2017 Edition

CIA World Factbook 2017 Archive (HTML)

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Countries

268

Data Records

71,914

Cambodia

2017 Edition · 331 data fields

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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 seven-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 cease-fire, 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. The most recent local (Commune Council) elections were held in Cambodia in 2012, with little of the preelection violence that preceded prior elections. National elections in July 2013 were disputed, with the opposition - the Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP) - boycotting the National Assembly. The political impasse was ended nearly a year later, with the CNRP agreeing to enter parliament in exchange for ruling party commitments to electoral and legislative reforms. The CNRP made further gains in local commune elections in June 2017, accelerating sitting Prime Minister Hun SEN’s efforts to marginalize the CNRP before national elections in 2018. Hun Sen arrested CNRP’s President Kem Sokha in September 2017 and subsequently dissolved the CNRP in November 2017 and banned its leaders from participating in politics for at least five years. CNRP’s seats in the National Assembly were redistributed to smaller, more pliant opposition parties.

Geography

Area

181,035 sq km 176,515 sq km 4,520 sq km
land: 176,515 sq km
total: 181,035 sq km
water: 4,520 sq km

Area - comparative

one and a half times the size of Pennsylvania; 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

126 m lowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 m highest point: Phnum Aoral 1,810 m
elevation extremes: lowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 m
highest point: Phnum Aoral 1,810 m
mean elevation: 126 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

Geographic coordinates

13 00 N, 105 00 E

Geography - note

a land of paddies and forests dominated by the Mekong River and Tonle Sap (Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake)

Irrigated land

3,540 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

2,530 km Laos 555 km, Thailand 817 km, Vietnam 1,158 km
border countries (3): Laos 555 km, Thailand 817 km, Vietnam 1,158 km
total: 2,530 km

Land use

32.1% arable land 22.7%; permanent crops 0.9%; permanent pasture 8.5% 56.5% 11.4% (2011 est.)
agricultural land: 32.1%
forest: 56.5%
other: 11.4% (2011 est.)

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, arable land

Population - distribution

population concentrated in the southeast, particularly in and around the capital of Phnom Penh; further distribution is linked closely to the Tonle Sap and Mekong Rivers

Terrain

mostly low, flat plains; mountains in southwest and north

People and Society

Age structure

31.01% (male 2,537,753/female 2,487,633) 18.36% (male 1,471,965/female 1,503,977) 40.68% (male 3,229,901/female 3,361,475) 5.69% (male 374,663/female 547,971) 4.25% (male 258,584/female 430,564) (2017 est.)
0-14 years: 31.01% (male 2,537,753/female 2,487,633)
15-24 years: 18.36% (male 1,471,965/female 1,503,977)
25-54 years: 40.68% (male 3,229,901/female 3,361,475)
55-64 years: 5.69% (male 374,663/female 547,971)
65 years and over: 4.25% (male 258,584/female 430,564) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

23 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

23.9% (2014)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

56.3% (2014)

Death rate

7.5 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Dependency ratios

55.6 49.2 6.4 15.6 (2015 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 6.4
potential support ratio: 15.6 (2015 est.)
total dependency ratio: 55.6
youth dependency ratio: 49.2

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population rural: 69.1% of population total: 75.5% of population urban: 0% of population rural: 30.9% of population total: 24.5% of population (2015 est.)
rural: 30.9% of population
total: 24.5% of population (2015 est.)
urban: 0% of population

Education expenditures

1.9% of GDP (2014)

Ethnic groups

Khmer 97.6%, Cham 1.2%, Chinese 0.1%, Vietnamese 0.1%, other 0.9% (2013 est.)

Health expenditures

5.7% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.6% (2016 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

1,800 (2016 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

71,000 (2016 est.)

