2017 Edition

Background

Various ethnic Burmese and ethnic minority city-states or kingdoms occupied the present borders through the 19th century. Over a period of 62 years (1824-1886), Britain conquered Burma and incorporated the country into its Indian Empire. Burma was administered as a province of India until 1937 when it became a separate, self-governing colony; in 1948, Burma attained independence from the British Commonwealth. Gen. NE WIN dominated the government from 1962 to 1988, first as military ruler, then as self-appointed president, and later as political kingpin. In response to widespread civil unrest, NE WIN resigned in 1988, but within months the military crushed student-led protests and took power. Multiparty legislative elections in 1990 resulted in the main opposition party - the National League for Democracy (NLD) - winning a landslide victory. Instead of handing over power, the junta placed NLD leader (and 1991 Nobel Peace Prize recipient) AUNG SAN SUU KYI under house arrest from 1989 to 1995, 2000 to 2002, and from May 2003 to November 2010. In late September 2007, the ruling junta brutally suppressed protests over increased fuel prices led by prodemocracy activists and Buddhist monks, killing an unknown number of people and arresting thousands for participating in the demonstrations. In early May 2008, Burma was struck by Cyclone Nargis, which left over 138,000 dead and tens of thousands injured and homeless. Despite this tragedy, the junta proceeded with its May constitutional referendum, the first vote in Burma since 1990. Legislative elections held in November 2010, which the NLD boycotted and were considered flawed by many in the international community, saw the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party garner over 75% of the contested seats. The national legislature convened in January 2011 and selected former Prime Minister THEIN SEIN as president. Although the vast majority of national-level appointees named by THEIN SEIN were former or current military officers, the government initiated a series of political and economic reforms leading to a substantial opening of the long-isolated country. These reforms included releasing hundreds of political prisoners, signing a nationwide cease-fire with several of the country's ethnic armed groups, pursuing legal reform, and gradually reducing restrictions on freedom of the press, association, and civil society. At least due in part to these reforms, AUNG SAN SUU KYI was elected to the national legislature in April 2012 and became chair of the Committee for Rule of Law and Tranquility. Burma served as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for 2014. In a flawed but largely credible national legislative election in November 2015 featuring more than 90 political parties, the NLD again won a landslide victory. Using its overwhelming majority in both houses of parliament, the NLD elected HTIN KYAW, AUNG SAN SUU KYI’s confidant and long-time NLD supporter, as president. Burma's first credibly elected civilian government after more than five decades of military dictatorship was sworn into office on 30 March 2016.

Area

676,578 sq km 653,508 sq km 23,070 sq km

land

653,508 sq km

total

676,578 sq km

water

23,070 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Texas

Climate

tropical monsoon; cloudy, rainy, hot, humid summers (southwest monsoon, June to September); less cloudy, scant rainfall, mild temperatures, lower humidity during winter (northeast monsoon, December to April)

Coastline

1,930 km

Elevation

702 m lowest point: Andaman Sea/Bay of Bengal 0 m highest point: Gamlang Razi 5,870 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Andaman Sea/Bay of Bengal 0 m

highest point

Gamlang Razi 5,870 m

mean elevation

702 m

Environment - current issues

deforestation; industrial pollution of air, soil, and water; inadequate sanitation and water treatment contribute to disease

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94 none of the selected agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates

22 00 N, 98 00 E

Geography - note

strategic location near major Indian Ocean shipping lanes; the north-south flowing Irrawaddy River is the country's largest and most important commercial waterway

Irrigated land

22,950 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

6,522 km Bangladesh 271 km, China 2,129 km, India 1,468 km, Laos 238 km, Thailand 2,416 km

border countries (5)

Bangladesh 271 km, China 2,129 km, India 1,468 km, Laos 238 km, Thailand 2,416 km

total

6,522 km

Land use

19.2% arable land 16.5%; permanent crops 2.2%; permanent pasture 0.5% 48.2% 32.6% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

19.2%

forest

48.2%

other

32.6% (2011 est.)

