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Cambodia has a fast growing economy, and the Royal Government of Cambodia continues its quest to become a high-income country in the decades to come. Cambodia’s rapid economic growth over the last two decades has been accompanied by a sharp decline in the national poverty rate, from 47.8 percent in 2007 to 17.8 percent in 2019. Nevertheless, despite consistent growth in the gross domestic product, a notable segment of the population remains ‘near poor’ and at high risk of sliding back into poverty following both covariate shocks — such as natural hazards and global pandemics — and life cycle contingencies such as illness and disability. Changes in household status can happen quickly as the result of income fluctuations, shocks and opportunities, reflecting the dynamic nature of poverty and vulnerability.
According to the Cambodia Socio-Economic Survey (2021), food expenditure constitutes a significant portion of household consumption across the entire population. Even the poorest households spend an average of 56 percent of their monthly resources on food, while the richest 10 percent spend over 30 percent. Consequently, families have limited resources to allocate towards other essential goods and services. This situation hampers their ability to invest in their children's development, particularly in households with elderly members and children. The prevalence of vulnerability in Cambodian households highlights that the challenge of affording food and necessities extends beyond the poor segment of the population.
Malnutrition in all its forms (under, over and micronutrient deficiencies) remains a key public health concern, affecting children under 5, older children and adolescents. Approximately, 22 percent of children under 5 years are stunted, 10 percent wasted, and 15 percent underweight. Over 80 percent of adult women and children under 5 are deficient in at least one critical micronutrient (e.g., iron, vitamin A, zinc, folate, vitamin B12, vitamin D, or iodine). A 2023 update of the Fill the Nutrient Gap study, conducted by WFP, UNICEF and the Council for Agricultural and Rural Development, revealed that 16 percent of the population cannot afford the least expensive nutritious diet when adjusted for debt. Diets across Cambodia remain heavily reliant on cereals and sugar, lacking in micronutrient-rich foods like vegetables and fruits. Consumption of ultra-processed and sweetened beverages is also increasing across all population groups and wealth quintiles. The analysis showed that poor diets stem from multiple drivers, including supply-side constraints, unregulated food environments, affordability issues of a nutritious diet, lifestyle changes and conusmer preferences, and climate change.
The Government endorsed the pentagonal development strategy in 2023, setting a course for development priorities including human capital development, resilience, and sustainable and inclusive development – all of which are relevant to WFP’s mandate and expertise.
This year saw the endorsement by the Government of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and WFP’s Country Strategic Plan 2024-2028, which were both developed through consulting government counterparts and aligned with national priorities.