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Communications

Internet country code [time series]

.kh

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

2,480 (2009) country comparison to the world: 146

Internet users [time series]

74,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 162

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 1, FM 50, shortwave NA (2008)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general 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)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

45,100 (2008) country comparison to the world: 165

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

4.237 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 93

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

8 (including 2 TV relay stations with French and Vietnamese broadcasts); excludes 18 regional relay stations (2008)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

rice, rubber, corn, vegetables, cashews, tapioca, silk

Budget [time series]

revenues: $1.274 billion expenditures: $1.592 billion (2008 est.)

Central bank discount rate [time series]

NA% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 89 5.25% (31 December 2007)

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

16.01% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 35 16.18% (31 December 2007)

Current account balance [time series]

-$1.06 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 -$506.3 million (2007 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$4.127 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 $3.89 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

43 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 40 (2004 est.)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

From 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.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

1.272 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 142

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

167 million kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

1.273 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 141

Exchange rates [time series]

riels (KHR) per US dollar - 4,070.94 (2008 est.), 4,006 (2007), 4,103 (2006), 4,092.5 (2005), 4,016.25 (2004)

Exports [time series]

$4.708 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 $4.089 billion (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

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

Exports - partners [time series]

US 54.4%, Germany 7.7%, Canada 5.9%, UK 5.5%, Vietnam 4.5% (2008)

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$11.25 billion (2008 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$28.01 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 110 $26.67 billion (2007 est.) $24.2 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 29% industry: 30% services: 41% (2007 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$2,000 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 188 $1,900 (2007 est.) $1,800 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 10.2% (2007 est.) 10.8% (2006 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 3% highest 10%: 34.2% (2007)

Imports [time series]

$6.534 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 $5.424 billion (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

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

Imports - partners [time series]

Thailand 26.8%, Vietnam 19%, China 14.5%, Hong Kong 8.1%, Singapore 6.9% (2008)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 20

Industries [time series]

tourism, garments, construction, rice milling, fishing, wood and wood products, rubber, cement, gem mining, textiles

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

25% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 212 5.9% (2007 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

22.4% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 79

Labor force [time series]

8.6 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 54

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 75% industry: NA% services: NA% (2004 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$NA

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 202

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 196

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 197

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 201

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 198

Oil - consumption [time series]

4,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 173

Oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 141

Oil - imports [time series]

30,970 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 99

Oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 201

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 199

Population below poverty line [time series]

35% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$2.641 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 $2.143 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$1.67 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 96 $1.131 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of narrow money (Stock of money) [time series]

$591.7 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 91 $513.6 million (31 December 2007)

Stock of narrow money (Stock of quasi money) [time series]

$2.328 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 82 $2.309 billion (31 December 2007)

Unemployment rate [time series]

3.5% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 2.5% (2000 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 181,035 sq km country comparison to the world: 89 land: 176,515 sq km water: 4,520 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly smaller than Oklahoma

Climate [time series]

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

Coastline [time series]

443 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

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

Environment - current issues [time series]

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

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

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

Total water withdrawal (Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)) [time series]

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

Geographic coordinates [time series]

13 00 N, 105 00 E

Geography - note [time series]

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

Irrigated land [time series]

2,700 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries [time series]

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

Land use [time series]

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

Location [time series]

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

Map references [time series]

Southeast Asia

Maritime claims [time series]

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

Natural hazards [time series]

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

Natural resources [time series]

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

Terrain [time series]

mostly low, flat plains; mountains in southwest and north

Total renewable water resources [time series]

476.1 cu km (1999)

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

23 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)

Capital [time series]

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 [time series]

promulgated 21 September 1993

Country name [time series]

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 [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Carol A. RODLEY 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 [time series]

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 [time series]

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 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

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

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 note: only national flag to incorporate an actual building in its design

Government type [time series]

multiparty democracy under a constitutional monarchy

Independence [time series]

9 November 1953 (from France)

International organization participation [time series]

ACCT, 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

Judicial branch [time series]

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 [time series]

primarily 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

Legislative branch [time series]

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 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

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 9 November (1953)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Cambodian People's Party or CPP [CHEA SIM]; Human Rights Party or HRP [KHEM SOKHA, also spelled KEM SOKHA]; National United Front for an Independent, Neutral, Peaceful, and Cooperative Cambodia or FUNCINPEC [KEV PUT REAKSMEI]; Norodom Ranariddh Party or NRP [CHHIM SEAK LENG]; Sam Rangsi Party or SRP [SAM RANGSI, also spelled SAM RAINSY]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

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 [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

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 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.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 3,759,034 females age 16-49: 3,784,333 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 2,673,383 females age 16-49: 2,763,256 (2009 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 177,881 female: 175,332 (2009 est.)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Royal Cambodian Armed Forces: Royal Cambodian Army, Royal Khmer Navy, Royal Cambodian Air Force (2009)

Military expenditures [time series]

3% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 48

Military service age and obligation [time series]

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

People

Age structure [time series]

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.)

Birth rate [time series]

25.73 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 67

Death rate [time series]

8.08 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 109

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

1.7% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 172

Ethnic groups [time series]

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.8% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 56

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

6,900 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 40

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

75,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 54

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 54.79 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 43 male: 61.84 deaths/1,000 live births female: 47.42 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)

Languages [time series]

Khmer (official) 95%, French, English

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 62.1 years country comparison to the world: 177 male: 60.03 years female: 64.27 years (2009 est.)

Literacy [time series]

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

Major infectious diseases [time series]

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)

Median age [time series]

total: 22.1 years male: 21.4 years female: 22.8 years (2009 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Cambodian(s) adjective: Cambodian

Net migration rate [time series]

Population [time series]

14,494,293 country comparison to the world: 65 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.)

Population growth rate [time series]

1.765% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 75

Religions [time series]

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

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 10 years male: 10 years female: 9 years (2006)

Sex ratio [time series]

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.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

3.04 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 71

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 22% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

Cambodia 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

Illicit drugs [time series]

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

Transportation

Airports [time series]

17 (2009) country comparison to the world: 140

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Heliports [time series]

1 (2009)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 626 country comparison to the world: 17 by type: bulk carrier 41, cargo 530, carrier 3, chemical tanker 10, container 8, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 11, refrigerated cargo 15, roll on/roll off 1, vehicle carrier 1 foreign-owned: 467 (Canada 2, China 193, Cyprus 7, Egypt 13, Gabon 1, Greece 3, Hong Kong 8, Indonesia 2, Japan 1, South Korea 22, Latvia 1, Lebanon 8, Netherlands 1, Romania 1, Russia 83, Singapore 4, Syria 48, Taiwan 1, Turkey 26, Ukraine 34, UAE 2, US 6) (2008)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Phnom Penh, Kampong Saom (Sihanoukville)

Railways [time series]

total: 602 km country comparison to the world: 110 narrow gauge: 602 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)

Roadways [time series]

total: 38,093 km country comparison to the world: 91 paved: 2,977 km unpaved: 35,116 km (2007)

Waterways [time series]

2,400 km (mainly on Mekong River) (2008) country comparison to the world: 37