As Cambodia grapples with a gradually aging population, the Kingdom faces significant challenges related to the social and economic well-being of its senior citizens.

“The total population aged 60 and over is approximately 1.7 million, representing 10 per cent of the country’s total population in 2023,” according to Population Trends Asia Pacific. 

While​ Cambodia's population is projected to reach 21.9 million by 2050, the proportion of individuals aged 60 and above will rise to 21%, reflecting a broader regional trend of an aging population.

Among the most vulnerable are older women, many of whom continue to face financial insecurity, isolation and limited access to healthcare and social support. 

For many older women in Cambodia, economic security remains elusive. According to a report from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Aging Well in Asia: Asian Development Policy Report, women over 65 are disproportionately affected by economic vulnerability, particularly in rural areas. 

“A staggering 94 per cent of workers aged 65 and older in Cambodia are employed in the informal sector, without access to pensions or social protections,” said the report. 

This statistic reveals the precarious situation of older women who lack financial independence. 

“Few informal workers in the region have paid leave, insurance or other protection against illness and injury, disability allowance or a pension,” the report noted, adding that women often have no choice but to continue working as long as their health permits.

As traditional family structures erode and younger generations face increasing financial pressures, the reliance on family transfers as a primary source of income for many elderly women is no longer a reliable safety net.

Ongoing efforts to provide relief

Touch Channy, spokesman for the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation, explained that the ministry, in collaboration with the Department of Elderly and Veterans, continues to focus on enhancing the well-being of elderly individuals through various initiatives. 

“These include community-based development programmes, strengthening Sangkat Commune Elderly Associations, and sharing experiences between elderly people and younger generations to prepare for aging,” he said.

He added that efforts are being made to mobilise development partners and philanthropists to assist poor elderly individuals in communities. 

The ministry supports the implementation of the National Ageing Policy 2017-2030 and the Action Plan 2021-2025, while continuously working to refine guidelines for the establishment and management of elderly associations.

In addition, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) has partnered with the social affairs ministry and HelpAge Cambodia to pilot a new model aimed at improving the lives of older people in Cambodia. 

“This initiative, the Intergenerational Older People Associations (IOPAs), integrates traditional Older People Associations (OPAs) with religious institutions, particularly pagodas, and incorporates the energy and support of younger generations,” according to HelpAge Cambodia. 

During an open-air workshop on January 3, UNDP and Australia supported the government of Cambodia in promoting the well-being of older people. UNDP Cambodia

By promoting intergenerational engagement, IOPAs serve as a conduit for older people to access financial resources, healthcare, social support, and, perhaps most importantly, recognition in their communities. 

The pilot, currently being implemented in several provinces, has shown promising results, especially in rural areas where many older adults face heightened vulnerabilities due to isolation, poverty and the erosion of traditional family support systems.

Empowering the elderly through financial independence

One such success story is that of Say Kea, a 70-year-old member of the Lvea Older People Association in Cambodia’s rural countryside. 

In a video interview with UNDP Cambodia, Kea shared how her life was transformed after joining the OPA. 

“Everything changed when I became a member of the Older People Association in the community,” Kea explained.

Through the OPA, Kea gained access to a revolving loan fund, which she uses to support her small home-grown vegetable business. 

The financial assistance she receives has helped her grow her business, generate income and ensure that she has savings for both health emergencies and religious celebrations.

“I am not worried when borrowing money from the association because I can easily repay them after six months,” Kea said with a smile. 

The financial support she has received also extends to moments of sickness. “When I fall sick, members of the association often visit me and offer financial support.”

This model, where older people pool their resources to help one another in times of need, has not only provided financial security for Kea but has also fostered a sense of community and mutual care. 

The revolving fund model ensures that members, especially the most vulnerable, can access the support they need without falling into deep debt.

For other women, such as SokKeng, a 74-year-old widow who lost her home and land to pay for her late husband’s medical treatment, the support of an OPA is a lifeline, according to HelpAge Cambodia.

Living under her neighbour’s house and surviving on a modest OPA stipend, Keng is able to meet her basic needs, including food, shelter and healthcare. 

“The OPA members visit me every day and ask about my health. Now, with the OPA, I have some money to buy food, somewhere to live, and better health conditions,” she explains.

Non-communicable diseases: a silent health crisis

While economic challenges persist, the health of older Cambodians, particularly women, remains another major concern. 

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) account for 64 per cent of all deaths in Cambodia, with cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes being the primary causes, according to data from the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific and UNDP in 2019. 

“NCDs affect individuals across all age groups, but those aged 30 to 70 face a 23 per cent risk of dying prematurely,” said the report.

Key risk factors include tobacco use, harmful alcohol consumption, poor diets, physical inactivity and metabolic issues like high blood pressure and cholesterol,” it added.