2012 Edition
CIA World Factbook 2012 Archive (HTML)
Introduction
Background
Most Cambodians consider themselves to be Khmers, descendants of the Angkor Empire that extended over much of Southeast Asia and reached its zenith between the 10th and 13th centuries. Attacks by the Thai and Cham (from present-day Vietnam) weakened the empire, ushering in a long period of decline. The king placed the country under French protection in 1863 and it became part of French Indochina in 1887. Following Japanese occupation in World War II, Cambodia gained full independence from France in 1953. In April 1975, after a five-year struggle, Communist Khmer Rouge forces captured Phnom Penh and evacuated all cities and towns. At least 1.5 million Cambodians died from execution, forced hardships, or starvation during the Khmer Rouge regime under POL POT. A December 1978 Vietnamese invasion drove the Khmer Rouge into the countryside, began a 10-year Vietnamese occupation, and touched off almost 13 years of civil war. The 1991 Paris Peace Accords mandated democratic elections and a ceasefire, which was not fully respected by the Khmer Rouge. UN-sponsored elections in 1993 helped restore some semblance of normalcy under a coalition government. Factional fighting in 1997 ended the first coalition government, but a second round of national elections in 1998 led to the formation of another coalition government and renewed political stability. The remaining elements of the Khmer Rouge surrendered in early 1999. Some of the surviving Khmer Rouge leaders have been tried or are awaiting trial for crimes against humanity by a hybrid UN-Cambodian tribunal supported by international assistance. Elections in July 2003 were relatively peaceful, but it took one year of negotiations between contending political parties before a coalition government was formed. In October 2004, King Norodom SIHANOUK abdicated the throne and his son, Prince Norodom SIHAMONI, was selected to succeed him. Local elections were held in Cambodia in April 2007, with little of the pre-election violence that preceded prior elections. National elections in July 2008 were relatively peaceful.
Geography
Area
- 181,035 sq km 176,515 sq km 4,520 sq km
- total
- 181,035 sq km
- water
- 4,520 sq km
Area - comparative
slightly smaller than Oklahoma
Climate
tropical; rainy, monsoon season (May to November); dry season (December to April); little seasonal temperature variation
Coastline
443 km
Elevation extremes
- Gulf of Thailand 0 m Phnum Aoral 1,810 m
- highest point
- Phnum Aoral 1,810 m
- lowest point
- Gulf of Thailand 0 m
Environment - current issues
illegal logging activities throughout the country and strip mining for gems in the western region along the border with Thailand have resulted in habitat loss and declining biodiversity (in particular, destruction of mangrove swamps threatens natural fisheries); soil erosion; in rural areas, most of the population does not have access to potable water; declining fish stocks because of illegal fishing and overfishing
Environment - international agreements
- Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling Law of the Sea
- party to
- Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
- signed, but not ratified
- Law of the Sea
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)
- 4.08 cu km/yr (1%/0%/98%) 290 cu m/yr (2000)
- per capita
- 290 cu m/yr (2000)
- total
- 4.08 cu km/yr (1%/0%/98%)
Geographic coordinates
13 00 N, 105 00 E
Geography - note
a land of paddies and forests dominated by the Mekong River and Tonle Sap
Irrigated land
2,850 sq km (2003)
Land boundaries
- 2,572 km Laos 541 km, Thailand 803 km, Vietnam 1,228 km
- border countries
- Laos 541 km, Thailand 803 km, Vietnam 1,228 km
- total
- 2,572 km
Land use
- 20.44% 0.59% 78.97% (2005)
- arable land
- 20.44%
- other
- 78.97% (2005)
- permanent crops
- 0.59%
Location
Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, between Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos
Map references
Southeast Asia
Maritime claims
- 12 nm 24 nm 200 nm 200 nm
- contiguous zone
- 24 nm
- continental shelf
- 200 nm
- exclusive economic zone
- 200 nm
- territorial sea
- 12 nm
Natural hazards
monsoonal rains (June to November); flooding; occasional droughts
Natural resources
oil and gas, timber, gemstones, iron ore, manganese, phosphates, hydropower potential
Terrain
mostly low, flat plains; mountains in southwest and north
Total renewable water resources
476.1 cu km (1999)
People and Society
Age structure
- 31.9% (male 2,398,710/ female 2,373,652) 64.3% (male 4,621,781/ female 4,989,200) 3.8% (male 214,208/ female 355,114) (2012 est.)
