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.
Agriculture Products
rice, rubber, corn, vegetables, cashews, cassava (manioc), silk
Industrial Production Growth Rate
5.7% (2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 56
Labor Force
8.8 million (2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 56
Unemployment Rate
3.5% (2007 est.)country comparison to the world: 29 2.5% (2000 est.)
Population Below Poverty Line
31% (2007 est.)
Household Income or Consumption by Percentage Share
Lowest 10%: 3%
Highest 10%: 37.3% (2007)
Distribution of Family Income Gini Index
44.4 (2007 est.)country comparison to the world: 45 40 (2004 est.)
Budget
Revenues: $2.216 billion
Expenditures: $2.934 billion (2012 est.)
Central Bank Discount Rate
NA% (31 December 2008)country comparison to the world: 69 5.25% (31 December 2007)
Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate
Stock of Narrow Money
$1.094 billion (31 December 2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 147 $965.8 million (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.)
Market Value of Publicly Traded Shares
$NA
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.)
Debt External
$5.071 billion (31 December 2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 116 $5.03 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of Direct Foreign Investment at Home
Stock of Direct Foreign Investment Abroad
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)
