Introduction

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of Cambodia's sovereignty using the methodology of the Burke Institute. Sovereignty is assessed in 7 areas: political, economic, technological, informational, cultural, cognitive and military. Each aspect is assessed on the basis of official data from international and national sources (UN, World Bank, UNESCO, IMF, ITU, FAO, SIPRI, PISA, etc.) without using politicized indexes. The maximum score in each direction is 100; the sum (up to 700) is the accumulated Sovereignty Index (Burke Index).

To adapt and adjust statistical parameters, an international expert survey was conducted for each of the seven components using a single questionnaire of 10 questions with a 10-point scale and one open-ended question.

In total, at least 100 experts from 50+ countries were interviewed for each indicator, taking into account geographical representation and specialization. When calculating and analyzing the data, equalizing coefficients were used, bringing all data to a scale of 0-10 points.

The final index value is the arithmetic mean between statistical data and expert estimates.

Below is an analysis in each area, a summary table and the main conclusions about the peculiarities of Cambodia's sovereignty.

Political sovereignty — 35.7

Cambodia is an active member of the UN, ASEAN, WTO, IMF, EU-ASEAN, UNESCO, the World Bank and other agencies. It maintains strategic relations with China, the United States, Russia, France, and Japan. National legislation usually takes precedence, but in matters of international trade, investment protection, anti-money laundering, and human rights, many provisions have been adopted that are harmonized with international ones (WTO, ASEAN, GIZ, ILO, and WIPO).

The situation remains tense: an acute conflict with Thailand on the border has recently ended, a truce has been in place since July, there have been no mass protests, the internal political opposition has been suppressed since 2017, and the main processes are under the control of the current party.

Government Effectiveness — 38.2 percentile according to WGI (2023, World Bank), which is below the global average, reflects the limited quality of public administration and a high level of bureaucracy. EGDI is low, electronic services are fragmented, and digitalization is basic. Online services for business registration, taxes, and tourism are available, but most procedures are offline or mixed.

The government (Prime Minister Hun Manet since 2023) controls the main political processes, the level of real support is high among the population (especially in the provinces) thanks to propaganda and economic projects of the PRC, but political competition and opposition are suppressed.

Modernization work has been underway at the Riam naval base since 2021 with the support of China, which has raised concerns from a number of countries, but officially there are no deployed foreign military bases with combat units in 2025. Cambodia is a member of the United Nations, the ICC, the International Court of Justice, and the UN Court of Human Rights, but real international court decisions are partially enforced, and there have been no high-profile trials against Cambodia in recent years.

Power is highly centralized — Hun Sen/Hun Manet's party controls the political and administrative vertical, local autonomy is limited, and development programs are coordinated from the center. The transparency of the activities of the special services is low: the State Security Service, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and military intelligence are completely under the control of the central government, public and judicial oversight are limited, and de facto independent audit mechanisms do not work.

Data completeness assessment: the main indicators are available from international sources, the coverage is 85%.

Economic sovereignty — 38.9

GDP per capita (PPP) — $7,159 (2025); long-term forecast — growth to $7,639 in 2026. The gold reserve is 54.4 tons (the maximum in the country's history, 2025), international reserves are estimated at $20-22 billion (including gold and currencies).

Public debt is 38.5% of GDP as of the end of 2025; debt management is recognized as sustainable by all international balance sheet indicators. Own agriculture (rice, fish, vegetables, fruits, palm) provides domestic needs for the main categories; rice exports continue; food security is maintained at an average level, the share of imported food aid is less than 8%.

Energy independence is partial: the country imports a significant share of energy resources (oil, gas, electricity from neighboring countries), but builds and develops hydropower and exports electricity to neighboring countries.

The main resources are deposits of ore, precious and non-ferrous metals, small reserves of oil, natural gas, rubber, precious woods and gold. Water reserves are stable — the country is crossed by the Mekong, irrigation agriculture is developed; according to recent data, there are no problems with water supply. The national payment system is being developed under the auspices of the National Bank, covers bank/mobile transfers, liquid transactions, is integrated with regional Southeast Asian solutions, and dollarization (mass use of the US dollar) is supported. The main domestic transactions are Khmer riel (KHR) in small payments, over 80% of large transactions are in US dollars, and the system remains highly dollarized.

