The population is estimated at over 13 million people, with and average annual population growth rate of 2.49 percent, which the population, may double in 25-30 years. The population aged 18 years and below represents about 52 percent of the total population. Roughly 36 percent of the population lives under poverty lines and this socio-economic group is composed largely of illiterate people, including a significant number of disabled, widows, orphans, street children and other vulnerable people. The infant mortality rate is 95 per 1000 live births (125 per 1000 for under fives) and chronically malnourished children under five are estimated at 45 percent. HIV prevalence among the sexually active population is approximately 3.7 percent (some 180,000 people).

Only 36 percent of the population over fifteen years of age are functionally literate in the full meaning of the concept . Another 27 percent are semi-literate . A full 37 percent of the adult population are totally illiterate. The national literacy rate, including semi-literates, for men is estimated at 79 percent, while for women it averages only 57 percent. There is substantial variability within the country, between urban and rural areas, and ethnic minorities rank the lowest.

In the priority 15-24 year old age group, there are an estimated 400,000 illiterate men and 700,000 illiterate women in Cambodia. In the 25-45 year old range, there are an estimated additional 1.2 million illiterates. Current adult functional literacy training capacity in Cambodia is estimated at approximately 50,000 students per year. Also, less than half of literacy instructors are female which means a shortage of role models for illiterate women.