Phnom Penh, Cambodia: Addressing nearly 300 representatives at the launch of the Cambodia Inter-Censal Population Survey (CIPS) 2013, HE Mr. Chhay Than emphasized that the Royal Government of Cambodia is committed to strengthening data collection and analysis for development planning, which is critical for the socio-economic growth of Cambodia.
At the release of the report on 25 November 2013 led by the Ministry of Planning and jointly organized by UNFPA and JICA, HE Mr. Chhay Than stated that "the CIPS 2013 provides demographic and population data and gives an overview of the real situation for comprehensive policy making and socio-economic development." The launch was attended by an array of representatives from national and sub-national government institutions, embassies, UN agencies, development partners, NGOs, the private sector, universities, and the media.
The report reveals that the total population has increased by 1.28 million in the last 5 years and the number of working age people is on the rise, especially in urban areas despite the decline in the annual population growth rate to 1.46 per cent since the last census in 2008. This illustrates that the growing awareness of sexual and reproductive health and rights and a decline in the total fertility rate have had an impact on the population.
At the release of the report, the UNFPA Representative, Dr. Derveeuw Marc stressed that Cambodia is still benefiting from the demographic dividend and the dependency ratio is declining. He said, "This is a positive sign for Cambodia and a basis to continue to build on for its economic growth, if it invests in young people's employment in the coming years."
While the proportion of teenage marriage among men and women has not changed, around 2 per cent for men and 8 per cent for women between 2008 and 2013, women generally marry at younger ages than men where the average age at marriage is 23.7 years and 26.2 years, respectively. This trend has gradually increased in the last five years and demonstrates that both women and men are choosing to marry later than in previous years.
Additionally, the report reveals an increasing trend in urbanization, from 19.5% in 2008 to 21.4% in 2013, with nearly two-thirds of migrants moving from the rural areas. Cambodia's biggest urban centre, Phnom Penh, is a major destination for most migrants with the main factors for moving being the search for employment or education opportunities. The survey discloses that the number of people in the economically active working age group, aged 15-59, has risen the last 5 years from 55.7% to 58%.
The event was an opportunity to reveal current and up-to-date population and demographics trends and focus on emerging population issues such as migration, urbanization, ageing, employment, education, and population dynamics, and the implications these issues have on the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and young people. The utilization of this latest data will be crucial for the development and planning processes of relevant stakeholders in Cambodia to measure development achievements and plan for change.