Location

Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Bangladesh and Thailand

Map references

Southeast Asia

Maritime claims

12 nm 24 nm 200 nm 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

contiguous zone

24 nm

continental shelf

200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

destructive earthquakes and cyclones; flooding and landslides common during rainy season (June to September); periodic droughts

Natural resources

petroleum, timber, tin, antimony, zinc, copper, tungsten, lead, coal, marble, limestone, precious stones, natural gas, hydropower, arable land

Population - distribution

population concentrated along coastal areas and in general proximity to the shores of the Irrawaddy River; the extreme north is relatively underpopulated

Terrain

central lowlands ringed by steep, rugged highlands

Age structure

26.85% (male 7,567,976/female 7,233,577) 17.75% (male 4,917,290/female 4,865,264) 42.36% (male 11,426,913/female 11,922,728) 7.52% (male 1,930,253/female 2,213,263) 5.53% (male 1,327,811/female 1,718,739) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

26.85% (male 7,567,976/female 7,233,577)

15-24 years

17.75% (male 4,917,290/female 4,865,264)

25-54 years

42.36% (male 11,426,913/female 11,922,728)

55-64 years

7.52% (male 1,930,253/female 2,213,263)

65 years and over

5.53% (male 1,327,811/female 1,718,739) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

18.1 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

18.9% (2016)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

52.2% (2015/16)

Death rate

7.4 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Dependency ratios

49.7 41.7 12.6 (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

8

potential support ratio

12.6 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

49.7

youth dependency ratio

41.7

Drinking water source

urban: 92.7% of population rural: 74.4% of population total: 80.6% of population urban: 7.3% of population rural: 25.6% of population total: 19.4% of population (2015 est.)

rural

25.6% of population

total

19.4% of population (2015 est.)

urban

7.3% of population

Ethnic groups

Burman (Bamar) 68%, Shan 9%, Karen 7%, Rakhine 4%, Chinese 3%, Indian 2%, Mon 2%, other 5% government recognizes 135 indigenous ethnic groups

note

government recognizes 135 indigenous ethnic groups

Health expenditures

2.3% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.8% (2016 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

7,800 (2016 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

230,000 (2016 est.)

Hospital bed density

0.6 beds/1,000 population (2006)

Infant mortality rate

35.8 deaths/1,000 live births 38.8 deaths/1,000 live births 32.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

32.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

38.8 deaths/1,000 live births

total

35.8 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Burmese (official) minority ethnic groups have their own languages

note

minority ethnic groups have their own languages

Life expectancy at birth

68.2 years 66.6 years 69.9 years (2017 est.)

female

69.9 years (2017 est.)

male

66.6 years

total population

68.2 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 75.6% 80% 71.8% (2016 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

71.8% (2016 est.)

male

80%

total population

75.6%

Major infectious diseases

very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever dengue fever, malaria, and Japanese encephalitis leptospirosis rabies (2016)

animal contact disease

rabies (2016)

degree of risk

very high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases

dengue fever, malaria, and Japanese encephalitis

water contact disease

leptospirosis

Major urban areas - population

RANGOON (Yangon) (capital) 4.802 million; Mandalay 1.167 million; Nay Pyi Taw 1.03 million (2015)

Maternal mortality ratio

178 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

28.2 years 27.4 years 29 years (2017 est.)

female

29 years (2017 est.)

male

27.4 years

total

28.2 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

25 years median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2015/16 est.)

note

median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2015/16 est.)

Nationality

Burmese (singular and plural) Burmese

adjective

Burmese

noun

Burmese (singular and plural)

Net migration rate

-1.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

5.8% (2016)

Physicians density

0.57 physicians/1,000 population (2012)

Population

55,123,814 estimates for this country take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2017 est.)

note

estimates for this country take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

population concentrated along coastal areas and in general proximity to the shores of the Irrawaddy River; the extreme north is relatively underpopulated

Population growth rate

0.91% (2017 est.)

