Contents

Country Overview

The Kingdom of Cambodia is a constitutional monarchy in mainland Southeast Asia centred on the lower Mekong and Tonle Sap basin. Its internationally recognized cultural patrimony includes Angkor, the early Khmer archaeological sites, and memorial locations connected to the country’s traumatic twentieth-century history. An export-focused economy anchored in garments, footwear and other manufacturing faces headwinds from subdued domestic demand, financial conditions and regional border tensions. Prime Minister Hun Manet heads the government, while King Norodom Sihamoni is head of state. [11] [4] [9]

Reference status: Contemporary country profile • Verified: November 6, 2026 • Each statistic states its observation or projection year. Official national series, international estimates, and institutional assessments are distinguished.

CapitalPhnom PenhNational capital [1]
Population17,847,982World Bank, 2025 estimate [2]
Surface area181,035 km²UN statistical surface area [1]
Nominal GDPUS$51.27 billionWorld Bank, 2025 [2]
GDP per capitaUS$2,872.4World Bank, 2025 [2]
CurrencyCambodian riel (KHR)US dollar also widely used [1] [16]

Statistical caution: The 2019 census (15,552,211) is a population enumeration; the 2025 World Bank population (17,847,982) is an estimate. World Bank 2025 nominal GDP (US$51.27 billion) differs from the IMF’s 2025 US-dollar GDP calculation (US$50.66 billion), reflecting different statistical methods/vintages. The WTO profile reports 2024 exports and 2025 imports in different years, so a numerical subtraction would not yield a valid annual trade balance. [6] [2] [3] [4]

Identity and State Formation

Official name
Kingdom of Cambodia. [1] [9]
Short name
Cambodia. [1]
Khmer name
Preah Reachanachak Kampuchea (Kingdom of Cambodia); commonly Kampuchea. [1]
Capital
Phnom Penh, at the Mekong and Tonle Sap river confluence. [1]
UN statistical subregion
South-eastern Asia. [1]
Physical region
Mainland Southeast Asia, spanning the lower Mekong basin, Tonle Sap and Gulf of Thailand coast. [1] [13]
State type
Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy, with a politically dominant governing party. [9] [7] [10]
Head of state title
King of Cambodia. [9]
Head of government title
Prime Minister. [9]
Official language
Khmer. [1] [6]
National currency
Cambodian riel (KHR); US dollars are also widely used in economic transactions. [1] [16]
ISO alpha-2 / alpha-3
KH / KHM. [1]
Internet country domain
.kh. [1]
Telephone country code
+855. [1]
Standard time
Indochina Time (UTC+7); clocks do not change seasonally. [1]
Independence from France
9 November 1953, following a French colonial and protectorate period. [8]
National Independence Day
Observed annually on 9 November. [8]
Precolonial political legacy
The Khmer Empire and Angkorian states helped form major foundations of Cambodian history and cultural identity. [11]
French colonial era
Cambodia entered French protection in the nineteenth century and later belonged to French Indochina. [8]
1970 political rupture
The monarchy was overthrown in 1970, followed by civil war. [8]
Khmer Rouge rule
The Khmer Rouge governed Democratic Kampuchea during 1975–1979, committing mass atrocities. [11] [8]
Vietnamese intervention and aftermath
Vietnamese forces removed the Khmer Rouge leadership in 1979; conflict and political fragmentation continued. [8]
Paris Peace Agreements
Signed in 1991, establishing a framework for a UN-supervised transition. [8]
1993 constitutional settlement
A new constitution and UN-supported elections restored the constitutional monarchy. [8]
ASEAN accession
30 April 1999. [14]
UN membership date
14 December 1955. [1]

