Cambodia Summary

Bordered by Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and the Gulf of Thailand in Southeast Asia, Cambodia is a country striving to rise from its scarred past. For the first time in many years, Cambodians are experiencing some measure of peace and freedom.

Its mostly Khmer-speaking population endured many violent governmental changes in the last half of the 20th century. Invasions by its neighbors, the Vietnam War, and the ruthless Khmer Rouge regime have left Cambodians distrustful and guarded. The trauma from Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge regime (1975-1979), its mass evacuation of cities and towns, and the ruthless genocide of those they viewed as opposition can be seen across all generations. One result is that approximately one-half of the population is under 21 and uneducated. The economy has also suffered from the turbulent past, and foreign aid accounts for one half of the central government budget.

Since the 15th century, Buddhism has been the national religion in Cambodia. Today 85 percent of the population is Buddhist, while less than two percent is Evangelical Christian. In spite of past governmental attempts to eliminate all religions, Christianity has survived. Christians have worshiped openly since 1990, and indigenous church planters have established many new churches. The overwhelming social and emotional traumas of the past have left people open to the gospel. Mature Christian leadership is crucial to mobilize the churches to meet the needs of the people today.

Prayer Points

  • Pray for justice and healing from the Khmer Rouge genocide of the late 1970’s.
  • Pray for a display of God’s power and continued unprecedented growth within the Cambodian Church.
  • Pray for deliverance and salvation for the millions of children in bondage to forced labor, human trafficking, and the sex trade.

Quick Facts

Continent: Asia
Capital City: Phnom Penh
Government: Multiparty Democracy
Population: 14,494,293
Major People Groups: 87% Khmer, 4% Malay, 9% Other
Religion: 82% Buddhist, 8% Trad. Ethnic, 3% Muslim
Language: Khmer/French
GDP Per Capita: $2,700
Literacy Rate: 73.6%

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