Hospital bed density

0.7 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

47.4 deaths/1,000 live births 53.8 deaths/1,000 live births 40.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)
female: 40.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)
male: 53.8 deaths/1,000 live births
total: 47.4 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Khmer (official) 96.3%, other 3.7% (2008 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

64.9 years 62.4 years 67.5 years (2017 est.)
female: 67.5 years (2017 est.)
male: 62.4 years
total population: 64.9 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 77.2% 84.5% 70.5% (2015 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
female: 70.5% (2015 est.)
male: 84.5%
total population: 77.2%

Major infectious diseases

very high bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, and malaria (2016)
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, and malaria (2016)

Major urban areas - population

PHNOM PENH (capital) 1.731 million (2015)

Maternal mortality ratio

161 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

25.3 years 24.6 years 26 years (2017 est.)
female: 26 years (2017 est.)
male: 24.6 years
total: 25.3 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

22.9 years median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2014 est.)
note: median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2014 est.)

Nationality

Cambodian(s) Cambodian
adjective: Cambodian
noun: Cambodian(s)

Net migration rate

-0.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

3.9% (2016)

Physicians density

0.17 physicians/1,000 population (2013)

Population

16,204,486 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 (July 2017 est.)
note: 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 (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

population concentrated in the southeast, particularly in and around the capital of Phnom Penh; further distribution is linked closely to the Tonle Sap and Mekong Rivers

Population growth rate

1.52% (2017 est.)

Religions

Buddhist (official) 96.9%, Muslim 1.9%, Christian 0.4%, other 0.8% (2008 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 88.1% of population rural: 30.5% of population total: 42.4% of population urban: 11.9% of population rural: 69.5% of population total: 57.6% of population (2015 est.)
rural: 69.5% of population
total: 57.6% of population (2015 est.)
urban: 11.9% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

11 years 11 years 10 years (2008)
female: 10 years (2008)
male: 11 years
total: 11 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female 0.65 male(s)/female 0.6 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female (2016 est.)
0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.65 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.52 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

0.5% 0.7% 0.4% according to official statistics (2010 est.)
female: 0.4%
male: 0.7%
note: according to official statistics (2010 est.)
total: 0.5%

Urbanization

21.2% of total population (2017) 2.73% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
rate of urbanization: 2.73% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
urban population: 21.2% of total population (2017)

Government

Administrative divisions

24 provinces (khett, singular and plural) and 1 municipality (krong, singular and plural) Banteay Meanchey, Battambang, Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Speu, Kampong Thom, Kampot, Kandal, Kep, Koh Kong, Kratie, Mondolkiri, Oddar Meanchey, Pailin, Preah Vihear, Prey Veng, Pursat, Ratanakiri, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, Stung Treng, Svay Rieng, Takeo, Tbong Khmum Phnom Penh (Phnum Penh)
municipalities: Phnom Penh (Phnum Penh)
provinces: Banteay Meanchey, Battambang, Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Speu, Kampong Thom, Kampot, Kandal, Kep, Koh Kong, Kratie, Mondolkiri, Oddar Meanchey, Pailin, Preah Vihear, Prey Veng, Pursat, Ratanakiri, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, Stung Treng, Svay Rieng, Takeo, Tbong Khmum

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)

Citizenship

no at least one parent must be a citizen of Cambodia yes 7 years
citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Cambodia
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years

Constitution

previous 1947; latest promulgated 21 September 1993; amended 1999, 2008, 2014 (2016)

Country name

Kingdom of Cambodia Cambodia Preahreacheanachakr Kampuchea (phonetic transliteration) Kampuchea Khmer Republic, Democratic Kampuchea, People's Republic of Kampuchea, State of Cambodia the English name Cambodia is an anglicization of the French Cambodge, which is the French transliteration of the native name Kampuchea
conventional long form: Kingdom of Cambodia
conventional short form: Cambodia
etymology: the English name Cambodia is an anglicization of the French Cambodge, which is the French transliteration of the native name Kampuchea
former: Khmer Republic, Democratic Kampuchea, People's Republic of Kampuchea, State of Cambodia
local long form: Preahreacheanachakr Kampuchea (phonetic transliteration)
local short form: Kampuchea