Geography and Population

Territorial setting
Lower Mekong basin in mainland Southeast Asia. [1] [13]
National surface area
181,035 km² in the UN statistical series. [1]
Land neighbours
Thailand to the northwest, Laos to the northeast and Vietnam to the east and southeast. [1]
Southern coastline
Coast on the Gulf of Thailand supports ports, fishing, tourism and mangrove environments. [1]
Main river
The Mekong is a principal transport and agricultural waterway. [1] [13]
Tonle Sap system
Lake Tonle Sap and its river connect with the Mekong, with remarkable monsoon-related flow reversal. [13]
Tonle Sap ecological significance
The floodplain supports important freshwater fisheries and wet-season ecosystems. [13]
Major city
Phnom Penh is the political and economic centre, with extensive metropolitan expansion. [1]
Other urban centres
Siem Reap, Battambang, Sihanoukville and Kampong Cham are notable regional cities. [1] [11]
World Bank population, 2025
17,847,982, an international estimate rather than a fresh census. [2]
UN population projection, 2025
Approximately 17.848 million in UN reporting. [1]
2019 national population census
15,552,211 residents in March 2019. [6]
2019 census, males
7,571,837 (48.7% of census population). [6]
2019 census, females
7,980,374 (51.3%). [6]
2019 census, urban
6,135,194, or 39.4% of census population, under the census classification. [6]
2019 census, rural
9,417,017, or 60.6% of the census population. [6]
2019 census population density
87 residents/km² under the census methodology. [6]
2025 UN population density
About 98.6 people/km², from the UN projected-population series. [1]
Population growth, 2025
1.2% in the World Bank annual series. [2]
Capital population reporting
UN lists Phnom Penh’s last city-level estimate with a 2019 reference year; do not label it a 2025 city census. [1]
Central plains
The Tonle Sap and Mekong lowlands are a core rice-growing and settlement region. [13]
Cardamom Mountains
Western and southwestern highlands contain forested upland habitats. [13]
Dangrek Mountains
The northern mountain rim near the Thai border includes historically significant temple landscapes. [11] [13]
Eastern uplands
Northeastern provinces include forests, plateaus and river systems. [1]
Climate
Tropical monsoon, with wet and dry seasons. [1] [13]
Monsoon floods
Floods replenish agricultural soils and fisheries but can also disrupt homes and transport. [13]
Dry-season risks
Drought and heat can constrain agricultural production and water availability. [4] [13]
Forest biodiversity
Broadleaf forests and protected areas shelter globally important wildlife populations. [13] [1]
Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve
A UNESCO biosphere reserve nominated in 1997, which is distinct from a World Heritage inscription. [13] [11]
Freshwater fisheries
Tonle Sap ecology supports major food and livelihood functions. [13]
Coastal environment
Coastal waters, islands and mangroves support marine tourism and fisheries. [1]
Cross-border rivers
Cambodia participates in a transboundary river system shared with upstream and downstream states. [13]
Urbanization
Phnom Penh and secondary cities attract labour through industry, construction and services. [6] [4]
Geographic exposure
Floods, heat, drought and land degradation are material development risks. [4] [13]