Religions

Buddhist 87.9%, Christian 6.2%, Muslim 4.3%, Animist 0.8%, Hindu 0.5%, other 0.2%, none 0.1% religion estimate is based on the 2014 national census, including an estimate for the non-enumerated population of Rakhine State, which is assumed to mainly affiliate with the Islamic faith (2014 est.)

note

religion estimate is based on the 2014 national census, including an estimate for the non-enumerated population of Rakhine State, which is assumed to mainly affiliate with the Islamic faith (2014 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 84.3% of population rural: 73.9% of population total: 77.4% of population urban: 15.7% of population rural: 26.1% of population total: 22.6% of population (2012 est.)

rural

26.1% of population

total

22.6% of population (2012 est.)

urban

15.7% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

8 years NA NA (2007)

female

NA (2007)

male

NA

total

8 years

Sex ratio

1.06 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.89 male(s)/female 0.77 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.04 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.03 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.99 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.89 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.77 male(s)/female

at birth

1.06 male(s)/female

total population

0.99 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.17 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Urbanization

35.2% of total population (2017) 2.29% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

2.29% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

35.2% of total population (2017)

Administrative divisions

7 regions (taing-myar, singular - taing), 7 states (pyi ne-myar, singular - pyi ne), 1 union territory Ayeyawady (Irrawaddy), Bago, Magway, Mandalay, Sagaing, Taninthayi, Yangon (Rangoon) Chin, Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Mon, Rakhine, Shan Nay Pyi Taw

regions

Ayeyawady (Irrawaddy), Bago, Magway, Mandalay, Sagaing, Taninthayi, Yangon (Rangoon)

states

Chin, Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Mon, Rakhine, Shan

union territory

Nay Pyi Taw

Capital

Rangoon (Yangon); note - Nay Pyi Taw is the administrative capital 16 48 N, 96 09 E UTC+6.5 (11.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

16 48 N, 96 09 E

name

Rangoon (Yangon); note - Nay Pyi Taw is the administrative capital

time difference

UTC+6.5 (11.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

no both parents must be citizens of Burma no none an applicant for naturalization must be the child or spouse of a citizen

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

both parents must be citizens of Burma

dual citizenship recognized

no

note

an applicant for naturalization must be the child or spouse of a citizen

residency requirement for naturalization

none

Constitution

previous 1947, 1974 (suspended until 2008); latest drafted 9 April 2008, approved by referendum 29 May 2008; amended 2015 proposals require at least 20% approval by the Assembly of the Union membership; passage of amendments to sections of the constitution on basic principles, government structure, branches of government, state emergencies, and amendment procedures requires 75% approval by the Assembly and approval in a referendum by absolute majority of registered voters; passage of amendments to other sections requires only 75% Assembly approval (2017)

amendments

proposals require at least 20% approval by the Assembly of the Union membership; passage of amendments to sections of the constitution on basic principles, government structure, branches of government, state emergencies, and amendment procedures requires 75% approval by the Assembly and approval in a referendum by absolute majority of registered voters; passage of amendments to other sections requires only 75% Assembly approval (2017)

history

previous 1947, 1974 (suspended until 2008); latest drafted 9 April 2008, approved by referendum 29 May 2008; amended 2015

Country name

Union of Burma Burma Pyidaungzu Thammada Myanma Naingngandaw (translated as the Republic of the Union of Myanmar) Myanma Naingngandaw Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma, Union of Myanmar since 1989 the military authorities in Burma and the current parliamentary government have promoted the name Myanmar as a conventional name for their state; the US Government has not adopted the name both "Burma" and "Myanmar" derive from the name of the majority Burmese Bamar ethnic group

conventional long form

Union of Burma

conventional short form

Burma

etymology

both "Burma" and "Myanmar" derive from the name of the majority Burmese Bamar ethnic group

former

Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma, Union of Myanmar

local long form

Pyidaungzu Thammada Myanma Naingngandaw (translated as the Republic of the Union of Myanmar)

local short form

Myanma Naingngandaw

note

since 1989 the military authorities in Burma and the current parliamentary government have promoted the name Myanmar as a conventional name for their state; the US Government has not adopted the name

