Automotive Assembly Sector Expected to Lead Cambodia’s Job Growth in 2026

PHNOM PENH, June 16, 2026 (KPT) — Cambodia’s automotive assembly sector is projected to record the fastest employment growth among the country’s key industries this year, underscoring the Kingdom’s industrial transformation and rising demand for skilled technical workers, according to a government survey released Monday.

The Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training’s Occupational and Employment Outlook Survey for the first half of 2026 said employers across 14 subsectors remain optimistic about hiring, with overall employment expected to grow by an average of 2.3 percent per semester.

Automotive manufacturing and assembly is forecast to post the strongest gains, with average employment projected to rise 6.9 percent, including a sharp 13.2 percent expansion in the first half of the year. The sector currently employs about 6,826 workers but is emerging as one of Cambodia’s fastest‑growing industries.

Transportation and warehousing is expected to record the second‑highest growth at 5.6 percent, followed by other manufacturing industries at 4.8 percent and information and communications technology at 4.6 percent. Financial services are projected to expand by 4.1 percent, while healthcare employment is set to grow 3.8 percent.

Officials said the trends reflect rising demand for higher‑value industries requiring specialized skills. At the same time, Cambodia’s largest employer — the textile, garment, footwear and travel goods sector — is expected to maintain steady growth of 1.5 percent, despite already accounting for more than 63 percent of total employment in surveyed industries.

The report highlighted recruitment challenges, with 58.4 percent of employers citing shortages of technical skills, alongside gaps in soft skills and foreign language proficiency. Officials said vocational training and reskilling will be critical as automation and digitalization reshape workforce needs.