Economy and International Trade

Nominal GDP, World Bank 2025
US$51.27 billion in the World Bank current-price series. [2] [15]
GDP per capita, 2025
US$2,872.4 in the World Bank series. [2]
Real GDP growth, 2025
5.3%, reported by the IMF and World Bank. [4] [2]
Real GDP growth, 2024
6.0%, IMF estimate cited in the 2026 country review. [4]
IMF 2026 growth projection
3.0% (September 2026 outlook); a forecast, not observed data. [4]
IMF 2027 growth projection
4.0% under the September 2026 baseline. [4]
Consumer-price inflation, 2025
2.4% (World Bank); IMF’s annual-average series reports 2.5%. [2] [4]
IMF 2026 inflation projection
5.6%, annual-average forecast as of September 2026. [4]
Currency
Cambodian riel (KHR). [1]
Dollarization
US dollars circulate widely in banking, trade and many domestic transactions alongside riel. [16]
Currency management
Authorities maintain broad riel stability against the US dollar, according to the IMF. [16]
Industry structure
Export-oriented manufacturing, especially clothing and footwear, remains vital. [4] [3]
Garment and knitwear output
Textiles, knitwear and apparel account for substantial trade and employment. [3] [4]
Footwear and travel goods
Factories produce shoes, luggage, backpacks and related products for foreign markets. [3] [4]
Agriculture
Rice and cassava are prominent crops, alongside other farm and livestock production. [3] [13]
Rice exports
Both milled rice and paddy/rough rice feature in regional trade; categories must not be conflated. [3]
Electronics and solar products
Photovoltaic modules and electrical equipment appear in major export categories. [3]
Construction and property
Property-market weakness and limited domestic demand weighed on the 2025–2026 economy. [4] [5]
Tourism
Cultural travel focused on Angkor and other destinations contributes to jobs and services. [11] [4]
Tourism downside in 2026
IMF identifies weak tourism and cross-border tensions as economic headwinds. [4]
Foreign direct investment
Manufacturing and infrastructure attracted FDI, despite domestic financial headwinds. [4]
2024 merchandise exports
US$26.66 billion in the WTO/UN Comtrade series. [3]
2025 merchandise imports
US$33.96 billion in WTO-reported import data; a different year from the export figure. [3]
Trade-year comparability
Do not subtract 2024 exports from 2025 imports to infer an annual trade deficit. [3]
2024 top export destination
United States, 37.2% of reported merchandise exports. [3]
2024 European Union exports
The EU accounted for 16.6% of merchandise export destinations. [3]
2024 Vietnam exports
Vietnam was the third-largest listed destination at 13.6%. [3]
2025 main import origin
China, 53.1% of WTO-reported merchandise imports. [3]
2025 Vietnam imports
Vietnam was the second-largest import source at 12.0%. [3]
2025 Thailand imports
Thailand accounted for 8.6% of reported imports, despite border tensions. [3]
2024 leading HS export item
Paddy or rough rice, 5.2% of WTO/UN Comtrade recorded exports by value. [3]
2024 solar-panel exports
Photovoltaic modules represented 2.6% of merchandise exports. [3]
2024 cassava exports
Cassava roots and tubers represented 2.6% of merchandise exports. [3]
Imported textile inputs
Knitted and woven fabrics are significant industrial inputs in the import basket. [3]
Imported energy inputs
Petroleum fuels and some electricity are recorded in import categories. [3]
External accounts
The IMF assesses a widening current-account deficit in 2026, despite strong manufacturing exports. [4]
Public debt, 2025
25.5% of GDP, IMF public-debt series. [4]
Current-account balance, 2025
IMF estimates a deficit of about US$1.87 billion. [4]
Official reserves, 2025
IMF reports approximately US$27.53 billion. [4]
Financial-sector risks
Credit quality, construction exposure and slowing deposit growth were material IMF concerns in 2026. [4]
Border-driven disruption
Tensions with Thailand affected land tourism, remittances and migrant labour markets. [4]
Transnational fraud challenge
The IMF notes reputational and governance risks associated with persistent scam operations. [4]
Infrastructure investment
Transport, logistics, power and manufacturing facilities remain important investment priorities. [4]
Export dependence
The economy depends on access to overseas consumer markets and trade policy stability. [4] [3]
Product-value caution
Top HS product lines are individual categories, not comprehensive totals for all apparel, all footwear or agriculture. [3]

2024 Merchandise Exports — Largest Destinations

Shares and values are for 2024 and come from UN Comtrade tables reproduced by the WTO. The EU is treated as a single reporting partner in this source. [3]

Destination Share of 2024 merchandise exports Value (US$ million)
United States37.2%9,932.2
European Union16.6%4,421.4
Viet Nam13.6%3,615.6
China6.6%1,750.1
Japan5.3%1,408.7

2024 Merchandise Exports — Selected Detailed Products

HS six-digit lines illustrate diversity; categories cannot be summed to estimate the whole garment or agricultural sector. [3]

HS product line (condensed) Share Value (US$ million)
Paddy or rough rice5.2%1,398.2
Cotton knitted pullovers and similar3.6%971.8
Synthetic knitted pullovers and similar2.7%711.4
Photovoltaic modules and panels2.6%696.4
Cassava roots and tubers2.6%689.8
Textile / plastic-surface handbags2.5%664.7

2025 Merchandise Imports — Largest Origins

These figures concern 2025 imports only, one year later than the listed export figures. Do not combine them into an annual merchandise balance. [3]

Origin Share of 2025 imports Value (US$ million)
China53.1%18,044.8
Viet Nam12.0%4,062.7
Thailand8.6%2,924.4
Singapore4.2%1,421.4
Indonesia3.0%1,021.8