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador William A. HEIDT (since 2 December 2015) Unit 8166, Box P, APO AP 96546 [855] (23) 728-000 [855] (23) 728-600
chief of mission: Ambassador William A. HEIDT (since 2 December 2015)
FAX: [855] (23) 728-600
mailing address: Unit 8166, Box P, APO AP 96546
telephone: [855] (23) 728-000

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador CHUM BUN RONG (since 3 August 2015) 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 CHUM BUN RONG (since 3 August 2015)
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); Permanent Deputy Prime Minister MEN SAM AN (since 25 September 2008); Deputy Prime Ministers SAR KHENG (since 3 February 1992), TEA BANH, Gen., HOR NAMHONG, NHEK BUNCHHAY (all 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 monarch chosen by the 9-member Royal Council of the Throne 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 monarch
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/appointments: monarch chosen by the 9-member Royal Council of the Throne 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 monarch
head of government: Prime Minister HUN SEN (since 14 January 1985); Permanent Deputy Prime Minister MEN SAM AN (since 25 September 2008); Deputy Prime Ministers SAR KHENG (since 3 February 1992), TEA BANH, Gen., HOR NAMHONG, NHEK BUNCHHAY (all 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 into its design
note: only national flag to incorporate an actual building into its design

Government type

parliamentary 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, MINUSMA, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Council (organized into 5- and 9-judge panels and includes a court chief and deputy chief); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 members); note - in 1997, the Cambodian Government requested UN assistance in establishing trials to prosecute former Khmer Rouge senior leaders for crimes against humanity committed during the 1975-1979 Khmer Rouge regime; the Extraordinary Chambers of the Courts in Cambodia (also called the Khmer Rouge Tribunal) were established and began hearings for the first case in 2009; court proceeding were ongoing in 2016 Supreme Court and Constitutional Council judge candidates recommended by the Supreme Council of Magistracy, a 17-member body chaired by the monarch and includes other high-level judicial officers; judges of both courts appointed by the monarch; Supreme Court judges appointed for life; Constitutional Council judges appointed for 9-year terms with one-third of the court renewed every 3 years Appellate Court; provincial and municipal courts; Military Court
highest court(s): Supreme Council (organized into 5- and 9-judge panels and includes a court chief and deputy chief); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 members); note - in 1997, the Cambodian Government requested UN assistance in establishing trials to prosecute former Khmer Rouge senior leaders for crimes against humanity committed during the 1975-1979 Khmer Rouge regime; the Extraordinary Chambers of the Courts in Cambodia (also called the Khmer Rouge Tribunal) were established and began hearings for the first case in 2009; court proceeding were ongoing in 2016
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court and Constitutional Council judge candidates recommended by the Supreme Council of Magistracy, a 17-member body chaired by the monarch and includes other high-level judicial officers; judges of both courts appointed by the monarch; Supreme Court judges appointed for life; Constitutional Council judges appointed for 9-year terms with one-third of the court renewed every 3 years
subordinate courts: Appellate Court; provincial and municipal courts; Military Court

Legal system

civil law system (influenced by the UN Transitional Authority in Cambodia) customary law, Communist legal theory, and common law

Legislative branch

bicameral Parliament of Cambodia consists of the Senate (61 seats; 57 indirectly elected by parliamentarians and commune councils, 2 indirectly elected by the National Assembly, and 2 appointed by the monarch; members serve 6-year terms) and the National Assembly (123 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms) two seats will be added to the National Assembly in 2018, for a total of 125 Senate - last held on 4 February 2012 (next to be held on 25 February 2018); National Assembly - last held on 28 July 2013 (next to be held in July 2018) 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 48.8%, CNRP 44.5%, other 6.7%; seats by party - CPP 68, CNRP 55 as of November 2017, National Assembly seats by party - CPP 79, FUNCINPEC 41, CNP 2, KEDP 1 ; CNRP's National Assembly seats were redistributed following its dissolution on 16 November 2017
description: bicameral Parliament of Cambodia consists of the Senate (61 seats; 57 indirectly elected by parliamentarians and commune councils, 2 indirectly elected by the National Assembly, and 2 appointed by the monarch; members serve 6-year terms) and the National Assembly (123 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms)
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 48.8%, CNRP 44.5%, other 6.7%; seats by party - CPP 68, CNRP 55
elections: Senate - last held on 4 February 2012 (next to be held on 25 February 2018); National Assembly - last held on 28 July 2013 (next to be held in July 2018)
note: as of November 2017, National Assembly seats by party - CPP 79, FUNCINPEC 41, CNP 2, KEDP 1 ; CNRP's National Assembly seats were redistributed following its dissolution on 16 November 2017

