Cambodia
Kingdom of Cambodia
Current Population (Live)
Annual Growth Rate: +1.06%
Cambodia is a South-Eastern Asia country of around 17.6 million residents, placing it above the global median in population. The country extends across 181,035 km², translating to a density of 97 people per km². Its capital is Phnom Penh, and Khmer is the official language, while the Cambodian riel serves as the national currency.
Population
17,577,760
Area
181,035 km²
Density
97/km²
World Rank
#73
Population Trend (1960-2050)
Historical data from 1960 to present with projections to 2050.
Annual Growth Rate by Period
Population growth has effectively stalled at 0% annually, suggesting the country is approaching or has reached a demographic plateau. Births occur at 20.8 per thousand against deaths at 6.4 per thousand, yielding a moderate natural surplus. The age distribution is relatively balanced, with 29.8% of residents under 15 and 6.2% over 65.
General Information
- Capital
- Phnom Penh
- Region
- Asia
- Subregion
- South-Eastern Asia
- Continent
- Asia
- Languages
- Khmer
- Currencies
- Cambodian riel (៛), United States dollar ($)
- Calling Code
- +855
- Top-Level Domain
- .kh
- Landlocked
- No
- UN Member
- Yes
- Timezones
- UTC+07:00
Population Details
- Total Population
- 17,577,760
- Land Area
- 181,035 km²
- Population Density
- 97 per km²
- Annual Growth Rate
- +1.06%
- Annual Growth
- +186,324 people
- Daily Growth
- +510 people
- World Population Share
- 0.22%
- Coordinates
- 13.00°, 105.00°
Global Population Share
Demographics & Economy
At around $2.6k per person, the economy falls into the lower-middle-income tier, reflecting ongoing development needs. The labor market is notably tight, with unemployment at just 0.3%—well below the world average.
Life Expectancy
70.7 years
GDP per Capita
$2,628
Birth Rate
20.8 per 1,000
Death Rate
6.4 per 1,000
Urban Population
40.9%
Fertility Rate
2.58 births/woman
Infant Mortality
20.3 per 1,000
Unemployment
0.3%
Literacy Rate
71.9%
Internet Users
60.7%
Under 15
29.8%
Over 65
6.2%
Health Spending
4.6% GDP
Age Distribution
0-14 years
5.2M
15-64 years
11.3M
65+ years
1.1M
Urbanization
About 40.9% of the population is urban, indicating a society in the midst of a rural-to-urban transition. The capital, Phnom Penh, remains the primary hub for government and commerce. Net emigration of 31469.0 per thousand is thinning rural areas in particular, accelerating the concentration of population in cities.
7.2M
40.9%
10.4M
59.1%
Health & Education Indicators
Average life expectancy of 70.7 years is roughly in line with the global benchmark of 72.8. Infant mortality stands at 20.3 per thousand live births, somewhat higher than the global average. The literacy rate of 71.9% is below the world average, reflecting the current state of educational investment.
Life Expectancy
World avg: 72.8
Fertility Rate
World avg: 2.3
Infant Mortality
World avg: 27.5
Literacy Rate
World avg: 86.7
Internet Users
World avg: 63
Major Cities in Cambodia
Cambodia has 4 cities with a population over 100,000. Click on markers to see details.
Population Projections (2026-2050)
Near-zero growth suggests that Cambodia is entering a period of demographic stability—or, depending on policy responses, the early stages of decline. As a United Nations member state, Cambodia participates in global discussions on sustainable development that will shape its demographic future.
| Year | Projected Population |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 17,577,760 |
| 2030 | 18,321,262 |
| 2035 | 19,265,622 |
| 2040 | 20,228,890 |
| 2045 | 21,213,507 |
| 2050 | 22,221,925 |
Population History (1960-2026)
Year-by-year population data, growth rates, and trends for Cambodia.
Largest Cities in Cambodia
Explore the biggest cities and urban centers in Cambodia by population.
Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Cambodia?
The population of Cambodia is approximately 17.6 million as of 2026, making it #73 in the world by population.
What is the capital of Cambodia?
The capital of Cambodia is Phnom Penh.
What languages are spoken in Cambodia?
The main languages spoken in Cambodia are Khmer.
How big is Cambodia?
Cambodia covers an area of 181,035 km² with a population density of 97 people per km².
Is Cambodia growing or shrinking?
Cambodia is growing at a rate of 1.06% per year, adding approximately 186,324 people annually.
What is the life expectancy in Cambodia?
The average life expectancy in Cambodia is 70.7 years.
What is the GDP per capita of Cambodia?
The GDP per capita of Cambodia is $2,628.