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Cambodia Historical and Political Profile








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Cambodia Index

  • Cambodia-Illicit Trade with Thailand and with Singapore
  • Cambodia-THE KAMPUCHEAN (OR KHMER) UNITED FRONT FOR NATIONAL CONSTRUCTION AND DEFENSE
  • Cambodia-Politics under the Khmer Rouge
  • Cambodia-Chapter 1 - Historical Setting
  • Cambodia-Airports
  • Cambodia-First Plan, 1986-90
  • Cambodia-Vietnamese Aid
  • Cambodia-The Economy
  • Cambodia-Local People's Revolutionary Committees
  • Cambodia-Austronesian
  • Cambodia-The March 1970 Coup d'Etat
  • Cambodia-The Constitution
  • Cambodia-Fisheries
  • Cambodia-Water Transportation Railroads
  • Cambodia-The Khmer People's National Liberation Front
  • Cambodia-The Economy under the Khmer Rouge, 1975-79
  • Cambodia-Handicrafts
  • Cambodia-SOCIAL STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION
  • Cambodia-Establishing Democratic Kampuchea
  • Cambodia-Taxes
  • Cambodia-Intraparty Conflict
  • Cambodia-ECONOMIC SETTING
  • Cambodia-CAMBODIA UNDER SIHANOUK, 1954-70
  • Cambodia-INDUSTRY
  • Cambodia-Other Religions
  • Cambodia-Khmer People's National Liberation Armed Forces
  • Cambodia-The Fall of Phnom Penh
  • Cambodia-Petroleum
  • Cambodia-HEALTH AND WELFARE
  • Cambodia-East Germany
  • Cambodia-The Successor State of Chenla
  • Cambodia-People's Security Service LAW ENFORCEMENT AND COUNTERSUBVERSION
  • Cambodia-Conditions of Service
  • Cambodia-Livestock
  • Cambodia-PREFACE
  • Cambodia-THE ANGKORIAN PERIOD
  • Cambodia-GEOGRAPHY
  • Cambodia-Natural Resources
  • Cambodia-THE MEDIA
  • Cambodia-The Second Indochina War, 1954-75
  • Cambodia-Democratic Kampuchea
  • Cambodia-Composition and Deployment
  • Cambodia-FOREIGN AFFAIRS
  • Cambodia-CAMBODIA
  • Cambodia-Origins of the Coalition
  • Cambodia-HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
  • Cambodia-The French Protectorate
  • Cambodia-ECONOMY
  • Cambodia-Distribution Dynamics
  • Cambodia-Revolutionary Terror
  • Cambodia-Soviet Aid
  • Cambodia-Sihanouk's Peacetime Economy, 1953-70
  • Cambodia-Public Health
  • Cambodia-Foreign Economic and Technical Assistance
  • Cambodia-The Geneva Conference
  • Cambodia-Protection under the Law
  • Cambodia-ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
  • Cambodia-Coalition Government Resistance Forces
  • Cambodia-Origins of Buddhism on the Indian Subcontinent
  • Cambodia-The Japanese Occupation, 1941-45
  • Cambodia-Social Stratification and Social Mobility
  • Cambodia-Other Groups
  • Cambodia-DOMESTIC COMMERCE
  • Cambodia-Public School System
  • Cambodia -COUNTRY PROFILE
  • Cambodia-The Time of Greatness, A.D - 802-1431
  • Cambodia-From "Proximity Talks" to a "Cocktail Party"
  • Cambodia-Early Indianized Kingdom of Funan
  • Cambodia-The Purge
  • Cambodia-PREHISTORY AND EARLY KINGDOMS
  • Cambodia-National United Front for an Independent, Peaceful, Neutral, and Cooperative Cambodia
  • Cambodia-Soviet Union
  • Cambodia-The KPRP Second Congress
  • Cambodia-The First Indochina War, 1945-54
  • Cambodia-The Council of Ministers
  • Cambodia-INTO THE MAELSTROM: INSURRECTION AND WAR, 1967-75
  • Cambodia-Vietnam
  • Cambodia-Welfare Programs
  • Cambodia-The Council of State
  • Cambodia-Collectivization and Solidarity Groups
  • Cambodia-Early Khmer Rouge Atrocities
  • Cambodia-Hydroelectric Power
  • Cambodia-Period of Decline, 1431-1863
  • Cambodia-Private Education
  • Cambodia-Poland
  • Cambodia-The Chinese
  • Cambodia-Composition of Trade
  • Cambodia-THE KAMPUCHEAN, (OR KHMER) PEOPLE'S REVOLUTIONARY PARTY
  • Cambodia-MILITARY DEVELOPMENTS IN POSTWAR CAMBODIA
  • Cambodia-THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KAMPUCHEA
  • Cambodia-The Colonial Economy
  • Cambodia-The Khmer
  • Cambodia-FOREIGN TRADE AND AID
  • Cambodia-Drainage
  • Cambodia-AGRICULTURE
  • Cambodia-Other Food and Commercial Crops
  • Cambodia-Migration and Refugees
  • Cambodia-Major Manufacturing Industries
  • Cambodia-DEMOCRATIC KAMPUCHEA, 1975-78
  • Cambodia-Domestic Developments
  • Cambodia-Cambodian Adaptations
  • Cambodia-Role of Buddhism in Cambodian Life
  • Cambodia-The Coalition's Strategy
  • Cambodia-Regional Divisions
  • Cambodia-Chapter 2 - The Society and Its Environment
  • Cambodia-Foreign Troops and Advisers
  • Cambodia-Austroasiatic-Mon-Khmer LANGUAGES
  • Cambodia-Vietnamese Invasion of Cambodia
  • Cambodia-New Economic Policy and System
  • Cambodia-THE FRENCH COLONIAL PERIOD, 1887-1953