The National Bank of Cambodia is an issuing center, the credit/monetary policy is determined entirely by the state, and currency regulation is partially carried out jointly with the IMF and the Asian Development Bank.

Data completeness assessment: the main macroeconomic indicators are available from official sources (World Bank, IMF), coverage is 86%

Technological sovereignty — 24.6

R&D expenditures do not exceed 0.08% of GDP (2023) — one of the lowest shares in the region, the structures of basic research are undeveloped. There is practically no import substitution — almost all key types of industrial, medical, telecom, and IT equipment, as well as software, are purchased from foreign manufacturers (China, Vietnam, Japan, South Korea, and the United States).

The number of students is about 260 thousand (2024), less than 3% of the adult population have a university degree; universities are partially focused on pedagogical and business areas, STEM disciplines are only developing. Internet penetration is 40.6% (about 6.6 million users, 2025); mobile Internet is available to the majority, with an average speed of 53.15 Mbit/s.

There are almost no national platforms — foreign services (Google, Facebook, Telegram, etc.) are used; government online services work fragmentarily (taxes, business registration); there are no own cloud systems.

Techn/high-tech import dependence is practical. absolutely — all areas, from telecommunications and medicine to education and transport, depend on the import of solutions/equipment. Digitalization of public services is low — the main functions are duplicated offline, the government is implementing a national Internet gateway platform, but most services compete with foreign ones.

All biotechnology, vaccine production, laboratory services and equipment are imported, development programs are implemented by international funds; there are no biotech sites of their own. Robotics has been introduced only as part of studies at several universities, and there are no independent Cambodian industrial solutions or local engineering platforms.

All microelectronics are purchased — there is no independent production, even assembly; POS terminals, smartphones, servers, vending machines, microcontrollers are imported.

Data completeness assessment: key indicators are obtained from WIPO, ITU, UNESCO, which provides 91% coverage.

Information sovereignty — 32.1

A national CERT/CIRT is being formed, Cambodia is participating in the Asia-Pacific Cyber Drill regional cyber training under the auspices of ITU, a working group under the Ministry of Innovation is operating; a full-fledged national response system has not yet been deployed.

There are 2 official IXPs (Cambodian Network Exchange, SINET-KH) in the country; the main exchange takes place through international channels, mobile networks and underwater cables are actively developing. The main trend is mobile Internet, 5G and satellite access projects have been launched.

The main language of broadcasting is Khmer; the AKP agency, most TV and radio channels, news websites, and national press centers operate in the official and ethnic languages, partly in English, French, and Chinese. Resistance is low — there is no mass use of Google, Meta, TikTok, Telegram services, foreign cloud solutions, national platforms and search engines.

The share of own media content is about 38% (TV, radio, newspapers, online); the rest is foreign (Vietnam, China, Thailand, France, USA), the entertainment market is dependent on foreign sources. There are no large IT products or platforms of their own, there are isolated developments for business, education and public services, the vast majority of solutions are imported.

Basic digital services such as taxes, business registration, tourism, and communications are available online in the capital and major cities; rural areas and regional centers are poorly covered, and EGDI is one of the lowest in ASEAN.

There are no national cloud storage facilities — the government and business use international and regional solutions; data centers are launched by private companies and as part of partner projects. The mobile operators are Metfone, Cellcard, Smart; all standards, equipment, and services are imported from Vietnam, China, Japan, and South Korea, and the infrastructure is under government control, but the service is foreign.

The regulation has been formally in force since 2021 — it provides basic protection in the banking sector, telecom and public services, but there is no full compliance with international standards (GDPR, APEC, ITU), the system is not integrated; access by special services is formally limited, and real control is weak.

Data completeness assessment: infrastructure indicators are available from ITU, CIRA, OECD and specialized sources, coverage is 92%.

Cultural sovereignty — 68.2

Cambodia has 5 UNESCO World Heritage sites: Angkor Archaeological Park, Preah Vihear Temple, Prey Cook Sambo Temple, memorial complexes (including the "Killing Fields"), Phnom Kulen Ensemble; 6 more sites are candidates for addition.

