Despite a harsh past few decades, Cambodia is slowly coming out of intense poverty. It is usually more settling to overlook the brutal facts of a country, but education deepens understanding of the need for aid in these areas. Knowing the facts and figures of Cambodia can allow for a more comprehensive approach when trying to offer aid to Cambodians.

Many people have recently heard of Cambodia because of its bustling tourism industry, but not many know that it is still one of the poorest countries in the world. In 2012, 2.66 million people were recorded living on less than $1.20 per day, almost 40 percent of children suffered from malnutrition, and at least 50 percent of the population was younger than 25 years old.

The economy of Cambodia relies on tourism, garment production, construction, real estate and agriculture. A reported 48.7% of the population work in agriculture, 31.5% in service and 19.9% in industry in 2013. According to the World Bank, the GDP of Cambodia increased from $18.05 billion in 2015 to $20.02 billion in 2016, which caused the organization to reclassify Cambodia as a low-to-middle income country.

Education rates had fallen behind in past years, but in 2015, the country saw a 98% primary net enrollment rate. The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MOEYS) is working to make that number 100% and have primary education available to children all over the country. Gender partiality has been weakened, and now 48% of primary students are girls.

The government of Cambodia is called a parliamentary constitutional monarchy, where King Norodom Sihamoni’s role is mainly ceremonial. Prime Minister Hun Sen is one of the world’s longest-serving prime ministers and has been a part of various coalitions in the government since 1985. Some believe Hun Sen has been gaining an authoritarian rule over the country, and to maintain quasi-dictatorial rule, it is believed that he uses electoral fraud, corruption and intimidation.

Khmer Rouge, a radical communist, held power in Cambodia from 1975 to 1978 where his quest for a rural utopia killed two million people. The facts and figures of Cambodia create an image of a country with a harsh past and current struggles, but Cambodians and their economy are trying to forget that past and corrupt politics so they can continue to grow stronger and more stable.

– Emily Arnold

Photo: Flickr