Country Profile: Cambodia

Cambodia, located in Southeast Asia, is bordered by Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos, and features a diverse landscape that includes low plains and mountains. The population is predominantly Khmer, with a rich historical legacy stemming from the Angkor Empire. The economy has shown rapid growth in recent years, driven largely by tourism, garment manufacturing, and construction, despite challenges related to public debt and governance issues. Governed as a parliamentary constitutional monarchy, Cambodia's political landscape has been shaped by a blend of historical struggles and recent democratic transitions.

Geography

Cambodia is situated in Southeastern Asia with a diverse terrain comprising mostly low and flat plains, interspersed with mountain ranges in the southwest and north. The country has a tropical climate characterized by a rainy season from May to November and a dry season from December to April. Major rivers, including the Mekong, and the Tonle Sap lake, Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake, play a crucial role in the geography and economy of the region.

181,035 sq km total area
2,530 km of land boundaries
443 km of coastline along the Gulf of Thailand
34.9% of land is agricultural
39.4% of land is covered with forests

People and Society

Cambodia's population is projected to reach approximately 17.23 million by 2025, with a youthful demographic where 28.9% are aged 0-14 years. The vast majority identify as Khmer, and Khmer is the official language. Buddhism is the predominant religion, practiced by 97.1% of the population. Urbanization is slowly increasing, with about 25.6% of the population living in urban areas.

71.4 years life expectancy at birth
0.3% unemployment rate (2024 est.)
2.14 children born per woman (total fertility rate, 2025 est.)
17.74 births per 1,000 population (birth rate, 2025 est.)
95.4% of the population identify as Khmer

Economy

Cambodia's economy is one of the fastest-growing in Southeast Asia, with significant contributions from tourism and garment exports. The government is investing in infrastructure, including roads and ports, to bolster economic development. Despite these advancements, the country grapples with high public debt and income inequality.

$123.676 billion estimated GDP (PPP, 2024)
0.3% unemployment rate (2024 est.)
71.4% of GDP from services sector (2024 est.)
16.6% of GDP from agriculture sector (2024 est.)
6.1% of GDP from remittances (2024 est.)

Government

Cambodia is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy with a history of political turbulence. The prime minister leads the government, with the most recent election held in July 2023. The Cambodian People's Party has maintained dominance in the political arena, often criticized for its authoritarian practices. The country has 24 provinces and is engaged in various international organizations.

King: Norodom Sihamoni
Prime Minister: Hun Manet (since August 2023)
Total legislative seats: 125 in the National Assembly
Next National Assembly election: July 2028
Constitution: Promulgated on September 21, 1993

Military and Security

The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) include the Army, Navy, and Air Force, along with military police. Cambodia's military is equipped largely with older arms, primarily from China and Russia, but is in the process of modernization. Military service is compulsory with recent announcements to enforce conscription.

Estimated Armed Forces: 200,000 personnel (2025)
Military Expenditures: 1.5% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military service age: 18 years
Deployment involvement: Peacekeeping forces in Central African Republic and Lebanon
Coast guard functions managed by the National Committee for Maritime Security

Energy

Cambodia's energy sector is evolving, with significant investments in electricity access and generation capacity. The country aims to improve electrification rates, especially in rural areas, and shift towards renewable energy sources.

92.3% of the population has electricity access (2022 est.)
3.673 million kW installed generating capacity (2023 est.)
16.998 billion kWh total electricity consumption (2023 est.)
38.6% of installed capacity from hydroelectric sources
5.8% of installed capacity from solar energy

Environment

Cambodia faces several environmental challenges, including deforestation, biodiversity loss, and pollution. The government is a party to multiple international environmental agreements, striving to balance economic growth with ecological preservation.

39.4% of land is forested (2023 est.)
18.779 million metric tons of CO2 emissions (2023 est.)
1.089 million tons of municipal solid waste generated annually (2024 est.)
12.4% of municipal solid waste is recycled (2022 est.)
476.1 billion cubic meters total renewable water resources (2022 est.)

Transportation

Cambodia has a developing transportation infrastructure, including air, rail, and maritime facilities. The country is working to enhance its road and port networks to support economic growth and connectivity.

12 airports (2025)
642 km of railway, currently under restoration
195 merchant marine vessels (2023)
2 main ports for cargo and commercial use
1 heliport operational (2025)

Communications

Cambodia has been increasing its telecommunication capabilities, with a notable rise in mobile phone subscriptions. The government is working to improve internet access, with a significant portion of the population using online services.

20.5 million mobile cellular subscriptions (2024)
61% of the population are internet users (2023)
29,100 fixed-line telephone subscriptions (2024)
510,000 fixed broadband subscriptions (2022)
Television and radio operate through a mix of state-owned and private broadcasters

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	17,230,333 (2025 est.)
Total area	181,035 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$123.676 billion (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate	0.3% (2024 est.)
Life expectancy at birth	71.4 years (2024 est.)
Birth rate	17.74 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Electricity access	92.3% of total population (2022 est.)
Forest coverage	39.4% of total land area (2023 est.)
Total energy consumption per capita	15.664 million Btu (2023 est.)
Military expenditures	1.5% of GDP (2024 est.)