Country profile: Cambodia
Geography
Cambodia is a south-east Asian country, slightly smaller
in area than Victoria. Central plains account for two-
thirds of the land area. These are surrounded by densely
forested mountains, with the Gulf of Thailand to the
south. Cambodia’s major water sources are the Mekong
River and Tonle Sap (Great Lake).
The tropical climate combines a dry season (December
to April) and monsoonal or heavy rains (May to
November). Rainfall variations can result in periodic
droughts or floods.
People
The majority of Cambodia’s 15.1 million people live in
rural areas. Most Cambodians are of Khmer origin and
there are several ethnic groups living in the mountains.
The capital is Phnom Penh and the national language is
Khmer. Over 95% of Cambodians are Buddhists. Under
the Khmer Rouge (1975-78), all religious practice was
banned. In 1979, Buddhism was reinstated as the official Map courtesy of The General Libraries,
religion. There are small numbers of Christians and The University of Texas at Austin
Muslims.
History
Cambodia traces its Khmer origins to the Angkor civilisation, which was most powerful between the 9th and 13th
centuries. In 1863, to avoid Thai domination, Cambodia became a French protectorate, although the monarchy continued.
In 1953, Cambodia gained independence from France and King Sihanouk sought to keep the country neutral.
From 1969, the country suffered attacks as a consequence of the war in Vietnam, and began to be torn apart by civil war.
By 1975, thousands of Cambodians had been killed and many had fled to the cities for refuge. In 1975, the communist
Khmer Rouge led by Pol Pot captured Phnom Penh and seized power. The entire country was re-organised to create an
agrarian society closed to the outside world. Schools and newspapers were closed, transport and services were largely
destroyed and money was abolished. Those suspected of opposing official political views were tortured or killed. People
were ordered out of cities and put to work growing rice and digging canals.
An estimated 1.7 million people died through hunger, illness, overwork and execution. In 1979, Vietnamese troops swept
into Phnom Penh establishing a new government led by people who had fled during the rule of the Khmer Rouge.
However, the country continued to be wracked by fighting between the Vietnamese-backed government, the Khmer
Rouge and other resistance forces.
In 1991, a United Nations-sponsored peace treaty was signed and a peacekeeping force set up to oversee the ceasefire
and elections. A coalition government including royalists and former communists came to power, and gradually the Khmer
Rouge threat subsided.
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© 2015 World Vision Australia. Please feel free to reproduce this page in full for
educational purposes only; copies must not be sold. To contact us please visit
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Economy
Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, employs approximately 55% of the population. Rice and rubber are the main
export crops. Large tracts of cultivatable land are devoted to growing rice and since most villages are close to a water
source, fishing is also an important activity. Income is supplemented by raising livestock and growing fruit and vegetables.
Production has been hampered by a number of factors including: lack of irrigation, fertilisers and pest control; land-mining
of farmland; and flooding.
Cambodia’s industry was largely destroyed between1975–78. Growth in the industrial sector has been restricted by a lack
of adequate transport and a shortage of spare parts and power. Cambodia’s main industries are tourism and garment
production. Garments, including clothing and footwear, make up the majority of Cambodia’s exports. International aid and
development assistance is playing a vital role in the country’s reconstruction. The funds have been used to rebuild
infrastructure, promote economic growth, and improve governance.
Living Conditions
Home for many Cambodians is a small dwelling on stilts made of wood or bamboo, which often houses multi-generational
families. The staple diet is rice and fish, which is often the only source of protein. 39.9% of children under 5 years old
experience moderate or severe stunting – a sign of chronic malnutrition.
Whilst progress has been made to address health issues, the lack of safe drinking water and sanitation means Cambodians
face the spread of diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria; HIV and AIDS is also an issue. The government is seeking to
improve this situation by establishing a basic healthcare system. Landmines are a problem in Cambodia, with agricultural
land made unproductive in some parts of the country because it is mined.
Education
Educational recovery has been a high priority. However, Indicator Cambodia Australia
while primary school enrolment is good, attendance can Population (millions) 15.1 million 23.3 million
vary and drop-out rates are high. Low teacher wages
and large class sizes are a problem. Urban population (% of 20.3% 89.5%
total)
Only 45% of secondary school aged teens are enrolled in Gross National Income per $2,805 $41,524
school. Of people aged 25 years and older, only 15.5% capita (US$ PPP)
have at least some education at the secondary school
Population living on less 18.6% No data
level. than US$1.25 (PPP) a day
Adult literacy rate (% age 73.9% No data
World Vision Australia in Cambodia 15 and above)
Internet users (% of 4.9% 82.3%
Assists communities with nutrition, healthcare and
population)
education programs.
Population using improved 67.1% 100%
Works with government health service providers to water source (% of total)²
improve the quality of their healthcare, particularly
for children under 5 years old and mothers. Doctors per 10,000 people 2.3 38.5
Under-five mortality rate 40 5
Works to educate, involve and empower (per 1,000 live births)
communities in child protection issues.
Life expectancy at birth 71.9 years 82.5 years
Works with urban slum communities under threat
Human Development 136th 2nd
of displacement and educates communities about
Index rank (out of 187)
land tenure and land rights.
Sources: UNDP Human Development Report 2014; ² UNICEF
http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/ [accessed March 2015]; and CIA
The World Factbook www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-
factbook/geos/cb.html [accessed March 2015]
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© 2015 World Vision Australia. Please feel free to reproduce this page in full for
educational purposes only; copies must not be sold. To contact us please visit
www.worldvision.com.au or call 13 32 40.
