The rate of natural increase (RNI) in Cambodia, which measures population growth by subtracting the crude death rate from the crude birth rate, has been moderate in recent years. As of 2023, Cambodia’s RNI is around 1.3% per year, reflecting a steady but slowing population growth due to declining fertility rates and improving healthcare. In comparison, neighboring Thailand has a much lower RNI, close to zero or even negative, as it faces an aging population and very low birth rates. Vietnam’s RNI is also lower than Cambodia’s, at about 0.9%, due to similar demographic transitions. On the other hand, Laos has a slightly higher RNI, around 1.5%, owing to its higher fertility rates and younger population. Thus, Cambodia’s RNI is higher than Thailand and Vietnam but slightly lower than Laos, highlighting its position in a transitional phase of demographic change within the region.
| Year | Rate of Natural Increase | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1965 | 2.675 | 6,601,609 |
| 1970 | 1.904 | 7,394,265 |
| 1975 | -3.261 | 7,559,049 |
| 1980 | 2.906 | 6,946,804 |
| 1985 | 3.207 | 7,912,778 |
| 1990 | 3.158 | 9,453,578 |
| 1995 | 2.355 | 11,334,225 |
| 2000 | 1.873 | 12,460,931 |
| 2005 | 1.952 | 13,430,639 |
| 2010 | 2.016 | 14,326,901 |
| 2015 | 1.849 | 15,168,983 |
| 2020 | 1.476 | 16,337,185 |
| 2024 | 1.258 | 17,063,669 |
| 2025 | 1.212 | 17,230,333 |
| 2026 | 1.17 | 17,391,404 |
| 2030 | 1.033 | 17,987,131 |
| 2035 | 0.921 | 18,651,681 |
| 2040 | 0.834 | 19,258,342 |
| 2045 | 0.713 | 19,790,688 |
| 2050 | 0.558 | 20,202,507 |
| 2055 | 0.401 | 20,463,720 |
| 2060 | 0.268 | 20,581,022 |
| 2065 | 0.152 | 20,572,338 |
| 2070 | 0.034 | 20,443,664 |
| 2075 | -0.088 | 20,191,152 |
| 2080 | -0.197 | 19,822,463 |
| 2085 | -0.28 | 19,360,632 |
| 2090 | -0.344 | 18,835,962 |
| 2095 | -0.409 | 18,261,424 |
| 2100 | -0.487 | 17,635,957 |
Data from US Census International Database