- 0-14 years
- 31.9% (male 2,398,710/ female 2,373,652)
- 15-64 years
- 64.3% (male 4,621,781/ female 4,989,200)
- 65 years and over
- 3.8% (male 214,208/ female 355,114) (2012 est.)
Birth rate
25.17 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
28.8% (2008)
Death rate
7.97 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)
Education expenditures
2.1% of GDP (2009)
Ethnic groups
Khmer 90%, Vietnamese 5%, Chinese 1%, other 4%
Health expenditures
5.8% of GDP (2009)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate
0.5% (2009 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths
3,100 (2009 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS
63,000 (2009 est.)
Hospital bed density
0.1 beds/1,000 population (2004)
Infant mortality rate
- 54.08 deaths/1,000 live births 61.02 deaths/1,000 live births 46.82 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)
- female
- 46.82 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)
- total
- 54.08 deaths/1,000 live births
Languages
Khmer (official) 95%, French, English
Life expectancy at birth
- 63.04 years 60.66 years 65.53 years (2012 est.)
- female
- 65.53 years (2012 est.)
- total population
- 63.04 years
Literacy
- age 15 and over can read and write 73.6% 84.7% 64.1% (2004 est.)
- definition
- age 15 and over can read and write
- female
- 64.1% (2004 est.)
- male
- 84.7%
- total population
- 73.6%
Major cities - population
PHNOM PENH (capital) 1.519 million (2009)
Major infectious diseases
- very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, and malaria highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009)
- degree of risk
- very high
- food or waterborne diseases
- bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
- vectorborne diseases
- dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, and malaria
Maternal mortality rate
250 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
Median age
- 23.3 years 22.6 years 24 years (2012 est.)
- female
- 24 years (2012 est.)
- male
- 22.6 years
- total
- 23.3 years
Nationality
- Cambodian(s) Cambodian
- adjective
- Cambodian
- noun
- Cambodian(s)
Net migration rate
-0.33 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)
Physicians density
0.227 physicians/1,000 population (2008)
Population
14,952,665 (July 2012 est.) estimates for this country take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected
Population growth rate
1.687% (2012 est.)
Religions
Buddhist (official) 96.4%, Muslim 2.1%, other 1.3%, unspecified 0.2% (1998 census)
Sanitation facility access
- urban: 67% of population rural: 18% of population total: 29% of population urban: 33% of population rural: 82% of population total: 71% of population
- rural
- 82% of population
- total
- 71% of population
- urban
- 33% of population
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
- 10 years 10 years 9 years (2007)
- female
- 9 years (2007)
- male
- 10 years
- total
- 10 years
Sex ratio
- 1.04 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.93 male(s)/female 0.6 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
- 15-64 years
- 0.93 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over
- 0.6 male(s)/female
- at birth
- 1.04 male(s)/female
- total population
- 0.94 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
- under 15 years
- 1.01 male(s)/female
Total fertility rate
2.78 children born/woman (2012 est.)
