Is Cambodia a Poor or Rich Country?
Cambodia, a Southeast Asian nation renowned for Angkor Wat, often raises the question: Is Cambodia a poor or rich country? The reality is complex. At Cambodia Immigration Services, we examine Cambodia´s economic standing, living standards, and tourism appeal to provide clarity.
Cambodia´s current economic situation, based on 2023 World Bank data and 2025 projections, places it in the lower-middle-income bracket with a GDP per capita of approximately $1,700-$2,000 USD. This compares significantly to wealthier nations like the U.S. ($80,000 USD) or Singapore ($82,000 USD). Within Southeast Asia, Cambodia lags behind Thailand ($7,000 USD) and Vietnam ($4,500 USD) but outpaces Laos ($1,500 USD). While the Cambodian economy has experienced impressive annual growth averaging 7% from 1998 to 2019, driven by garment exports, tourism, and construction, its reliance on foreign aid and Chinese investment highlights ongoing economic development needs.
Cambodia´s poverty rate, while decreasing (from 36.7% in 2014 to 17.8% in 2020 using national poverty lines), reveals a stark urban-rural divide. While cities offer modern amenities, rural areas often lack basic necessities. A significant portion of the population, 70-80% in rural areas, earns a daily income of only $2-3. Despite the challenges, affordable living costs, with street meals often available for as little as $1, attract travelers and expats. Yet, such affordability reflects a standard of living lower compared to wealthier nations.
In regional and global contexts, Cambodia exhibits moderate economic development, characterized by an HDI ranking of 0.593 (2023), placing it 146th out of 193 countries. While Cambodia doesn´t rank among the richest nations, it´s also far from the poorest, demonstrating ongoing economic progress. Comparisons to neighboring countries reveal that Cambodia´s economic standing lags behind more robust nations like Thailand and Malaysia but outperforms economies of similar status.
Cambodia´s tourism sector stands out as a significant economic bright spot. In 2023, Cambodia welcomed approximately 5.4 million visitors (Khmer Times), drawn to Angkor Wat, Sihanoukville´s beaches, and Khmer culture. This influx of tourists contributes positively to the economy, indicating continued travel appeal. Cambodia Immigration Services expedites the visa process (with a standard tourist visa costing $30 USD or an online e-Visa option).
In conclusion, Cambodia is a developing nation. Its economic performance is steady, living costs are affordable, and travel potential is strong. While not categorized as a wealthy nation, its ongoing progress surpasses many of the world´s less developed economies. For travelers or expats seeking to experience this evolving nation, Cambodia Immigration Services offers expert support for visa processing and travel planning.
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