Social Protection System Review of Cambodia
In 2017, the Royal Government of Cambodia published a new Social Protection Policy Framework (SPPF), providing an ambitious vision for a social protection system in which a comprehensive set of policies and institutions operate in sync with each other to sustainably reduce poverty and vulnerability.The Social Protection System Review of Cambodia prompts and answers a series of questions that are crucial for the implementation ofthe framework : How will emerging trends affect the needs for social protection, now and into the future? To what extent are Cambodia’s social protection instruments able – or likely – to address current and future livelihood challenges? How does fiscal policy affect social protection objectives?
This review provides a contribution to the ongoing policy dialogue on social protection, sustainable growth and poverty reduction. It includes four chapters. Chapter 1 is a forward-looking assessment of Cambodia’s social protection needs. Chapter 2 maps the social protection sector and examines its adequacy. An investigation of the distributive impact of social protection and tax policy is undertaken in Chapter 3. The last chapter concludes with recommendations for policy strategies that could support the establishment of an inclusive social protection system in Cambodia, as envisaged by the SPPF.
Introduction
OECD Development Centre
Heir to the ancient Khmer Empire, the Kingdom of Cambodia is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy located in Southeast Asia and bordering the Gulf of Thailand, between Thailand, Viet Nam, and Lao PDR. Its population of about 16 million is among the youngest in Southeast Asia, with half the population aged under 25. The population is predominantly Khmer. Other ethnic groups represent less than 10% of the population and are composed mostly of Vietnamese and Chinese. Cambodia is also among the poorest economies in Southeast Asia, with a gross domestic product (GDP) per capita of USD 1 225 in 2015.