Cambodia: health and care

What is life expectancy in Cambodia?

Life expectancy at birth in Cambodia was 71.2 years in 2023, according to the World Health Organization, up from 70.7 in 2022 and 69.6 in 2021.

Life expectancy at birth is the number of years a newborn would live if death rates at each age stayed as they were that year. WHO estimates it from national death registration, censuses and surveys, and adjusts the figures so they can be compared across countries. WHO's figures for 2023 give 73.8 years for women and 68.4 for men.

Official sources: World Health Organization

How many children die before age five in Cambodia?

18.4 of every 1,000 children born in Cambodia died before their fifth birthday in 2024, according to the World Health Organization. The infant mortality rate, for deaths before age one, was 16.4 per 1,000 live births.

Under-five mortality was 19.9 per 1,000 in 2022. WHO's data also show a large gap by household wealth: in 2024 the rate was 26.0 per 1,000 in the poorest fifth of households and 9.7 in the richest fifth. The estimates come from the UN inter-agency group for child mortality, which combines survey and registration data.

Official sources: World Health Organization · infant mortality rate

How many women die in childbirth in Cambodia?

Cambodia had an estimated 137 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023, according to the World Health Organization, down from 189 in 2021.

The maternal mortality ratio counts deaths of women from causes related to pregnancy or childbirth, during pregnancy or within 42 days after it ends. The figures are modelled estimates from the UN inter-agency group on maternal mortality, which uses surveys, census data and other national sources, so they come with wide uncertainty ranges and can differ from national survey figures.

Official sources: World Health Organization

How common is tuberculosis in Cambodia?

Cambodia had an estimated 272 new tuberculosis cases per 100,000 people in 2024, according to the World Health Organization, close to 276 in 2023 and 277 in 2022.

The incidence rate estimates all new and relapse cases each year, including people who were never diagnosed, so it is higher than the number of cases notified by health services. WHO builds the estimates from national case notifications, surveys and other data, and they come with an uncertainty range.

Official sources: World Health Organization

How much does Cambodia spend on health?

Cambodia's total health spending was 4.62% of GDP in 2023, according to the World Health Organization, and out-of-pocket payments by households made up 60.6% of it.

Out-of-pocket spending is what people pay directly for care and medicines. The National Institute of Statistics' Cambodia Socio-Economic Survey 2023 found that 84.7% of the money people spent on treatment came from household income, 12.1% from savings and 0.8% from borrowing. WHO's universal health coverage index for Cambodia rose from 59 in 2021 to 62 in 2023.

Official sources: World Health Organization · out-of-pocket payments · Cambodia Socio-Economic Survey 2023 · universal health coverage index

Do Cambodians use public or private health care?

79.6% of Cambodians who sought care for an illness or injury in 2023 went first to a private medical provider, and 13.9% to a public one, according to the National Institute of Statistics' Cambodia Socio-Economic Survey 2023. 6.0% went first to traditional or other non-medical providers.

The survey found that 19.2% of people had an illness or injury in the 30 days before their interview, 22.2% of women and 16.1% of men. Private providers include clinics, pharmacies and private doctors. The question asked about the first place people went for treatment, so people who later moved to public hospitals are counted under their first choice.

Official sources: Cambodia Socio-Economic Survey 2023

How many doctors does Cambodia have?

Cambodia had 2.11 medical doctors per 10,000 people in 2019, according to the World Health Organization, the latest year in WHO's data. It had 10.08 nurses and midwives per 10,000 people that year.

The figures come from the national health workforce accounts that countries report to WHO. In 2018 the rates were also 2.11 doctors and 11.03 nurses and midwives per 10,000 people, and in 2017 there were 1.95 doctors per 10,000.

Official sources: World Health Organization · nurses and midwives

What is the average life expectancy in Cambodia?

In 2024, life expectancy at birth in Cambodia was 70.8 years, according to the UN Population Division. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 71.5 years, and Cambodia placed 17th highest of 30. World rank, highest first: 126th of 193.

What is Cambodia's infant mortality rate?

In 2024, the infant mortality rate in Cambodia was 16.4 per 1,000, according to the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation. No year since 2005 has been lower. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 13.9 per 1,000, and Cambodia placed 12th highest of 30. Of 192 countries with 2024 data, 76th highest.

What is the maternal mortality rate in Cambodia?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2023, is 137 per 100,000. That is the lowest since at least 2005. It is 8th highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 82.0 per 100,000. Worldwide: 55th of 192.

What share of GDP does Cambodia spend on health care?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2023, is 4.6% of GDP. Its high point since 2005 was 2021, at 6.3% of GDP; its low point was 2017, at 4.3% of GDP. East Asia & Pacific median: 5.9% of GDP; Cambodia is 18th highest of 29. Of 191 countries with 2023 data, 131st highest.

How much do people in Cambodia pay for health care themselves?

60.6%: that is out-of-pocket health spending in Cambodia for 2023, according to the WHO. The peak was 64.4% in 2019 and the low 41.7% in 2021. East Asia & Pacific median: 12.2%; Cambodia is 2nd highest of 29. Worldwide: 17th of 191.

How many doctors per person does Cambodia have?

The WHO puts the number of doctors per 1,000 people in Cambodia at 0.21 per 1,000 in 2019. Its high point since 2008 was 2008, at 0.24 per 1,000; its low point was 2013, at 0.14 per 1,000. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 0.76 per 1,000, and Cambodia placed 19th highest of 21. Worldwide: 114th of 135.

How many hospital beds per person does Cambodia have?

The WHO puts hospital beds per 1,000 people in Cambodia at 0.73 per 1,000 in 2018. Since 2005 it has ranged from 0.59 per 1,000 (2005) to 0.83 per 1,000 (2015). It is 15th highest of 16 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 2.3 per 1,000. Of 137 countries with 2018 data, 123rd highest.

What is the measles vaccination rate in Cambodia?

83.0%: that is measles vaccination among children aged 12 to 23 months in Cambodia for 2024, according to WHO and UNICEF. Its high point since 2005 was 2009, at 92.0%; its low point was 2006, at 78.0%. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 91.0%, and Cambodia placed 21st highest of 30. Worldwide: 132nd of 191.