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)
note: adopted 1941, restored 1993; the anthem, based on a Cambodian folk tune, was restored after the defeat of the Communist regime

National holiday

Independence Day, 9 November (1953)

National symbol(s)

Angkor Wat temple, kouprey (wild ox); national colors: red, blue
Angkor Wat temple, kouprey (wild ox); national colors: red, blue

Political parties and leaders

Cambodian National Rescue Party or CNRP [KHEM SOKHA] (dissolved by the government in November 2017; formed from a 2012 merger of the Sam Rangsi Party or SRP and the former Human Rights Party or HRP [KHEM SOKHA, also spelled KEM SOKHA]) Cambodian Nationality Party or CNP [SENG SOKHENG] Cambodian People's Party or CPP [HUN SEN] Khmer Economic Development Party or KEDP [HUON REACH CHAMROEUN] National United Front for an Independent, Neutral, Peaceful, and Cooperative Cambodia or FUNCINPEC [Prince NORODOM RANARIDDH]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Partnership for Transparency Fund or PTF [John CLARK] (anti-corruption organization) Students Movement for Democracy The Committee for Free and Fair Elections or Comfrel [Koul PANHA] human rights organizations; labor unions; youth groups
other: human rights organizations; labor unions; youth groups

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Economy

Agriculture - products

rice, rubber, corn, vegetables, cashews, cassava (manioc, tapioca), silk

Budget

$4.268 billion $4.69 billion (2017 est.)
expenditures: $4.69 billion (2017 est.)
revenues: $4.268 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-1.9% of GDP (2017 est.)

Central bank discount rate

NA% (31 December 2012) 5.25% (31 December 2007)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

11.1% (31 December 2017 est.) 11.36% (31 December 2016 est.)

Current account balance

-$1.904 billion (2017 est.) -$1.776 billion (2016 est.)

Debt - external

$11.34 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $10.3 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

37.9 (2008 est.) 41.9 (2004 est.)

Economy - overview

Cambodia has experienced strong economic growth over the last decade; GDP grew at an average annual rate of over 8% between 2000 and 2010 and about 7% since 2011. The tourism, garment, construction and real estate, and agriculture sectors accounted for the bulk of growth. Around 600,000 people, the majority of whom are women, are employed in the garment and footwear sector. An additional 500,000 Cambodians are employed in the tourism sector, and a further 50,000 people in construction. Tourism has continued to grow rapidly with foreign arrivals exceeding 2 million per year since 2007 and reaching around 4.5 million visitors in 2014. Mining also is attracting some investor interest and the government has touted opportunities for mining bauxite, gold, iron and gems. Cambodia remains one of the poorest countries in Asia and long-term economic development remains a daunting challenge, inhibited by endemic corruption, limited human resources, high income inequality, and poor job prospects. As of 2012, approximately 2.66 million people live on less than $1.20 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 World Bank in 2016 formally reclassified Cambodia as a lower middle-income country as a result of continued rapid economic growth over the past several years. Cambodia’s graduation from a low-income country will reduce its eligibility for foreign assistance and will challenge the government to seek new sources of financing. The Cambodian Government has been working with bilateral and multilateral donors, including the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank and IMF, to address the country's many pressing needs; more than 30% of the government budget comes from donor assistance. A 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 - 4,055 (2017 est.) 4,058.7 (2016 est.) 4,058.7 (2015 est.) 4,067.8 (2014 est.) 4,037.5 (2013 est.)

