Cambodia

Today, both tourism and manufacturing are thriving in Cambodia. The country is emerging as a popular travel destination in Asia, while the garment industry constitutes the largest part of its manufacturing sector, accounting for 80% of the nation’s exports. 

Cambodia

Quick Facts

181,040 sq km

Sqm land area

17.1% in GDP

Contribution of agriculture (2023)

36.64%

% of labor force in agriculture (2022)

  • Background
  • Language
  • Geographic Profile
  • Demographic Profile
  • Economic Profile
  • Main Products
  • Industry Profile
  • Current Concerns
  • Important Agricultural-related Policies and Legislations

Other South East Asian Countries

Background

Today, both tourism and manufacturing are thriving in Cambodia. The country is emerging as a popular travel destination in Asia, while the garment industry constitutes the largest part of its manufacturing sector, accounting for 80% of the nation’s exports. 

However, poverty remains widespread in rural areas. Cambodians are known for their pride and strong work ethic, doing whatever it takes to make ends meet. Despite their efforts, many families in these regions earn less than $2 per day, making it difficult to build their own drinking water wells or afford uniforms for their children to attend school. 

Language

Khmer is a major language of the Mon-Khmer subfamily within the Austroasiatic family, spoken by nearly all people in Cambodia, including the Cham-Malay. Historically, some Cambodians spoke Vietnamese and Chinese. The Katu, Mnong, and Stieng speak Mon-Khmer languages, while the Jarai and Rhadé speak Austronesian languages.

Geographic Profile

Area (2022)
  • Land area – 176,520 sq. km
  • Water area – 4,520 sq. km
  • Forest area – 77,569.9 sq. km
Temperature and Climate

Cambodia’s climate is shaped by monsoon winds, resulting in two main seasons. The southwest monsoon from mid-May to early October brings heavy rains and high humidity, while the northeast monsoon from early November to mid-March is drier with lower humidity and infrequent rain. Temperatures range from about 82–83 °F (28 °C) in January to around 95 °F (35 °C) in April. Annual precipitation varies significantly, exceeding 200 inches (5,000 mm) in the southwestern highlands and reaching about 50–55 inches (1,270–1,400 mm) in the central lowlands, with three-fourths of rainfall occurring during the southwest monsoon.

Agricultural Land Area
  • 6,0991 sq. km (2021)

Demographic Profile

Race and Ethnicity
  • 1% Chinese
  • 3% Vietnamese
  • 5% Others
  • 91% Khmer
Religion
  • 0.80% Animism
  • 0.40%Christianity
  • 1.91%Islam
  • 96.89% Buddhism
Polpulation

In 2023, Cambodia had a population of 17,423,880 with 1.3% annual population growth

Economic Profile

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

In 2024, Cambodia had a US$35.72 Billion with US$2,071 GDP per capita and 6.6% GDP growth at constant prices.

In 2023, Cambodia had a US$42.34 Billion GDP with a US$2,429.7 GDP per capita and 5% annual GDP growth.

Sector Contributions to GDP (2021)
  • 38.5% – industrial
  • 37% – service
  • 24.4% – agricultural
Employment

In 2024, the country’s total labor force is total of 9,903,822 with 0.2% of unemployment.

Agricultural Workforce

In 2020, the percentage of agricultural labor stood at 35.5%. This marks a decline from 41.5% in 2015, largely due to the increasing mechanization in agriculture, which has replaced many agricultural jobs. By 2020, more than 99% of farmland work was done using agricultural machinery, and about 85% of rice harvesting was also performed mechanically.

Inflation

In 2024, 2.5% annual inflation

In 2023, 2.1% annual inflation

Key Economic Sectors

Agricultural Products

In the first half of 2024, Cambodia exported over 6.13 million tons of agricultural products, a 57% increase from the same period in 2023, with earnings surpassing $2.8 billion. Key exports included milled rice, paddy rice, cassava, cashew nuts, corn, fresh mangoes, longan, and pepper, reaching 80 countries.

Non-rice products accounted for over 3.86 million tons and $2.1 billion in earnings. While milled and paddy rice exports grew, products like dried cassava and fresh bananas saw declines. Although pest threats were reported, their impact on production was considered limited by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF).

The government aims to enhance food security, reduce production costs, and improve agricultural product quality. To support the sector, agricultural products have been exempted from additional taxes. In the previous year, Cambodia exported 8.82 million tons of agricultural products, earning nearly $5 billion.

Natural Resources

Cambodia is rich in natural resources, thanks to its diverse geography of mountains, forests, rivers, and coastlines. Key resources include forests, minerals, agricultural land, water, wildlife, energy sources, and fisheries. These resources support various industries like timber production, mining, agriculture, tourism, and energy, while also enhancing the well-being and cultural identity of the Cambodian people.

Trade Profile

Total Trade

In January 2025, Cambodia’s total international trade reached over US$5 billion, a nearly 25% increase from January 2024. Exports accounted for about 45% of this total, valued at approximately US$2.306 billion (up 17.3%), while imports rose by 31.6% to US$2.751 billion. The trade balance showed a deficit of US$444.21 million, significantly larger than the US$123.09 million deficit in January 2024.

Imports

Top Imported Products (2023)
1. Mineral fuels, oil, and distillation products (US$ 3.39 Billion)
2. Knitted or crocheted fabric (US$ 2.60 Billion)
3. Electrical and electronic equipment (US$ 1.58 Billion)

Top Import Partners (2023)
1. China (56%)
2. Vietnam (18.8%)
3. Thailand (15.1%)

Agricultural Imports (2023)
1. Cotton (US$ 561.99 Million)
2. Rubbers (US$ 303.59 Million)
3. Wood and wood charcoal (US$ 280.47 Million)

Exports

Top Exported Products
1. Apparel, knit or crocheted (US$ 5.48 Billion)
2. Electrical and electronic equipment (US$ 3.13 Billion)
3. Cereals (US$ 1.91 Billion)

Top Export Partners
1. United States (63.7%)
2. Vietnam (11.1%)
3. China (10.6%)

Agricultural Exports
1. Rice (US$1.89 Million)
2. Cassava (US$689 Million)
3. Rubber (US$595 Million)

Explore Southeast Asia's agricultural landscapes

Southeast Asia feeds the world through agriculture that transforms lives across the region.