Cambodia’s public finance transparency has climbed to a score of 54 out of 100 in the Open Budget Survey 2025, according to findings released on Sept. 22 during a dialogue organized by the NGO Forum on Cambodia and the International Budget Partnership. That figure marks an 11-point increase from the country’s 2023 score of 43, placing Cambodia above the global average of 45 and the Asia-Pacific regional average of 49.
Drivers of the 2025 Budget Transparency Gains
The recent progress stems largely from richer disclosures in foundational financial documents. According to Soeung Saroeun, executive director of the NGO Forum on Cambodia and Secretariat of the Budget Working Group, the score jump reflects more timely public disclosure of budget information alongside ongoing civil society advocacy. Meas Soksensan, secretary of state at the Ministry of Economy and Finance, pointed out that the ministry has continuously disseminated key budget packages, including the publication of the Medium-Term Fiscal Framework (MTFF) and a simplified version tailored for the general public.
Specific data improvements drove the higher rating. The Pre-Budget Statement now features richer content on macroeconomic forecasts and revenue data. Meanwhile, the Enacted Budget has expanded its coverage of expenditure, debt, and revenue data. In 2026, a total of 10 ministries and institutions produced Citizens’ Budget books, while seven ministries organized public forums on their annual budget packages, as noted by Soksensan.
Persistent Lags in Oversight and Public Participation
Despite gains in raw transparency, accountability mechanisms continue to lag. The Open Budget Survey assesses countries across transparency, public participation, and oversight. While transparency reached 54, Cambodia’s budget oversight score rose by just two points, moving from 41 in 2023 to 43 in 2025. More critically, the public participation score remained completely unchanged at 2 out of 100, trailing far behind global and regional averages.
That static score highlights a disconnect between publishing figures and empowering citizens. Bryan Fornari, head of Cooperation at the Delegation of the European Union to Cambodia, emphasized that transparency must extend beyond static allocations. “Citizens should be able not only to see where public money is allocated but also what results it delivers,” Fornari said, adding that tracking actual outcomes remains essential as Public Financial Management reforms advance.
Bridging the Gap Between Data and Citizen Action
Civil society leaders argue that formal mechanisms are urgently needed to translate data access into meaningful engagement. Ros Chhorvivorn, executive director of the Village Support Group, noted that community needs have historically been overlooked in certain development projects because local populations lack direct entry points into the budgeting cycle. “People have the right to know about the budget because they pay taxes and want to know how the state spends public money,” she said.
Mar Sophal, program manager at the NGO Forum on Cambodia and an independent Open Budget Survey researcher, suggested practical steps to broaden inclusion. Ministries and institutions could use digital channels to bridge the gap. “In the coming years, ministries and institutions that have previously published their budget information could make it publicly available through their social media platforms,” Sophal said, recommending the establishment of public forums for direct feedback.
Did You Know? The Open Budget Survey evaluates 82 countries worldwide through independent civil society researchers, measuring not just if governments publish data, but whether the public has real power to influence how funds are spent.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Open Budget Survey?
The Open Budget Survey is an independent global assessment produced by the International Budget Partnership that evaluates countries across budget transparency, public participation, and legislative and audit oversight.
How did Cambodia score in the 2025 Open Budget Survey?
Cambodia scored 54 out of 100 for budget transparency, 43 for budget oversight, and 2 for public participation.
Why is public participation scored so low in Cambodia?
Researchers and civil society groups point to a lack of formal legal frameworks and structured opportunities for citizens to contribute during the budget formulation, implementation, and audit phases.
What steps is the Cambodian government taking to improve transparency?
The Ministry of Economy and Finance publishes key documents like the Medium-Term Fiscal Framework online, creates simplified public versions, and supports select ministries in producing Citizens’ Budget books and holding public forums.
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