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Scot MARCIEL (since 27 April 2016) 110 University Avenue, Kamayut Township, Rangoon Box B, APO AP 96546 [95] (1) 536-509, 535-756, 538-038 [95] (1) 511-069

chief of mission

Ambassador Scot MARCIEL (since 27 April 2016)

embassy

110 University Avenue, Kamayut Township, Rangoon

FAX

[95] (1) 511-069

mailing address

Box B, APO AP 96546

telephone

[95] (1) 536-509, 535-756, 538-038

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador AUNG LYNN (since 16 September 2016) 2300 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 332-3344 [1] (202) 332-4351 Los Angeles, New York

chancery

2300 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador AUNG LYNN (since 16 September 2016)

consulate(s) general

Los Angeles, New York

FAX

[1] (202) 332-4351

telephone

[1] (202) 332-3344

Executive branch

President HTIN KYAW (since 30 March 2016); Vice Presidents MYINT SWE (since 30 March 2016) and HENRY VAN THIO (since 30 March 2016); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government President HTIN KYAW (since 30 March 2016); Vice Presidents MYINT SWE (since 30 March 2016) and HENRY VAN THIO (since 30 March 2016) a parliamentary bill creating the position of "state counsellor" was signed into law by President HTIN KYAW on 6 April 2016; a state counsellor serves the equivalent term of the president and is similar to a prime minister in that the holder acts as a link between the parliament and the executive branch State Counselor AUNG SAN SUU KYI (since 6 April 2016); she concurrently serves as minister of foreign affairs and minister for the office of the president Cabinet appointments shared by the president and the commander-in-chief president indirectly elected by simple majority vote by the full Assembly of the Union from among 3 vice-presidential candidates nominated by the Presidential Electoral College (consists of members of the lower and upper houses and military members); the other 2 candidates become vice-presidents (president elected for a 5-year term); election last held on 15 March 2016 (next to be held in 2021) HTIN KYAW elected president; Assembly of the Union vote: HTIN KYAW (NLD) 360, MYINT SWE (USDP) 213, HENRY VAN THIO (NLD) 79 (652 votes cast)

cabinet

Cabinet appointments shared by the president and the commander-in-chief

chief of state

President HTIN KYAW (since 30 March 2016); Vice Presidents MYINT SWE (since 30 March 2016) and HENRY VAN THIO (since 30 March 2016); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

election results

HTIN KYAW elected president; Assembly of the Union vote: HTIN KYAW (NLD) 360, MYINT SWE (USDP) 213, HENRY VAN THIO (NLD) 79 (652 votes cast)

elections/appointments

president indirectly elected by simple majority vote by the full Assembly of the Union from among 3 vice-presidential candidates nominated by the Presidential Electoral College (consists of members of the lower and upper houses and military members); the other 2 candidates become vice-presidents (president elected for a 5-year term); election last held on 15 March 2016 (next to be held in 2021)

head of government

President HTIN KYAW (since 30 March 2016); Vice Presidents MYINT SWE (since 30 March 2016) and HENRY VAN THIO (since 30 March 2016)

note

a parliamentary bill creating the position of "state counsellor" was signed into law by President HTIN KYAW on 6 April 2016; a state counsellor serves the equivalent term of the president and is similar to a prime minister in that the holder acts as a link between the parliament and the executive branch

state counsellor

State Counselor AUNG SAN SUU KYI (since 6 April 2016); she concurrently serves as minister of foreign affairs and minister for the office of the president

Flag description

design consists of three equal horizontal stripes of yellow (top), green, and red; centered on the green band is a large white five-pointed star that partially overlaps onto the adjacent colored stripes; the design revives the triband colors used by Burma from 1943-45, during the Japanese occupation