Urbanization
- 20% of total population (2010) 3.2% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
- rate of urbanization
- 3.2% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
- urban population
- 20% of total population (2010)
Government
Administrative divisions
- 23 provinces (khett, singular and plural) and 1 municipality (krong, singular and plural) Banteay Mean Choay, Batdambang, Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Spoe, Kampong Thum, Kampot, Kandal, Kaoh Kong, Keb, Krachen, Mondol Kiri, Otdar Mean Choay, Pailin, Pouthisat, Preah Seihanu (Sihanoukville), Preah Vihear, Prey Veng, Rotanokiri, Siem Reab, Stoeng Treng, Svay Rieng, Takev Phnum Penh (Phnom Penh)
- municipalities
- Phnum Penh (Phnom Penh)
- provinces
- Banteay Mean Choay, Batdambang, Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Spoe, Kampong Thum, Kampot, Kandal, Kaoh Kong, Keb, Krachen, Mondol Kiri, Otdar Mean Choay, Pailin, Pouthisat, Preah Seihanu (Sihanoukville), Preah Vihear, Prey Veng, Rotanokiri, Siem Reab, Stoeng Treng, Svay Rieng, Takev
Capital
- Phnom Penh 11 33 N, 104 55 E UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
- geographic coordinates
- 11 33 N, 104 55 E
- name
- Phnom Penh
- time difference
- UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Constitution
promulgated 21 September 1993
Country name
- Kingdom of Cambodia Cambodia Preahreacheanachakr Kampuchea (phonetic pronunciation) Kampuchea Khmer Republic, Democratic Kampuchea, People's Republic of Kampuchea, State of Cambodia
- conventional long form
- Kingdom of Cambodia
- conventional short form
- Cambodia
- former
- Khmer Republic, Democratic Kampuchea, People's Republic of Kampuchea, State of Cambodia
- local long form
- Preahreacheanachakr Kampuchea (phonetic pronunciation)
- local short form
- Kampuchea
Diplomatic representation from the US
- Ambassador William E. TODD #1, Street 96, Sangkat Wat Phnom, Khan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh Box P, APO AP 96546 [855] (23) 728-000 [855] (23) 728-600
- chief of mission
- Ambassador William E. TODD
- embassy
- #1, Street 96, Sangkat Wat Phnom, Khan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh
- FAX
- [855] (23) 728-600
- mailing address
- Box P, APO AP 96546
- telephone
- [855] (23) 728-000
Diplomatic representation in the US
- Ambassador HENG HEM 4530 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 [1] (202) 726-7742 [1] (202) 726-8381
- chancery
- 4530 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011
- chief of mission
- Ambassador HENG HEM
- FAX
- [1] (202) 726-8381
- telephone
- [1] (202) 726-7742
Executive branch
- King Norodom SIHAMONI (since 29 October 2004) Prime Minister HUN SEN (since 14 January 1985) [co-prime minister from 1993 to 1997]; Permanent Deputy Prime Minister MEN SAM AN (since 25 September 2008); Deputy Prime Ministers SAR KHENG (since 3 February 1992); SOK AN, TEA BANH, HOR NAMHONG, NHEK BUNCHHAY (since 16 July 2004); BIN CHHIN (since 5 September 2007); KEAT CHHON, YIM CHHAI LY (since 24 September 2008); KE KIMYAN (since 12 March 2009) Council of Ministers named by the prime minister and appointed by the monarch the king chosen by a Royal Throne Council from among all eligible males of royal descent; following legislative elections, a member of the majority party or majority coalition named prime minister by the Chairman of the National Assembly and appointed by the king
- cabinet
- Council of Ministers named by the prime minister and appointed by the monarch
- chief of state
- King Norodom SIHAMONI (since 29 October 2004)
- elections
- the king chosen by a Royal Throne Council from among all eligible males of royal descent; following legislative elections, a member of the majority party or majority coalition named prime minister by the Chairman of the National Assembly and appointed by the king
- head of government
- Prime Minister HUN SEN (since 14 January 1985) [co-prime minister from 1993 to 1997]; Permanent Deputy Prime Minister MEN SAM AN (since 25 September 2008); Deputy Prime Ministers SAR KHENG (since 3 February 1992); SOK AN, TEA BANH, HOR NAMHONG, NHEK BUNCHHAY (since 16 July 2004); BIN CHHIN (since 5 September 2007); KEAT CHHON, YIM CHHAI LY (since 24 September 2008); KE KIMYAN (since 12 March 2009)
Flag description
three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (double width), and blue with a white three-towered temple representing Angkor Wat outlined in black in the center of the red band; red and blue are traditional Cambodian colors only national flag to incorporate an actual building in its design
Government type
multiparty democracy under a constitutional monarchy
Independence
9 November 1953 (from France)
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
International organization participation
ADB, ARF, ASEAN, CICA, CICA (observer), EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMISS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Judicial branch
Supreme Council of the Magistracy (provided for in the constitution and formed in December 1997); Supreme Court (and lower courts) exercises judicial authority