IMF 2025 Outcomes and 2026–2027 Outlook

Growth and inflation figures use the September 2026 Article IV table. Forecast values should not be described as actual results. [4]

Indicator 2025 outcome/estimate 2026 projected 2027 projected
Real GDP growth5.3%3.0%4.0%
Average annual inflation2.5%5.6%3.1%
Public debt / GDP25.5%25.1%25.2%

People and Society

Official and majority language
Khmer is the official national language and the principal language of everyday life. [1] [6]
Khmer writing system
The Cambodian language uses the Khmer script, developed over a long literary history. [11]
Other languages
Vietnamese, Chinese varieties and minority languages are spoken by distinct communities. [6]
Religious tradition
Theravada Buddhism is central to the country’s public religious and cultural life. [11]
Monasteries
Buddhist temples and monastic institutions play important educational, cultural and community roles. [11]
Other religions
Muslim Cham, Christian and other religious communities add to national diversity. [6] [10]
Khmer cultural history
Angkor-era architecture, inscriptions, performance and material culture are major heritage foundations. [11]
Angkor Wat
Part of the Angkor World Heritage site, a symbolic monument of Cambodian cultural identity. [11]
Angkor Thom
An Angkorian urban and monumental complex included within the wider Angkor heritage landscape. [11]
Preah Vihear
Temple complex on a mountain escarpment and UNESCO World Heritage property since 2008. [11]
Sambor Prei Kuk
Archaeological site of ancient Ishanapura, inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2017. [11]
Koh Ker
Ancient Lingapura / Chok Gargyar archaeological complex, inscribed in 2023. [11]
Khmer Rouge memorialization
Genocide and repression sites are preserved for education, remembrance and historical accountability. [11]
2025 UNESCO memorial inscription
The Cambodian Memorial Sites serial World Heritage property was inscribed in 2025. [11]
Classical dance
The Royal Ballet of Cambodia is a UNESCO-listed intangible heritage form. [12]
Khmer shadow theatre
Sbek Thom entered UNESCO’s intangible heritage lists in 2008. [12]
Chapei Dang Veng
The long-necked lute performance tradition was listed for urgent safeguarding in 2016. [12]
Kun Lbokator
Traditional martial arts inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List in 2022. [12]
Krama textile traditions
Cultural practices associated with the woven Khmer krama cloth were inscribed in 2024. [12]
Lkhon Khol Wat Svay Andet
Masked theatre ritual listed for urgent safeguarding in 2018. [12]
Festivals
Khmer New Year, Pchum Ben and water celebrations are prominent community occasions. [12]
Water Festival
Annual festivities are associated with river systems, boat racing and seasonal water transitions. [13]
Food traditions
Rice, freshwater fish, fermented preparations, herbs and regional vegetables are central to cuisines. [13]
Tonle Sap livelihoods
Fishing, fish processing, farming and water-linked trade shape many lake-basin communities. [13]
Population age profile
Cambodia has a relatively young labour force, though migration and urbanisation are reshaping households. [6] [4]
2019 urbanisation measure
The census classified 39.4% of residents as urban in 2019; this is not a 2025 estimate. [6]
Education
Schooling and workforce training are important for industrial upgrading and productivity. [4]
Health conditions
Access and outcomes have improved over time but regional disparities remain. [2]
Life expectancy, 2024
Approximately 71 years, World Bank indicator. [2]
Labour migration
Workers have sought opportunities in Thailand and other countries; mass returns affected households in 2025–26. [4]
Human-rights environment
Freedom House reports restrictions on opposition politics, independent journalism and civil organizations. [10]
Freedom House 2026 rating
22/100, “Not Free”; independent NGO index, not a government score. [10]
Cultural tourism and livelihoods
Heritage protection and responsible visitation support local employment. [11]
Rural livelihoods
Rice farming, fisheries and seasonal work remain economically important in many provinces. [13] [4]
Climate vulnerability
Flood, heat and drought risks interact with farming and fisheries. [13] [4]

