Cambodian Riel
រៀល
Currency Code
KHR
ISO 116
Symbol
KHR
Native: ៛
Decimal Digits
2
Rounding: 0
Countries
KH
Using this currency
Currency Units
Major Unit
Name: riel
Symbol: ៛
Minor Unit
Name: sen
Symbol:
Value: 0.01
Banknotes
Frequently Used
៛100៛500៛1000៛2000៛5000៛10000៛20000៛50000៛100000
Rarely Used
៛50
Coins
Frequently Used
៛50៛100៛200៛500
Plural Forms
English Plural
Cambodian riels
Native Plural
រៀល
Overview
The Cambodian Riel is the currency of Cambodia, managed by the National Bank of Cambodia. While it is the official currency, the US dollar is widely used in the economy, creating a dual currency system.
Economy
- Cambodia is a member of ASEAN, RCEP, Mekong River Commission.
- Main industries include: Tourism, Garments, Construction, Rice milling, Fishing, Wood processing, Rubber, Cement, Gem mining.
- Cambodia is part of the World Trade Organization.
- Imports are petroleum products, cigarettes, gold, construction materials, machinery, motor vehicles.
- Major exports include clothing, timber, rubber, rice, fish, tobacco, footwear.
- GDP: $30.0 billion (2023 est.).
- GDP per capita: $1,777 (2023 est.).
- Unemployment rate: 0.3% (2021 est.).
- Inflation rate: 4.9% (2023 est.).
- Main trading partners: United States, Germany, Japan, China, Canada, United Kingdom.
- Trade agreements: ASEAN FTA, RCEP, Various bilateral agreements.
History
- Previous currencies used: French Indochinese piastre, No currency during Khmer Rouge period.
- The riel was first introduced in 1953, but its use was suspended during the Khmer Rouge period (1975-1980). It was reintroduced in 1980 and has coexisted with the US dollar since the 1990s.
- 1953: First riel introduced
- 1975-1980: Currency abolished under Khmer Rouge
- 1980: Riel reintroduced
- 1991: Paris Peace Agreements signed
- 1993: UN transitional period ended
- 1999: National Bank of Cambodia established
- 2020: Digital currency pilot launched
- Exchange rate peg: Managed float alongside USD circulation.
General Information
- ISO 4217 Code: KHR
- Symbols: KHR/៛
- Currency Subunits: 100 sen
- Central Bank: National Bank of Cambodia
- Monetary Policy: Dual currency system management with gradual de-dollarization efforts. Focus on financial stability and promoting riel usage.
- Bills: 100 KHR, 500 KHR, 1000 KHR, 2000 KHR, 5000 KHR, 10000 KHR, 20000 KHR, 50000 KHR, 100000 KHR
- Coins: 50 riel, 100 riel, 200 riel, 500 riel
- USD Exchange Rate: Variable (approximately 4,100 KHR per USD)
- Pegged To: None (Floating)
- Capital: Phnom Penh
- Population: 16,891,245 (2023 est.)
- Area: 181,035 km²
- Languages: Khmer (official) 96%, Other 4%
- Time Zones: UTC+7 (Indochina Time)
- Government Type: Parliamentary constitutional monarchy
- Head of Government: King (head of state), Prime Minister (head of government)
- Independence: November 9, 1953 (from France)
- Ethnic Groups: Khmer 95.4%, Cham 2.4%, Chinese 1.5%, Other 0.7%
- Religions: Buddhist 97.1%, Muslim 2%, Christian 0.3%, Other 0.6%
- Literacy Rate: 80.5% (2015 est.)
- Transport: Siem Reap and Phnom Penh airports, Mekong River transport, road network development
- Communications: Expanding telecommunications, 60% internet penetration, widespread mobile usage
- Energy: Hydroelectric 57%, Coal 28%, Oil 15%
- Countries Using This Currency: Cambodia
- Data Sources: Central Bank: National Bank of Cambodia (nbc.org.kh), Economic Data: National Institute of Statistics Cambodia, World Bank, IMF, Trade Data: General Department of Customs and Excise, Demographic Data: National Institute of Statistics Cambodia, Geographic Data: Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology, Historical Data: National Bank of Cambodia archives
- Last Updated: 2025