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Economy of Cambodia vs Nepal compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Cambodia has a GDP of $51.3B compared to $45.5B for Nepal, ranking 94/197 and 102/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cambodia has $13.6B in government debt (26.5% of GDP), compared to $21.9B (48.1% of GDP) in Nepal.

Cambodia vs Nepal GDP by year

Cambodia
Nepal
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cambodia Nepal
2025 $51,267,065,843 $45,489,810,283
2024 $46,352,647,037 $43,298,911,700
2023 $42,335,646,896 $41,049,329,851
2022 $39,994,532,960 $41,182,939,520
2021 $36,790,163,687 $36,924,841,394
2020 $34,818,073,901 $33,433,659,301
2019 $36,685,356,408 $34,186,180,699
2018 $33,145,892,169 $33,111,525,237
2017 $29,355,665,910 $28,971,588,940
2016 $26,556,545,153 $24,524,109,484
2015 $24,174,170,369 $24,360,801,287
2014 $22,041,463,968 $22,731,612,922
2013 $19,807,135,253 $22,162,204,925
2012 $17,826,536,700 $21,703,100,877
2011 $16,032,622,024 $21,573,872,421
2010 $13,808,673,288 $16,002,656,434
2009 $12,502,901,170 $12,854,985,464
2008 $12,174,303,999 $12,545,438,605
2007 $10,127,916,460 $10,325,618,017
2006 $8,350,531,017 $9,043,715,356
2005 $7,066,296,463 $8,130,258,378
2004 $5,883,297,160 $7,273,938,315
2003 $5,046,693,484 $6,330,473,097
2002 $4,501,227,627 $6,050,875,807
2001 $4,145,665,970 $6,007,055,042
2000 $3,694,168,979 $5,494,252,208
1999 $3,517,242,477 $5,033,642,384
1998 $3,120,425,503 $4,856,255,044
1997 $3,443,413,389 $4,918,691,917
1996 $3,506,695,720 $4,521,580,381
1995 $3,441,205,693 $4,401,104,418
1994 $2,791,435,272 $4,066,775,510
1993 $2,533,727,592 $3,660,041,667
1992 $2,491,486,594 $3,401,211,581
1991 $2,054,974,089 $3,921,476,085
1990 $1,402,541,177 $3,627,560,239
1989 $1,353,137,648 $3,525,225,787
1988 $1,662,877,859 $3,487,009,748
1987 $1,036,974,910 $2,957,255,380
1986 $1,167,630,318 $2,850,782,044
1985 $1,102,669,184 $2,619,913,956
1984 $1,021,176,059 $2,581,207,388
1983 $939,291,262 $2,447,174,803
1982 $865,516,040 $2,395,423,742
1981 $815,153,652 $2,275,583,317
1980 $744,384,130 $1,945,916,583
1979 $723,738,503 $1,851,250,008
1978 $766,642,356 $1,604,162,497
1977 $716,261,764 $1,382,400,000
1976 $790,357,255 $1,452,788,985
1975 $749,129,748 $1,575,789,254
1974 - $1,217,953,547
1973 - $972,101,725
1972 - $1,024,098,400
1971 - $882,765,472
1970 - $865,975,309
1969 - $788,641,965
1968 - $772,231,387
1967 - $841,974,025
1966 - $906,811,944
1965 - $735,267,082
1964 - $496,098,775
1963 - $496,947,904
1962 - $574,091,101
1961 - $531,959,562
1960 - $508,334,414