Legal system
civil law system (influenced by the UN Transitional Authority in Cambodia) customary law, Communist legal theory, and common law
Legislative branch
- bicameral, consists of the Senate (61 seats; 2 members appointed by the monarch, 2 elected by the National Assembly, and 57 elected by parliamentarians and commune councils; members serve five-year terms) and the National Assembly (123 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) Senate - last held on 4 February 2012 (next to be held in February 2018); National Assembly - last held on 27 July 2008 (next to be held in July 2013) Senate - percent of vote by party - CPP 77.8%, SRP 22.2%; seats by party - CPP 46, SRP 11; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - CPP 58%, SRP 22%, HRP 7%; NRP 6%; FUNCINPEC 5%; others 2%; seats by party - CPP 90, SRP 26, HRP 3, FUNCINPEC 2, NRP 2
- election results
- Senate - percent of vote by party - CPP 77.8%, SRP 22.2%; seats by party - CPP 46, SRP 11; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - CPP 58%, SRP 22%, HRP 7%; NRP 6%; FUNCINPEC 5%; others 2%; seats by party - CPP 90, SRP 26, HRP 3, FUNCINPEC 2, NRP 2
- elections
- Senate - last held on 4 February 2012 (next to be held in February 2018); National Assembly - last held on 27 July 2008 (next to be held in July 2013)
National anthem
- "Nokoreach" (Royal Kingdom) CHUON NAT/F. PERRUCHOT and J. JEKYLL adopted 1941, restored 1993; the anthem, based on a Cambodian folk tune, was restored after the defeat of the Communist regime
- lyrics/music
- CHUON NAT/F. PERRUCHOT and J. JEKYLL
- name
- "Nokoreach" (Royal Kingdom)
National holiday
Independence Day, 9 November (1953)
National symbol(s)
Angkor Wat temple; kouprey (wild ox)
Political parties and leaders
Cambodian People's Party or CPP [CHEA SIM]; Cambodian National Rescue Party or NRP [SAM RANGSI also spelled SAM RAINSY]; National United Front for an Independent, Neutral, Peaceful, and Cooperative Cambodia or FUNCINPEC [KEV PUT REAKSMEI]; Nationalist Party or NP former Norodom Ranariddh Party or NRP [SAO RANY] the NRP is a merger between the former Human Rights Party or HRP [KHEM SOKHA, also spelled KEM SOKHA] and the Sam Rangsi Party or SRP
Political pressure groups and leaders
- Cambodian Freedom Fighters or CFF; Partnership for Transparency Fund or PTF (anti-corruption organization); Students Movement for Democracy; The Committee for Free and Fair Elections or Comfrel human rights organizations; vendors
- other
- human rights organizations; vendors
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Economy
Agriculture - products
rice, rubber, corn, vegetables, cashews, cassava (manioc), silk
Budget
- $2.216 billion $2.934 billion (2012 est.)
- expenditures
- $2.934 billion (2012 est.)
- revenues
- $2.216 billion
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)
-5% of GDP (2012 est.)
Central bank discount rate
NA% (31 December 2008) 5.25% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate
15.7% (31 December 2012 est.) 15.22% (31 December 2011 est.)
Current account balance
-$1.508 billion (2012 est.) -$1.158 billion (2011 est.)
Debt - external
$5.071 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $5.03 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index
44.4 (2007 est.) 40 (2004 est.)
Economy - overview
Since 2004, garments, construction, agriculture, and tourism have driven Cambodia's growth. GDP climbed more than 6% per year between 2010 and 2012. The garment industry currently employs more than 335,000 people and accounts for more than 75% of Cambodia's total exports. In 2005, exploitable oil deposits were found beneath Cambodia's territorial waters, representing a potential revenue stream for the government, if commercial extraction becomes feasible. Mining also is attracting some investor interest and the government has touted opportunities for mining bauxite, gold, iron and gems. The tourism industry has continued to grow rapidly with foreign arrivals exceeding 2 million per year since 2007. Cambodia, nevertheless, remains one of the poorest countries in Asia and long-term economic development remains a daunting challenge, inhibited by endemic corruption, limited educational opportunities, high income inequality, and poor job prospects. Approximately 4 million people live on less than $1.25 per day and 37% of Cambodian children under the age of 5 suffer from chronic malnutrition. More than 50% of the population is less than 25 years old. The population lacks education and productive skills, particularly in the impoverished countryside, which also lacks basic infrastructure. The Cambodian government is working with bilateral and multilateral donors, including the World Bank and IMF, to address the country's many pressing needs; more than 50% of the government budget comes from donor assistance. The major economic challenge for Cambodia over the next decade will be fashioning an economic environment in which the private sector can create enough jobs to handle Cambodia's demographic imbalance.