Exports

$10.45 billion (2017 est.) $9.233 billion (2016 est.)

Exports - commodities

clothing, timber, rubber, rice, fish, tobacco, footwear

Exports - partners

US 21.3%, UK 9.4%, Germany 9%, Japan 8.2%, Canada 6.5%, China 6%, Thailand 4.2%, Spain 4% (2016)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

76.4% 5.4% 22% 0.9% 62.8% -67.4% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 62.8%
government consumption: 5.4%
household consumption: 76.4%
imports of goods and services: -67.4% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 22%
investment in inventories: 0.9%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

25.3% 32.8% 41.9% (2017 est.)
agriculture: 25.3%
industry: 32.8%
services: 41.9% (2017 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$4,000 (2017 est.) $3,800 (2016 est.) $3,600 (2015 est.) data are in 2017 dollars
note: data are in 2017 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

6.9% (2017 est.) 7% (2016 est.) 7.2% (2015 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$22.25 billion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$64.21 billion (2017 est.) $60.04 billion (2016 est.) $56.09 billion (2015 est.) data are in 2017 dollars
note: data are in 2017 dollars

Gross national saving

13.6% of GDP (2017 est.) 14.1% of GDP (2016 est.) 13.1% of GDP (2015 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2% 28% (2013 est.)
highest 10%: 28% (2013 est.)
lowest 10%: 2%

Imports

$14.34 billion (2017 est.) $12.65 billion (2016 est.)

Imports - commodities

petroleum products, cigarettes, gold, construction materials, machinery, motor vehicles, pharmaceutical products

Imports - partners

China 35.3%, Thailand 14.8%, Vietnam 11%, Singapore 4.4%, Japan 4.1%, Hong Kong 4% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

10.6% (2017 est.)

Industries

tourism, garments, construction, rice milling, fishing, wood and wood products, rubber, cement, gem mining, textiles

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

3.7% (2017 est.) 3% (2016 est.)

Labor force

7.897 million (2017 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

48.7% 19.9% 31.5% (2013 est.)
agriculture: 48.7%
industry: 19.9%
services: 31.5% (2013 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

17.7% (2012 est.)

Public debt

28.2% of GDP (2017 est.) 29.1% of GDP (2016 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$11.29 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $9.122 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock of broad money

$16.82 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $14.5 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$29.17 billion (2014 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$13.71 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $11.82 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$1.999 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $1.748 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

19.2% of GDP (2017 est.)

Unemployment rate

0.3% (2017 est.) 0.2% (2012 est.) according to official statistics; underemployment is high
note: according to official statistics; underemployment is high

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 users

4,080,372 25.6% (July 2016 est.)
percent of population: 25.6% (July 2016 est.)
total: 4,080,372

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 1.5 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage, aided by competition among service providers, has increased to about 125 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) (2016)
domestic: fixed-line connections stand at about 1.5 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage, aided by competition among service providers, has increased to about 125 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) (2016)

Telephones - fixed lines

227,261 1.5 (July 2016 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1.5 (July 2016 est.)
total subscriptions: 227,261

Telephones - mobile cellular

19,915,503 125 (July 2016 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 125 (July 2016 est.)
total: 19,915,503

Transportation

Airports

16 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2017)
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2017)
total: 6

Airports - with unpaved runways

1 (2013)
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 7
total: 10
under 914 m: 1 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

XU (2016)

Heliports

1 (2013)

Merchant marine

container ship 3, general cargo 328, oil tanker 26, other 85 (2017)
by type: container ship 3, general cargo 328, oil tanker 26, other 85 (2017)
total: 442

National air transport system

1,103,880 2,301,260 mt-km (2015)
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 2,301,260 mt-km (2015)
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 1,103,880
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 10
number of registered air carriers: 4

Ports and terminals

Sihanoukville (Kampong Saom) Phnom Penh (Mekong)
major seaport(s): Sihanoukville (Kampong Saom)
river port(s): Phnom Penh (Mekong)