  • Cambodia-Housing
  • Cambodia-The Vietnamese
  • Cambodia-Roads and Highways
  • Cambodia-The Widening War
  • Cambodia-Ports
  • Cambodia-Chapter 4 - Government and Politics
  • Cambodia-The French Protectorate, 1863-1954
  • Cambodia-National Army of Democratic Kampuchea
  • Cambodia-Coalition Structure
  • Cambodia-Major Trading Partners
  • Cambodia-Penal System
  • Cambodia-Dress
  • Cambodia-TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATIONS
  • Cambodia-Chinese Religion
  • Cambodia-NATIONAL SECURITY
  • Cambodia-Buddhism RELIGION
  • Cambodia
  • Cambodia-The Emergence of Nationalism
  • Cambodia-Armée Nationale Sihanoukiste
  • Cambodia-ECONOMIC ROLE OF THE KAMPUCHEAN PEOPLE'S REVOLUTIONARY PARTY
  • Cambodia-The Search for Peace
  • Cambodia-Other Ethnic Groups
  • Cambodia-The Wartime Economy, 1970-75
  • Cambodia-Climate
  • Cambodia
  • Cambodia-Threats and Capabilities
  • Cambodia
  • Cambodia-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS AFTER INDEPENDENCE
  • Cambodia-Chapter 5 - National Security
  • Cambodia-Government Structure
  • Cambodia-Khmer Rouge Armed Forces MILITARY DEVELOPMENTS UNDER THE KHMER ROUGE
  • Cambodia-POPULATION
  • Cambodia-Topography
  • Cambodia-The Judiciary
  • Cambodia-Islam
  • Cambodia-International and Western Aid
  • Cambodia-EDUCATION
  • Cambodia
  • Cambodia-Diet
  • Cambodia
  • Cambodia-GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
  • Cambodia-The Cambodian Left: The Early Phases
  • Cambodia-CAMBODIA'S STRUGGLE FOR SURVIVAL, 1432-1887
  • Cambodia-Foreword
  • Cambodia-Cambodia in Turmoil
  • Cambodia-Domination by Thailand and by Vietnam
  • Cambodia-TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATIONS
  • Cambodia-Background MAJOR POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS, 1977-81
  • Cambodia-FINANCE
  • Cambodia-Religious and Minority Communities
  • Cambodia-The Paris Student Group
  • Cambodia
  • Cambodia-Mission and Doctrine
  • Cambodia-Nonaligned Foreign Policy
  • Cambodia-Phnom Penh and Its Allies
  • Cambodia
  • Cambodia-Organization and Control
  • Cambodia-Chapter 3 - The Economy
  • Cambodia-COALITION GOVERNMENT OF DEMOCRATIC KAMPUCHEA
  • Cambodia-Labor Force
  • Cambodia-Buddhist Education
  • Cambodia
  • Cambodia-Rice Production and Cultivation
  • Cambodia-Currency Banking
  • Cambodia-Society under the Angkar
  • Cambodia
  • Cambodia-Tenuous Security
  • Cambodia-ENVIRONMENT
  • Cambodia-Education and Health
  • Cambodia-INTRODUCTION
  • Cambodia
    • BackgroundMost Cambodians consider themselves to be Khmers, descendants of the Angkor Empire that extended over much of Southeast Asia and reached its zenith between the 10th and 13th centuries. Attacks by the Thai and Cham (from present-day Vietnam) weakened the empire, ushering in a long period of decline. The king placed the country under French protection in 1863 and it became part of French Indochina in 1887. Following Japanese occupation in World War II, Cambodia gained full independence from France in 1953. In April 1975, after a five-year struggle, Communist Khmer Rouge forces captured Phnom Penh and evacuated all cities and towns. At least 1.5 million Cambodians died from execution, forced hardships, or starvation during the Khmer Rouge regime under POL POT. A December 1978 Vietnamese invasion drove the Khmer Rouge into the countryside, began a 10-year Vietnamese occupation, and touched off almost 13 years of civil war. The 1991 Paris Peace Accords mandated democratic elections and a ceasefire, which was not fully respected by the Khmer Rouge. UN-sponsored elections in 1993 helped restore some semblance of normalcy under a coalition government. Factional fighting in 1997 ended the first coalition government, but a second round of national elections in 1998 led to the formation of another coalition government and renewed political stability. The remaining elements of the Khmer Rouge surrendered in early 1999. Some of the surviving Khmer Rouge leaders are awaiting trial by a UN-sponsored tribunal for crimes against humanity. Elections in July 2003 were relatively peaceful, but it took one year of negotiations between contending political parties before a coalition government was formed. In October 2004, King Norodom SIHANOUK abdicated the throne and his son, Prince Norodom SIHAMONI, was selected to succeed him. Local elections were held in Cambodia in April 2007, and there was little in the way of pre-election violence that preceded prior elections. National elections in July 2008 were relatively peaceful.
    LocationSoutheastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, between Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos
    Area(sq km)total: 181,035 sq km
    land: 176,515 sq km
    water: 4,520 sq km
    Geographic coordinates13 00 N, 105 00 E
    Land boundaries(km)total: 2,572 km
    border countries: Laos 541 km, Thailand 803 km, Vietnam 1,228 km
    Coastline(km)443 km
    Climatetropical; rainy, monsoon season (May to November); dry season (December to April); little seasonal temperature variation
    Elevation extremes(m)lowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 m
    highest point: Phnum Aoral 1,810 m
    Natural resourcesoil and gas, timber, gemstones, iron ore, manganese, phosphates, hydropower potential
    Land use(%)arable land: 20.44%
    permanent crops: 0.59%
    other: 78.97% (2005)
    Irrigated land(sq km)2,700 sq km (2003)
    Total renewable water resources(cu km)476.1 cu km (1999)
    Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)total: 4.08 cu km/yr (1%/0%/98%)
    per capita: 290 cu m/yr (2000)
    Natural hazardsmonsoonal rains (June to November); flooding; occasional droughts
    Environment - current issuesillegal logging activities throughout the country and strip mining for gems in the western region along the border with Thailand have resulted in habitat loss and declining biodiversity (in particular, destruction of mangrove swamps threatens natural fisheries); soil erosion; in rural areas, most of the population does not have access to potable water; declining fish stocks because of illegal fishing and overfishing
    Environment - international agreementsparty to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
    signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
    Geography - notea land of paddies and forests dominated by the Mekong River and Tonle Sap
    Population14,494,293
    note: estimates for this country take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.)
    Age structure(%)0-14 years: 32.6% (male 2,388,922/female 2,336,439)
    15-64 years: 63.8% (male 4,498,568/female 4,743,677)
    65 years and over: 3.6% (male 197,649/female 329,038) (2009 est.)
    Median age(years)total: 22.1 years
    male: 21.4 years
    female: 22.8 years (2009 est.)
    Population growth rate(%)1.765% (2009 est.)
    Birth rate(births/1,000 population)25.73 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
    Death rate(deaths/1,000 population)8.08 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
    Net migration rate(migrant(s)/1,000 population)NA
    Urbanization(%)urban population: 22% of total population (2008)
    rate of urbanization: 4.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
    Sex ratio(male(s)/female)at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
    under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
    15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
    65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female
    total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
    Infant mortality rate(deaths/1,000 live births)total: 54.79 deaths/1,000 live births
    male: 61.84 deaths/1,000 live births
    female: 47.42 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
    Life expectancy at birth(years)total population: 62.1 years
    male: 60.03 years
    female: 64.27 years (2009 est.)
    Total fertility rate(children born/woman)3.04 children born/woman (2009 est.)
    Nationalitynoun: Cambodian(s)
    adjective: Cambodian
    Ethnic groups(%)Khmer 90%, Vietnamese 5%, Chinese 1%, other 4%
    Religions(%)Buddhist 96.4%, Muslim 2.1%, other 1.3%, unspecified 0.2% (1998 census)
    Languages(%)Khmer (official) 95%, French, English
    Country nameconventional long form: Kingdom of Cambodia
    conventional short form: Cambodia
    local long form: Preahreacheanachakr Kampuchea (phonetic pronunciation)
    local short form: Kampuchea
    former: Khmer Republic, Democratic Kampuchea, People's Republic of Kampuchea, State of Cambodia
    Government typemultiparty democracy under a constitutional monarchy
    Capitalname: Phnom Penh
    geographic coordinates: 11 33 N, 104 55 E
    time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
    Administrative divisions23 provinces (khett, singular and plural) and 1 municipality (krong, singular and plural)
    provinces: Banteay Mean Cheay, Batdambang, Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Spoe, Kampong Thum, Kampot, Kandal, Kaoh Kong, Keb, Krachen, Mondol Kiri, Otdar Mean Cheay, Pailin, Pouthisat, Preah Seihanu (Sihanoukville), Preah Vihear, Prey Veng, Rotanah Kiri, Siem Reab, Stoeng Treng, Svay Rieng, Takev
    municipalities: Phnum Penh (Phnom Penh)
    Constitutionpromulgated 21 September 1993
    Legal systemprimarily a civil law mixture of French-influenced codes from the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) period, royal decrees, and acts of the legislature, with influences of customary law and remnants of communist legal theory; increasing influence of common law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
    Suffrage18 years of age; universal
    Executive branchchief of state: King Norodom SIHAMONI (since 29 October 2004)
    head of government: Prime Minister HUN SEN (since 14 January 1985) [co-prime minister from 1993 to 1997]; Permanent Deputy Prime Minister MEN SAM AN (since 25 September 2008); Deputy Prime Ministers SAR KHENG (since 3 February 1992); SOK AN, TEA BANH, HOR NAMHONG, NHEK BUNCHHAY (since 16 July 2004); BIN CHHIN (since 5 September 2007); KEAT CHHON, YIM CHHAI LY (since 24 September 2008); KE KIMYAN (since 12 March 2009)
    cabinet: Council of Ministers named by the prime minister and appointed by the monarch
    elections: the king is chosen by a Royal Throne Council from among all eligible males of royal descent; following legislative elections, a member of the majority party or majority coalition is named prime minister by the Chairman of the National Assembly and appointed by the king
