📊 Cambodia Facts & Statistics

17 million people (2025 estimate)

Cambodia has a young, growing population with a median age of just 27. Over 90% are ethnic Khmer. About 80% of the population lives in rural areas, though urbanization is accelerating, especially in Phnom Penh.

Dual currency: US Dollar + Cambodian Riel (KHR)

Cambodia uses a unique dual-currency system. The US Dollar is the primary currency for larger transactions, while the Cambodian Riel is used for small purchases and change. 4,000 Riel ≈ $1 USD. ATMs dispense USD in cities. Torn or damaged US bills are often refused.

97% Theravada Buddhist

Cambodia is one of the most Buddhist countries in the world. Theravada Buddhism has been the state religion since the 13th century. There are over 4,400 pagodas across the country. Monks are deeply respected and play a central role in community life. Islam (2%) and Christianity (1%) are minority religions.

181,035 km² — roughly the size of Oklahoma

Cambodia is located in mainland Southeast Asia, bordered by Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and the Gulf of Thailand. The landscape is dominated by the Mekong River, Tonle Sap Lake (Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake), and the Cardamom Mountains in the southwest. The country has 450km of coastline.

Tropical with two seasons: wet (Jun–Oct) and dry (Nov–May)

Cambodia has a tropical monsoon climate. The dry season (November–May) includes the cool period (Nov–Feb, 25–30°C) and the hot period (Mar–May, 35–40°C). The wet season (June–October) brings daily afternoon downpours but mornings are usually clear. Average annual rainfall is 1,400mm in the lowlands, up to 4,000mm in the mountains.

Khmer is the official language, with the world's largest alphabet (74 characters)

Khmer (ភាសាខ្មែរ) is spoken by over 16 million people. The Khmer script has 33 consonants, 23 vowels, and 12 independent vowels—making it the world's largest alphabet. English is widely spoken in tourist areas. French is spoken by some older Cambodians. Chinese and Vietnamese are spoken by minority communities.

World's largest religious monument at 162.6 hectares

Angkor Wat was built in the early 12th century by King Suryavarman II as a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu, later converted to Buddhism. It took an estimated 300,000 workers and 6,000 elephants to build. The temple is oriented west (unusual for Hindu temples) and the outer wall encloses 162.6 hectares. It appears on Cambodia's national flag.

GDP growing 5–6% annually; garments, tourism, construction, and agriculture are key sectors

Cambodia is one of Asia's fastest-growing economies, transitioning from low-income to lower-middle-income status. Key industries include garment manufacturing (largest export), tourism (pre-COVID: 6.6 million visitors/year), construction, and agriculture (rice is the main crop). The minimum wage for garment workers is $200/month (2025).

Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake — expands 5x during rainy season

Tonle Sap is a unique hydrological system. During the dry season, the lake covers ~2,500 km². During the monsoon, the Mekong River reverses flow into the lake, expanding it to ~12,000 km²—five times its dry-season size. This natural phenomenon supports one of the world's most productive inland fisheries, providing protein to millions of Cambodians.

1975–1979: An estimated 1.5–2 million Cambodians died under the regime

The Khmer Rouge, led by Pol Pot, ruled Cambodia from 1975–1979. The regime emptied cities, abolished money and private property, and attempted to create an agrarian utopia. An estimated 1.5–2 million people (25% of the population) died from execution, starvation, disease, and forced labor. The Killing Fields and S-21 prison in Phnom Penh are now memorials.

Home to 212 mammal species including Asian elephants, sun bears, and Irrawaddy dolphins

Cambodia's forests and waterways support remarkable biodiversity. Key species include Asian elephants (400–600 remaining), Irrawaddy dolphins (<100 in the Mekong), sun bears, clouded leopards, gibbons, and over 600 bird species. The Cardamom Mountains are a critical biodiversity hotspot. Conservation efforts are expanding through community-based ecotourism.

Cambodia is one of only two countries with a building on its flag (Angkor Wat)

The Cambodian flag features Angkor Wat in white on a red background with blue borders. It's one of only two national flags that depict a building (the other is Afghanistan). The current design was re-adopted in 1993 after the Paris Peace Accords. The blue represents royalty, the red represents the nation, and the white temple represents religion.

Literacy rate has risen to ~85%, up from near 0% after the Khmer Rouge

Cambodia's education system was virtually destroyed during the Khmer Rouge regime, which targeted intellectuals and abolished formal schooling. Since the 1990s, the country has rebuilt from scratch. The system follows 6 years of primary, 3 years of lower secondary, and 3 years of upper secondary. Public school is free but families often pay for extra tutoring. English is now the dominant second language, replacing French.

