Cambodia saw an increase in economic entities of nearly 50 per cent in the past 10 years. Notably, nearly 70 per cent of them are owned or represented by women, according to the Results of the Economic Census of Cambodia 2022 report, launched on December 26.
According to the census, as of 2022, there are a total of 753,670 economic entities in the Kingdom, an increase of 49 per cent compared to the 505,134 recorded in 2011, when the first census was carried out.
Of the 753,670 entities, 52.5 per cent are located in urban areas, with 69.1 per cent owned or represented by women. The entities employ 2.98 million people, including 1.84 million women.
The census also showed that around seven per cent of formal businesses are industrial, while the remaining 93 per cent are in the service sector.
The census, conducted across March 2022, covered all markets, factories, companies, handicraft businesses, online businesses selling goods and services, schools, universities, pagodas, hospitals and health centres across Cambodia.
It excluded the entities classified as agriculture, forestry and fisheries, as well as activities where householders were employees, in addition to mobile establishments, government agencies and diplomatic offices such as embassies and consulates, as well as military quarters.
Prime Minister Hun Manet presided over the launch of the census, noting that the data will serve as a map and compass for the government as it prepares policies that will support economic growth.
“If we cannot predict the future situation, we will lag behind and be unable to be proactive. We will only be reactive to what has already happened,” he said.
In the tourism sector, he added, data is key to show where most visitors travelled to in the post-pandemic era and helps each country prepare the right approach to attract them.
“Without data, it is like we are walking in the dark, guided only by searching for things with our bare hands,” he said.
“Data is important, as it shows us how far we have come in the past 10 years, and what the structure of our economy looks like. It also helps us to evaluate the impact of Covid-19,” he added.
He emphasised that only reliable data that can be helpful for the government in policy making.
“Statistics drawn from quality and reliable data is valuable input and the evidence which policy makers need for the preparation of polices, strategies, and socio-economic development plans, and allow us to target the short, medium, and long term,” he said.
He recommended that the planning ministry turn the economic data into comprehensive scientific information which will allow all government institutions to use it to prepare data-based policies. The data should be spread widely.
“We don’t rely on fortune tellers, we rely on data that shows us where to go,” he said.
Manet appreciated the efforts of the Cambodian officials who independently carried out the census which produced the data, while also thanking development partners for their assistance.
He said the data from the census will provide a useful basis to prepare development plans for various sectors for the period of 2024-28.
Planning minister Bin Trachhey presented the census results. He explained that the goal of the economic census was to compile basic statistics on each economic entity in Cambodia and create a master document of them, for policy makers and researchers to consult.
“The results of the census contribute to the implementation and evaluation of our policies and socio-economic planning, both at the national and sub-national levels,” he said.