Government type

parliamentary republic

Independence

4 January 1948 (from the UK)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

ADB, ARF, ASEAN, BIMSTEC, CP, EAS, EITI (candidate country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), NAM, OPCW (signatory), SAARC (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court of the Union (consists of the chief justice and 7-11 judges) chief justice and judges nominated by the president, with approval of the Lower House, and appointed by the president; judges normally serve until mandatory retirement at age 70 High Courts of the Region; High Courts of the State; Court of the Self-Administered Division; Court of the Self-Administered Zone; district and township courts; special courts (for juvenile, municipal, and traffic offenses); courts martial

highest court(s)

Supreme Court of the Union (consists of the chief justice and 7-11 judges)

judge selection and term of office

chief justice and judges nominated by the president, with approval of the Lower House, and appointed by the president; judges normally serve until mandatory retirement at age 70

subordinate courts

High Courts of the Region; High Courts of the State; Court of the Self-Administered Division; Court of the Self-Administered Zone; district and township courts; special courts (for juvenile, municipal, and traffic offenses); courts martial

Legal system

mixed legal system of English common law (as introduced in codifications designed for colonial India) and customary law

Legislative branch

bicameral Assembly of the Union or Pyidaungsu consists of an upper house - the House of Nationalities or Amyotha Hluttaw, (224 seats; 168 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote with a second round if needed and 56 appointed by the military; members serve 5-year terms) and a lower house - the House of Representatives or Pyithu Hluttaw, (440 seats; 330 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 110 appointed by the military; members serve 5-year terms) last held on 8 November 2015 (next to be held in 2020) Upper House - percent of vote by party - NLD 60.3%, USDP 4.9%, ANP 4.5%, SNLD 1.3%, military 25%, other 4%, ; seats by party - NLD 135, USDP 11, ANP 10, SNLD 3, ZCD 2, TNP 2, independent 2, other 3, military appointees 56; Lower House - percent of vote by party - NLD 58%, USDP 6.8%, ANP 2.7%, SNLD 2.7%, military 25%, other 4.8%; seats by party - NLD 255, USDP 30, ANP 12, SNLD 12, PNO 3, TNP 3, ZCD 2, LNDP 2, independent 1, other 3, canceled due to insurgence 7, military appointees 110

description

bicameral Assembly of the Union or Pyidaungsu consists of an upper house - the House of Nationalities or Amyotha Hluttaw, (224 seats; 168 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote with a second round if needed and 56 appointed by the military; members serve 5-year terms) and a lower house - the House of Representatives or Pyithu Hluttaw, (440 seats; 330 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 110 appointed by the military; members serve 5-year terms)

election results

Upper House - percent of vote by party - NLD 60.3%, USDP 4.9%, ANP 4.5%, SNLD 1.3%, military 25%, other 4%, ; seats by party - NLD 135, USDP 11, ANP 10, SNLD 3, ZCD 2, TNP 2, independent 2, other 3, military appointees 56; Lower House - percent of vote by party - NLD 58%, USDP 6.8%, ANP 2.7%, SNLD 2.7%, military 25%, other 4.8%; seats by party - NLD 255, USDP 30, ANP 12, SNLD 12, PNO 3, TNP 3, ZCD 2, LNDP 2, independent 1, other 3, canceled due to insurgence 7, military appointees 110

elections

last held on 8 November 2015 (next to be held in 2020)

National anthem

"Kaba Ma Kyei" (Till the End of the World, Myanmar) SAYA TIN adopted 1948; Burma is among a handful of non-European nations that have anthems rooted in indigenous traditions; the beginning portion of the anthem is a traditional Burmese anthem before transitioning into a Western-style orchestrated work

lyrics/music

SAYA TIN

name

"Kaba Ma Kyei" (Till the End of the World, Myanmar)

note

adopted 1948; Burma is among a handful of non-European nations that have anthems rooted in indigenous traditions; the beginning portion of the anthem is a traditional Burmese anthem before transitioning into a Western-style orchestrated work

