Country explorer: Cambodia
EXPERIMENTAL
2024
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Overview
Cambodia is a turbulent, lower-middle-income country in Southeast Asia with a medium-sized population. Its economy has grown very rapidly in recent decades, and is based on textile industry, tourism and agriculture.
Cambodia is home to the famous Angkor Wat, one of the largest religious monuments in the world.
Economy
Cambodia has experienced marked economic growth, as evidenced by a significant increase in GDP per capita and consistently low unemployment rates, distinguishing it as one of the lower-middle-income countries with robust economic development amidst its regional peers.
Demographics
Cambodia has experienced significant demographic changes, evidenced by a gradual increase in population, a decrease in fertility rates from 3.8 to around 2.3 children per woman, a slowing net migration rate, and a notable improvement in life expectancy from approximately 58.6 years to over 69 years, indicating an overall enhancement in health and living conditions, in line with trends observed in other lower-middle-income countries.
Basic needs
Cambodia has seen remarkable improvements in access to clean cooking fuels, electricity, and safe drinking water and sanitation, aligning its progress with many lower-middle-income countries, yet continuing to work on closing the gap to reach higher regional standards like those seen in Vietnam.
Human development
Cambodia has made significant strides in human development, as evidenced by improvements across key indicators such as a rising Human Development Index, a declining child mortality rate, and increasing literacy rates, positioning it as a nation on a positive developmental trajectory, similar to its Southeast Asian peers but notable for its rapid progress from a low base.
Environment & energy
Cambodia has seen significant environmental changes, highlighted by a marked reduction in forest area and per capita freshwater resources, alongside an increase in per capita CO₂ emissions and substantial shifts towards the adoption of renewable energy sources, reflecting a complex interplay between economic development, environmental degradation, and efforts towards sustainability.
Technology & innovation
Cambodia has shown promising growth in technology and innovation, evident from increasing internet usage, mobile phone subscriptions, and scientific outputs, reflecting a digitally evolving society akin to its regional counterparts yet distinct in its leapfrogging development trajectory in telecommunications.
Culture & society
Cambodia has experienced gradual societal transformation, characterized by modestly decreasing age dependency ratios, a notable decline in gender inequality, a gradual increase in self-reported life satisfaction, and a consistent low percentage of the population born in another country, highlighting trends toward improving wellness and gender equity within a relatively homogenous national demographic.
Governance
Cambodia has experienced a decline in the rule of law, persistent issues with corruption, and significant restrictions on political civil liberties and press freedom, trends which position it distinctively among its Southeast Asian peers by demonstrating more pronounced challenges in governance and democratic practices.