Railways

642 km 642 km 1.000-m gauge under restoration (2014)
narrow gauge: 642 km 1.000-m gauge
note: under restoration (2014)
total: 642 km

Roadways

44,709 km 3,607 km 41,102 km (2010)
paved: 3,607 km
total: 44,709 km
unpaved: 41,102 km (2010)

Waterways

3,700 km (mainly on Mekong River) (2012)

Military and Security

Military branches

Royal Cambodian Armed Forces: Royal Cambodian Army, Royal Khmer Navy, Royal Cambodian Air Force; the Royal Cambodian Gendarmerie is the military police force responsible for internal security; the National Committee for Maritime Security performs Coast Guard functions and has representation from military and civilian agencies (2016)
Royal Cambodian Armed Forces: Royal Cambodian Army, Royal Khmer Navy, Royal Cambodian Air Force; the Royal Cambodian Gendarmerie is the military police force responsible for internal security; the National Committee for Maritime Security performs Coast Guard functions and has representation from military and civilian agencies (2016)

Military expenditures

1.85% of GDP (2016) 2.11% of GDP (2015) 1.66% of GDP (2014) 1.58% of GDP (2013) 1.55% of GDP (2012)

Military service age and obligation

18 is the legal minimum age for compulsory and voluntary military service (2012)

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 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

Trafficking in persons

Cambodia is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; Cambodian men, women, and children migrate to countries within the region and, increasingly, the Middle East for legitimate work but are subjected to sex trafficking, domestic servitude, or forced labor in fishing, agriculture, construction, and factories; Cambodian men recruited to work on Thai-owned fishing vessels are subsequently subjected to forced labor in international waters and are kept at sea for years; poor Cambodian children are vulnerable and, often with the families’ complicity, are subject to forced labor, including domestic servitude and forced begging, in Thailand and Vietnam; Cambodian and ethnic Vietnamese women and girls are trafficked from rural areas to urban centers and tourist spots for sexual exploitation; Cambodian men are the main exploiters of child prostitutes, but men from other Asian countries, and the West travel to Cambodia for child sex tourism Tier 2 Watch List – Cambodia does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; the government has a written plan that, if implemented, would constitute making significant efforts to meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; authorities made modest progress in prosecutions and convictions of traffickers in 2014 but did not provide comprehensive data; endemic corruption continued to impede law enforcement efforts, and no complicit officials were prosecuted or convicted; the government sustained efforts to identify victims and refer them to NGOs for care, but victim protection remained inadequate, particularly for assisting male victims and victims identified abroad; a new national action plan was adopted, but guidelines for victim identification and guidance on undercover investigation techniques are still pending after several years (2015)
current situation: Cambodia is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; Cambodian men, women, and children migrate to countries within the region and, increasingly, the Middle East for legitimate work but are subjected to sex trafficking, domestic servitude, or forced labor in fishing, agriculture, construction, and factories; Cambodian men recruited to work on Thai-owned fishing vessels are subsequently subjected to forced labor in international waters and are kept at sea for years; poor Cambodian children are vulnerable and, often with the families’ complicity, are subject to forced labor, including domestic servitude and forced begging, in Thailand and Vietnam; Cambodian and ethnic Vietnamese women and girls are trafficked from rural areas to urban centers and tourist spots for sexual exploitation; Cambodian men are the main exploiters of child prostitutes, but men from other Asian countries, and the West travel to Cambodia for child sex tourism
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List – Cambodia does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; the government has a written plan that, if implemented, would constitute making significant efforts to meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; authorities made modest progress in prosecutions and convictions of traffickers in 2014 but did not provide comprehensive data; endemic corruption continued to impede law enforcement efforts, and no complicit officials were prosecuted or convicted; the government sustained efforts to identify victims and refer them to NGOs for care, but victim protection remained inadequate, particularly for assisting male victims and victims identified abroad; a new national action plan was adopted, but guidelines for victim identification and guidance on undercover investigation techniques are still pending after several years (2015)