National holiday

Independence Day, 4 January (1948); Union Day, 12 February (1947)

National symbol(s)

chinthe (mythical lion); national colors: yellow, green, red, white

chinthe (mythical lion); national colors

yellow, green, red, white

Political parties and leaders

All Mon Region Democracy Party or AMRDP (vacant) Arakan National Party or ANP (vacant) (formed from the 2013 merger of the Rakhine Nationalities Development Party and the Arakan League for Democracy) National Democratic Force or NDF [KHIN MAUNG SWE] National League for Democracy or NLD [AUNG SAN SUU KYI] National Unity Party or NUP [THAN TIN] Pa-O National Organization or PNO [AUNG KHAM HTI] Shan Nationalities Democratic Party or SNDP [SAI AIK PAUNG] Shan Nationalities League for Democracy or SNLD [KHUN HTUN OO] Ta'ang National Party or TNP [AIK MONE] Union Solidarity and Development Party or USDP [THAN HTAY] Zomi Congress for Democracy or ZCD [PU CIN SIAN THANG] numerous smaller parties

Political pressure groups and leaders

Ethnic Nationalities Council or ENC Federation of Trade Unions-Burma or FTUB (exiled trade union and labor advocates) United Nationalities Federal Council or UNFC [NAI HONG SAR] Kachin Independence Organization or KIO [Gen. LANYAW ZAWNG HRA] Karen National Union or KNU [Gen. SAW MUTU SAY POE] Karenni National People's Party or KNPP [KHUN ABEL TWEED] United Wa State Army or UWSA [BAO YOU-XIANG] 88 Generation Students Group [collective leadership] (pro-democracy movement) several other Chin, Karen, Mon, and Shan factions many restrictions on freedom of expression have been relaxed by the government; a limited number of political groups, other than parties, are approved by the government

inside Burma

Kachin Independence Organization or KIO [Gen. LANYAW ZAWNG HRA]

note

many restrictions on freedom of expression have been relaxed by the government; a limited number of political groups, other than parties, are approved by the government

Thai border

Ethnic Nationalities Council or ENC

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

rice, pulses, beans, sesame, groundnuts; sugarcane; fish and fish products; hardwood

Budget

$8.361 billion $10.44 billion (2016 est.)

expenditures

$10.44 billion (2016 est.)

revenues

$8.361 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-3.1% of GDP (2016 est.)

Central bank discount rate

9.95% (31 December 2010) 12% (31 December 2009)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

13% (31 December 2016 est.) 13% (31 December 2015 est.)

Current account balance

$-3.789 billion (2016 est.) $-2.494 billion (2015 est.)

Debt - external

$8.2 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $6.401 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Economy - overview

Since the transition to a civilian government in 2011, Burma has begun an economic overhaul aimed at attracting foreign investment and reintegrating into the global economy. Economic reforms have included establishing a managed float of the Burmese kyat in 2012, granting the Central Bank operational independence in July 2013, enacting a new anti-corruption law in September 2013, and granting licenses to nine foreign banks in 2014 and four more foreign banks in 2016. State Counselor AUNG SAN SUU KYI and the ruling National League for Democracy, who took power in March 2016, are seeking to improve Burma’s investment climate, following the US sanctions lift in October 2016 and reinstatement of Generalized System of Preferences trade benefits in November 2016. In October 2016, Burma passed a revised foreign investment law that consolidates investment regulations and eases the investment approval process. Parliament is also expected to pass amendments to the Companies Law and Gemstone Law later this year. The government reforms since 2011 and the subsequent easing of most Western sanctions led to accelerated growth, from under 6% in 2011 to roughly 8% in 2013 through 2016. While the economy is expected to grow by 6.5% this year, the World Bank and IMF predict that growth will return to over 7% per year during the next three years. In 2015, growth slowed slightly because of political uncertainty in an election year, summer floods, and external factors, including China’s slowdown and lower commodity prices. Burma’s abundant natural resources and young labor force are attracting foreign investment in the energy, garment, information technology, and food and beverage sectors. Despite these improvements, living standards have not improved for the majority of the people residing in rural areas. Burma remains one of the poorest countries in Asia – approximately 26% of the country’s 51 million people live in poverty. The isolationist policies and economic mismanagement of previous governments have left Burma with poor infrastructure, endemic corruption, underdeveloped human resources, and inadequate access to capital, which will require a major commitment to reverse. The Burmese government has been slow to address impediments to economic development such as insecure land rights, a restrictive trade licensing system, an opaque revenue collection system, and an antiquated banking system. AUNG SAN SUU KYI’s government is focusing on accelerating agricultural productivity and land reforms, modernizing and opening the financial sector, and developing transportation and electricity infrastructure.