Healthcare spending is ~6% of GDP; private clinics dominate in cities while rural areas rely on health centers

Cambodia's healthcare system is a mix of public and private facilities. Public hospitals are improving but many Cambodians with means prefer private clinics, especially in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Rural areas are served by health centers with limited resources. Medical tourism to Thailand or Vietnam is common for serious procedures. International-standard hospitals now operate in Phnom Penh.

Rice is Cambodia's #1 crop — the country produces 10+ million tonnes annually

Agriculture employs about 30% of Cambodia's workforce, with rice being the dominant crop. Cambodia is a net rice exporter, producing over 10 million tonnes annually. Battambang and Prey Veng provinces are the main rice bowls. The Tonle Sap's annual flooding cycle naturally fertilizes vast floodplains. Other key crops include cassava, rubber, cashews, and pepper (Kampot pepper has Protected Geographical Indication status).

Khmer silk weaving dates back over 1,000 years and uses unique techniques like ikat (hol) dyeing

Cambodia has a rich silk tradition spanning over a millennium. The distinctive Khmer ikat technique (called hol) involves tie-dyeing threads before weaving, creating intricate patterns. Traditional silk is woven on wooden looms, primarily in villages around Takeo, Kompong Cham, and Siem Reap. The sampot (silk skirt) is the national garment. Artisan organizations are reviving the craft after it nearly disappeared under the Khmer Rouge.

Cambodia has one of the world's largest freshwater fisheries, yielding 500,000+ tonnes annually

The Tonle Sap Lake and Mekong River system support one of the world's most productive freshwater fisheries. Fish provides over 75% of animal protein in the Cambodian diet. The annual Mekong fish migration is one of the largest on Earth. Prahok (fermented fish paste) is a national staple made from this abundance. Aquaculture and fish farming are growing sectors, particularly along the Mekong.

The Mekong flows 480km through Cambodia and its unique reversal fills Tonle Sap Lake

The Mekong River enters Cambodia from Laos at Stung Treng and flows 480km to the Vietnamese border, splitting into the Bassac and Mekong proper at Phnom Penh's Chaktomuk confluence. The Tonle Sap River uniquely reverses direction during monsoon season, flowing from the Mekong into the lake. This phenomenon supports the Tonle Sap's extraordinary fishery and ecosystem. The Mekong is the lifeblood of Cambodian agriculture and transportation.

Cambodia is a constitutional monarchy with King Norodom Sihamoni as head of state

Cambodia is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system. King Norodom Sihamoni has been head of state since 2004, serving a largely ceremonial role. The Prime Minister holds executive power. The National Assembly (125 seats) and Senate (62 seats) form a bicameral legislature. The Cambodian People's Party (CPP) has held power since 1979. Cambodia is a member of ASEAN, the UN, and the WTO.

Cambodia has a vibrant but constrained media landscape with growing digital and social media influence

Cambodia's media landscape has evolved rapidly. Traditional outlets include the Phnom Penh Post (English) and the Khmer Times. Facebook is by far the dominant platform, used by millions for news and communication. Radio remains important in rural areas. Press freedom has faced challenges, with some independent outlets closing or changing ownership. The younger generation increasingly gets news from social media and online sources.

Kun Khmer is Cambodia's ancient martial art, similar to Muay Thai but with distinct elbow and clinch techniques

Kun Khmer (Pradal Serey) is Cambodia's national martial art, dating back to the Angkor era. Fighters use punches, kicks, elbows, and knee strikes. Unlike Muay Thai, Kun Khmer emphasizes elbow strikes and has different clinch rules. Matches are accompanied by traditional Khmer music (skor yaol drums). Weekly bouts at the TV5 and CTN studios in Phnom Penh draw large crowds. The sport is experiencing an international revival.

Garments make up ~70% of Cambodia's exports, employing 700,000+ workers

The garment and footwear sector is Cambodia's largest export industry, generating billions in revenue annually. Over 700,000 workers (mostly women) are employed in 1,000+ factories producing for global brands like H&M, Nike, and Adidas. The minimum wage for garment workers has risen steadily to $200/month. The industry is concentrated around Phnom Penh and nearby provinces. Cambodia benefits from "Everything But Arms" trade preferences with the EU.

Cambodia's tech scene is booming with mobile-first solutions and fintech leading the way

Cambodia leapfrogged traditional banking with mobile payments and fintech. ABA Bank's mobile app and Wing money transfer are used by millions. The startup ecosystem is growing in Phnom Penh, with co-working spaces and incubators like Impact Hub and SmallWorld. Internet penetration is around 60%, primarily mobile. 4G/LTE covers most populated areas, and 5G is rolling out in cities. The young, digitally-savvy population drives adoption.

