Demographics of Cambodia

Buddhist nun at Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia.

This article is about the demographic features of the population of Cambodia, including population density, ethnicity, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects of the population.

Population

Historical populations

Year	Pop.	±%
1876	890,000	—
1901	1,103,000	+23.9%
1911	1,487,900	+34.9%
1921	2,402,600	+61.5%
1931	2,806,000	+16.8%
1947	3,296,000	+17.5%
1951	4,261,000	+29.3%
1961	5,510,000	+29.3%
1971	7,270,000	+31.9%
1981	6,682,000	−8.1%
1991	8,810,000	+31.8%
2001	12,353,000	+40.2%
2011	14,701,717	+19.0%
Source:https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cb.html

Between 1874 and 1921, the total population of Cambodia increased from about 946,000 to 2.4 million. By 1950, it had increased to between 3,710,107 and 4,073,967, and in 1962 it had reached 5.7 million. From the 1960s until 1975, the population of Cambodia increased by about 2.2% yearly, the lowest increase in Southeast Asia. By 1975 when the Khmer Rouge took power, it was estimated at 7.3 million. Of this total an estimated one to two million reportedly died between 1975 and 1978. In 1981, the PRK gave the official population figure as nearly 6.7 million, although approximately 6.3 million to 6.4 million is probably more accurate. The average annual rate of population growth from 1978 to 1985 was 2.3% (see table 2, Appendix A).

In 1959, about 45% of the population was under 15 years of age. By 1962, this had increased slightly to 46%. In 1962, an estimated 52% of the population was between 15 and 64 years of age, while 2% were older than 65. The percentage of males and females in the three groups was almost the same.

Population and age distribution

Cambodian Population Pyramid-2005

	Total population (thousands)	Population aged 0–14 (%)	Population aged 15–64 (%)	Population aged 65+ (%)
1950	4 346	42.2	55.1	2.7
1955	4 840	42.3	55.0	2.7
1960	5 433	42.5	54.8	2.7
1965	6 141	42.8	54.4	2.7
1970	6 938	43.2	54.0	2.8
1975	7 098	42.3	54.9	2.8
1980	6 506	39.0	58.1	2.9
1985	7 920	42.1	55.0	2.9
1990	9 532	43.8	53.4	2.8
1995	11 169	47.5	49.7	2.8
2000	12 447	41.6	55.4	3.0
2005	13 358	36.4	60.3	3.3
2010	14 138	31.9	64.3	3.8

Vital statistics

UN estimates

Period	Live births per year	Deaths per year	Natural change per year	CBR1	CDR1	NC1	TFR1	IMR1
1950-1955	208 000	109 000	99 000	45.4	23.8	21.6	6.29	165.1
1955-1960	232 000	113 000	119 000	45.2	22.1	23.1	6.29	152.0
1960-1965	260 000	118 000	142 000	44.9	20.4	24.5	6.29	139.5
1965-1970	287 000	127 000	160 000	43.9	19.4	24.5	6.22	130.0
1970-1975	280 000	158 000	122 000	39.9	22.5	17.4	5.54	180.9
1975-1980	227 000	272 000	- 45 000	33.4	40.0	-6.6	4.70	263.2
1980-1985	410 000	127 000	283 000	56.9	17.7	39.2	7.00	134.0
1985-1990	407 000	115 000	292 000	46.7	13.2	33.5	6.00	97.9
1990-1995	417 000	121 000	296 000	40.3	11.3	29.0	5.44	90.0
1995-2000	358 000	121 000	237 000	30.3	10.2	20.1	4.32	83.3
2000-2005	323 000	117 000	206 000	25.1	9.1	16.0	3.41	72.9
2005-2010	321 000	113 000	207 000	23.3	8.3	15.0	2.80	62.4
1 CBR = crude birth rate (per 1000); CDR = crude death rate (per 1000); NC = natural change (per 1000); TFR = total fertility rate (number of children per woman); IMR = infant mortality rate per 1000 births

Fertility

According to 2010 Demographic and Health Survey, the total fertility rate in Cambodia was 3.0 children per woman in 2010. In 2000, this was 4.0 children and in 2005 3.4. Women in urban areas have 2.2 children on average, compared with 3.3 children per woman in rural areas. Fertility is highest in Mondol Kiri/Rattanak Kiri Province, where women have an average of 4.5 children, and lowest in Phnom Penh where women have an average of 2.0 children. According to the survey, Cambodian women want about three children, on average. Ideal family size is slightly higher among women in rural areas than urban areas (3.2 versus 2.9). Women with secondary and higher education desire fewer children than women with no schooling (2.8 versus 3.5).

