientific world. It also raises rampant malnutrition…”
Speaking on behalf of the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Cameroon, Nadine Perrault, who is currently UNICEF’s Resident Representative said: “Human capital is perceived as a process aimed at expanding the options available to each person in order to promote their development and their optimal participation in society to all socio-economic levels. It is therefore not surprising that the development of human capital and GDP is one of the foundations of the 2020-2030 National Development Strategy, given its crucial role in sustainable and inclusive development and as the engine of the structural transformation of the American economy. This is why the United Nations Development Program publishes every year a global report dedicated to human capital since 1990.
She added: “These reports which are launched today on human development offer us a precise outline of the challenges and opportunities present in the program. These reports which are published on a global scale reveal fragile progress, threatened by multiple crises while identifying the priority lines of action to achieve the 2030 agenda for sustainable development goals…”
Mrs. Perrault also laid emphasis on some gaps such as the deficit of energy in the Sahel regions that need to be solved for a positive impact on the growth of the country’s economy.
In his key address, Minister Alamine Ousmane Mey outlined the fact that the National Human Development Report is a milestone in Cameroon’s developmental strategies.
“There is no doubt that the present national report on human development will guide us once again in the process of consolidating our efforts by offering us essential references to refine our actions and maximize their impact in a context of relative growth. We will continue to look forward to the rapid and lasting changes in the development and these topics are also important for the future of our society and the development of our economy.” He stated.
Minister Alamine Ousmane Mey also pointed out the importance of the Sahel Human Development Report for 2023, highlighting some crucial deficits that need to be curbed for the economic growth of the country and the well-being of the population at large.
He said: “Human development in the Sahel calls for reflection on renewable energy for economic and climate security. The Sahel, should it be recalled, faces unprecedented climate and security challenges. The energy transition is an absolute priority to guarantee both economic and climate security through the promotion of inclusive development. Indeed, the development of sustainable energy solutions in the eyes of the potential to ensure the resilience of our economies in the face of climate change is therefore an urgent necessity.”
Key results and statistics underscored in the report were highlighted during the presentation of Dr. Ginette Mondongou Camara, Principal Economist working for UNDP.
It was disclosed that the 2022 National Human Development Report puts into perspective the weaknesses of human capital, particularly in the education and health sectors, which impact the structural transformation of the economy.
Despite the fact that progress has been observed in the educational field, inequalities persist, especially between regions. This newly published report focuses on the need to improve schooling, and promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics, while strengthening access to health care and adequate nutrition.
In line with the statistics unveiled, it was released for instance that there is a low growth in the Human capital index from 0.379 in 2010 to 0.397 in 2020.
As concerns the school development rate, the report states that gross enrollment rate in primary school stands at 105.7% in 2019, but the completion rate only is 65.5%.
In the domain of health care, about 72% of health expenditure is borne by households.
The report also states that malnutrition remains a major public health threat as it affects children under 5, pregnant women, and those in the breastfeeding process.
In terms of key recommendations, there is a need to promote STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) in education; continue efforts to strengthen the public health system and food security; establish inclusive governance to structure interventions, and ensure coherence of efforts.
Elise Kenimbeni
