By 2032, the Kingdom’s alcohol market is projected to increase twofold to $2.2 billion, with an annual market growth rate of 8.18 per cent. Cambodians consume an average of 72.2 litres of beer per person annually. Post staff
A new policy white paper released yesterday, March 31, by the Southeast Asia Public Policy Institute (SEAPPI) and the Asian Vision Institute (AVI) is sounding the alarm on the concerning rates of alcohol consumption among young people in Cambodia.
The report, titled “Developing a Policy Landscape in Cambodia to Combat Harmful Alcohol Consumption”, highlights troubling trends among youth, with 25.8 per cent of young people aged 15-19 engaging in heavy episodic drinking (HED) — a figure higher than many of Cambodia's regional neighbours.
“Cambodia is currently one of the only countries in Asia without a minimum legal purchasing age (MLPA) for alcohol,” explained the report.
“This regulatory vacuum has left young people exposed: In Cambodia, 25.8 per cent of young people aged 15 to 19 reported engaging in heavy episodic drinking (HED), compared to 30.9 per cent in Vietnam and 21.6 per cent in Thailand.”
While the sector boosts the economy — worth $1.1 billion and growing — concerns have been raised about the impacts of excessive consumption habits, including drink driving, binge drinking and illicit alcohol use.
By 2032, the market is projected to increase twofold to $2.2 billion, with an annual market growth rate of 8.18 per cent. Cambodians consume an average of 72.2 litres of beer per person annually.
The report offered a set of evidence-based recommendations to close critical policy gaps and protect public health.
This statistic underlines the need for urgent policy changes to prevent the long-term health and social consequences of alcohol misuse in this vulnerable age group.
While the sector is a significant economic driver, the white paper warns that this growth comes with serious public health risks, particularly among young people.
HED, or binge drinking, has become a common behaviour, with one in four Cambodian youth reporting frequent episodes of excessive drinking.
“As the report notes, half of the youth who drank in the past 30 days reported at least one episode of intoxication, further stressing the need for targeted interventions,” said the report.
This behaviour not only increases the risk of addiction but also leads to accidents, drink-driving, and early onset of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as liver cirrhosis, which is a growing concern in Cambodia.
Despite this, beer is seen as the "safer" choice by many young consumers, with over 60 per cent of respondents believing it carries less risk than other alcoholic beverages — an erroneous perception that contributes to overconsumption.
In December 2024, MM4A, in collaboration with the National Institute of Social Affairs, conducted a national survey of 1,363 respondents, using multi-stage random sampling across five geographical regions and nine localities in Cambodia.
Soft quotas were set for gender, age (18+), and location to ensure a balanced sample of rural/urban and drinker/non-drinker demographics.
The Kish-grid method was used for selecting respondents from households with multiple eligible members.
The survey included an Alcohol Use Disorders Identification (AUDIT) to assess harmful drinking, categorizing respondents into low, medium, high risk, or addiction likelihood.
Participants were also asked about their perception of a standard drink for setting moderate drinking guidelines.
Additionally, MM4A held eight focus group discussions (FGDs) in Battambang and Phnom Penh with 64 current drinkers, ranging in age from 18 to 60.
The findings were presented at the March 6 multi-stakeholder dialogue in Phnom Penh.
In response to these findings, the white paper urges swift policy action, including the implementation of a minimum legal purchasing age (MLPA) for alcohol — a regulation already in place in most countries around the world but still lacking in Cambodia.
The paper recommends setting the MLPA at 18 years to delay alcohol initiation and reduce the risks associated with early drinking.
“The data reinforces the necessity of clear national drinking guidelines, strengthened enforcement, and targeted education efforts to reduce alcohol-related harm,” said Dr. Chheng Kimlong, director of the AVI.
“We look forward to seeing policymakers take action based on these evidence-based recommendations. The report shows that harmful alcohol consumption is not just a health issue but a broader societal challenge with implications for road safety, youth well-being and economic productivity,” he added.
In addition to the focus on youth drinking, the report also highlights the growing problem of drink-driving, which is widely considered a significant contributor to road traffic fatalities in Cambodia.
Alcohol-related traffic accidents have doubled since 2000, with young adults being the most vulnerable group.
The report advocates for tougher roadside enforcement and expanded public awareness campaigns to curb these accidents.
The illicit alcohol trade is another area of concern, particularly in rural areas where homemade and smuggled alcohol are readily available.
The report recommends the establishment of a licensing system for alcohol sales to improve oversight and prevent the circulation of unsafe, unregulated alcohol.
Public Support for Policy Reform Survey data from over 1,300 Cambodians, included in the white paper, reveals strong public support for these proposed reforms.
The survey found that 94 per cent of respondents support the establishment of national drinking guidelines, and a significant portion of the population acknowledges the need for clearer regulation and enforcement to reduce harmful drinking habits.
“As shown in our national survey, Cambodian consumers are also looking for guidance and tools to help them form healthy habits grounded in moderation,” said Ed Ratcliffe, executive director of SEAPPI.
The development of national drinking guidelines would be an important step to support them.
In addition to action by government, there is a clear role for both economic operators – producers, hospitality and retail; as well as the broader community to help in the dissemination of the new rules and guidelines that will be developed.
“With evidence-based policymaking and cross-sector cooperation, Cambodia can set a strong example in the region for responsible alcohol management,” said Ratcliffe.
