Demographics
| Historical population | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1950 | 334,000 | — |
| 1960 | 398,000 | +19.2% |
| 1970 | 457,000 | +14.8% |
| 1975 | 370,000 | −19.0% |
| 1978 | 32,000 | −91.4% |
| 1980 | 189,000 | +490.6% |
| 1985 | 351,000 | +85.7% |
| 1990 | 634,000 | +80.6% |
| 1995 | 925,000 | +45.9% |
| 2000 | 1,284,000 | +38.8% |
| 2005 | 1,677,000 | +30.6% |
| 2010 | 2,101,725 | +25.3% |
As of 2008, Phnom Penh had a population of 2,009,264 people, with a total population density of 5,358 inhabitants per square kilometre (13,877/sq mi) in a 375 km2 (145 sq mi) city area. The population growth in the city is 3.92%. The city area had multiplied by 4 since 1979, and will continue enlarge the metro area in order to support the growing population and economy in the city.
Phnom Penh is mostly inhabited by Cambodians (or Khmers) – they represent 90% of the population of the city. There are large minorities of Chinese, Vietnamese, and other small ethnic groups who are Thai, Budong, Mnong Preh, Kuy, Chong, and Chams. The state religion is Theravada Buddhism, more than 90% of the people in Phnom Penh are Buddhists with the Chams practicing Islam over the years since 1993, there has also been an increase in the practice of Christianity which was practically wiped out after 1975 when the Khmer Rouge took over. English and French are widely used in the city, but the official language is Khmer.
The city have the highest Human development index in the whole country, with a HDI of 0.936 in average compare to the worst HDI indicator of 0.220 in Mondulkiri-where most hill tribes and aborigines inhabited.
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