The Kingdom of Cambodia, Cambodia or Kampuchea as it sounds in Khmer language. With an unofficial total population of close to 17 millions in 2021 including current country residents and abroad migrants. Home to the world famous Angkor Wat temple, and many more attractions made Cambodia a must-visit destination in Asia. Cambodia is located in the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered with Thailand to the Northwest, Laos to the Northeast, Vietnam to the East, and the Gulf of Thailand to the Southwest with an area of 181,035 square kilometers. The country consists of 25 provinces and municipalities.
The Mekong River, which flows through the country, and the Tonle Sap (Great Lake) are the lifeline of the people who live along the waterways. There are three main mountain ranges, namely the Cardamom mountains in the South West, the Dangkrek mountains in the North and the Annamite mountains in the North East.
Cambodia Total Population 2021 – 2019 Census
The outcome from the latest national Cambodia General Population Census in 2019 indicated that there are 15,552,211 people currently living in Cambodia. This total Cambodia Population Report released by the National Institution of Statistic (NIS) of the Kingdom of Cambodia, dated October 2020. However, this fifteen and a half million are only those who are living in Cambodia at the time of the Census conducted. The report also stated that there are 1,235,980 migrants who are working abroad especially in Thailand. This could be estimated that the total number of Cambodian population is close to Seventeen Million people, 16,788,191 people. This figure is pretty much corresponding to the live data produced on worldometers.info live presenting the total Cambodia Population is 16,858,882 people updated February 2, 2021.
The History of Cambodian Population Growth
According to the statement extracted from the NIS 9th conducted Census final report issued in October 2020 of the Cambodia Population Census.
The first Cambodian census was conducted in 1962, following independence from France. It counted a total population of 5.7 million. The demographic situation of the nation changed dramatically after this first census because of war and civil unrest. The country carried out no further census until 1998. However, demographers did make some population estimates to serve as the base population for planning and policy development. A demographic survey conducted in 1979-1980 estimated the total Cambodian population at approximately 6.6 million.
In 1994, the Cambodian Socio-Economic Survey was carried out by the National Institute of Statistics (NIS). The Survey estimated the total population of Cambodia at 9.9 million.
In March 1996, the NIS conducted another demographic survey covering 20,000 households, which estimated the total population of Cambodia at 10.7 million. The 1998 Census recorded a population of 11.4 million.
The NIS also undertook an Inter-Censal Survey in 2004 and found that the population had increased to 12.8 million. Following a pattern of steady increase, the 2008 Census obtained a result of 13.4 million. The Inter-Censal Survey in 2013 revealed a population of 14.7 million and the final result
of GPCC 2019 accounted for 15.6 million.
Cambodia Population in 4 Regions
This 15.6 m. national population has been segmented into the four regions of the whole territory.
- The Central Plain region is the highly populated, comprising of 7,644,295 persons or 49.2 % of the total population. This Central Plain region consists of seven provinces and municipalities such as: Kampong Cham, Tbong Khmum, Kandal, Phnom Penh, Prey Veng, Svay Rieng and Ta Keo.
- The Tonle Sap region is the second most populated region, with 4,852,964 persons or 31.2% of the total. This Tonle Sap region consists of eight provinces and municipalities such as: Banteay Meancheay, Battambang, Kampong Chhnang, Kompong Thom, Pursat, Siem Reap, Otdar Meancheay, and Pailin.
- The Plateau and Mountains region is the third most populated area with 1,982,484 persons or 12.7%. This Plateau and Mountains region consists of five provinces such as: Kampong Speu, Kratie, Mondul Kiri, Ratanakiri, and Stung Treng.
- Finally, the Coastal and Sea region has a population of 1,072,468 or 6.9 % of the total. This Coastal and Sea region consists of four provinces and municipalities such as: Kompot, Koh Kong, Preah Sihanouk, and Kep.
Cambodia Population by Provinces
The report has also distributed the total population of the Cambodian residents in each of the 25 provinces and municipalities as following graph:
At the provincial level, Phnom Penh which is the country capital city and the main business and national administrative hub, has the highest population of up to 2,281,951 (14.7 %). The number followed by neighbouring Kandal with a population of 1,201,581 (7.7%), and similarly Prey Veng has 1,057,720 (6.8%). While Siem Reap, which is the main tourist cultural and historical destination ranks also one of the greatest number at up to 1,014,234 (6.5%). When Battambang, 997,169 (6.4%); Takeo, 900,914 (5.8%); and Kampong Cham, 899,791 (5.8%) flowing respectively. The cute crab represented Kep falls as the province with the lowest population at 42,665(0.3%).
At least but not last, for more detailed report on the Cambodia population in 2021, you may visit the official website of the National Institute of Statistics of the Ministry of Planning of Cambodia. Or download the Reports both in Khmer and English to read here:
Note: This article is for information purpose only, no liability will be taken for legal or official reference.
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