    Legislative branchbicameral, consists of the Senate (61 seats; 2 members appointed by the monarch, 2 elected by the National Assembly, and 57 elected by parliamentarians and commune councils; members serve five-year terms) and the National Assembly (123 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
    elections: Senate - last held 22 January 2006 (next to be held in January 2011); National Assembly - last held 27 July 2008 (next to be held in July 2013)
    election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - CPP 69%, FUNCINPEC 21%, SRP 10%; seats by party - CPP 45, FUNCINPEC 10, SRP 2; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - CPP 58%, SRP 22%, HRP 7%; NRP 6%; FUNCINPEC 5%; others 2%; seats by party - CPP 90, SRP 26, HRP 3, FUNCINPEC 2, NRP 2
    Judicial branchSupreme Council of the Magistracy (provided for in the constitution and formed in December 1997); Supreme Court (and lower courts) exercises judicial authority
    Political pressure groups and leadersCambodian Freedom Fighters or CFF; Partnership for Transparency Fund or PTF (anti-corruption organization); Students Movement for Democracy; The Committee for Free and Fair Elections or Comfrel
    other: human rights organizations; vendors
    International organization participationACCT, ADB, APT, ARF, ASEAN, EAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (subscriber), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
    Flag descriptionthree horizontal bands of blue (top), red (double width), and blue with a white three-towered temple representing Angkor Wat outlined in black in the center of the red band
    note: only national flag to incorporate an actual building in its design
    Economy - overviewFrom 2004 to 2007, the economy grew about 10% per year, driven largely by an expansion in the garment sector, construction, agriculture, and tourism. Growth dropped to below 7% in 2008 as a result of the global economic slowdown. With the January 2005 expiration of a WTO Agreement on Textiles and Clothing, Cambodian textile producers were forced to compete directly with lower-priced countries such as China, India, Vietnam, and Bangladesh. The garment industry currently employs more than 320,000 people and contributes more than 85% of Cambodia's exports. In 2005, exploitable oil deposits were found beneath Cambodia's territorial waters, representing a new revenue stream for the government if commercial extraction begins. Mining also is attracting significant investor interest, particularly in the northern parts of the country. The government has said opportunities exist for mining bauxite, gold, iron and gems. In 2006, a US-Cambodia bilateral Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) was signed, and several rounds of discussions have been held since 2007. The tourism industry has continued to grow rapidly, with foreign arrivals exceeding 2 million per year in 2007-08, however, economic troubles abroad will dampen growth in 2009. Rubber exports declined more than 15% in 2008 due to falling world market prices. The global financial crisis is weakening demand for Cambodian exports, and construction is declining due to a shortage of credit. The long-term development of the economy remains a daunting challenge. The Cambodian government is working with bilateral and multilateral donors, including the World Bank and IMF, to address the country's many pressing needs. The major economic challenge for Cambodia over the next decade will be fashioning an economic environment in which the private sector can create enough jobs to handle Cambodia's demographic imbalance. More than 50% of the population is less than 21 years old. The population lacks education and productive skills, particularly in the poverty-ridden countryside, which suffers from an almost total lack of basic infrastructure.
    GDP (purchasing power parity)$28.01 billion (2008 est.)
    $26.67 billion (2007 est.)
    $24.2 billion (2006 est.)
    note: data are in 2008 US dollars
    GDP (official exchange rate)$11.25 billion (2008 est.)
    GDP - real growth rate(%)5% (2008 est.)
    10.2% (2007 est.)
    10.8% (2006 est.)
    GDP - per capita (PPP)$2,000 (2008 est.)
    $1,900 (2007 est.)
    $1,800 (2006 est.)
    note: data are in 2008 US dollars
    GDP - composition by sector(%)agriculture: 29%
    industry: 30%
    services: 41% (2007 est.)
    Labor force8.6 million (2008 est.)
    Labor force - by occupation(%)agriculture: 75%
    industry: NA%
    services: NA% (2004 est.)
    Unemployment rate(%)3.5% (2007 est.)
    2.5% (2000 est.)
    Population below poverty line(%)35% (2004)
    Household income or consumption by percentage share(%)lowest 10%: 3%
    highest 10%: 34.2% (2007)
    Distribution of family income - Gini index43 (2007 est.)
    40 (2004 est.)
    Investment (gross fixed)(% of GDP)22.4% of GDP (2008 est.)
    Budgetrevenues: $1.274 billion
    expenditures: $1.592 billion (2008 est.)
    Inflation rate (consumer prices)(%)25% (2008 est.)
    5.9% (2007 est.)
    Stock of money$591.7 million (31 December 2008)
    $513.6 million (31 December 2007)
    Stock of quasi money$2.328 billion (31 December 2008)
    $2.309 billion (31 December 2007)
    Stock of domestic credit$1.67 billion (31 December 2008)
    $1.131 billion (31 December 2007)
    Market value of publicly traded shares$NA
    Economic aid - recipient$698.2 million pledged in grants and concession loans for 2007 by international donors (2007)
    Agriculture - productsrice, rubber, corn, vegetables, cashews, tapioca, silk
    Industriestourism, garments, construction, rice milling, fishing, wood and wood products, rubber, cement, gem mining, textiles
    Industrial production growth rate(%)8% (2008 est.)
    Current account balance-$1.06 billion (2008 est.)
    -$506.3 million (2007 est.)
    Exports$4.708 billion (2008 est.)
    $4.089 billion (2007 est.)
