PEOPLE
Ninety
percent of Cambodia's population is ethnically Cambodian. Other
ethnic groups include Chinese, Vietnamese, hill tribes, Chams,
and Laotian. Theravada Buddhism is the religion of 95% of the
population; Islam, animism, and Christianity also are practiced.
Khmer is the official language and is spoken by more than 95%
of the population. Some French is still spoken in urban areas,
and English is increasingly popular as a second language.
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Cambodian(s), Khmer.
Population (2007 est.): 14 million.
Avg. annual growth rate (2007 est.): 1.72%.
Health: Infant mortality rate--58/1,000. Life expectancy--59 years male; 63 years female.
Ethnic groups: Cambodian 90%; Vietnamese 5%; Chinese 1%; small numbers of hill tribes, Chams, and Laotian.
Religions: Theravada Buddhism 95%; Islam; animism; Christian.
Languages: Khmer (official) spoken by more than 95% of the population; some French still spoken in urban areas; English increasingly popular as a second language.
Education: Years compulsory--nine years. Enrollment--primary school, 92%; grades 7 to 9, 34%; grades 10 to 12, 13%; and post-secondary, 1.4%. Completion rates--primary school, 48%; lower secondary school, 21%; upper secondary school, 9%; university, 6%. Literacy (total population over 15 that can read and write, 2006)--73.6% (male 84.7%; female 64.1%).
