Country Profile: Cambodia

Cambodia, located in Southeastern Asia, is bordered by Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos, with a coastline along the Gulf of Thailand. The population is approximately 17 million, predominantly Khmer, and the country’s governance is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy. Economically, Cambodia is one of the fastest-growing Southeast Asian nations, driven by tourism and garment exports, although it faces challenges such as significant public debt and a reliance on foreign investment.

Geography

Cambodia features a tropical climate with a mix of low flat plains and mountainous regions to the southwest and north. The Mekong River and Tonle Sap, Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake, are significant geographical features that support the majority of the population concentrated around them.

Area: 181,035 sq km
Coastline: 443 km
Major rivers: Mekong River, 4,350 km in length
Natural resources: Oil, gas, timber, gemstones
Climate: Tropical; monsoon season from May to November

People and Society

Cambodia's estimated population is about 17 million with a median age of 27.9 years. The Khmer make up approximately 95.4% of the ethnic composition, with Buddhism being the dominant religion practiced by 97.1% of the population. Urbanization is gradually increasing, with around 25.6% of people residing in urban areas.

Population Growth Rate: 0.99% (2024)
Life Expectancy: 71.4 years (2024)
Infant Mortality Rate: 27.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2024)
Literacy Rate: 71.9% (2021)
Dependency Ratio: 52.1 (2024)

Economy

Cambodia's economy is rapidly growing, with a real GDP (PPP) estimated at $123.676 billion for 2024. The country boasts a diverse industrial base with substantial contributions from tourism, garments, and agriculture.

GDP Growth Rate: 6% (2024)
GDP per Capita: $7,000 (2024)
Unemployment Rate: 0.3% (2024)
Exports: $31.712 billion (2024)
Public Debt: 50.3% of GDP (2023)

Government

Cambodia operates as a parliamentary constitutional monarchy, with a king as the head of state and a prime minister as the head of government. The most recent parliamentary elections took place in July 2023, further consolidating the Cambodian People's Party's power.

Capital: Phnom Penh
Constitution: Promulgated on 21 September 1993
Suffrage: Universal at 18 years of age
Legislative Structure: Bicameral Parliament
Political Parties: Among the main parties is the Cambodian People's Party (CPP)

Military and Security

The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) are responsible for national defense and security, with an estimated 200,000 personnel. Military expenditures are forecasted at 1.5% of GDP for 2024, while the government prioritizes border and internal security amidst regional tensions.

Military Expenditures: 1.5% of GDP (2024)
Military Personnel: 200,000 (2025 est.)
Military Service Age: 18 years (for both genders)
Major Deployments: 340 in the Central African Republic (2024)

Energy

Electricity access is on the rise, with 92.3% of the total population receiving power. Cambodia's energy generation is primarily from fossil fuels and hydroelectric sources, indicating a growing focus on renewable energy.

Installed Capacity: 3.673 million kW (2023)
Electricity Consumption: 16.998 billion kWh (2023)
Rural Electrification: 88%
Fossil Fuels Contribution: 55.5% of total capacity

Environment

Cambodia faces significant environmental challenges, including habitat loss due to illegal logging and overfishing. Efforts are underway to address these issues through international agreements and national policies aimed at sustainability.

Environmental Agreements: Party to 12 international treaties
Forest Cover: 39.4% of land area (2023)
Carbon Dioxide Emissions: Total of 18.779 million metric tonnes (2023)

Transportation

The transportation infrastructure includes 12 airports and 642 km of railways, with ongoing restoration efforts aimed at improving connectivity. Key ports like Kampong Saom are vital for maritime trade.

Airports: 12 (2025)
Railways: 642 km (narrow gauge, 2014)
Merchant Marine: 195 vessels (2023)
Ports: 2 major ports, with 1 key port for oil terminals

Communications

Cambodia's telecommunications sector is growing, with a noted increase in mobile cellular subscriptions. The country has made advancements in Internet access, where 61% of the population are Internet users.

Mobile Cellular Subscriptions: 19.5 million (2022)
Fixed Line Subscriptions: 38,000 (2022)
Broadband Subscriptions: 510,000 (2022)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	17,063,669 (2024 est.)
Area	181,035 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$123.676 billion (2024 est.)
Energy Consumption	16.998 billion kWh (2023)
Birth Rate	18.2 births/1,000 (2024)
Unemployment Rate	0.3% (2024)
Life Expectancy	71.4 years (2024)
Literacy Rate	71.9% (2021)
Electric Access	92.3% (2022)
Military Expenditures	1.5% of GDP (2024 est.)