Cambodia

Broadcast media

mixture of state-owned, joint public-private, and privately-owned broadcast media; 9 TV broadcast stations with most operating on multiple channels, including 1 state-operated station broadcasting from multiple locations, 6 stations either jointly operated or privately-owned with some broadcasting from several locations, and 2 TV relay stations - one relaying a French TV station and the other relaying a Vietnamese TV station; multi-channel cable and satellite systems are available; roughly 50 radio broadcast stations - 1 state-owned broadcaster with multiple stations and a large mixture of public and private broadcasters; several international broadcasters are available (2009)

Internet country code

.kh

Internet hosts

13,784 (2012) country comparison to the world: 129

Internet users

78,500 (2009) country comparison to the world: 167

Telephone system

general assessment: adequate fixed-line and/or cellular service in Phnom Penh and other provincial cities; mobile-cellular phone systems are widely used in urban areas to bypass deficiencies in the fixed-line network; mobile-phone coverage is rapidly expanding in rural areas domestic: fixed-line connections stand at about 4 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage, aided by competition among service providers, is increasing rapidly and stands at 92 per 100 persons 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) (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

530,000 (2011) country comparison to the world: 95

Telephones - mobile cellular

13.757 million (2011) country comparison to the world: 57

Agriculture - products

rice, rubber, corn, vegetables, cashews, cassava (manioc), silk

Budget

revenues: $2.216 billion expenditures: $2.934 billion (2012 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-5% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 154

Central bank discount rate

NA% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 69 5.25% (31 December 2007)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

15.7% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 40 15.22% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

-$1.508 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 128 -$1.158 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$5.071 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 116 $5.03 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

44.4 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 45 40 (2004 est.)

Economy - overview

Since 2004, garments, construction, agriculture, and tourism have driven Cambodia's growth. GDP climbed more than 6% per year between 2010 and 2012. The garment industry currently employs more than 335,000 people and accounts for more than 75% of Cambodia's total exports. In 2005, exploitable oil deposits were found beneath Cambodia's territorial waters, representing a potential revenue stream for the government, if commercial extraction becomes feasible. Mining also is attracting some investor interest and the government has touted opportunities for mining bauxite, gold, iron and gems. The tourism industry has continued to grow rapidly with foreign arrivals exceeding 2 million per year since 2007. Cambodia, nevertheless, remains one of the poorest countries in Asia and long-term economic development remains a daunting challenge, inhibited by endemic corruption, limited educational opportunities, high income inequality, and poor job prospects. Approximately 4 million people live on less than $1.25 per day and 37% of Cambodian children under the age of 5 suffer from chronic malnutrition. More than 50% of the population is less than 25 years old. The population lacks education and productive skills, particularly in the impoverished countryside, which also lacks basic infrastructure. The Cambodian government is working with bilateral and multilateral donors, including the World Bank and IMF, to address the country's many pressing needs; more than 50% of the government budget comes from donor assistance. 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.

Exchange rates

riels (KHR) per US dollar - 4,075.4 (2012 est.) 4,058.5 (2011 est.) 4,184.9 (2010 est.) 4,139 (2009) 4,070.94 (2008)

Exports

$6.148 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 106 $6.018 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

clothing, timber, rubber, rice, fish, tobacco, footwear

Exports - partners

US 39.5%, Canada 8.2%, Germany 7.8%, UK 7.5%, Vietnam 6%, Japan 4.3% (2011)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate)

$14.25 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$36.59 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 108 $34.37 billion (2011 est.) $32.1 billion (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 34.7% industry: 24.3% services: 41% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$2,400 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 184 $2,300 (2011 est.) $2,100 (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

6.5% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 7.1% (2011 est.) 6.1% (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 3% highest 10%: 37.3% (2007)

Imports

$8.84 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 $8.213 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

petroleum products, cigarettes, gold, construction materials, machinery, motor vehicles, pharmaceutical products

Imports - partners

Thailand 24.6%, Vietnam 20.6%, China 19.9%, Singapore 7.8%, Hong Kong 6% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate

5.7% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 56

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

4.5% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 5.5% (2011 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

19.1% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 111

Labor force

8.8 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 56

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 57.6% industry: 15.9% services: 26.5% (2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

31% (2007 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$3.732 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 $4.069 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$5.695 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 125 $5.037 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$3.689 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 125 $3.115 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$1.094 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 147 $965.8 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

15.6% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 185

Unemployment rate

3.5% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 2.5% (2000 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

