Introduction

Since 1998, UNFPA's multifaceted support has significantly contributed to Cambodia's progress in achieving the government's development goals and vision. By strengthening national institutions, improving data collection and analysis through censuses and national surveys, and establishing evidence-based knowledge management systems, UNFPA has empowered the Cambodian government to make informed decisions and implement effective programs. This integration of evidence into national policies and plans has resulted in tangible improvements in the well-being of the Cambodian people including improvements in maternal health, increased access to family planning, reduced fertility rates, and greater awareness of gender equality. By harnessing the demographic dividend and investing in human capital, Cambodia is well-positioned for sustained economic growth and development. These efforts can be summarized by the following categories:

Conduct of Censuses and Data Analysis:

• Census Support: UNFPA has played a crucial role in technical and financial assistance for the 1998, 2008, and 2019 General Population Census of Cambodia, providing expertise in census design, data collection, and analysis.
• Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS): UNFPA supported the implementation of DHS in 2000, 2005, 2010, 2014, and 2021-22, generating essential impact level population, health and gender data, namely fertility, mortality, maternal and child health, family planning, HIV/AIDS, and domestic violence
• Other Surveys: UNFPA supported Inter-Censal Population Surveys in 2004, 2013, and 2024, and the Cambodia Rural-Urban Migration Project (CRUMP) in 2012, contributing to a deeper understanding of population dynamics and migration patterns.
• Demographic and Gender Dividend: UNFPA has conducted in-depth analyses on the demographic and gender dividend, highlighting the potential for accelerated economic growth resulting from the changing age structure and women's empowerment. This evidence has been instrumental in advocating for investments in education, health, and economic opportunities for young people and women.

National Policy Development and Implementation:

• National Population Policy: UNFPA led the development of the first National Population Policy in 2003 and its update in 2016-2023. These policies address key emerging population issues in the country such as fertility, reproductive health, gender equality, youth development and aging in line with the ICPD principles.
• National Ageing Policy: UNFPA supported the development of the National Ageing Policy 2017-2030 and its Action Plan, focusing on the specific needs and challenges of the elderly population.
• Three Zeros (Transformative Results): UNFPA aligned its work with the government's commitment to the "Three Zeros"—zero preventable maternal deaths, zero unmet need for family planning, and zero gender-based violence and harmful practices—through the Cambodia Strategic Framework and Action Plan 2024-2030.

Institutional Capacity Strengthening:

• Ministry of Planning: UNFPA has worked closely with the Ministry of Planning to integrate population dynamics into national development planning processes, ensuring that population issues are considered in the formulation and implementation of policies and programs. UNFPA has continuously supported the National Institute of Statistics (NIS) in strengthening its capacity for data collection, analysis, and dissemination, improving the quality and availability of population data for evidence-based policymaking.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• CSDGs Framework: UNFPA actively supported the development and monitoring of the Cambodian Sustainable Development Goals (CSDGs) framework, aligning national priorities with the global SDG agenda and the ICPD PoA.
• National Strategic Development Plans (NSDPs): UNFPA's work has contributed to the integration of population dynamics and SDG targets into the NSDPs, guiding the country's development trajectory towards achieving people-centered, sustainable and inclusive growth.

Technical and Financial Support:

• Throughout its engagement, UNFPA has provided both technical expertise and financial resources to support the implementation of population and development programs, capacity-building initiatives, and policy development processes. This includes funding for surveys, technical advisories, training programs, equipment, and other essential resources. 
• UNFPA will continue to collaborate with the Cambodian government and other partners to generate quality disaggregated population data and address emerging population dynamics and ensure that the country can harness the demographic and gender dividend for sustainable development.