Cambodia’s population set to reach 24m by 2050

Cambodia’s population is projected to climb to around 24 million by 2050, Prime Minister Hun Manet has announced, marking a sharp rise from the 17.3 million recorded in the 2024 census.

In a message released to mark World Population Day, Hun Manet outlined how the country’s age structure will shift dramatically over the next quarter‑century. The youth demographic is expected to shrink, while the adult and elderly populations will expand significantly.

By 2050, the share of citizens under 15 is forecast to fall to 21.8 per cent, down from 26.8 per cent in 2024. Those aged 15 to 34 will also decline, dropping from 34.6 per cent to 28.2 per cent. In contrast, the proportion of adults aged 35 to 64 will rise to 37.2 per cent, while the elderly population aged 65 and above is set to nearly double, reaching 12.7 per cent.

Hun Manet warned that these changes underline the urgency of investing in young people now. “If we fail to provide opportunities and support to the young population today, we will face challenges in the future,” he said, pointing to risks such as a shortage of skilled labour and heavier social and economic burdens from an ageing society.

The prime minister stressed that immediate action is vital to secure Cambodia’s economic future and to achieve what economists call the “second demographic dividend” — the boost that comes when a well‑educated and productive workforce supports a growing elderly population.

Cambodia’s demographic transition mirrors trends seen across much of Asia, where falling birth rates and longer life expectancy are reshaping societies. For Phnom Penh, the challenge will be to harness the energy of its current youth while preparing for a future in which older citizens make up a far larger share of the population.

-2026-07-14