    Exports - commodities(%)clothing, timber, rubber, rice, fish, tobacco, footwear
    Exports - partners(%)US 54.4%, Germany 7.7%, Canada 5.9%, UK 5.5%, Vietnam 4.5% (2008)
    Imports$6.534 billion (2008 est.)
    $5.424 billion (2007 est.)
    Imports - commodities(%)petroleum products, cigarettes, gold, construction materials, machinery, motor vehicles, pharmaceutical products
    Imports - partners(%)Thailand 26.8%, Vietnam 19%, China 14.5%, Hong Kong 8.1%, Singapore 6.9% (2008)
    Reserves of foreign exchange and gold$2.641 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
    $2.143 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
    Debt - external$4.127 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
    $3.89 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
    Exchange ratesriels (KHR) per US dollar - 4,070.94 (2008 est.), 4,006 (2007), 4,103 (2006), 4,092.5 (2005), 4,016.25 (2004)
    Currency (code)riel (KHR)
    Telephones - main lines in use45,100 (2008)
    Telephones - mobile cellular4.237 million (2008)
    Telephone systemgeneral assessment: mobile-phone systems are widely used in urban areas to bypass deficiencies in the fixed-line network; fixed-line connections stand at well less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage, aided by increasing competition among service providers, is increasing and stands at 30 per 100 persons
    domestic: adequate landline and/or cellular service in Phnom Penh and other provincial cities; mobile-phone coverage is rapidly expanding in rural areas
    international: country code - 855; adequate but expensive landline and cellular service available to all countries from Phnom Penh and major provincial cities; satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region) (2008)
    Internet country code.kh
    Internet users74,000 (2008)
    Airports17 (2009)
    Roadways(km)total: 38,093 km
    paved: 2,977 km
    unpaved: 35,116 km (2007)
    Ports and terminalsPhnom Penh, Kampong Saom (Sihanoukville)
    Military branchesRoyal Cambodian Armed Forces: Royal Cambodian Army, Royal Khmer Navy, Royal Cambodian Air Force (2009)
    Military service age and obligation(years of age)conscription law of October 2006 requires all males between 18-30 to register for military service; 18-month service obligation (2006)
    Manpower available for military servicemales age 16-49: 3,759,034
    females age 16-49: 3,784,333 (2008 est.)
    Manpower fit for military servicemales age 16-49: 2,673,383
    females age 16-49: 2,763,256 (2009 est.)
    Manpower reaching militarily significant age annuallymale: 177,881
    female: 175,332 (2009 est.)
    Military expenditures(% of GDP)3% of GDP (2005 est.)
    Disputes - internationalCambodia and Thailand dispute sections of boundary with missing boundary markers and claims of Thai encroachments into Cambodian territory; maritime boundary with Vietnam is hampered by unresolved dispute over sovereignty of offshore islands; Thailand accuses Cambodia of obstructing inclusion of Thai areas near Preah Vihear temple ruins, awarded to Cambodia by ICJ decision in 1962, as part of a planned UN World Heritage site
    Electricity - production(kWh)1.273 billion kWh (2007 est.)
    Electricity - production by source(%)fossil fuel: 65%
    hydro: 35%
    nuclear: 0%
    other: 0% (2001)
    Electricity - consumption(kWh)1.272 billion kWh (2007 est.)
    Electricity - exports(kWh)0 kWh (2008 est.)
    Electricity - imports(kWh)167 million kWh (2007 est.)
    Oil - production(bbl/day)0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
    Oil - consumption(bbl/day)4,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
    Oil - exports(bbl/day)0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
    Oil - imports(bbl/day)30,970 bbl/day (2007 est.)
    Oil - proved reserves(bbl)0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
    Natural gas - production(cu m)0 cu m (2008 est.)
    Natural gas - consumption(cu m)0 cu m (2008 est.)
    Natural gas - exports(cu m)0 cu m (2008)
    Natural gas - proved reserves(cu m)0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
    HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate(%)0.8% (2007 est.)
    HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS75,000 (2007 est.)
    HIV/AIDS - deaths6,900 (2007 est.)
    Major infectious diseasesdegree of risk: very high
    food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
    vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, and malaria
    note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009)
    Literacy(%)definition: age 15 and over can read and write
    total population: 73.6%
    male: 84.7%
    female: 64.1% (2004 est.)
    School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)(years)total: 10 years
    male: 10 years
    female: 9 years (2006)
    Education expenditures(% of GDP)1.7% of GDP (2004)
    BackgroundMost Cambodians consider themselves to be Khmers, descendants of the Angkor Empire that extended over much of Southeast Asia and reached its zenith between the 10th and 13th centuries. Attacks by the Thai and Cham (from present-day Vietnam) weakened the empire, ushering in a long period of decline. The king placed the country under French protection in 1863 and it became part of French Indochina in 1887. Following Japanese occupation in World War II, Cambodia gained full independence from France in 1953. In April 1975, after a five-year struggle, Communist Khmer Rouge forces captured Phnom Penh and evacuated all cities and towns. At least 1.5 million Cambodians died from execution, forced hardships, or starvation during the Khmer Rouge regime under POL POT. A December 1978 Vietnamese invasion drove the Khmer Rouge into the countryside, began a 10-year Vietnamese occupation, and touched off almost 13 years of civil war. The 1991 Paris Peace Accords mandated democratic elections and a ceasefire, which was not fully respected by the Khmer Rouge. UN-sponsored elections in 1993 helped restore some semblance of normalcy under a coalition government. Factional fighting in 1997 ended the first coalition government, but a second round of national elections in 1998 led to the formation of another coalition government and renewed political stability. The remaining elements of the Khmer Rouge surrendered in early 1999. Some of the surviving Khmer Rouge leaders are awaiting trial by a UN-sponsored tribunal for crimes against humanity. Elections in July 2003 were relatively peaceful, but it took one year of negotiations between contending political parties before a coalition government was formed. In October 2004, King Norodom SIHANOUK abdicated the throne and his son, Prince Norodom SIHAMONI, was selected to succeed him. Local elections were held in Cambodia in April 2007, and there was little in the way of pre-election violence that preceded prior elections. National elections in July 2008 were relatively peaceful.
    LocationSoutheastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, between Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos
    Area(sq km)total: 181,035 sq km
    land: 176,515 sq km
    water: 4,520 sq km
    Geographic coordinates13 00 N, 105 00 E
    Land boundaries(km)total: 2,572 km
    border countries: Laos 541 km, Thailand 803 km, Vietnam 1,228 km
    Coastline(km)443 km
    Climatetropical; rainy, monsoon season (May to November); dry season (December to April); little seasonal temperature variation
    Elevation extremes(m)lowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 m
    highest point: Phnum Aoral 1,810 m
    Natural resourcesoil and gas, timber, gemstones, iron ore, manganese, phosphates, hydropower potential
    Land use(%)arable land: 20.44%
    permanent crops: 0.59%
    other: 78.97% (2005)
    Irrigated land(sq km)2,700 sq km (2003)
    Total renewable water resources(cu km)476.1 cu km (1999)
    Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)total: 4.08 cu km/yr (1%/0%/98%)
    per capita: 290 cu m/yr (2000)
    Natural hazardsmonsoonal rains (June to November); flooding; occasional droughts
    Environment - current issuesillegal logging activities throughout the country and strip mining for gems in the western region along the border with Thailand have resulted in habitat loss and declining biodiversity (in particular, destruction of mangrove swamps threatens natural fisheries); soil erosion; in rural areas, most of the population does not have access to potable water; declining fish stocks because of illegal fishing and overfishing
    Environment - international agreementsparty to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
    signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
    Geography - notea land of paddies and forests dominated by the Mekong River and Tonle Sap
    Population14,494,293
    note: estimates for this country take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.)
    Age structure(%)0-14 years: 32.6% (male 2,388,922/female 2,336,439)
    15-64 years: 63.8% (male 4,498,568/female 4,743,677)
    65 years and over: 3.6% (male 197,649/female 329,038) (2009 est.)
    Median age(years)total: 22.1 years
    male: 21.4 years
    female: 22.8 years (2009 est.)
    Population growth rate(%)1.765% (2009 est.)
    Birth rate(births/1,000 population)25.73 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
    Death rate(deaths/1,000 population)8.08 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
    Net migration rate(migrant(s)/1,000 population)NA
    Urbanization(%)urban population: 22% of total population (2008)
    rate of urbanization: 4.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
    Sex ratio(male(s)/female)at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
    under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
    15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
    65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female
    total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
    Infant mortality rate(deaths/1,000 live births)total: 54.79 deaths/1,000 live births
    male: 61.84 deaths/1,000 live births
    female: 47.42 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
    Life expectancy at birth(years)total population: 62.1 years
    male: 60.03 years
    female: 64.27 years (2009 est.)
    Total fertility rate(children born/woman)3.04 children born/woman (2009 est.)
    Nationalitynoun: Cambodian(s)
    adjective: Cambodian
    Ethnic groups(%)Khmer 90%, Vietnamese 5%, Chinese 1%, other 4%
    Religions(%)Buddhist 96.4%, Muslim 2.1%, other 1.3%, unspecified 0.2% (1998 census)
    Languages(%)Khmer (official) 95%, French, English
    Country nameconventional long form: Kingdom of Cambodia
    conventional short form: Cambodia
    local long form: Preahreacheanachakr Kampuchea (phonetic pronunciation)
    local short form: Kampuchea
    former: Khmer Republic, Democratic Kampuchea, People's Republic of Kampuchea, State of Cambodia
    Government typemultiparty democracy under a constitutional monarchy
    Capitalname: Phnom Penh
    geographic coordinates: 11 33 N, 104 55 E
    time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
    Administrative divisions23 provinces (khett, singular and plural) and 1 municipality (krong, singular and plural)
    provinces: Banteay Mean Cheay, Batdambang, Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Spoe, Kampong Thum, Kampot, Kandal, Kaoh Kong, Keb, Krachen, Mondol Kiri, Otdar Mean Cheay, Pailin, Pouthisat, Preah Seihanu (Sihanoukville), Preah Vihear, Prey Veng, Rotanah Kiri, Siem Reab, Stoeng Treng, Svay Rieng, Takev
    municipalities: Phnum Penh (Phnom Penh)
    Constitutionpromulgated 21 September 1993
    Legal systemprimarily a civil law mixture of French-influenced codes from the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) period, royal decrees, and acts of the legislature, with influences of customary law and remnants of communist legal theory; increasing influence of common law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
    Suffrage18 years of age; universal
    Executive branchchief of state: King Norodom SIHAMONI (since 29 October 2004)
    head of government: Prime Minister HUN SEN (since 14 January 1985) [co-prime minister from 1993 to 1997]; Permanent Deputy Prime Minister MEN SAM AN (since 25 September 2008); Deputy Prime Ministers SAR KHENG (since 3 February 1992); SOK AN, TEA BANH, HOR NAMHONG, NHEK BUNCHHAY (since 16 July 2004); BIN CHHIN (since 5 September 2007); KEAT CHHON, YIM CHHAI LY (since 24 September 2008); KE KIMYAN (since 12 March 2009)
