What determines poverty transitions in Cameroon?

Using data from the second, third and fourth household surveys in Cameroon, this paper examines the entry, exit and re-entry into poverty in Cameroon. The paper analyses and clarifies the causes of the probability of exiting, entering and re-entering poverty in Cameroon between 2001 and 2014. To this end, 34 age cohorts were created and duration models were used to calculate the rates of entry, exit and re-entry into poverty. Secondly, the assessment of the factors influencing the probability of exiting and entering poverty was made possible by applying discrete-time logistic models. The results show that, regardless of the interest of the poverty or non-poverty episode, the probability of exiting, entering and re-entering poverty depends negatively on the duration of the poverty or non-poverty episode. It seems that poverty can be more easily avoided in urban areas, but also re-entered. Older cohorts are less likely to fall into poverty than the general population, but are more likely to remain in poverty. In contrast, household participation in the labour market is important for the probability of entry, but has little influence on the probability of exit, while conversion to home production and consequently access to land provides an easier way out of poverty and is therefore a successful promotion strategy.