Exchange rates

kyats (MMK) per US dollar - 1,234.87 (2016 est.) 1,234.87 (2015 est.) 1,162.62 (2014 est.) 984.35 (2013 est.) 853.48 (2012 est.)

Exports

$9.085 billion (2016 est.) $9.966 billion (2015 est.) official export figures are grossly underestimated due to the value of timber, gems, narcotics, rice, and other products smuggled to Thailand, China, and Bangladesh

note

official export figures are grossly underestimated due to the value of timber, gems, narcotics, rice, and other products smuggled to Thailand, China, and Bangladesh

Exports - commodities

natural gas; wood products; pulses and beans; fish; rice; clothing; minerals, including jade and gems

Exports - partners

China 40.6%, Thailand 19.1%, India 8.8%, Singapore 7.6%, Japan 5.7% (2016)

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP - composition, by end use

50.9% 15.2% 35.6% 2.6% 19.6% -23.9% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services

19.6%

government consumption

15.2%

household consumption

50.9%

imports of goods and services

-23.9% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital

35.6%

investment in inventories

2.6%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

25.6% 34.7% 39.6% (2016 est.)

agriculture

25.6%

industry

34.7%

services

39.6% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$5,800 (2016 est.) $5,500 (2015 est.) $5,200 (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

6.1% (2016 est.) 7% (2015 est.) 8% (2014 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$64.37 billion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$303.3 billion (2016 est.) $282.2 billion (2015 est.) $260.9 billion (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

Gross national saving

16.5% of GDP (2016 est.) 19.3% of GDP (2015 est.) 21.9% of GDP (2014 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.8% 32.4% (1998)

highest 10%

32.4% (1998)

lowest 10%

2.8%

Imports

$12.8 billion (2016 est.) $13.74 billion (2015 est.) import figures are grossly underestimated due to the value of consumer goods, diesel fuel, and other products smuggled in from Thailand, China, Malaysia, and India

note

import figures are grossly underestimated due to the value of consumer goods, diesel fuel, and other products smuggled in from Thailand, China, Malaysia, and India

Imports - commodities

fabric; petroleum products; fertilizer; plastics; machinery; transport equipment; cement, construction materials; food products� edible oil

Imports - partners

China 33.9%, Singapore 14.3%, Thailand 12.5%, Japan 7.9%, India 6.9%, Malaysia 4.3% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

8.4% (2016 est.)

Industries

agricultural processing; wood and wood products; copper, tin, tungsten, iron; cement, construction materials; pharmaceuticals; fertilizer; oil and natural gas; garments; jade and gems

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

6.8% (2016 est.) 9.5% (2015 est.)

