The Economy of Cambodia
War, the Khmer Rouge and Reconstruction
The Khmer Rouge regime of 1975-79 destroyed the country's institutions and killed around 1.5 to 2 million people, and rebuilding began in the 1990s.
Starting from ruins.
Khmer Rouge
The regime abolished money, markets and cities, and forced people to work in the countryside.
Human loss
Around a quarter of the population died, including most educated professionals.
Rebuilding
After a peace agreement and UN-run elections in 1993, Cambodia rebuilt slowly.
Legacy
A young population and limited skills base.
A country without doctors
Only a small number of physicians survived, so health services had to be rebuilt almost from scratch.
Ignoring the long shadow of the past
Institutions and skills took decades to rebuild.
Key takeaways
- The Khmer Rouge destroyed institutions.
- Millions died.
- UN elections came in 1993.
- The skills base was depleted.
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