Cambodia Census Warns of Education and Skills Crisis Ahead

Image generated by Maria Renée Rada using ChatGPT

Cambodia’s latest population census reveals both progress and pressing challenges for the country’s future, with gaps in literacy, skills, and access to education threatening long-term economic growth.

Released last week by the Ministry of Planning, the 2024 Cambodia Inter-censal Population Survey (CIPS) offers a sobering look at the realities behind the numbers. While literacy and vocational training have improved, persistent inequalities—especially in rural areas—suggest that without targeted reforms, Cambodia’s development may stall.

Literacy Gap Widens for Women

National literacy rose from 80.4% in 2019 to 85.6% in 2024, but the gender divide remains stark: 88.7% of men are literate compared to just 82.6% of women. The disparity is even more pronounced outside urban centres. The report warns that limited education for women weakens not only their job prospects but also their ability to support the next generation.

Youth Dropouts and Lost Potential

The data paints a troubling picture for school retention. Only 62.5% of 15–17-year-olds remain in school, dropping sharply to 22.1% among 18–24-year-olds. Many leave education due to poverty or the need to earn money, particularly in rural areas—locking families into cycles of low income and limited opportunity.

Skills Gap Stifles Growth

Despite nearly 30,000 completing vocational training at level 3, employers still report a mismatch between the skills young people gain and the needs of Cambodia’s growing sectors, including digital services, tourism, and manufacturing. This gap threatens the country’s ambitions to move beyond agriculture and garment production.

English and Tech Divide Deepens

Khmer-English literacy has more than doubled since 2019, but most gains are concentrated in cities. Rural Cambodians remain largely excluded from global job markets, hindered further by poor internet access and a lack of digital devices for learning.

A Call for Urgent Action

The census is more than a snapshot—it’s a roadmap. Experts urge investment in girls’ education, policies to reduce school dropouts, and reforms to vocational training aligned with real-world job demands. Expanding English education and digital access in rural areas is also critical.

If acted upon, this data can help close Cambodia’s widening gaps—and unlock the potential of its rising generation.

-2025-05-27