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cambodia/nepal | CC BY

GDP per capita in Cambodia vs Nepal by year

Cambodia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nepal
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cambodia Nepal
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $2,872 - $1,536 -
2024 $2,628 $7,967 $1,460 $5,737
2023 $2,430 $7,431 $1,382 $5,395
2022 $2,325 $6,919 $1,386 $5,103
2021 $2,167 $6,226 $1,253 $4,546
2020 $2,082 $5,942 $1,154 $4,236
2019 $2,226 $6,154 $1,203 $4,261
2018 $2,037 $5,617 $1,179 $3,956
2017 $1,826 $5,050 $1,034 $3,605
2016 $1,675 $4,748 $877 $2,976
2015 $1,547 $4,434 $876 $2,957
2014 $1,432 $4,118 $821 $2,901
2013 $1,306 $3,891 $803 $2,658
2012 $1,193 $3,583 $788 $2,466
2011 $1,089 $3,223 $786 $2,248
2010 $952 $2,989 $585 $2,139
2009 $876 $2,854 $473 $2,029
2008 $866 $2,769 $465 $1,942
2007 $732 $2,566 $385 $1,809
2006 $612 $2,297 $340 $1,718
2005 $526 $2,038 $309 $1,628
2004 $444 $1,770 $279.6 $1,542
2003 $387 $1,598 $246.4 $1,453
2002 $350 $1,442 $238.9 $1,390
2001 $328 $1,357 $240.8 $1,388
2000 $296.4 $1,256 $223.8 $1,317
1999 $286.8 $1,134 $208.6 $1,234
1998 $258.8 $1,009 $205.1 $1,187
1997 $297.6 $994 $211.8 $1,162
1996 $325 $1,006 $198.8 $1,110
1995 $343 $1,006 $197.8 $1,058
1994 $302 $972 $187.3 $1,026
1993 $294.1 $1,565 $172.8 $952
1992 $307 $1,560 $165 $920
1991 $267.3 $1,504 $195.7 $889
1990 $190.2 $1,410 $185.8 $830
1989 $191.3 - $185 -
1988 $244.1 - $187.1 -
1987 $158.1 - $162 -
1986 $185.8 - $159.5 -
1985 $182.4 - $149.9 -
1984 $174.7 - $151.1 -
1983 $166.7 - $146.6 -
1982 $159.2 - $147 -
1981 $154.3 - $142.9 -
1980 $143.2 - $125.1 -
1979 $142.2 - $121.9 -
1978 $147.1 - $108.1 -
1977 $126.4 - $95.3 -
1976 $128.8 - $102.5 -
1975 $113.8 - $113.6 -
1974 - - $89.8 -
1973 - - $73.2 -
1972 - - $78.8 -
1971 - - $69.5 -
1970 - - $69.6 -
1969 - - $64.8 -
1968 - - $64.9 -
1967 - - $72.3 -
1966 - - $79.5 -
1965 - - $65.8 -
1964 - - $45.3 -
1963 - - $46.3 -
1962 - - $54.6 -
1961 - - $51.6 -
1960 - - $50.2 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cambodia/nepal | CC BY

Cambodia's GDP per capita is $2,872, ranking 148/197, compared to $1,536 in Nepal, ranking 165/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cambodia ranks 142nd at $7,967, while Nepal ranks 155th at $5,737.

Economic indicators

Cambodia Nepal
Gross domestic product
$51.3B
2025
$45.5B
2025
GDP rank
94/197
2025
102/197
2025
GDP growth
5.35%
2024-2025
4.43%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$2,872
2025
$1,536
2025
GDP per capita rank
148/197
2025
165/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,967
2024
$5,737
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
142/197
2024
155/197
2024
Government debt
$13.6B
2025
$21.9B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
26.5%
2025
48.1%
2025
Government debt per person
$760
2025
$740
2025
Government debt per person rank
153/185
2025
154/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,268
2026
$1,743
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
2
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
24.2%
2022
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.7%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.3%
2025
21.8%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.5%
2024-2025
2.65%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
0.26%
2023
10.7%
2017
Population
18159213
29619950

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cambodia
Spending

Debt
Nepal
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cambodia Nepal
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 16.3% 26.5% 21.8% 48.1%
2024 16.6% 26.1% 21.8% 48.3%
2023 19.1% 26.3% 25.1% 47%
2022 18.5% 25.3% 26.1% 42.7%
2021 21.4% 26.4% 27.2% 43.3%
2020 20.5% 25.5% 28.5% 43.3%
2019 17.9% 21.2% 27.1% 34%
2018 16.2% 21.3% 28% 31.1%
2017 16.3% 22.9% 23.6% 25%
2016 15.3% 22% 19% 25%
2015 14.5% 23.4% 17.7% 25.7%
2014 16.4% 24% 16.6% 27.6%
2013 16.5% 24.6% 15.5% 31.9%
2012 17.2% 25% 16.8% 34.5%
2011 16.4% 23.7% 16.3% 32.4%
2010 17.1% 23.5% 16.5% 35.4%
2009 16.6% 23.1% 17% 39.5%
2008 12.9% 22.7% 13.4% 36.8%
2007 12.4% 25.3% 13.1% 37.9%
2006 11.2% 26.6% 11.2% 42.9%
2005 10.8% 31.3% 12% 45.1%
2004 12.4% 38.1% 11.8% 51.3%
2003 14.5% 39.6% 12% 53%
2002 16% 37.8% 13% 51.8%
2001 14.6% 33.6% 12.9% 50.8%
2000 14.6% 34.1% 11.4% 50.8%
1999 13.8% 34.7% - -
1998 13.4% 37.2% - -
1997 12.4% 31.6% - -
1996 15.7% 30.2% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cambodia/nepal | CC BY

In 2025, Cambodia's government spending was $8.36B, accounting for 16.3% of its GDP, while Nepal spent $9.93B, or 21.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 26.5% in Cambodia and 48.1% in Nepal, ranking 166/185 and 110/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cambodia

