Youth Situation Analysis in Cambodia

The Youth Situation Analysis in Cambodia is a comprehensive study developed by the UN and the National Youth Development Council that evaluates the challenges and unmet needs of Cambodian adolescents and young people aged 10 to 24.The country has a highly youthful demographic, with people under 24 making up nearly half of the population. However, this demographic faces critical vulnerabilities across four core pillars:

1. Education and Skills significant portion of adolescents fall out of the formal education system. Many struggle with the poor quality of education (especially in rural areas), high drop-out rates, and a severe lack of career guidance or vocational training.

2. Employment and the Labor Market Despite rapid economic growth, Cambodia struggles to create enough jobs to absorb its young workforce. Approximately 59% of surveyed youth fall into the NEET category (Not in Employment, Education, or Training). Youth are three times more likely to be unemployed than adults.

3.Health and Well-being Young people face risks related to a lack of accurate health information and poor public healthcare services, including high costs and concerns over service quality. Additionally, mental health issues and excessive technology dependence have been recognized as rising concerns.

4.Empowerment and Participation Many young Cambodians report feelings of being unheard and excluded from decision-making processes. There is an ongoing push to increase their political voices, freedom of expression, and civic participation to help them shape national policies.