Cambodia at a glance
Why Cambodia? The Investment Case in Numbers
Cambodia has been one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies for over two decades. This page sets out the verified data — growth, demographics, tourism and capital flows — behind Phnom Penh’s property market.
All figures from official and institutional sources; see notes beside each chart.
Two Decades of Rapid Growth
Cambodia’s real GDP grew by an average of 8.2% per year from 2000 to 2019 — the fifth-fastest growth in the world, per the World Bank — and returned to 5–6% growth after the pandemic, reaching 6.0% in 2024. GDP per capita has tripled since 2010. Institutions project growth returning toward its ~5% trend by 2027.
World Bank national accounts (2025 preliminary)
A Young, Urbanising Population
Nearly 18 million people with a median age of about 26 — more than a decade younger than China or Thailand — and almost half the country under 25. Phnom Penh’s metro population of ~2.4 million grows around 3% a year as young Cambodians move to the capital for work, sustaining demand for modern rental housing.
Tourism Back Above Pre-Pandemic Levels
International arrivals set an all-time record of 6.70 million in 2024, surpassing the pre-pandemic peak — supported by the new Siem Reap–Angkor airport (2023) and the US$1.5 billion Techo International Airport in Phnom Penh (2025), built to scale to 30 million passengers. The 2025 Thai border tensions caused a temporary dip in arrivals, but the added airport capacity is a structural, long-term driver. Tourism underpins short-stay rental demand in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and the Sihanoukville coast.
Ministry of Tourism Cambodia
Record Foreign Direct Investment
Cambodia is attracting record levels of approved investment, led by manufacturing relocation from China and regional expansion under the RCEP trade bloc. Capital inflows support employment, wages and long-term housing demand.
A Dollarized, Open Economy
Over 90% of Cambodia’s banking deposits and virtually all property transactions are in US dollars, and the riel has held near 4,000–4,100 to the dollar for two decades. There are no exchange controls on repatriating sale proceeds, and the 20% capital gains tax on property has been deferred until at least January 2027.
Riel exchange rate: 4,000–4,100 KHR/USD (two decades)
National Bank of Cambodia, Financial Stability Review 2025
Regional Price Comparison
Prime Phnom Penh condominiums still trade at a fraction of prices in neighbouring capitals — with entry prices from roughly US$40,000–90,000 for foreign-quota strata units.
Global Property Guide, Square-Metre Prices in Asian Cities (2026)