Phnom Penh Statistics 2026
Verified Phnom Penh statistics: population, economy, expat community and cost of living. Sourced from NIS Cambodia, World Bank and Numbeo. Estimates clearly labeled.
Journalists and researchers: download the full dataset (CSV / JSON) or copy a citation.
Last updated: May 2026·Next update: August 2026·36 sourced statistics
Only high & medium confidence data is published.
Key Phnom Penh Statistics
residents (National Institute of Statistics Cambodia, 2023)
Phnom Penh holds 13% of Cambodia's total population — and generates over 50% of its GDP.
estimated share of Cambodia's total GDP
As Cambodia's only major economic hub, Phnom Penh's economy is the engine behind the country's 6% growth.
estimated registered foreign residents
Phnom Penh hosts the largest expat community in Cambodia — a mix of NGO workers, entrepreneurs and digital nomads.
Phnom Penh Economy
GDP contribution, businesses and key sectors
- →Phnom Penh is home to 70%+ of Cambodia's registered foreign businesses
- →The city hosts 4 international standard hospitals
- →Garment manufacturing, finance, construction and retail are the dominant sectors
- →The Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone hosts 100+ factories
Phnom Penh Population
Density, growth and district breakdown
- →Phnom Penh covers 678 km² across 14 districts (khans)
- →The city's population has tripled since the 1990s reconstruction era
- →Median age: approximately 26 years — same young demographic as national average
- →Boeung Kak, Toul Kork, Chamkarmon and Daun Penh are the main expat-friendly districts
Population by District (Khan)
Estimated population per district based on 2019 census
| District (Khan) | Est. Population | Area (km²) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chamkarmonest. | ~180,000 | 13 km² | Popular expat district |
| Daun Penhest. | ~150,000 | 14 km² | Historic center |
| 7 Makaraest. | ~165,000 | 12 km² | Central business |
| Tuol Korkest. | ~220,000 | 14 km² | Expat families |
| Meancheyest. | ~320,000 | 35 km² | Largest by area |
| Russei Keoest. | ~280,000 | 32 km² | Industrial |
| Sen Sokest. | ~350,000 | 148 km² | Fast growing |
| Por Sencheyest. | ~280,000 | 143 km² | Airport area |
| Othersest. | ~400,000 | 267 km² | Outer khans |
District populations are estimates derived from the 2019 General Population Census (NIS). Official per-khan breakdowns are not publicly available in detail.
Source: National Institute of Statistics Cambodia — 2019 General Census
- →Phnom Penh has 14 khans (districts) and 105 sangkats (communes)
- →Sen Sok and Por Senchey are the fastest-growing districts with new residential developments
- →Chamkarmon (BKK1, Tonle Bassac) and Tuol Kork are the main expat-friendly districts
- →The historic center (Daun Penh) includes the Royal Palace, National Museum and riverside areas
Phnom Penh Cost of Living
City comparison and monthly budget breakdown
| City | COL Index (NYC=100) | Apartment 1BR | Solo Budget/mo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phnom Penh | 32.1 | $300–800 | $800–1,500 |
| Siem Reap | 24.8 | $250–600 | $600–1,200 |
| Kampotest. | 22.5 | $150–400 | $500–900 |
| Bangkok | 41.3 | $500–1,200 | $1,000–2,000 |
| Ho Chi Minh City | 33.4 | $350–900 | $800–1,400 |
| Chiang Mai | 36.2 | $300–800 | $700–1,300 |
| Da Nang | 31.8 | $250–600 | $700–1,200 |
COL Index = Numbeo cost of living index (NYC=100). Lower = cheaper. All figures are estimates.
Sources: Numbeo May 2026 (private, crowd-sourced). All cost ranges are indicative.
- →Phnom Penh is more expensive than Siem Reap or Kampot, but significantly cheaper than Bangkok or Singapore
- →BKK1 and Tonle Bassac command premium rents ($600–1,200/month for a 1BR)
- →Toul Kork and Sen Sok offer better value ($300–600/month for a 1BR)
- →Food: local meal $2–5, Western restaurant $8–20, coffee $2–4
All cost-of-living figures are estimates based on Numbeo data and local listing checks. Actual costs vary significantly by lifestyle, district and preferences.
