Religion in Cambodia

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.