Khmer (Cambodian) DNA
Genetic origins and closest populations · Cambodia · Southeast Asia
The Khmer are the majority people of Cambodia, and the Khmer Empire, centred on Angkor between the 9th and 15th centuries, built some of the largest religious monuments in the world. Khmer has been written since the 7th century. In our model, the Khmer average is 91.5% Southeast Asian Neolithic farmer, with only small South Asian hunter-gatherer related (4.0%), Southern Chinese Neolithic (3.2%) and East Asian (1.3%) shares. That is the highest share of this early farming ancestry among the mainland pages of our atlas, far above the Kinh of Vietnam (25.9%), and it fits the view that Austroasiatic speakers were among the first farmers of mainland Southeast Asia. The closest modern averages are the Kuy (0.0141) and the Nyah Kur, Austroasiatic-speaking neighbours, followed by the Temuan of Malaysia and the Mlabri. The closest ancient groups are Bronze Age Tam Hang in Laos (0.0389) and Neolithic Man Bac in Vietnam (0.0394).
- Largest ancient components in our model: Southeast Asian Neolithic farmers 91.5%, South Asian hunter-gatherer related (Irula proxy) 4.0%, Southern Chinese Neolithic farmers 3.2%
- Closest modern population in our data: Kuy (Suay), distance 0.0141
- Closest ancient group in our data: Laos BA Tam Hang, distance 0.0389
Where does Khmer (Cambodian) DNA sit on the genetic map of the world? To answer, we take the averaged Global25 (G25) coordinates of the Khmer (Cambodian) individuals sampled in Cambodia, listed in the G25 sheet as "Khmer" and compare them with deep ancestral reference populations, with other modern groups and with ancient genomes. It is one of 335 populations in our atlas.
Ancient make-up of the Khmer (Cambodian) average
Modelled as a mix of deep ancestral reference populations, the Khmer (Cambodian) average comes out as 91.5% Southeast Asian Neolithic farmers, 4.0% South Asian hunter-gatherer related (Irula proxy) and 3.2% Southern Chinese Neolithic farmers. The Southeast Asian Neolithic farmers component reflects the Neolithic farmers of mainland Southeast Asia. With well over half of the total, this single source dominates the profile.
Smaller traces of South Asian hunter-gatherer related (Irula proxy), Southern Chinese Neolithic farmers and East Asian (under 5% each) also appear. At that level they can reflect real minor ancestry, but also simple model noise, so they should not be over-read. The fit is acceptable (fit distance 0.036): treat the proportions as a good approximation rather than exact values. This population was modelled with a global set of reference populations (ancient genomes, plus modern stand-ins where no suitable ancient genome exists), because West Eurasian sources alone cannot describe it.
Closest modern populations to Khmer (Cambodian)
Genetically, the Khmer (Cambodian) average sits nearest to Kuy (Suay) at 0.014, Nyah (Kur) at 0.021 and Temuan at 0.030. On our scale, a distance of 0.014 counts as very close. By the tenth closest (Jakun) the distance grows to 0.038, a common pattern for a population that shares ancestry with its neighbours while keeping a profile of its own.
| # | Population | Distance | Closeness |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kuy (Suay) | 0.0141 | Very close |
| 2 | Nyah (Kur) | 0.0205 | Very close |
| 3 | Temuan | 0.0298 | Close |
| 4 | Mlabri | 0.0330 | Close |
| 5 | Mah (Meri) | 0.0335 | Close |
| 6 | Indonesian (Java) | 0.0351 | Close |
| 7 | Sundanese | 0.0354 | Close |
| 8 | Balinese | 0.0356 | Close |
| 9 | Indonesian (Jakarta, Java/Bali Profile) | 0.0362 | Close |
| 10 | Jakun | 0.0375 | Close |
Distances are Euclidean distances between averaged G25 coordinates. On our scale, below 0.025 is very close, below 0.050 close, below 0.080 moderate, and beyond that distant.