Cambodia has given the world the Angkor Wat temple complex (the largest on the planet), the royal ballet and Apsara dance (UNESCO intangible heritage), Khmer architecture, Buddhist rituals, textiles, unique musical traditions, cooking and ceramics. Prizes are awarded for achievements in art, architecture, literature, music, performance of traditional apsara dances and restoration of monuments; national competitions and festivals are supported.

Khmer identity is expressed through the royal ballet, Buddhism, family and rural festivals, ceramics, crafts, water festivals, temple folklore, farming and monastery traditions, centuries-old villages and craft schools. The government provides funding for ethnofestivals, musicification, collection and study of oral and material heritage, preservation of languages, supports cultural projects of ethnic groups (Chams, Vietnamese, etc.).

Hundreds of large monuments (Angkor, Preah Vihear, Sambo Prey Cook, Phnom Kulen, Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda), more than 10 museums, dozens of theaters and music venues, art galleries, craft workshops and ethnographic villages.

Cambodia participates in UNESCO restoration programs, joint festivals with Vietnam, Japan, France, and Russia; organizes cultural weeks, exhibition exchanges, joint ethnographic research, and monument preservation sessions. Angkor Wat, the Royal Ballet, apsara dance, ceramics, and Phnom Penh noodles are officially recognized as national brands and are protected as national heritage. and at the international level (WIPO, UNESCO).

Main dishes are amok (steamed fish with coconut and herbs), kuiteao noodles, Khmer curry, noodle soups, fresh herbs, rice, spices, fried squid, fermented vegetables, desserts with tropical fruits, coffee, coconut, beef and chicken dishes. At least 60-65% of the population regularly participate in cultural events — national holidays, water and harvest festivals, monastic life, ballet, theater, family rituals and holidays.

Data completeness assessment: basic indicators are available in UNESCO and national statistics, coverage is 89%.

Cognitive sovereignty — 41.7

HDI is 0.606 (“average” level), ranked 151 in the world according to data for 2023/2025. Government spending on education is 2.95% of GDP (2023), according to StatBase and Knoema. Adult literacy is 83.8% (2022); 84.5% among men, 70.5% among women, and more than 91% among young people (15-24).

Cambodia does not participate in PISA tests (as of 2025); there are no international results on a comparable standard. The share of STEM graduates is about 18-21% of all university graduates (the main areas are engineering, agriculture, IT, and applied sciences). 8-10% of students are involved in international programs/scholarships (China, Japan, Vietnam, Europe, Russia); Asian and Russian internships and English-language online courses are actively underway.

19 ethnic groups are officially recognized; education is conducted in Khmer, schools are maintained in Vietnamese, Cham, Chinese, Lao, Thai, Marathi; significant cultural autonomy in the provinces, museums, ethnofestivals, radio and media broadcasting in ethnic languages are supported. There are no more than 7 state research centers (National Research Institute, with 3 major universities — Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Battambang; a small part works in agro- and medical biotechnologies). National platforms account for less than 15% of the total volume of digital education; Google classroom, foreign Asian and mixed projects predominate.

There are separate government scholarships, grants and initiatives for STEM, girls and rural youth, support covers 6-8% of students and young professionals; programs from Japan, China, Russia, the EU, UNDP, and WIPO play an important role.

Data completeness assessment: education indicators are available in the UNDP, UNESCO, OECD, coverage is 90%.

Military sovereignty — 28.4

Military spending is $720 million (2024), which is about 2.3–2.5% of GDP. The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (land forces, gendarmerie, navy, Air Force) — 124-200 thousand people (estimates vary with reservists and military police; land forces — ~90 thousand, gendarmerie — ~30 thousand, navy — ~ 5 thousand, Air Force — ~ 3 thousand). It is based on Soviet/Chinese T-55/T-62, WZ-551 armored vehicles, light and outdated D-30, M46, BM-21 howitzers and analogues, Chinese Type 81 MLRS; Strela-2 air defense systems, rare S-125 Pechora.