Government and Institutions

Form of government
Parliamentary constitutional monarchy, officially with an elected legislature and cabinet government. [9] [7]
Head of state
King Norodom Sihamoni, monarch since 2004. [9] [8]
Head of government
Prime Minister Hun Manet, in office since August 2023. [9] [8]
Senate president
Hun Sen, former prime minister and influential Cambodian People’s Party leader. [8]
Governing party
Cambodian People’s Party (CPP). [7] [8]
Constitutional period
The current constitutional-monarchy framework dates from 1993. [8]
Parliament
Bicameral body comprising the National Assembly and the Senate. [7] [8]
National Assembly seats
125 seats in the 2023 election. [7]
Latest National Assembly election
23 July 2023. [7]
CPP seats in 2023 election
120 of 125 National Assembly seats (96% of contested seats). [7]
FUNCINPEC seats in 2023
5 of 125 National Assembly seats. [7]
Assembly election cycle
The IPU election entry expected another full lower-house election in 2028, subject to changes in law or practice. [7]
Senate structure
62 seats under the 2024 election framework, with most selected indirectly. [8]
Senate election
Indirect elections held in 2024; the CPP holds a dominant position. [8]
Prime ministerial transition
Hun Sen transferred the premiership to Hun Manet after the 2023 election. [8]
Role of the king
The monarch performs constitutional and ceremonial duties; executive policy is managed through government. [8] [9]
Institutional continuity
Hun Sen remains a significant political figure and party leader after moving to the Senate presidency. [8]
Electoral environment
Independent reports describe significant barriers to genuine opposition competition. [10]
Civil liberties rating
Freedom House 2026: 18/60. [10]
Political rights rating
Freedom House 2026: 4/40. [10]
Aggregate political-freedom score
Freedom House 2026: 22/100, Not Free. [10]
Independent press
Freedom House reports pressure on independent media outlets and journalists. [10]
Civil society
Non-governmental advocacy organizations face political and administrative pressure. [10]
Rule of law
The 2026 IMF and independent observers identify governance and predictable legal enforcement as development priorities. [4] [10]
Public administration
The government operates through ministries, subnational administrations and provincial-level institutions. [8]
Domestic policy agenda
Industrial upgrading, infrastructure, investment and economic stabilization feature in contemporary policy. [4]
Financial regulation
Banking supervision and response to property-related lending risks were highlighted by IMF reviewers. [4]
International economic negotiations
Authorities engage in international trade and financial dialogue, especially within ASEAN and with IMF partners. [14] [4]

International Profile and Heritage

United Nations
Admitted on 14 December 1955. [1]
ASEAN
Joined the association on 30 April 1999. [14]
ASEAN membership 2026
Participates in ASEAN alongside ten other members following Timor-Leste’s 2025 entry. [14]
WTO participation
Cambodia is a WTO member and participates in global trade institutions. [3]
IMF relationship
Annual economic surveillance includes the September 2026 Article IV review. [4]
World Bank relationship
World Bank publishes macroeconomic and social indicators for Cambodia. [2]
United States trade
Largest recorded 2024 merchandise export market, accounting for 37.2%. [3]
European Union trade
A major destination for garments and other manufactured exports in 2024. [3]
China trade
Largest source of imports in 2025, at 53.1% in WTO reporting. [3]
Vietnam economic ties
Significant import origin and export destination in the WTO trade profile. [3]
Thailand relationship
Border tensions affected cross-border commerce, tourism and worker mobility during 2025–2026. [4]
Lower Mekong region
Shared river systems create cross-border ecological and water-management interests. [13]
Regional connectivity
Land, river, air and seaport links shape international trade and tourism. [4] [1]
Global heritage standing
Cambodia has five UNESCO World Heritage properties as of the reference date. [11]
World Heritage — Angkor
Inscribed 1992; archaeological landscape encompassing Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and other sites. [11]
World Heritage — Preah Vihear
Inscribed 2008; Khmer temple complex along the northern escarpment. [11]
World Heritage — Sambor Prei Kuk
Inscribed 2017; remains of early Khmer-era Ishanapura. [11]
World Heritage — Koh Ker
Inscribed 2023; archaeological site of ancient Lingapura / Chok Gargyar. [11]
World Heritage — Memorial Sites
Inscribed 2025; serial remembrance sites associated with Khmer Rouge repression. [11]
Tentative World Heritage properties
Six sites on UNESCO’s Tentative List; these are not yet World Heritage inscriptions. [11]
Example tentative site
Banteay Chhmar archaeological complex, on the 2020 tentative list. [11]
Example tentative site
Phnom Kulen / Mahendraparvata, on the 2020 tentative list. [11]
Intangible heritage inscriptions
UNESCO lists seven Cambodian intangible cultural heritage elements. [12]
Royal Ballet and Sbek Thom
Both forms were inscribed in 2008. [12]
Krama cultural practices
Latest fully inscribed Cambodian element through 2024, pending future UNESCO updates. [12]
UNESCO Tonle Sap biosphere
Tonle Sap’s biosphere designation dates from 1997, separate from the World Heritage List. [13] [11]
World Heritage tourism
Angkor and other properties support local tourism and preservation employment. [11] [4]
International conservation
Transboundary rivers, climate adaptation and safeguarding biodiversity are shared regional issues. [13]
International rights scrutiny
The country’s electoral and civil liberties environment is tracked by international rights monitors. [10]
Statistical series differences
National, UN, World Bank, WTO and IMF figures may refer to different dates or reporting methodologies. [1] [2] [3] [4]

