Country Profile: Cambodia

Cambodia, located in Southeast Asia, is bordered by Thailand to the northwest, Laos to the north, and Vietnam to the east, with a coastline along the Gulf of Thailand. The country has a population of approximately 17.2 million people, predominantly Khmer, and boasts a rich cultural heritage rooted in the ancient Angkor Empire. Economically, Cambodia is one of the fastest-growing economies in Southeast Asia, driven by tourism, garment exports, and manufacturing, but it faces challenges such as substantial public debt and political corruption. The governance structure is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy, with recent power transitions highlighting ongoing political dynamics.

Geography

Cambodia's geography is characterized by low, flat plains, with mountainous regions in the southwest and north. The Mekong River and Tonle Sap, Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake, play critical roles in the country's ecology and agriculture. The climate is tropical, with a distinct monsoon season from May to November and a dry season from December to April.

Total area: 181,035 sq km
Highest point: Phnum Aoral at 1,810 m
Coastline: 443 km
Natural resources: oil, gas, timber, gemstones, iron ore
Agricultural land: 34.9% (2023 est.)
Major rivers: Mekong (4,350 km in length)
Natural hazards: monsoonal rains, flooding

People and Society

The Cambodian population is approximately 17.2 million as of 2025, with a significant youth demographic where 28.9% are aged between 0-14 years. Predominantly Khmer (95.4%), the society is marked by a strong Buddhist culture, with 97.1% identifying as Buddhist. The country faces challenges in education and health, with literacy rates significantly varying between genders.

Population growth rate: 0.95% (2025 est.)
Urban population: 25.6% (2023)
Life expectancy: 71.4 years (2024 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 27.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
Literacy rate: 71.9% (2021 est.)
Median age: 28.3 years (2025 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth: 23.3 years (2021-22 est.)

Economy

Cambodia’s economy is one of the fastest-growing in the region, primarily fueled by textiles, tourism, and agriculture. However, it faces substantial public debt and economic vulnerabilities. In 2024, the GDP is estimated at $123.676 billion (PPP), with a notable growth rate projected at 6%. The agricultural sector, while crucial, only accounts for 16.6% of GDP.

GDP per capita: $7,000 (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate: 0.3% (2024 est.)
Inflation rate: 2.1% (2023 est.)
Government consumption: 5.8% of GDP (2024 est.)
Exports: $31.712 billion (2024 est.)
Imports: $34.329 billion (2024 est.)
Public debt: 50.3% of GDP (2023 est.)

Government

Cambodia is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy with a complex political history marked by transitions of power. The current prime minister since 2023 is HUN MANET, succeeding his father, HUN SEN, who dominated the political landscape for nearly four decades. The legal system combines civil law with customary laws and influences from various legal theories.

Capital: Phnom Penh
Administrative divisions: 24 provinces and 1 municipality
Legal system: influenced by civil law and Communist legal theory
Voting age: universal suffrage at 18
Parliament: bicameral, consisting of a National Assembly and a Senate
Next election: anticipated in July 2028

Military and Security

The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) consists of the army, navy, air force, and gendarmerie, with primary responsibilities for internal security and border protection. The country has increased military expenditure and received modern equipment mainly from China, aiming to enhance its defense capabilities.

Military expenditure: 1.5% of GDP (2024 est.)
Active military personnel: approximately 200,000 (2025)
Military service age: 18 years
International deployments: 340 in the Central African Republic; 180 in Lebanon
Military equipment: primarily older Chinese and Russian-origin armaments

Energy

Cambodia's energy sector is rapidly developing, with significant progress in electricity access and generation capacity. About 92.3% of the population has access to electricity, largely from fossil fuels and hydropower sources.

Installed generating capacity: 3.673 million kW (2023 est.)
Electricity consumption: 16.998 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity access: 99% in urban areas, 88% in rural areas
Fossil fuels contribution: 55.5% of installed capacity (2023 est.)

Environment

Cambodia faces significant environmental challenges, including habitat loss, deforestation, and pollution. However, it is a party to several international environmental agreements aimed at biodiversity and climate change.

Forest cover: 39.4% (2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 18.779 million metric tonnes (2023 est.)
Municipal solid waste generated: 1.089 million tons (2024 est.)
Water resources: 476.1 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

Transportation

The transportation infrastructure consists of railways, ports, and civil aviation facilities, although it still requires substantial development. Railways primarily use narrow gauge, and Cambodia is investing in improving road and port networks.

Total railways: 642 km (2014)
Airports: 12 (2025)
Merchant marine total: 195 vessels (2023)
Key ports: Kampong Saom, Phsar Ream

Communications

With the rise of mobile technology, Cambodia has a growing number of internet users and mobile subscriptions. The broadcasting sector is diverse, featuring both state-owned and private entities.

Mobile cellular subscriptions: 20.5 million (2024)
Internet users: 61% of the population (2023 est.)
Fixed line subscriptions: 29,100 (2024 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	17,230,333	2025 estimate
Area	181,035 sq km	Total land area
GDP	$123.676 billion	2024 purchasing power parity estimate
Energy consumption	15.664 million Btu/person	2023 estimate
Birth rate	17.74 births/1,000 population	2025 estimate
Unemployment	0.3%	2024 estimate
Life expectancy	71.4 years	2024 estimate
Literacy rate	71.9%	2021 estimate
Total fertility rate	2.14 children born/woman	2025 estimate
Forest cover	39.4%	2023 estimate