Infant and childhood mortality

Childhood mortality rates are decreasing in Cambodia. Currently, the infant mortality rate is 45 deaths per 1,000 live births for the five-year period before the survey compared with 66 deaths reported in the 2005 CDHS and 95 in the 2000 CDHS. Under-five mortality rates have also decreased from 124 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2000, 83 deaths in 2005 to 54 deaths per 1,000 in 2010.

Childhood mortality decreases markedly with mother’s education and wealth. Infant mortality, for example, is twice as high among children whose mothers have no schooling compared to those with secondary or higher education (72 versus 31). The association with wealth is even stronger. There are 77 deaths per 1,000 live births among infants from the poorest households compared to only 23 deaths per 1,000 live births among infants from the richest households.

Mortality rates are much higher in rural than urban areas. Infant mortality, for example, is 64 deaths per 1,000 live births in rural areas compared to only 22 in urban areas. Mortality also differs by province. Infant mortality ranges from only 13 deaths per 1,000 live births in Phnom Penh to 78 deaths per 1,000 live births in Kampong Chhnang and Svay Rieng.

Life expectancy

In 1959, life expectancy at birth was 44.2 years for males and 43.3 years for females. By 1970, life expectancy had increased by about 2.5 years since 1945. The greater longevity for females apparently reflected improved health practices during maternity and childbirth.

Ethnic groups

Ethnic map of Cambodia

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

Languages

Official language

Khmer

Languages of education

English, French

Minority languages

Cham (2.2%), Vietnamese (0.8%), Tumpoon (0.4%);
Lao, Jarai, Yue Chinese, and many small Mon–Khmer languages at < 0.25%

Sign languages

American Sign Language

Religions

See also: Buddhism in Cambodia

Religion in Cambodia
Religion			percent
Theravada Buddhism			92%
Mahayana Buddhism			3%
Islam			1.6%
Christianity			0.2%
Others			3.2%

Buddhism: 95%, Islam: 1.6%, Christianity: 0.2%, Others: 3.2%

CIA World Factbook demographic statistics

The following demographic statistics are from the CIA World Factbook, unless otherwise indicated.

Population

14,701,717

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 and death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

• 1.698% (2011 est.)
• 1.71% (2010 est.)
• 1.77% (2009 est.)
• 1.75% (2008 est)

Sex ratio

At birth: 1.045 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 (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

Total population: 62.67 years

Male: 43 years

Female: 40 years (2011 est.)

HIV/AIDS

adult prevalence rate

0.5% (2011 est.)

people living with HIV/AIDS

63,000 (2009 est.)

75,000 (2007 est.)

deaths

1,000 (2011 est.)

3,100 (2009 est.)

6,900 (2007 est.)

Nationality

Noun: Cambodian(s) or Khmer(s)

Adjective: Cambodian or Khmer

Urbanization

Urban population: 24-29% of total population (2010 est.)

Rate of urbanization: 4.6% rate of annual change (2005-10 est.)

Literacy

Definition: age 15 and over can read and write

Total population: 1%

Male: 84.7%

Female: 64.1% (2004 est.)

Educatate expendiure

1.7% of GDP (2004)

Overseas Population

Countries with notable populations of overseas Cambodians are:

• Thailand
• Vietnam
• United States
• France
• Malaysia
• Australia
• Canada
• New Zealand
• China
• UK
• Laos
• Singapore
• Hong Kong

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from The World Factbook (2024 ed.). CIA. (Archived 2008 edition.)