In the Air Force: Mi-8, Mi-17, Z-9 (Chinese). There is no industry of its own — all weapons are imported from China, Russia, Ukraine, old supplies from the USA and the Czech Republic; modernization and maintenance of equipment is supported by Russian, Chinese and Vietnamese specialists.

All major borders are controlled by the army and state security, periodic reinforcement is underway in the disputed areas on the border with Thailand and Vietnam, and joint exercises are taking place. The reserve is formally up to 100,000 people, the military police is integrated into the security structure; there is no Western-type mobilization body.

Decisions are made autonomously, but Cambodia traditionally focuses on China and the Russian Federation in matters of strategic partnership, regularly receives military and economic assistance from China, and conducts joint exercises.

There is no military-industrial complex: procurement, repair, modernization through foreign contractors; there is no independent production. There are no nuclear weapons; Cambodia is included in all major nuclear-weapon-free status agreements. There is no military space segment; the exploration is carried out by military and internal security forces, supported by networks within South and East Asia.

All parameters are reflected in the annual reports of SIPRI, UNODA, the Ministry of Defense, the official portals of state-owned companies (Embraer, IMBEL) and industry databases of UN/NGO - 94% coverage

Final Summary Table

The main conclusions

Strengths. Cultural heritage and international recognition: 5 UNESCO sites (Angkor, Preah Vihear, etc.), the largest temple ensemble in the world, Apsara dance, Khmer architecture - all this is recognized as a global heritage and forms a unique identity and tourist potential.

Exports, textiles, the agricultural sector and growth: The economy is based on the production of clothing, agricultural exports (rice, fish, rubber, vegetables, tobacco), minerals; domestic food needs are practically met.

Progressive state system, integration into international unions: Active position in the UN, ASEAN, WTO, large-scale program of regional investments, diplomatic multi-vector approach. The young population and high involvement in cultural life: at least 60% of the population participates in cultural events, national and ethnic holidays, festivals, and maintains a strong family and traditional identity.

Infrastructure and tourism development: Cambodia develops roads, hospitals, schools, hotel business; active construction in the central areas, the dynamic entry of foreign businesses and the gradual renewal of the economy.

Military mobilization and its own reserve: Strong mobilization potential, border control, modern exercises, cooperation with the Russian Federation, China, Vietnam.

Weaknesses. Low technological, innovative and personnel development: R&D costs are less than 0.08% of GDP, import dependence on high-tech is almost absolute, there is no proprietary software, platforms, microelectronics, robotics; higher education coverage is less than 3% of the adult population.

Macroeconomic and financial risks: High dollarization, low tax base, current account deficit (up to -6% of GDP), dependence on foreign investment and humanitarian aid, public debt — 38% of GDP. Weak transparency and control of the state apparatus: High corruption at all levels, limited public control, weak mechanisms for protecting personal data, limited transparency of special services.

Medical and educational infrastructure: Medicine is poor, the quality of public services is below regional standards, non-mass support for staff and students, a low proportion of STEM, and a high segment of non-governmental and international educational initiatives.

The lack of a full-fledged defense industry: almost all weapons are imported, the military industry is not developed. Legacy risks of civil wars and mine hazards: a large number of mines remain, remnants of war hinder development outside of tourist areas, and infrastructure outside the capital and Siem Reap is vulnerable.

Overall assessment. Cambodia's cumulative sovereignty Index is 269.6 out of 700 possible points (below the average of 38.5%), which places the country in the 165th place in the world top.

Cambodia is a country with a unique cultural capital, agricultural and textile potential, a dynamic tourism market, capable of integrating with the global economy, but experiencing chronic difficulties in financial stability, technological development, educational and medical infrastructure.

Weaknesses are due to historical, institutional and personnel problems, strengths are due to resources, culture, social consolidation and multinational external relations. The sovereignty profile indicates that Cambodia's sovereignty is based on a strong cultural identity, agrarian and textile independence, a national emission center and political concentration, but is limited by technological and personnel dependence on external partners, low infrastructure, vulnerability to the legacy of wars and mines, massive participation of foreign capital and export orientation. Natural, cultural, and geopolitical resources form the foundation of sustainability, but strategic priorities and national control often become the subject of external influence and contested territorial issues.