    cabinet: Council of Ministers named by the prime minister and appointed by the monarch
    elections: the king is chosen by a Royal Throne Council from among all eligible males of royal descent; following legislative elections, a member of the majority party or majority coalition is named prime minister by the Chairman of the National Assembly and appointed by the king
    Legislative branchbicameral, consists of the Senate (61 seats; 2 members appointed by the monarch, 2 elected by the National Assembly, and 57 elected by parliamentarians and commune councils; members serve five-year terms) and the National Assembly (123 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
    elections: Senate - last held 22 January 2006 (next to be held in January 2011); National Assembly - last held 27 July 2008 (next to be held in July 2013)
    election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - CPP 69%, FUNCINPEC 21%, SRP 10%; seats by party - CPP 45, FUNCINPEC 10, SRP 2; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - CPP 58%, SRP 22%, HRP 7%; NRP 6%; FUNCINPEC 5%; others 2%; seats by party - CPP 90, SRP 26, HRP 3, FUNCINPEC 2, NRP 2
    Judicial branchSupreme Council of the Magistracy (provided for in the constitution and formed in December 1997); Supreme Court (and lower courts) exercises judicial authority
    Political pressure groups and leadersCambodian Freedom Fighters or CFF; Partnership for Transparency Fund or PTF (anti-corruption organization); Students Movement for Democracy; The Committee for Free and Fair Elections or Comfrel
    other: human rights organizations; vendors
    International organization participationACCT, ADB, APT, ARF, ASEAN, EAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (subscriber), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
    Flag descriptionthree horizontal bands of blue (top), red (double width), and blue with a white three-towered temple representing Angkor Wat outlined in black in the center of the red band
    note: only national flag to incorporate an actual building in its design
    Economy - overviewFrom 2004 to 2007, the economy grew about 10% per year, driven largely by an expansion in the garment sector, construction, agriculture, and tourism. Growth dropped to below 7% in 2008 as a result of the global economic slowdown. With the January 2005 expiration of a WTO Agreement on Textiles and Clothing, Cambodian textile producers were forced to compete directly with lower-priced countries such as China, India, Vietnam, and Bangladesh. The garment industry currently employs more than 320,000 people and contributes more than 85% of Cambodia's exports. In 2005, exploitable oil deposits were found beneath Cambodia's territorial waters, representing a new revenue stream for the government if commercial extraction begins. Mining also is attracting significant investor interest, particularly in the northern parts of the country. The government has said opportunities exist for mining bauxite, gold, iron and gems. In 2006, a US-Cambodia bilateral Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) was signed, and several rounds of discussions have been held since 2007. The tourism industry has continued to grow rapidly, with foreign arrivals exceeding 2 million per year in 2007-08, however, economic troubles abroad will dampen growth in 2009. Rubber exports declined more than 15% in 2008 due to falling world market prices. The global financial crisis is weakening demand for Cambodian exports, and construction is declining due to a shortage of credit. The long-term development of the economy remains a daunting challenge. The Cambodian government is working with bilateral and multilateral donors, including the World Bank and IMF, to address the country's many pressing needs. The major economic challenge for Cambodia over the next decade will be fashioning an economic environment in which the private sector can create enough jobs to handle Cambodia's demographic imbalance. More than 50% of the population is less than 21 years old. The population lacks education and productive skills, particularly in the poverty-ridden countryside, which suffers from an almost total lack of basic infrastructure.
    GDP (purchasing power parity)$28.01 billion (2008 est.)
    $26.67 billion (2007 est.)
    $24.2 billion (2006 est.)
    note: data are in 2008 US dollars
    GDP (official exchange rate)$11.25 billion (2008 est.)
    GDP - real growth rate(%)5% (2008 est.)
    10.2% (2007 est.)
    10.8% (2006 est.)
    GDP - per capita (PPP)$2,000 (2008 est.)
    $1,900 (2007 est.)
    $1,800 (2006 est.)
    note: data are in 2008 US dollars
    GDP - composition by sector(%)agriculture: 29%
    industry: 30%
    services: 41% (2007 est.)
    Labor force8.6 million (2008 est.)
    Labor force - by occupation(%)agriculture: 75%
    industry: NA%
    services: NA% (2004 est.)
    Unemployment rate(%)3.5% (2007 est.)
    2.5% (2000 est.)
    Population below poverty line(%)35% (2004)
    Household income or consumption by percentage share(%)lowest 10%: 3%
    highest 10%: 34.2% (2007)
    Distribution of family income - Gini index43 (2007 est.)
    40 (2004 est.)
    Investment (gross fixed)(% of GDP)22.4% of GDP (2008 est.)
    Budgetrevenues: $1.274 billion
    expenditures: $1.592 billion (2008 est.)
    Inflation rate (consumer prices)(%)25% (2008 est.)
    5.9% (2007 est.)
