THE country has achieved remarkable progress in promoting human development, said a United Nations Development Program (UNDP) report released here yesterday.
Between 1990 and 2021, Cambodia’s income per capita increased fourfold, life expectancy rose by more than 14 years, and mean years of schooling grew from 2.4 to 5.1 years on average, said the 2024 Regional Human Development Report for Asia and the Pacific.
“As a result, Cambodia’s Human Development Index (HDI) increased by 56.9%, placing the country in the medium human development category,” the report said.
Speaking at the report’s launching event in Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Cabinet Minister Vongsey Visoth said the South-East Asian country is on the right track to promote human capital development with adaptability and agility for both public and private sectors.
“Yet, it requires more concerted efforts from all stakeholders, including development partners, and effective central coordination mechanism to ensure its effective and efficient implementation,” he said.
UNDP Cambodia’s Resident Representative Alissar Chaker said human development is essential for socioeconomic progress as evidenced by the trajectory of developed countries.
“Human development places people at the core of economic thinking. As Cambodia gears up to implement the Pentagonal Strategy, it stands to gain from a more integrated development approach that puts people first,” Chaker said. — Reuters
