The Cambodian context
Cambodia is listed as a LDC by the United Nations. To be listed as an LDC, the country must
meet three criteria (United Nations, 2002):
1. An average gross national income of less than USD$750 per capita;
2. A weakness in human resources, as identified by deficiencies in nutrition, health,
education and adult literacy;
3. Economic vulnerability due to the instability of agriculture and the export of goods
and services, the economic importance of non-traditional activities, concentration of
merchandise exports, handicap due to economic smallness and the number of
people displaced by natural disaster.