The five inscribed World Heritage properties, six tentative sites and seven intangible cultural heritage elements represent three distinct UNESCO classifications. Tonle Sap’s biosphere designation is also a separate program.

Sources and Methodology

Country entries are source-anchored reference facts, not a single-source data extract. Population estimates are not censuses; nominal GDP is measured in current US dollars and should not be confused with purchasing-power-parity output. WTO merchandise trade values and partner shares have their own reporting years, product classifications and coverage. UNESCO World Heritage properties are distinct from tentative-list entries and intangible cultural heritage elements. Political-rights assessments are attributed to their issuing organizations, not presented as official government classifications.

Editorial cutoff: November 6, 2026 (Pacific Time). Developments after that date, and revised statistical releases, require a subsequent update. Parenthetical dates in rows identify the underlying period; they do not imply that every source was issued in 2026.

  1. United Nations Data — Cambodia — UN regional placement, area, 2025 population projection and historical membership information.
  2. World Bank Data — Cambodia — 2025 nominal GDP, 2025 population, GDP per capita and living standard indicators.
  3. World Trade Organization — Cambodia Member Trade Profile — 2024 export product and destination data and 2025 import data, with separately labeled reporting years.
  4. IMF — Cambodia 2026 Article IV Consultation — September 2026 review of growth, inflation, current account, fiscal and financial vulnerabilities.
  5. IMF — Cambodia 2026 Article IV Staff Report — 2026 economic drivers, monetary conditions, public finance and financial-sector risks.
  6. National Institute of Statistics — Final Population Census 2019 — March 2019 census count and urban-rural shares.
  7. Inter-Parliamentary Union — Cambodia National Assembly Election 2023 — 2023 National Assembly election date and the 120–5 seat result.
  8. Congressional Research Service — Cambodia Background and US Relations (2026) — mid-2026 political history, Hun Manet, Hun Sen and regional context.
  9. State Integrity — Cambodia Government (UN protocol list Oct 2026) — October 2026 UN protocol-derived identification of monarch and prime minister.
  10. Freedom House — Freedom in the World 2026: Cambodia — nongovernmental political-rights and civil-liberties evaluation.
  11. UNESCO World Heritage Centre — Cambodia — five inscribed World Heritage properties and six tentative sites, including 2025 memorial sites.
  12. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage — Cambodia — seven intangible heritage inscriptions and 2024 krama textile entry.
  13. UNESCO — Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve — Lake Tonle Sap and floodplain ecosystem and 1997 reserve nomination.
  14. Association of Southeast Asian Nations — ASEAN History — Cambodia’s ASEAN admission on April 30, 1999, and membership status.
  15. World Bank — Cambodia Current US Dollar GDP — 2025 nominal GDP, distinct from IMF fiscal and projection series.
  16. IMF — Cambodia 2026 Consultation Mission — economic growth outlook, dollarization and domestic-demand concerns.
  17. United Nations — Member States — membership information and UN country status.