3.59 million Mt (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 134

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 92

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 167

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 117

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 114

Electricity - consumption

1.759 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 142

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 172

Electricity - from fossil fuels

95.2% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 68

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

3.3% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 127

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 60

Electricity - from other renewable sources

1.5% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 64

Electricity - imports

842 million kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 64

Electricity - installed generating capacity

390,900 kW (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 144

Electricity - production

1.137 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 146

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 126

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 170

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 170

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 109

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 119

Refined petroleum products - consumption

39,350 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 110

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 161

Refined petroleum products - imports

34,340 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 82

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 131

Area

total: 181,035 sq km country comparison to the world: 90 land: 176,515 sq km water: 4,520 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Oklahoma

Climate

tropical; rainy, monsoon season (May to November); dry season (December to April); little seasonal temperature variation

Coastline

443 km

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 m highest point: Phnum Aoral 1,810 m

Environment - current issues

illegal 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 agreements

party 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

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 4.08 cu km/yr (1%/0%/98%) per capita: 290 cu m/yr (2000)

Geographic coordinates

13 00 N, 105 00 E

Geography - note

a land of paddies and forests dominated by the Mekong River and Tonle Sap

Irrigated land

2,850 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

total: 2,572 km border countries: Laos 541 km, Thailand 803 km, Vietnam 1,228 km

Land use

arable land: 20.44% permanent crops: 0.59% other: 78.97% (2005)

Location

Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, between Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos

Map references

Southeast Asia

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm

Natural hazards

monsoonal rains (June to November); flooding; occasional droughts

Natural resources

oil and gas, timber, gemstones, iron ore, manganese, phosphates, hydropower potential

Terrain

mostly low, flat plains; mountains in southwest and north

Total renewable water resources

476.1 cu km (1999)

Administrative divisions

23 provinces (khett, singular and plural) and 1 municipality (krong, singular and plural) provinces: Banteay Mean Choay, Batdambang, Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Spoe, Kampong Thum, Kampot, Kandal, Kaoh Kong, Keb, Krachen, Mondol Kiri, Otdar Mean Choay, Pailin, Pouthisat, Preah Seihanu (Sihanoukville), Preah Vihear, Prey Veng, Rotanokiri, Siem Reab, Stoeng Treng, Svay Rieng, Takev municipalities: Phnum Penh (Phnom Penh)

Capital

name: Phnom Penh geographic coordinates: 11 33 N, 104 55 E time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

promulgated 21 September 1993

Country name

conventional 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

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador William E. TODD embassy: #1, Street 96, Sangkat Wat Phnom, Khan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh mailing address: Box P, APO AP 96546 telephone: [855] (23) 728-000 FAX: [855] (23) 728-600

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador HENG HEM chancery: 4530 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 telephone: [1] (202) 726-7742 FAX: [1] (202) 726-8381

Executive branch

chief 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 (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: the king 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 named prime minister by the Chairman of the National Assembly and appointed by the king

Flag description

three 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; red and blue are traditional Cambodian colors note: only national flag to incorporate an actual building in its design

Government type

multiparty democracy under a constitutional monarchy

Independence

9 November 1953 (from France)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ADB, ARF, ASEAN, CICA, CICA (observer), EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMISS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Council of the Magistracy (provided for in the constitution and formed in December 1997); Supreme Court (and lower courts) exercises judicial authority

Legal system

civil law system (influenced by the UN Transitional Authority in Cambodia) customary law, Communist legal theory, and common law

Legislative branch

bicameral, 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 on 4 February 2012 (next to be held in February 2018); National Assembly - last held on 27 July 2008 (next to be held in July 2013) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - CPP 77.8%, SRP 22.2%; seats by party - CPP 46, SRP 11; 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

National anthem

name: "Nokoreach" (Royal Kingdom) lyrics/music: CHUON NAT/F. PERRUCHOT and J. JEKYLL note: adopted 1941, restored 1993; the anthem, based on a Cambodian folk tune, was restored after the defeat of the Communist regime

National holiday

Independence Day, 9 November (1953)

National symbol(s)

Angkor Wat temple; kouprey (wild ox)

Political parties and leaders

Cambodian People's Party or CPP [CHEA SIM]; Cambodian National Rescue Party or NRP [SAM RANGSI also spelled SAM RAINSY]; National United Front for an Independent, Neutral, Peaceful, and Cooperative Cambodia or FUNCINPEC [KEV PUT REAKSMEI]; Nationalist Party or NP former Norodom Ranariddh Party or NRP [SAO RANY] note: the NRP is a merger between the former Human Rights Party or HRP [KHEM SOKHA, also spelled KEM SOKHA] and the Sam Rangsi Party or SRP

Political pressure groups and leaders

Cambodian 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

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Background

Most 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 have been tried or are awaiting trial for crimes against humanity by a hybrid UN-Cambodian tribunal supported by international assistance. 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, with little of the pre-election violence that preceded prior elections. National elections in July 2008 were relatively peaceful.