Exchange rates
riels (KHR) per US dollar - 4,075.4 (2012 est.) 4,058.5 (2011 est.) 4,184.9 (2010 est.) 4,139 (2009) 4,070.94 (2008)
Exports
$6.148 billion (2012 est.) $6.018 billion (2011 est.)
Exports - commodities
clothing, timber, rubber, rice, fish, tobacco, footwear
Exports - partners
US 39.5%, Canada 8.2%, Germany 7.8%, UK 7.5%, Vietnam 6%, Japan 4.3% (2011)
Fiscal year
calendar year
GDP - composition by sector
- 34.7% 24.3% 41% (2012 est.)
- agriculture
- 34.7%
- industry
- 24.3%
- services
- 41% (2012 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP)
$2,400 (2012 est.) $2,300 (2011 est.) $2,100 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP - real growth rate
6.5% (2012 est.) 7.1% (2011 est.) 6.1% (2010 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$14.25 billion (2012 est.)
GDP (purchasing power parity)
$36.59 billion (2012 est.) $34.37 billion (2011 est.) $32.1 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars
Household income or consumption by percentage share
- 3% 37.3% (2007)
- highest 10%
- 37.3% (2007)
- lowest 10%
- 3%
Imports
$8.84 billion (2012 est.) $8.213 billion (2011 est.)
Imports - commodities
petroleum products, cigarettes, gold, construction materials, machinery, motor vehicles, pharmaceutical products
Imports - partners
Thailand 24.6%, Vietnam 20.6%, China 19.9%, Singapore 7.8%, Hong Kong 6% (2011)
Industrial production growth rate
5.7% (2010 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
4.5% (2012 est.) 5.5% (2011 est.)
Investment (gross fixed)
19.1% of GDP (2012 est.)
Labor force
8.8 million (2010 est.)
Labor force - by occupation
- 57.6% 15.9% 26.5% (2009 est.)
- agriculture
- 57.6%
- industry
- 15.9%
- services
- 26.5% (2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares
$NA
Population below poverty line
31% (2007 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$3.732 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $4.069 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of broad money
$5.695 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $5.037 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of domestic credit
$3.689 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $3.115 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of narrow money
$1.094 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $965.8 million (31 December 2011 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
15.6% of GDP (2012 est.)
Unemployment rate
3.5% (2007 est.) 2.5% (2000 est.)
Energy
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy
3.59 million Mt (2010 est.)
Crude oil - exports
0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
Crude oil - imports
0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
Crude oil - production
0 bbl/day (2011 est.)
Crude oil - proved reserves
0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.)
Electricity - consumption
1.759 billion kWh (2009 est.)
Electricity - exports
0 kWh (2010 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels
95.2% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants
3.3% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources
1.5% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
Electricity - imports
842 million kWh (2009 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity
390,900 kW (2009 est.)
Electricity - production
1.137 billion kWh (2009 est.)
Natural gas - consumption
0 cu m (2010 est.)
Natural gas - exports
0 cu m (2010 est.)
Natural gas - imports
0 cu m (2010 est.)
Natural gas - production
0 cu m (2010 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves
0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.)
