This is a best prospect industry sector for this country. Includes a market overview and trade data.
Last Published: 8/6/2019

Overview

Demand for education services is very high, since 42% of the population is under the age of 20.  Many Cambodians recognize the importance of education in securing better employment opportunities.  Higher education in Cambodia is growing rapidly with considerable private sector and international-donor investment.  Quality and diversity, however, remain low, particularly with respect to vocational training.  A common complaint among local companies is the difficulty of finding well-qualified employees, particularly for technical positions or those requiring vocational skills.  Cambodian private universities are looking for international partners to increase the quality and competiveness of their courses.
 

Sub-Sector Best Prospects

There is significant demand for all types of education.  NGOs provide useful vocational training for underprivileged Cambodians to join the work force, but professional vocational training targeted at mid-level workers is particularly underdeveloped.  Cambodians are eager to learn, and U.S.-sourced education is very highly regarded in all fields.  English-language training is also an increasingly attractive prospect. The option for school or university study abroad is available to a small but growing number of Cambodians.
 

Opportunities

Significant commercial opportunities exist in vocational, specialized, pre-school, elementary, secondary, and post-secondary education sectors.
 

Web Resources

Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport
IDP Education Cambodia

 

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019 (Forecast + 20%)

Total Imports*

 52,352

64,545

70,999

91,758

110,109

Imports from the U.S.*

 9,425

10,500

11,550

24,383

29,260

Exchange Rate: 1 USD

4,000 riel

4,000 riel

4,000 riel

4,000 riel

4,000 riel


 *USD thousands
Total Imports = Number of Cambodian students studying overseas x average cost of living and tuition fees per year
Data Source: Unofficial estimates based on data from IDP Education (Cambodia).

UNESCO institute for statistics
Note: Estimated average cost of living and tuition fees in developed countries (US, Australia, New Zealand, UK, and Canada) = $32,000/year.

Estimated number of students studying abroad =
6,673 out of which around 2,257 are studying in the 5 above mentioned developed countries.

Number of students studying in the U.S. (2018) = 659

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.