L I V I N G I N C A M B O D I A
Cambodia
Cambodia is a country in Southeast Asia, bordering Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand, and opening onto the Gulf of Thailand. Covering approximately 181,035 km², it is home to 17 million inhabitants as of 2025, with a significant portion of the population under 25 years old. The capital, Phnom Penh, is located in the south of Cambodia, only a few hours' bus ride from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s economic capital.
This constitutional monarchy has been led by King Norodom Sihamoni since 2005 and is governed by Prime Minister Hun Manet since 2023. The country ranks 146th on the Human Development Index (2024). The average monthly salary is approximately $250 (2025), making it attractive for international companies looking to expand due to competitive labor costs.
Cambodia is famous for its UNESCO World Heritage Sites, notably Angkor Wat and the Temple of Preah Vihear.
Living in Cambodia - The economy of Cambodia
Since the 1990s, the situation in Cambodia has significantly stabilized and improved across many sectors, including infrastructure, law, international relations, and economic stability.
With an economic growth rate of about 6% in 2025 and low inflation (around 0.5% in 2024), Cambodia remains classified by the World Bank as a "lower-middle-income country." Despite recent developments, it continues to face inequalities and remains one of the less developed countries within ASEAN. The country remains heavily "dollarized," contributing to monetary stability.
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The economy relies on three main sectors:
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Agriculture: Around 70% of households rely on agriculture as their primary source of income.
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Industry: Primarily textiles, footwear, and travel goods manufacturing. These sectors employ hundreds of thousands of Cambodians and drive significant economic growth.
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Tourism: Tourism is rebounding strongly post-pandemic, with approximately 4.4 million visitors arriving in the first ten months of 2023. Although Angkor Wat remains the central attraction, the country aims to diversify and attract higher-spending tourists.
Living in Cambodia - Survival Guide Phnom Penh
You're getting ready to live in Phnom Penh? You must know some information. We concocted you a guide full of advice.
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Living in Cambodia - Immigration
You will find all the information and administrative procedures to know and do before your installation.
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Living in Cambodia - Things to know
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Discover here our different articles to learn more of living in Cambodia.
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Cost of living in Cambodia
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Are you planning to live in Cambodia and wondering about prices in Phnom Penh? Relocation Vietnam is your friend in the city and is happy to help you with your move.
To introduce you to the cost of living, here are some updated comparisons between Phnom Penh and other cities around the world (2025):
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Phnom Penh is 39% cheaper than Lyon, France.
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Phnom Penh is 22% cheaper than Seoul, South Korea.
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Phnom Penh is 52% cheaper than Hong Kong, China.
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Phnom Penh is 44% cheaper than Dubai, UAE.
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Living in Cambodia: Expatriates' Property Rights
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In Cambodia, foreigners cannot own land directly. However, foreigners can legally purchase apartments or condos (above the ground floor), provided that foreign ownership in the building doesn't exceed 70%. Long-term leasing and establishing a Cambodian company are also viable legal options for property investment.
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The effervescence of the casinos by the Chinese in Sihanoukville
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Chinese influence has grown significantly in recent years, especially in Sihanoukville (also known as Kampong Som). The city has become a major hub for casinos and Chinese-funded developments. As of 2024, there are around 250,000 Chinese nationals living in Cambodia, mainly concentrated in this coastal city.
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Pepper Bay - An exceptional pepper grown in Kampot
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Pepper is the most widely used spice in cooking in the world and has been used for thousands of years. In the Middle Ages, the spice was used as a currency. Pepper is obtained from a creeper called Piper Nigrum and its quality depends on various factors such as climate, terrain, sunshine and care.
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Without a "Business Visa", foreigners will be refused a long-term visa
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Since recent immigration reforms, foreigners intending to stay long-term in Cambodia must secure a "Business Visa (E-class)" and possess a valid work permit. Tourist visas (T-class) are still available but limited to short stays.
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