    Stock of money$591.7 million (31 December 2008)
    $513.6 million (31 December 2007)
    Stock of quasi money$2.328 billion (31 December 2008)
    $2.309 billion (31 December 2007)
    Stock of domestic credit$1.67 billion (31 December 2008)
    $1.131 billion (31 December 2007)
    Market value of publicly traded shares$NA
    Economic aid - recipient$698.2 million pledged in grants and concession loans for 2007 by international donors (2007)
    Agriculture - productsrice, rubber, corn, vegetables, cashews, tapioca, silk
    Industriestourism, garments, construction, rice milling, fishing, wood and wood products, rubber, cement, gem mining, textiles
    Industrial production growth rate(%)8% (2008 est.)
    Current account balance-$1.06 billion (2008 est.)
    -$506.3 million (2007 est.)
    Exports$4.708 billion (2008 est.)
    $4.089 billion (2007 est.)
    Exports - commodities(%)clothing, timber, rubber, rice, fish, tobacco, footwear
    Exports - partners(%)US 54.4%, Germany 7.7%, Canada 5.9%, UK 5.5%, Vietnam 4.5% (2008)
    Imports$6.534 billion (2008 est.)
    $5.424 billion (2007 est.)
    Imports - commodities(%)petroleum products, cigarettes, gold, construction materials, machinery, motor vehicles, pharmaceutical products
    Imports - partners(%)Thailand 26.8%, Vietnam 19%, China 14.5%, Hong Kong 8.1%, Singapore 6.9% (2008)
    Reserves of foreign exchange and gold$2.641 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
    $2.143 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
    Debt - external$4.127 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
    $3.89 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
    Exchange ratesriels (KHR) per US dollar - 4,070.94 (2008 est.), 4,006 (2007), 4,103 (2006), 4,092.5 (2005), 4,016.25 (2004)
    Currency (code)riel (KHR)
    Telephones - main lines in use45,100 (2008)
    Telephones - mobile cellular4.237 million (2008)
    Telephone systemgeneral assessment: mobile-phone systems are widely used in urban areas to bypass deficiencies in the fixed-line network; fixed-line connections stand at well less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage, aided by increasing competition among service providers, is increasing and stands at 30 per 100 persons
    domestic: adequate landline and/or cellular service in Phnom Penh and other provincial cities; mobile-phone coverage is rapidly expanding in rural areas
    international: country code - 855; adequate but expensive landline and cellular service available to all countries from Phnom Penh and major provincial cities; satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region) (2008)
    Internet country code.kh
    Internet users74,000 (2008)
    Airports17 (2009)
    Roadways(km)total: 38,093 km
    paved: 2,977 km
    unpaved: 35,116 km (2007)
    Ports and terminalsPhnom Penh, Kampong Saom (Sihanoukville)
    Military branchesRoyal Cambodian Armed Forces: Royal Cambodian Army, Royal Khmer Navy, Royal Cambodian Air Force (2009)
    Military service age and obligation(years of age)conscription law of October 2006 requires all males between 18-30 to register for military service; 18-month service obligation (2006)
    Manpower available for military servicemales age 16-49: 3,759,034
    females age 16-49: 3,784,333 (2008 est.)
    Manpower fit for military servicemales age 16-49: 2,673,383
    females age 16-49: 2,763,256 (2009 est.)
    Manpower reaching militarily significant age annuallymale: 177,881
    female: 175,332 (2009 est.)
    Military expenditures(% of GDP)3% of GDP (2005 est.)
    Disputes - internationalCambodia and Thailand dispute sections of boundary with missing boundary markers and claims of Thai encroachments into Cambodian territory; maritime boundary with Vietnam is hampered by unresolved dispute over sovereignty of offshore islands; Thailand accuses Cambodia of obstructing inclusion of Thai areas near Preah Vihear temple ruins, awarded to Cambodia by ICJ decision in 1962, as part of a planned UN World Heritage site
    Electricity - production(kWh)1.273 billion kWh (2007 est.)
    Electricity - production by source(%)fossil fuel: 65%
    hydro: 35%
    nuclear: 0%
    other: 0% (2001)
    Electricity - consumption(kWh)1.272 billion kWh (2007 est.)
    Electricity - exports(kWh)0 kWh (2008 est.)
    Electricity - imports(kWh)167 million kWh (2007 est.)
    Oil - production(bbl/day)0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
    Oil - consumption(bbl/day)4,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
    Oil - exports(bbl/day)0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
    Oil - imports(bbl/day)30,970 bbl/day (2007 est.)
    Oil - proved reserves(bbl)0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
    Natural gas - production(cu m)0 cu m (2008 est.)
    Natural gas - consumption(cu m)0 cu m (2008 est.)
    Natural gas - exports(cu m)0 cu m (2008)
    Natural gas - proved reserves(cu m)0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
    HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate(%)0.8% (2007 est.)
    HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS75,000 (2007 est.)
    HIV/AIDS - deaths6,900 (2007 est.)
    Major infectious diseasesdegree of risk: very high
    food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
    vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, and malaria
    note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009)
    Literacy(%)definition: age 15 and over can read and write
    total population: 73.6%
    male: 84.7%
    female: 64.1% (2004 est.)
    School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)(years)total: 10 years
    male: 10 years
    female: 9 years (2006)
    Education expenditures(% of GDP)1.7% of GDP (2004)








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