Cambodia Agriculture Employment
Employment in agriculture SL.AGR.EMPL.ZS
Cambodia's agriculture employment was 33.40% in 2025, ranked 132nd globally. This represents a 2.2% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Cambodia's agriculture employment stood at 33.40% in 2025, a decline of +0.76% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 32.40% by 2026. Cambodia ranked 132nd globally.
Cambodia’s share of the labour force employed in agriculture fell dramatically over the 35‑year series, dropping from an early‑1990s level of 75.33 % to a trough of 33.40 % in 2025, which also places the country at rank 132 globally. The all‑time peak of 77.74 % was recorded in 1994, a period when the post‑conflict economy remained heavily agrarian and limited industrialisation offered few alternatives for workers. The long‑term decline reflects rapid urbanisation, expansion of the garment and services sectors, and modest gains in productivity that have reduced the need for farm labour. Cambodia’s 2025 figure is close to those of peers such as Nigeria (33.53 %) and Mauritania (32.12 %), suggesting a convergence toward a regional norm for low‑income economies transitioning away from primary‑sector dependence. If reforms that improve rural education, infrastructure and value‑added agro‑processing accelerate, the downward trajectory could moderate, allowing a larger proportion of the workforce to remain in higher‑productivity agricultural activities.
Data & projection
| Year | Agriculture Employment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 30.50% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 31.45% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 32.40% | - | - |
| 2025 | 33.40% | −0.76% | #132 |
| 2024 | 34.16% | −1.14% | #134 |
| 2023 | 35.30% | −0.89% | #136 |
| 2022 | 36.19% | −0.94% | #137 |
| 2021 | 37.13% | +0.23% | #139 |
| 2020 | 36.90% | −2.97% | #138 |
| 2019 | 39.87% | +0.87% | #145 |
| 2018 | 39.00% | +0.79% | #143 |
| 2017 | 38.21% | +0.67% | #139 |
| 2016 | 37.54% | −4.93% | #138 |
| 2015 | 42.47% | −3.53% | #145 |
| 2014 | 46.00% | −3.53% | #150 |
| 2013 | 49.52% | −3.68% | #155 |
| 2012 | 53.20% | −3.35% | #159 |
| 2011 | 56.55% | +1.76% | #165 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Cambodia matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw agriculture employment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Cambodia's agriculture employment was 33.40% in 2025. Ranked 132nd globally. This represents a 2.2% decrease from the previous year.
Cambodia's agriculture employment peaked at 77.74% in 1994.
The lowest agriculture employment in Cambodia was 33.40% in 2025.
Cambodia ranks 132nd globally in agriculture employment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.AGR.EMPL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Cambodia's agriculture employment is projected to reach 32.40% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The agriculture employment of Cambodia in 2025 was 33.40%. This ranks 132nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_cambodia_agriculture-employment,
title = {Cambodia Agriculture Employment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/cambodia/agriculture-employment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}