Nepal
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cambodia Nepal
2025 -1% -1.86%
2024 -1.45% -2.46%
2023 -2.83% -5.81%
2022 -0.29% -3.12%
2021 -5.27% -3.98%
2020 -2.56% -7.47%
2019 2.23% -4.27%
2018 0.28% -5.83%
2017 -0.77% -2.69%
2016 -0.29% 1.2%
2015 -0.65% 0.46%
2014 -1.24% 1.36%
2013 -2.02% 1.57%
2012 -3.58% -1.18%
2011 -3.75% -0.72%
2010 -3.11% -0.67%
2009 -3.88% -2.24%
2008 0.42% -0.29%
2007 0.63% -0.67%
2006 -0.15% 0.24%
2005 -0.34% 0.24%
2004 -3.18% -0.14%
2003 -5.67% -0.34%
2002 -6.06% -2.46%
2001 -4.96% -2.35%
2000 -4.66% -1.48%
1999 -3.8% -
1998 -5.36% -
1997 -3.72% -
1996 -7.54% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cambodia/nepal | CC BY

In 2025, Cambodia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $513M, equivalent to 1% of GDP. This compares to Nepal's deficit of $845M, or 1.86% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Cambodia recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Nepal ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Cambodia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.08% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.73% of GDP for Nepal.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cambodia

Nepal
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cambodia Nepal
2025 2.5% 2.65%
2024 0.8% 4.69%
2023 2.1% 7.12%
2022 5.3% 7.67%
2021 2.9% 4.13%
2020 2.9% 5.06%
2019 1.9% 5.57%
2018 2.5% 4.41%
2017 2.9% 2.78%
2016 3% 8.79%
2015 1.2% 7.87%
2014 3.9% 8.36%
2013 2.9% 9.04%
2012 2.9% 9.46%
2011 5.5% 9.23%
2010 4% 9.33%
2009 -0.7% 11.1%
2008 25% 9.91%
2007 7.7% 2.27%
2006 6.1% 6.92%
2005 6.3% 6.84%
2004 3.9% 2.84%
2003 1% 5.71%
2002 0% 3.03%
2001 -0.1% 2.69%
2000 -0.8% 2.48%
1999 2% 7.45%
1998 12.9% 11.2%
1997 10.5% 4.01%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cambodia/nepal | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Cambodia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.17%, compared with 6.3% in Nepal. In 2025, inflation was 2.5% in Cambodia and 2.65% in Nepal.

Top exports between countries

Cambodia
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $59K
Raw materials & minerals $57K
Wood & paper products $43K
Miscellaneous $21K
Machinery & equipment $18K
Textiles & consumer goods $3K
Nepal
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $1.39M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $121K
Textiles & consumer goods $24K
Precious metals & jewellery $7K
Metals $5K

Balance of trade

Cambodia Nepal
Current account balance
-$1.87B
2025
$1.68B
2024
Current account balance ranking
139/190
2025
47/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.64%
2025
+3.88%
2024
Goods imports
$36.9B
2025
$12.1B
2024
Goods exports
$31.4B
2025
$1.54B
2024
Service imports
$3.22B
2025
$2.27B
2024
Service exports
$5.35B
2025
$1.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
67.4%
2025
33.7%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
68.6%
2025
8.83%
2025

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Cambodia Nepal
Economic freedom 58.7 52.9
Economic freedom ranking 108/197 144/197
Property rights 38.1 38.8
Government integrity 18.9 38.9
Judicial effectiveness 21.2 42.9
Tax burden 90.3 84.3
Government spending 89.9 82.1
Fiscal health 92.7 71
Business freedom 60.8 60.8
Labor freedom 48.3 48.2
Monetary freedom 77 69.4
Trade freedom 67.8 58.6
Investment freedom 50 10
Financial freedom 50 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cambodia
Nepal
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cambodia Nepal
2026 58.7 52.9
2025 58.2 52.5
2024 55.6 52.1
2023 56.5 51.4
2022 57.1 49.7
2021 57.3 50.7
2020 57.3 54.2
2019 57.8 53.8
2018 58.7 54.1
2017 59.5 55.1
2016 57.9 50.9
2015 57.5 51.3
2014 57.4 50.1
2013 58.5 50.4
2012 57.6 50.2
2011 57.9 50.1
2010 56.6 52.7
2009 56.6 53.2
2008 55.9 54.1
2007 55.9 54.4
2006 56.7 53.7
2005 60 51.4
2004 61.1 51.2
2003 63.7 51.5
2002 60.7 52.3
2001 59.6 51.6
2000 59.3 51.3
1999 59.9 53.1
1998 59.8 53.5
1997 52.8 53.6
1996 - 50.3

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cambodia/nepal | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Cambodia is 58.7, ranking 108/197, compared to 52.9 for Nepal, ranking 144/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cambodia Nepal
Services, % of GDP
35%
2025
54.4%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
43.1%
2025
12.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
16.1%
2025
21.6%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$49.1B
2025
$46.5B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,390
2025
$6,250
2025
Total reserves including gold
$27.5B
2025
$21.1B
2025
Total reserves ranking
60/177
2025
65/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.96B
2025
-$56.9M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.39B
2024
$56.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$172M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
7.41%
2024
1.22%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.7%
2012
20.3%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
31.5%
2025
29.4%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cambodia/nepal | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2020–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.