Cambodia

Cambodia is a country in mainland Southeast Asia, officially the Kingdom of Cambodia. This profile separates stable identifiers from figures that shift with each reporting cycle. UN M49 codes, ISO codes and World Bank metadata anchor the nation in international databases and rarely change. Population estimates, economic indicators and travel rules move constantly, so the method below points to live sources and insists on citing a reference year every time you quote a number.

Stable identifiers

The United Nations Statistics Division assigns Cambodia the following codes and groupings. These are statistical conventions used for comparison across datasets, not political statements about sovereignty, borders or territorial claims.

Field	Value
UN M49 code	116
ISO alpha-2	KH
ISO alpha-3	KHM
UN region	Asia
UN subregion	South-eastern Asia
UN membership	Member state
World Bank capital field	Phnom Penh

The UN M49 overview is the authoritative source for these codes and regional groupings. The World Bank country API returns the same code and official name, and can be queried for additional metadata. The IANA country-code top-level domain is .kh.

These identifiers are fixed. They do not change with election cycles, economic revisions or naming disputes. Use the UN M49 overview and the World Bank API as anchors, then layer on volatile data from the sources named below.

Population

Population figures change continuously, and no single number is permanently correct. The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) publishes annual population estimates and projections. The World Bank also publishes population data, usually derived from UN figures, with a stated reference year. As of the most recent World Bank data release (reference year 2023), Cambodia’s population was estimated at approximately 16.9 million. That figure is a mid-year estimate, not a census count. The last Cambodian census was conducted in 2019 and counted about 15.6 million people. Both numbers are valid for different purposes: the census is the official national count, while the World Bank figure is a modelled annual estimate.

For current figures, use the World Bank country API: https://api.worldbank.org/v2/country/KH?format=json. The API returns a JSON record that includes the SP.POP.TOTL indicator for population and metadata showing the reference year. Always note the reference year when you cite a population figure. State both the source and the reference year explicitly. For example: “The World Bank reported Cambodia’s population as X in [year]” or “UN DESA’s 2024 revision estimates Cambodia’s population at Y.” Never mix the two datasets without noting that they are different collections.

Census versus estimate

The 2019 General Population Census of Cambodia, conducted by the National Institute of Statistics (NIS), remains the most recent official national count. UN and World Bank figures published after 2019 are modelled estimates that project forward from that census base. When precision matters, specify whether you are citing a census count or an inter-censal estimate, and name the reference year for each.

Capital

Phnom Penh is the capital of Cambodia. The World Bank country profile lists Phnom Penh as the capital in its country metadata. The United Nations Statistical Division (UNSD) does not maintain a capital field; capital cities are a matter of national designation and international recognition, not UN classification. For the most current official statement, check the Cambodian government’s own sources.

How to verify current figures

Cambodia’s population, languages, currency, government and economy change over time. Do not treat any number printed here as permanent. Instead, check the primary sources below and record the reference year each time you cite a figure.

Population and development indicators

Consult the United Nations Population Division and the World Bank country profile. The UN M49 overview also defines the statistical codes and regional groupings used across international datasets.

Economic data and income grouping

Use the World Bank country page and the API endpoint https://api.worldbank.org/v2/country/KH?format=json. For indicators such as GDP, income group or poverty rates, query the World Bank’s indicator API and note the year of the latest release.

Health statistics

Refer to the World Health Organization country profile for life expectancy, disease burden and health system indicators.

Education and literacy

UNESCO Institute for Statistics provides data on literacy, enrolment and cultural heritage listings.

Government structure and naming

Check the Cambodian government’s official portal. The CIA World Factbook can serve as a secondary source, clearly labeled as such.

Travel and entry rules

Rely on your own government’s foreign ministry or the IATA Travel Centre. Do not depend on a country profile or third-party summary for visa decisions.

Time zone, codes and domain

Use the IANA time zone database and the ISO country code list.

Reference-year rule

State the reference year for any figure you cite. Check the source’s own “last updated” or “reference period” field before quoting. Volatile figures, population, GDP, inflation, exchange rates, visa rules and health requirements, depend on methodology and refresh schedules. This profile does not freeze them; it shows which source to consult for each figure and which reference year to cite.