Expat & Nomad Scene
Foreign residents, coworking spaces and cost of living
- →The largest NGO presence in Southeast Asia — over 500 INGOs registered in Cambodia are based here
- →BKK1 district is the main expat neighbourhood with the highest density of co-working, cafés and restaurants
- →Monthly cost of living index (Numbeo): ~32/100 (NYC=100) — higher than Siem Reap but much cheaper than Bangkok (41) or Singapore (86)
- →Fast internet: average broadband 50–100 Mbps in modern buildings
Airport & Transport
Phnom Penh airport, Techo new airport, and major road distances
| Route | Distance | Time | Mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phnom Penh → Siem Reap | 317 km | ~5h (road) / 1h (flight) | Bus/taxi/flight |
| Phnom Penh → Sihanoukville | 230 km | ~3.5h (road) | Bus/taxi |
| Phnom Penh → Kampot | 148 km | ~2h (road) | Bus/taxi |
| Phnom Penh → Kep | 172 km | ~2.5h (road) | Bus/taxi |
| Phnom Penh → Bangkok | 651 km | ~8h (road) / 1.5h (flight) | Bus/flight |
| Phnom Penh → Ho Chi Minh City | 230 km | ~6h (road) / 50min (flight) | Bus/flight |
- →Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH) handled 9M passengers in 2019 before COVID
- →Techo International Airport is Cambodia's new flagship airport, located 30km from the city center
- →The new airport has a Phase 1 capacity of 13 million passengers/year, expandable to 50M by 2050
- →Cambodia's first railway: the Phnom Penh–Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh–Poi Pet lines serve limited routes
Economy & Business
Key sectors, embassies and economic drivers
| Sector | Importance | Key employers |
|---|---|---|
| Garments & textiles | High | 700,000+ factory workers nationally |
| Finance & banking | High | 50+ licensed banks (NBC Cambodia) |
| Construction & real estate | High | $6B+ investment 2019 |
| NGOs & international orgs | High | 3,500+ registered |
| Retail & F&B | Growing | 200+ shopping malls and centers |
| Tourism & hospitality | Growing | Recovering post-COVID |
Sector importance is qualitative. Employment figures are national estimates.
Sources: NBC Cambodia, CDC Cambodia, NGO Forum Cambodia
Healthcare
Hospitals, clinics and medical services for expats and residents
- →Key hospitals: Royal Phnom Penh Hospital, Calmette (public), Sunrise Japan Hospital, Sen Sok International, Khema International
- →Private clinic consultation: $15–$50 estimate depending on specialist
- →Dental: $20–$100 for basic procedures (estimate, varies widely)
- →Medical evacuation to Bangkok (Bumrungrad) is the standard option for complex cases — ~1h by flight
- →Health insurance: $100–$300/month for expat coverage (estimate)
Hospital counts are estimates based on directory listings. Contact individual facilities for current services.
Education & Schools
International schools, universities and bilingual options
- →Major international schools: International School of Phnom Penh (ISPP), Northbridge International, Footprints, Lycée Descartes (French)
- →Most international schools are in BKK1, Tuol Kork and Chamkarmon districts
- →Annual fees range from $3,000 (smaller schools) to $20,000+ (top international)
- →Cambodia has 100+ universities — Royal University of Phnom Penh and RULE are among the most prestigious
- →Bilingual Khmer-English schools are widely available at lower price points ($500–2,000/year)
School counts and fees are estimates from directory listings and school websites. Contact schools directly for current enrollment and fees.
Digital Connectivity & Nomad Scene
Internet speeds, coworking and mobile operators
- →Phnom Penh has 20+ co-working spaces, concentrated in BKK1 and Tuol Kork
- →Key coworking hubs: Emerald Hub, Factory Phnom Penh, Sugar + Cream, TekHub
- →Most modern apartments in BKK1 and Toul Kork have fiber internet (10–100 Mbps) included
- →Mobile data: ~$5–10/month for 30–100GB from Cellcard, Smart or Metfone
- →Major operators: Cellcard, Smart, Metfone — widespread 4G coverage in the city
Climate & Practical Notes
Seasons, rainfall and practical information for visitors and residents
| Season | Months | Temperature | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cool dry season | Nov–Feb | 24–30°C | Best time to visit — pleasant, low humidity |
| Hot dry season | Mar–Apr | 30–38°C | Very hot — but dry and clear |
| Rainy season | May–Oct | 26–33°C | Afternoon showers, lush, occasional flooding |
Phnom Penh is at low elevation near the Mekong — flooding risk exists in low-lying areas during heavy rains.
- →Phnom Penh is at approximately 12m above sea level — flooding in low-lying areas occurs during heavy rains (Aug–Oct)
- →Air quality is generally moderate — occasional poor days during dry season due to dust and traffic
- →Power cuts are rare in central districts; backup generators are standard in commercial buildings
- →Travel advisories: check UK FCDO, US State Dept, and Australian DFAT for current guidance
Climate data from World Bank Climate Knowledge Portal. Travel advisories change — consult official government sources.
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Siem Reap Hub. (2026, May). Phnom Penh statistics 2026. https://siemreaphub.com/phnom-penh/statistics
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