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 3,883,724 females age 16-49: 4,003,585 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 2,638,167 females age 16-49: 2,965,328 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 151,143 female: 154,542 (2010 est.)

Military branches

Royal Cambodian Armed Forces: Royal Cambodian Army, Royal Khmer Navy, Royal Cambodian Air Force (2011)

Military expenditures

3% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 45

Military service age and obligation

conscription law of October 2006 requires all males between 18-30 to register for military service; 18-month service obligation (2006)

Age structure

0-14 years: 31.9% (male 2,398,710/ female 2,373,652) 15-64 years: 64.3% (male 4,621,781/ female 4,989,200) 65 years and over: 3.8% (male 214,208/ female 355,114) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

25.17 births/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 58

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

28.8% (2008) country comparison to the world: 20

Death rate

7.97 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 103

Education expenditures

2.1% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 153

Ethnic groups

Khmer 90%, Vietnamese 5%, Chinese 1%, other 4%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.5% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 69

HIV/AIDS - deaths

3,100 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 45

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

63,000 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 52

Health expenditures

5.8% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 112

Hospital bed density

0.1 beds/1,000 population (2004)

Infant mortality rate

total: 54.08 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 37 male: 61.02 deaths/1,000 live births female: 46.82 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

Languages

Khmer (official) 95%, French, English

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 63.04 years country comparison to the world: 178 male: 60.66 years female: 65.53 years (2012 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 73.6% male: 84.7% female: 64.1% (2004 est.)

Major cities - population

PHNOM PENH (capital) 1.519 million (2009)

Major infectious diseases

degree 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)

Maternal mortality rate

250 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 44

Median age

total: 23.3 years male: 22.6 years female: 24 years (2012 est.)

Nationality

noun: Cambodian(s) adjective: Cambodian

Net migration rate

-0.33 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 131

Physicians density

0.227 physicians/1,000 population (2008)

Population

14,952,665 (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 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

Population growth rate

1.687% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 71

Religions

Buddhist (official) 96.4%, Muslim 2.1%, other 1.3%, unspecified 0.2% (1998 census)

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: 67% of population rural: 18% of population total: 29% of population unimproved: urban: 33% of population rural: 82% of population total: 71% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 10 years male: 10 years female: 9 years (2007)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.78 children born/woman (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 72

Urbanization

urban population: 20% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 3.2% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Disputes - international

Cambodia is concerned about Laos' extensive upstream dam construction; Cambodia and Thailand dispute sections of boundary; in 2011 Thailand and Cambodia resorted to arms in the dispute over the location of the boundary on the precipice surmounted by Preah Vihear temple ruins, awarded to Cambodia by ICJ decision in 1962 and part of a planned UN World Heritage site; Cambodia accuses Vietnam of a wide variety of illicit cross-border activities; progress on a joint development area with Vietnam is hampered by an unresolved dispute over sovereignty of offshore islands

Illicit drugs

narcotics-related corruption reportedly involving some in the government, military, and police; limited methamphetamine production; vulnerable to money laundering due to its cash-based economy and porous borders

Airports

16 (2012) country comparison to the world: 143

Airports - with paved runways

total: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2012)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 1 (2012)

Heliports

1 (2012)

Merchant marine

total: 544 country comparison to the world: 21 by type: bulk carrier 38, cargo 459, carrier 7, chemical tanker 4, container 4, liquefied gas 1, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 8, refrigerated cargo 11, roll on/roll off 4, vehicle carrier 1 foreign-owned: 352 (Belgium 1, Canada 2, China 177, Cyprus 4, Egypt 4, Estonia 1, French Polynesia 1, Gabon 1, Greece 2, Hong Kong 10, Indonesia 2, Ireland 1, Japan 1, Lebanon 5, Russia 50, Singapore 3, South Korea 10, Syria 22, Taiwan 1, Turkey 15, UAE 2, UK 1, Ukraine 35, Vietnam 1) (2010)

Ports and terminals

Phnom Penh, Kampong Saom (Sihanoukville)

Railways

total: 690 km country comparison to the world: 101 narrow gauge: 690 km 1.000-m gauge note: under restoration (2010)

Roadways

total: 39,618 km country comparison to the world: 89 paved: 2,492 km unpaved: 37,126 km (2009)

Waterways

3,700 km (mainly on Mekong River) (2012) country comparison to the world: 29