Refined petroleum products - consumption
39,350 bbl/day (2011 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports
34,340 bbl/day (2008 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
Communications
Broadcast media
mixture of state-owned, joint public-private, and privately-owned broadcast media; 9 TV broadcast stations with most operating on multiple channels, including 1 state-operated station broadcasting from multiple locations, 6 stations either jointly operated or privately-owned with some broadcasting from several locations, and 2 TV relay stations - one relaying a French TV station and the other relaying a Vietnamese TV station; multi-channel cable and satellite systems are available; roughly 50 radio broadcast stations - 1 state-owned broadcaster with multiple stations and a large mixture of public and private broadcasters; several international broadcasters are available (2009)
Internet country code
.kh
Internet hosts
13,784 (2012)
Internet users
78,500 (2009)
Telephone system
- adequate fixed-line and/or cellular service in Phnom Penh and other provincial cities; mobile-cellular phone systems are widely used in urban areas to bypass deficiencies in the fixed-line network; mobile-phone coverage is rapidly expanding in rural areas fixed-line connections stand at about 4 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage, aided by competition among service providers, is increasing rapidly and stands at 92 per 100 persons country code - 855; adequate but expensive landline and cellular service available to all countries from Phnom Penh and major provincial cities; satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region) (2011)
- domestic
- fixed-line connections stand at about 4 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage, aided by competition among service providers, is increasing rapidly and stands at 92 per 100 persons
- general assessment
- adequate fixed-line and/or cellular service in Phnom Penh and other provincial cities; mobile-cellular phone systems are widely used in urban areas to bypass deficiencies in the fixed-line network; mobile-phone coverage is rapidly expanding in rural areas
- international
- country code - 855; adequate but expensive landline and cellular service available to all countries from Phnom Penh and major provincial cities; satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region) (2011)
Telephones - main lines in use
530,000 (2011)
Telephones - mobile cellular
13.757 million (2011)
Transportation
Airports
16 (2012)
Airports - with paved runways
- 1 (2012)
- 1,524 to 2,437 m
- 2
- 2,438 to 3,047 m
- 3
- 914 to 1,523 m
- 1 (2012)
- total
- 6
Airports - with unpaved runways
- 1 (2012)
- 1,524 to 2,437 m
- 2
- 914 to 1,523 m
- 7
- total
- 10
- under 914 m
- 1 (2012)
Heliports
1 (2012)
Merchant marine
- bulk carrier 38, cargo 459, carrier 7, chemical tanker 4, container 4, liquefied gas 1, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 8, refrigerated cargo 11, roll on/roll off 4, vehicle carrier 1 352 (Belgium 1, Canada 2, China 177, Cyprus 4, Egypt 4, Estonia 1, French Polynesia 1, Gabon 1, Greece 2, Hong Kong 10, Indonesia 2, Ireland 1, Japan 1, Lebanon 5, Russia 50, Singapore 3, South Korea 10, Syria 22, Taiwan 1, Turkey 15, UAE 2, UK 1, Ukraine 35, Vietnam 1) (2010)
- foreign-owned
- 352 (Belgium 1, Canada 2, China 177, Cyprus 4, Egypt 4, Estonia 1, French Polynesia 1, Gabon 1, Greece 2, Hong Kong 10, Indonesia 2, Ireland 1, Japan 1, Lebanon 5, Russia 50, Singapore 3, South Korea 10, Syria 22, Taiwan 1, Turkey 15, UAE 2, UK 1, Ukraine 35, Vietnam 1) (2010)
- total
- 544
Ports and terminals
Phnom Penh, Kampong Saom (Sihanoukville)
Railways
- 690 km 690 km 1.000-m gauge under restoration (2010)
- total
- 690 km
Roadways
- 39,618 km 2,492 km 37,126 km (2009)
- total
- 39,618 km
- unpaved
- 37,126 km (2009)
Waterways
3,700 km (mainly on Mekong River) (2012)
Military and Security
Manpower available for military service
- 3,883,724 4,003,585 (2010 est.)
- females age 16-49
- 4,003,585 (2010 est.)
- males age 16-49
- 3,883,724
Manpower fit for military service
- 2,638,167 2,965,328 (2010 est.)
- females age 16-49
- 2,965,328 (2010 est.)
- males age 16-49
- 2,638,167
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
- 151,143 154,542 (2010 est.)
- female
- 154,542 (2010 est.)
- male
- 151,143
Military branches
- Royal Cambodian Armed Forces: Royal Cambodian Army, Royal Khmer Navy, Royal Cambodian Air Force (2011)
- Royal Cambodian Armed Forces
- Royal Cambodian Army, Royal Khmer Navy, Royal Cambodian Air Force (2011)
Military expenditures
3% of GDP (2005 est.)
Military service age and obligation
conscription law of October 2006 requires all males between 18-30 to register for military service; 18-month service obligation (2006)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
Cambodia is concerned about Laos' extensive upstream dam construction; Cambodia and Thailand dispute sections of boundary; in 2011 Thailand and Cambodia resorted to arms in the dispute over the location of the boundary on the precipice surmounted by Preah Vihear temple ruins, awarded to Cambodia by ICJ decision in 1962 and part of a planned UN World Heritage site; Cambodia accuses Vietnam of a wide variety of illicit cross-border activities; progress on a joint development area with Vietnam is hampered by an unresolved dispute over sovereignty of offshore islands
Illicit drugs
narcotics-related corruption reportedly involving some in the government, military, and police; limited methamphetamine production; vulnerable to money laundering due to its cash-based economy and porous borders