Country Profile: Cambodia

Cambodia, located in Southeast Asia, is bordered by Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos, with a coastline along the Gulf of Thailand. The country's population is predominantly Khmer and has experienced significant historical events, including the Khmer Rouge regime. Despite being one of the fastest-growing economies in the region, Cambodia faces challenges such as poverty and political instability. The government operates as a parliamentary constitutional monarchy, where power dynamics have shifted recently to the leadership of Hun Manet, son of longtime Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Geography

Cambodia is characterized by its tropical climate, with a monsoon season from May to November and a dry season from December to April. The nation encompasses low, flat plains and mountainous regions in the southwest and north. Major geographical features include the Mekong River and Tonle Sap, Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake, which supports the country's agriculture and fisheries.

181,035 sq km: Total area of Cambodia.
2,530 km: Total length of land borders with Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam.
13 00 N, 105 00 E: Geographic coordinates.
443 km: Length of the coastline.
39.4% (2023): Percentage of land designated as forest.

People and Society

The estimated population of Cambodia is approximately 17.23 million as of 2025, with a significant portion residing in urban areas like Phnom Penh. The Khmer ethnic group comprises the majority, followed by small communities of Cham and Chinese. The country boasts a youthful demographic, with a median age of 28.3 years and a high birth rate.

97.1%: Percentage of the population that identifies as Buddhist.
28.9%: Proportion of the population aged 0-14 years.
71.9% (2021): Literacy rate across the country.
25.6% (2023): Urban population percentage.
2.14 children/woman (2025): Total fertility rate.

Economy

Cambodia's economy is one of the fastest-growing in Southeast Asia, heavily reliant on the garment industry and tourism. Agricultural exports and infrastructure investments are on the rise, although the country grapples with significant public debt. As of 2024, GDP per capita is projected to be $7,000.

6% (2024 est.): Projected real GDP growth rate.
$46.353 billion (2024): Estimated GDP at official exchange rates.
41.8% (2024): Share of industry in GDP composition.
0.3%: Unemployment rate as of 2024.
18.779 million metric tonnes (2023): Total carbon dioxide emissions.

Government

Cambodia is governed as a parliamentary constitutional monarchy, with King Norodom Sihamoni as the head of state and Hun Manet serving as Prime Minister since August 2023. The government's structure includes a bicameral legislature and a legal system influenced by various law theories. The country has a complex political landscape, with ongoing concerns regarding democracy and governance.

125: Seats in the National Assembly, all directly elected.
62: Seats in the Senate, with a mix of indirect elections and appointments.
18 years: Legal voting age for citizens.
9 November 1953: Date of independence from France.
50.3% of GDP (2023): Public debt as a percentage of GDP.

Military and Security

The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) includes the Army, Navy, and Air Force, alongside the National Gendarmerie. Military expenditures account for 1.5% of GDP in 2024, with a reported personnel strength of around 200,000. The country has engaged in limited military collaborations with China and Vietnam.

340: Cambodian troops deployed to the Central African Republic as of 2025.
1.5% of GDP (2024): Military expenditure relative to the country's GDP.
18: Military service age established for both genders.
200,000: Estimated personnel strength of the armed forces.
2006: Year a conscription law was approved, though not enforced until 2026.

Energy

As of 2022, approximately 92.3% of the Cambodian population has access to electricity, with a significant investment in generating capacity. The country's energy consumption is primarily drawn from fossil fuels, with efforts toward renewable sources like hydroelectricity and solar power.

3.673 million kW (2023): Total installed electricity generation capacity.
16.998 billion kWh (2023): Total electricity consumption.
55.5%: Proportion of electricity generation capacity from fossil fuels (2023).
4.39 million metric tons (2023): Coal consumption in Cambodia.
5.8%: Renewable energy contribution from solar energy to total capacity (2023).

Environment

Cambodia faces several environmental challenges, including habitat loss, illegal deforestation, and limited access to potable water in rural areas. The country is party to various international environmental agreements, addressing issues ranging from biodiversity to climate change.

34.9% (2023): Land classified as agricultural.
12.4% (2022): Percentage of municipal solid waste recycled annually.
18.4 micrograms per cubic meter (2019): Particulate matter emissions.
476.1 billion cubic meters (2022): Total renewable water resources.
1.089 million tons (2024): Annual municipal solid waste generated.

Transportation

Cambodia's transportation infrastructure includes a mix of railways, air travel, and a developing road network. The country has made investments to revitalize its transportation system, which is crucial for economic growth and trade.

12: Total number of airports as of 2025.
642 km: Total length of railways, currently under restoration.
195: Total vessels in the merchant marine fleet (2023).
5.096 billion kWh (2023): Electricity imports.
2: Number of major ports, including Kampong Saom.

Communications

Cambodia's communication sector features a growing number of mobile subscribers, with a high penetration of mobile phone services. The internet access rate is increasing, with around 61% of the population using the internet as of 2023.

20.5 million: Total mobile cellular subscriptions (2024).
510,000: Fixed broadband subscriptions (2022).
29,100: Fixed line telephone subscriptions (2024).
27: Number of TV stations operating in the country.
6%: Trend of urban population with improved drinking water access as of 2022.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	17,230,333 (2025 est.)	Total estimated population
Area	181,035 sq km	Total land area
GDP	$46.353 billion (2024 est.)	GDP at official exchange rate
GDP per capita	$7,000 (2024 est.)	Real GDP per capita
Unemployment rate	0.3% (2024 est.)	Percentage of labor force seeking employment
Birth rate	17.74 births/1,000 (2025 est.)	Birth rate per capita
Life expectancy at birth	71.4 years (2024 est.)	Average life span
Total fertility rate	2.14 children/woman (2025 est.)	Average number of children per woman
Adult literacy rate	71.9% (2021 est.)	Percentage of literate adults
Electricity access	92.3% (2022 est.)	Access to electricity