Cambodia welcomed 5.6 million international visitors in 2024, approaching pre-COVID highs

Tourism is one of Cambodia's most important economic sectors. Before COVID-19, the country welcomed 6.6 million international visitors (2019). Post-pandemic recovery has been strong, with numbers approaching pre-COVID levels. Siem Reap (Angkor Wat) is the primary draw, followed by Phnom Penh and the coast. Top source markets include China, Vietnam, Thailand, South Korea, and the USA. Tourism contributes roughly 18% of GDP directly and indirectly.

Cambodia has ~65,000km of roads but only ~25% are paved — motorbikes dominate

Cambodia's road network has improved dramatically since 2000 but remains a challenge outside major routes. National highways connect main cities, but rural roads are often unpaved and impassable in heavy rain. Motorbikes are the primary mode of transport, with an estimated 5+ million registered. The new Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville expressway (2022) cut travel time from 6 hours to 2. A Phnom Penh-Siem Reap expressway is under construction. Rail service operates limited routes.

Cambodians put the family name first — so Hun Sen is Mr. Hun, not Mr. Sen

Cambodian names follow the East Asian convention of family name first, given name second. So in the name "Hun Sen," Hun is the surname and Sen is the given name. Cambodians are typically addressed by their given name with an honorific (Lok for Mr., Lok Srey for Mrs.). Many Cambodians have two-syllable given names. Nicknames are extremely common and often unrelated to the formal name. Women do not typically change their surname upon marriage.

Tuk-tuks are Cambodia's iconic transport — a motorized rickshaw used by locals and tourists alike

The tuk-tuk (remorque-kang in Khmer) is Cambodia's most iconic form of transport: a two-wheeled passenger cart towed by a motorbike. They serve as taxis, tour vehicles, and even delivery trucks. Fares are negotiated before riding (typical city trip: $1–3). Ride-hailing apps like Grab and PassApp have added tuk-tuks alongside cars. In Siem Reap, hiring a tuk-tuk driver for a full day of temple touring ($15–20) is the classic experience.

Phnom Penh streets use a numbered grid — odd numbers run north-south, even numbers east-west

Phnom Penh uses a French colonial-era numbered grid system. Odd-numbered streets generally run north-south, while even-numbered streets run east-west. Some streets also have names (often of historical figures or countries). Addresses are given as house number + street number (e.g., "#52, Street 240"). The system can be confusing as numbers are not always sequential, and new streets sometimes break the pattern. Google Maps has greatly helped navigation.

Cambodia is UTC+7 (Indochina Time) — same as Thailand and Vietnam, no daylight saving

Cambodia operates on Indochina Time (ICT), which is UTC+7 year-round. There is no daylight saving time. This means Cambodia is the same time as Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos. Sunrise is typically around 5:30–6:00 AM and sunset around 5:30–6:00 PM, with relatively little variation through the year due to the country's tropical latitude. Being near the equator, days and nights are roughly equal length.

Cambodia uses 230V/50Hz with Type A, C, and G outlets — bring a universal adapter

Cambodia's electrical system uses 230V at 50Hz, but outlet types vary widely. You may encounter Type A (two flat prongs, US-style), Type C (two round prongs, European), and Type G (three rectangular prongs, UK-style) — sometimes all in the same building. A universal adapter is essential. Electricity supply has improved enormously but outages still occur in rural areas. Much power is imported from Vietnam and Thailand, supplemented by hydroelectric dams.

Cambodia's national anthem "Nokoreach" (Royal Kingdom) was composed in 1941 and restored in 1993

The Cambodian national anthem, "Nokoreach" (meaning "Royal Kingdom"), was composed in 1941 and adopted upon independence in 1953. It was replaced during the Khmer Rouge era but restored in 1993 after the Paris Peace Accords. The anthem invokes Buddhist blessings and the glory of the Khmer Empire. It is played before movies in cinemas, at official events, and on TV. Standing respectfully during the anthem is expected.

The Rumdul (Mitrella mesnyi) is Cambodia's national flower, prized for its intoxicating evening fragrance

The Rumdul (Sphaerocoryne affinis, formerly Mitrella mesnyi) is a small, pale-yellow flower with an intensely sweet fragrance that is strongest in the evening. It was designated Cambodia's national flower and appears in traditional songs and poetry. The evergreen tree grows throughout Southeast Asia but holds special cultural significance in Cambodia, often planted near homes and temples. The flower symbolizes the Khmer people's gentle and sweet character.