The Contributions from Subnational Administration Budgets to Local Development in Cambodia
Abstract
The paper investigates the effect of subnational fiscal allocations on local development in Cambodia, mapping challenges as well as achievements with respect to fiscal decentralization. By using a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data analysis with qualitative case studies, this paper shows that effective financial management at the commune and provincial levels significantly improves infrastructure, health, and education outputs. While such performances are impressive, the gaps in resources and community involvement still indicate that the improvements required in the level of local governance can be effected through participatory budgeting by looking at the responsiveness of the budget to the needs of the community, the addition of value to sustainable development, and the contribution toward improved quality of life of the citizens.
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References
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Eng, N. (2016). Decentralization in Cambodia: New Wine in Old Bottles. Public Administration and Development, 36(4), 250–262. https://doi.org/10.1002/pad.1765
Henny, A. (2019). Multidimensional poverty analysis Cambodia. Consultancy report for the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). SIDA, Phnom Penh.
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. (2021). AMBODIA INTERGOVERNMENTAL FISCAL ARCHITECTURE STUDY. The World Bank. www.worldbank.org
LY, Y. (2016). Research Note on Decentralization and De-concentration Reforms in Cambodia. Forum of International Development Studies, 47(n1), 1–15. https://nagoya.repo.nii.ac.jp/record/24065/files/n01.pdf
Mao, H., & Lee, Y.-C. (2016). Strategic actions to enhance environmental regulation and management of a coastal community to mitigate climate effects 2 . Overview of Prek Thnaot Coastal Community 3 . Existing Relevant national Policies related to Coastal Zone Management. Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Engineering, 40(10), 922–928.
Mao, N. (2015). The Role of Tourism in Poverty Reduction : A Case Study of Siem Reap-Angkor Region , Cambodia [Victoria University Melbourne].
Miller, A. (2020). Development through vocational education. The lived experiences of young people at a vocational education, training restaurant in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Heliyon, Vol. 6(Issue 12).
Ministry of Economy and Finance. (2019). Public Investment Management System Reform Strategy 2019–2025. Royal Government of Cambodia.
Ministry of Education, Youth, and S. (2019). Education Strategic Plan 2019-2023. Kindgom of Cambodia. Nation Religion King., June.
Ministry of Education, Youth, and S. (2024). Education Strategic Plan 2024-2028. Kindgom of Cambodia. Nation Religion King.
Ministry of Public Works and Transport. (2020). Cambodia: Greater Mekong Subregion Southern Economic Corridor Towns Development Project Strategic Local Economic Development Plan for Battambang Town. (Issue Asian Development Bank). https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/project-document/75896/43319-033-cam-gap.pdf
Richardson, R. B., & Suvedi, M. (2018). Assessing the potential for small-scale aquaculture in Cambodia. Environments - MDPI, 5(7), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.3390/environments5070076
Rohdewohld, R. (2022). Decentralization, Local Governance, and Localizing the Sustainable Development Goals in Cambodia. In Decentralization, Local Governance, and Localizing the Sustainable Development Goals in Asia and the Pacific. Routledge., 225–252.
Royal Government of Cambodia. (2008). Law on Administrative Management of Capital, Provinces, Municipalities, Districts and Khans (Royal Decree No. NS/RKM/0508/017). Kingdom of Cambodia. Nation Religion King.
Royal Government of Cambodia. (2023). Pentagonal Strategy-Phase I for Growth, Employment, Equity, Efficiency, and Sustainability: Building the Foundation Towards Realizing the Cambodia Vision 2050.
Sokang, K. (2018). The Impact of Foreign Direct Investment on the Economic Growth in Cambodia: Empirical Evidence. International Journal of Innovation and Economic Development, 4(5), 31–38. https://doi.org/10.18775/ijied.1849-7551-7020.2015.45.2003
World Bank Group. (2022). Decentralization and Deconcentration (D&D) Reforms Bring Public Service Delivery Closer to People in Cambodia.
Published
2026-05-19
How to Cite
SOK, Vanny; NEAU, Sereth; VANNY, Marvin.
The Contributions from Subnational Administration Budgets to Local Development in Cambodia.
JESS (Journal of Education on Social Science), [S.l.], v. 10, n. 1, p. 120 - 130, may 2026.
ISSN 2550-0147.
Available at: <http://jess.ppj.unp.ac.id/index.php/JESS/article/view/666>. Date accessed: 13 july 2026.
doi: https://doi.org/10.24036/jess.v10i1.666.
Section
Artikel
