Urbanization Growth in Cambodia from 1990 to 2023

Cambodia’s urbanization rate increased from 15.5% in 1990 to 25.6% in 2023, indicating a steady rise in urban migration over the years. Cambodia’s urbanization began slowly in the 1990s, with a small urban population concentrated in Phnom Penh. Economic challenges and an agrarian-based economy initially limited the shift towards urban areas. However, as Cambodia’s economy grew and diversified in the 2000s, urban centers expanded, with more people migrating to cities in search of improved livelihoods. By the 2010s, urbanization accelerated as the government focused on infrastructure development and economic reforms, creating more employment opportunities in urban areas. By 2023, Cambodia’s urban population reached 25.6%, showing a gradual shift towards urban living, though the country still has a significant rural demographic.