Closest ancient populations to Khmer (Cambodian)
Among ancient genomes, the closest match to the modern Khmer (Cambodian) average is Laos BA Tam Hang (Bronze Age), at 0.039, followed by Vietnam N Man Bac and Vietnam LN Ha Long Hhon Hai Co Tien. That is a close match: much of the modern profile was already present then, while later movements of people added further layers. A close ancient match is not proof of direct descent: it means those individuals carried a similar overall mix of ancestry.
| # | Ancient sample or group | Period | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Laos BA Tam Hang | Bronze Age | 0.0389 |
| 2 | Vietnam N Man Bac | Neolithic | 0.0394 |
| 3 | Vietnam LN Ha Long Hhon Hai Co Tien | Late Neolithic | 0.0432 |
| 4 | Malaysia LN Gua Cha | Late Neolithic | 0.0450 |
| 5 | Laos LNBA Tam Pa Ping | Late Neolithic to Bronze Age | 0.0459 |
| 6 | India Uttarakhand Late Modern Roopkund (Southeast Asian Profile) | Late Modern, c. 1800-1950 AD | 0.0491 |
| 7 | Vietnam LN Mai Da Dieu | Late Neolithic | 0.0499 |
| 8 | Vietnam LN Nam Tun | Late Neolithic | 0.0553 |
| 9 | China Dushan 8700BP | c. 6750 BC | 0.0564 |
| 10 | Thailand IA Log Coffin | Iron Age | 0.0747 |
Ancient DNA from Cambodia
Our ancient DNA database holds 1 individual excavated in present-day Cambodia. The most frequent Y-DNA haplogroups among them are O1b (1), and the most frequent mtDNA haplogroups are R30 (1). These are people who lived on the same land in the past, not necessarily ancestors of today's Khmer (Cambodian) population.
Most frequent Y-DNA haplogroups
| Haplogroup | Individuals | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| O1b | 1 | I1680 |
Most frequent mtDNA haplogroups
| Haplogroup | Individuals | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| R30 | 1 | I1680 |
Browse them in our ancient DNA database: 1 from Cambodia.
Compare yourself with Khmer (Cambodian)
Paste your G25 coordinates (scaled, one line, with or without a name in front) and we compute your genetic distance to the Khmer (Cambodian) average and to its closest neighbours, right in your browser. Nothing is uploaded or stored.
| # | Population | Your distance | Closeness |
|---|
This list only covers Khmer (Cambodian) and its neighbours. To find out which of our reports actually fits your DNA, run the free Report Finder: it runs the same fit test that every report uses before an order.
No G25 coordinates yet? Get a free simulated G25 from your raw DNA file, or order G25 coordinates.
About these numbers
Keep in mind that a population average is a statistical summary of a limited number of sampled individuals. Real people inside any group vary, some carry more of one ancestry and some less, and no genetic profile decides who is or is not Khmer (Cambodian). Use these numbers as a map of deep ancestry, not as a label.
Method: averaged G25 coordinates, Euclidean distances to other modern and ancient averages, and a non-negative least-squares model against deep ancestral reference populations (data generated 2026-10-01). Read the full method.
Go deeper than the average
This page describes the Khmer (Cambodian) average. For your own DNA, Advanced Ancestry Report (16€) gives a full ancestry breakdown with no regional focus, in a personal PDF report.
Comprehensive DNA analysis comparing your genetics to over 2,000 modern reference populations.
More populations from Southeast Asia
Frequently asked questions
What is the ancient genetic make-up of Khmer (Cambodian)?
Modelled with deep ancestral reference populations, the Khmer (Cambodian) average is about 91.5% Southeast Asian Neolithic farmers, 4.0% South Asian hunter-gatherer related (Irula proxy) and 3.2% Southern Chinese Neolithic farmers. These proportions are model estimates for a group average, not exact values for any one person.
Which populations are genetically closest to Khmer (Cambodian)?
In the G25 data, the closest modern populations to the Khmer (Cambodian) average are Kuy (Suay), Nyah (Kur) and Temuan. The closest ancient matches are Laos BA Tam Hang, Vietnam N Man Bac and Vietnam LN Ha Long Hhon Hai Co Tien.
Can a DNA test tell me if I am Khmer (Cambodian)?
No DNA test can confirm an ethnicity or a nationality. What DNA can show is how similar your genome is to the sampled Khmer (Cambodian) average and to its neighbours. If you have G25 coordinates, paste them in the comparison box on this page to check that for free.
Which ExploreYourDNA report suits Khmer (Cambodian) ancestry?
None of our regional reports is built for Khmer (Cambodian) ancestry, so the full Advanced Ancestry Report (no regional focus) is the better choice. The DNA Mega-Analysis adds Neanderthal %, traits and closest ancient populations. The free Report Finder checks every report against your own DNA first.
Where does the data on this page come from?
From the averaged Global25 (G25) coordinates of the sampled individuals: genetic distances to other modern and ancient population averages, and a non-negative least-squares model against deep ancestral reference populations. The full method is described at https://www.exploreyourdna.com/populations#method.