Cambodia Development Review   29 - 2

Determinants of Health Insurance Coverage in Cambodia: A Comparative Analysis of National and Private Insurance


Published: 30-Jun-2025
Keyword: Health insurance, National Social Security Fund, social protection, Cambodia
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Abstract/Summary

This study examines the determinants of health insurance coverage in Cambodia, focusing on enrolment in the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and private health insurance. It uses the Cambodia Demographic Health Survey (CDHS) 2021-22 data and utilises multinomial logistic regression analysis to identify predictors of insurance uptake in Cambodia. The result indicates that the working-age population is more likely to possess either national or private health insurance, with females being three times more likely to have NSSF, and rural populations are less likely to be insured. Socioeconomic status strongly predicted health insurance type, with education being a significant predictor of both NSSF and private health insurance coverage, while wealth shapes private insurance but has limited influence on NSSF. Occupation also mattered, where formal or semi-formal employment markedly increases the probability of health insurance enrolment, reflecting Cambodia’s segmented labour market. These findings highlight persistent inequities in access to health protection and underscore the need for policies that expand outreach in rural areas, improve accessibility for informal sector workers, and leverage educational interventions to raise awareness of health protection programmes among underserved populations.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.64202/cdr.29.2.202506




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