Economy Overview
Cambodia's economy slowed dramatically in 1997-1998 due to the regional economic crisis, civil violence, and political infighting. Foreign investment and tourism fell off. In 1999, the first full year of peace in 30 years, progress was made on economic reforms and growth resumed at 5.0%. Despite severe flooding, GDP grew at 5.0% in 2000, 6.3% in 2001, and 5.2% in 2002. Tourism was Cambodia's fastest growing industry, with arrivals up 34% in 2000 and up another 40% in 2001 before the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the US. Even given these stout growth estimates, the long-term development of the economy after decades of war remains a daunting challenge. The population lacks education and productive skills, particularly in the poverty-ridden countryside, which suffers from an almost total lack of basic infrastructure. Fear of renewed political instability and corruption within the government discourage foreign investment and delay foreign aid. The government is addressing these issues with assistance from bilateral and multilateral donors.
Agriculture Products
rice, rubber, corn, vegetables
Industries
tourism, garments, rice milling, fishing, wood and wood products, rubber, cement, gem mining, textiles
Industrial Production Growth Rate
16% (2001 est.)
Labor Force
6 million (1998 est.)
Electricity production
119 million kWh (2001)
Electricity production by source
Fossil fuel: 65%
Hydro: 35%
Other: 0% (2001)
Nuclear: 0%
Electricity Consumption
110.6 million kWh (2001)
Electricity Exports
0 kWh (2001)
Electricity Imports
0 kWh (2001)
Unemployment Rate
2.8% (1999 est.)
Population Below Poverty Line
36% (1997 est.)
Household Income or Consumption by Percentage Share
Lowest 10%: 2.9%
Highest 10%: 33.8% (1997)
Distribution of Family Income Gini Index
40.4 (1997)
Budget
Revenues: $396 million
Expenditures: $607 million, including capital expenditures of $254 million (2001 est.)
Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate
Market Value of Publicly Traded Shares
Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold
Debt External
$829 million (1999 est.)
Stock of Direct Foreign Investment at Home
Stock of Direct Foreign Investment Abroad
Exchange Rates
riels per US dollar - 3,912.08 (2002), 3,916.33 (2001), 3,840.75 (2000), 3,807.83 (1999), 3,744.42 (1998)
