What are the main religions in Cambodia?

Theravada Buddhism is the dominant religion, recorded at 97.1% of the population in Cambodia's 2019 census. Muslim, Christian, Indigenous and smaller Baha'i, Jewish and Cao Dai communities are also present.

Does Cambodia legally protect religious freedom?

Cambodia's Constitution protects freedom of belief and worship and provides equality regardless of religious belief. Buddhism is the state religion, while worship remains subject to limits concerning other religions, public order and security.

Where can people worship in Cambodia?

Buddhist worship commonly takes place at a pagoda or wat, while Muslim, Christian and other communities use mosques, churches or community venues. Access is usually organized locally, without a uniform national membership procedure.

How are religious organizations registered in Cambodia?

Religious organizations provide information about their objectives, leadership, financing and annual activities to the Ministry of Cult and Religion for formal registration. Individual believers do not generally have a separate national religious-registration requirement.

Which religious holidays are public holidays in Cambodia in 2026?

Visak Bochea was a public holiday on 1 May 2026. Pchum Ben public holidays fall from 10 to 12 October 2026, while other religious dates depend on the annual calendar.

What religious practices are common at Cambodian sacred sites?

Common practices include prayer, merit-making, donations of food, robes or money, recitation, meditation and participation in ceremonies. Visitors may need to remove shoes, wear respectful clothing and avoid women touching a monk's robe or body.

Religion in Cambodia

Cambodia is predominantly Theravada Buddhist, with Buddhism reported as the faith of 97.1% of the population in the 2019 census. Muslim, Christian, Indigenous and smaller religious communities also worship under constitutional freedom of belief. Religious life commonly centers on pagodas, mosques, churches, community venues and family practices.

Tip

Use the relevant pagoda, mosque, church or community venue as your first point of contact because access, ceremonies, education and contributions are usually arranged locally. Confirm local rules and any permission requirements before attending an unfamiliar ceremony, organizing an activity or planning a religious building. Treat formal organization registration, individual belief and participation in worship as separate matters.

byChantha&Piseth

Cambodia recognizes Buddhism as the state religion while its Constitution protects freedom of belief and worship and provides for equality regardless of religious belief. The 2019 General Population Census recorded 97.1% Buddhist, 2.0% Muslim, 0.3% Christian and 0.5% other affiliations. The last figure includes Indigenous highland religions and other minority systems, so provincial figures should not be treated as national averages. Muslim communities, including Cham communities, are especially relevant in some areas, while Indigenous religious practices are particularly significant in parts of the highlands. Smaller Baha'i, Jewish and Cao Dai communities also exist. Most Theravada Buddhist practice takes place at a pagoda, also called a wat. Cambodia has two main Theravada Nikayas, Mahanikay and Dhammayuttika Nikaya. Monks are called bhikkhu, and novice monks are called samanera. Common practices include worship, prayer, merit-making, giving dana such as food, robes or money, reciting suttas or Dharma texts, meditation and observance during Vassa. Families may combine these practices with local family or ancestor rites. Religious participation does not generally require a national membership card or a uniform contribution, and access is often organized through a community or individual pagoda. The Ministry of Cult and Religion, also known in Khmer as the Ministry of Religions and Cults, administers religious affairs. Buddhist Affairs, Sangha councils, Supreme Patriarchs and local pagoda committees have distinct responsibilities within Buddhist institutions. Religious organizations provide information about their objectives, leadership, financing and annual activities when registering with the ministry. Individual believers do not generally have a separate national religious-registration requirement. Public proselytizing by non-Buddhist denominations is restricted, and monks are expected to remain politically neutral. Permission and reporting requirements for religious activities or buildings can depend on the specific locality and institution. Religious sites usually set their own practical rules. Visitors may need to remove shoes and, at sacred sites, cover their head or wear respectful clothing. Women should not touch a monk's robe or body. Worship at a pagoda, mosque, church or community venue generally has no verified nationwide admission fee; voluntary offerings and donations are common. Local rules should be checked before ceremonies, visits or organized activities. Buddhist holidays follow the lunar calendar. Visak Bochea commemorates the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and parinirvana and was a public holiday on 1 May 2026. Pchum Ben follows a 15-day cycle of ancestor and death-related observances, including food offerings to monks, with public holidays from 10 to 12 October 2026. Other dates vary by the annual calendar. Religious education includes pagoda-based, Pali and monastic learning, while the Constitution supports Pali schools and the Buddhist Institute. Access, duration and fees are not standardized nationwide. Life-event practices differ by faith and community. Buddhist funerals often include monk chanting, blessings and pagoda rites. Muslim and other communities follow their own burial and mourning practices. Ordination and novice pathways are generally organized locally; one 2026 Ministry of Cult and Religion example described sons entering a samanera pathway and daughters entering a Silvati pathway, alongside a five-day Dharma-Vinaya course. That example does not establish a national standard. The ministry also coordinates with Buddhist, Muslim, Christian and Indigenous representatives, but no nationwide one-stop interfaith registration service has been identified.