Labor force

22.13 million (2016 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

70% 7% 23% (2001)

agriculture

70%

industry

7%

services

23% (2001)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

25.6% (2016 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$4.63 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $3.817 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$23.08 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $18.55 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$15.84 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $14.23 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

12.6% of GDP (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

4% (2016 est.) 0.8% (2015 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

15 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

2,814 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - imports

28.5 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - production

15,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

139 million bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

12.91 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

33.9% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

65.9% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0.3% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

4.783 million kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

15.48 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity access

36,300,000 52% 95% 31% (2013)

electrification - rural areas

31% (2013)

electrification - total population

52%

electrification - urban areas

95%

population without electricity

36,300,000

Natural gas - consumption

4.766 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - exports

13.91 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - production

17.5 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

637.1 billion cu m (1 January 2017 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

91,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

73,260 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

15,870 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Broadcast media

government controls all domestic broadcast media; 2 state-controlled TV stations with 1 of the stations controlled by the armed forces; 2 pay-TV stations are joint state-private ventures; access to satellite TV is limited; 1 state-controlled domestic radio station and 9 FM stations that are joint state-private ventures; transmissions of several international broadcasters are available in parts of Burma; the Voice of America (VOA), Radio Free Asia (RFA), BBC Burmese service, the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB), and Radio Australia use shortwave to broadcast in Burma; VOA, RFA, and DVB produce daily TV news programs that are transmitted by satellite to audiences in Burma; in March 2017, the government granted licenses to 5 private broadcasters, allowing them digital free-to-air TV channels to be operated in partnership with government-owned Myanmar Radio and Television (MRTV) and will rely upon MRTV’s transmission infrastructure; the new channels are expected to begin airing programming early in 2018 (2017)

Internet country code

.mm

Internet users

14,264,308 25.1% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

25.1% (July 2016 est.)

total

14,264,308

Telephone system

meets minimum requirements for local and intercity service for business and government the government eased its monopoly on communications in 2013 and granted telecom licenses to three new operators, which has resulted in a dramatic expansion of the wireless network country code - 95; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 optical telecommunications submarine cable that provides links to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2, Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and ShinSat (2016)

domestic

the government eased its monopoly on communications in 2013 and granted telecom licenses to three new operators, which has resulted in a dramatic expansion of the wireless network

general assessment

meets minimum requirements for local and intercity service for business and government

international

country code - 95; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 optical telecommunications submarine cable that provides links to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2, Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and ShinSat (2016)

Telephones - fixed lines

514,385 1 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

1 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

514,385

Telephones - mobile cellular

48,728,399 86 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

86 (July 2016 est.)

total

48,728,399

Airports

64 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m

12

2,438 to 3,047 m

11

over 3,047 m

12

total

36

under 914 m

1 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways

13 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

4

914 to 1,523 m

10

over 3,047 m

1

total

28

under 914 m

13 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

XY (2016)

Heliports

11 (2013)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 1, general cargo 43, Oil tanker 5, other 48 (2017)

by type

bulk carrier 1, general cargo 43, Oil tanker 5, other 48 (2017)

total

97

National air transport system

2,029,139 3,365,967 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

3,365,967 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

2,029,139

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

45

number of registered air carriers

11

Pipelines

gas 3,739 km; oil 1,321 km (2017)

Ports and terminals

Mawlamyine (Moulmein), Sittwe Rangoon (Yangon) (Rangoon River)

major seaport(s)

Mawlamyine (Moulmein), Sittwe

river port(s)

Rangoon (Yangon) (Rangoon River)

Railways

5,031 km 5,031 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)

narrow gauge

5,031 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)

total

5,031 km

Roadways

34,377 km (includes 358 km of expressways) (2010)

total

34,377 km (includes 358 km of expressways) (2010)

Waterways

12,800 km (2011)

Military branches

Burmese Defense Service (Tatmadaw): Army (Tatmadaw Kyi), Navy (Tatmadaw Yay), Air Force (Tatmadaw Lay) (2013)

Burmese Defense Service (Tatmadaw)

Army (Tatmadaw Kyi), Navy (Tatmadaw Yay), Air Force (Tatmadaw Lay) (2013)

Military expenditures

4.08% of GDP (2015) 3.58% of GDP (2014) 3.81% of GDP (2013) 3.71% of GDP (2012)

Military service age and obligation

18-35 years of age (men) and 18-27 years of age (women) for voluntary military service; no conscription (a 2010 law reintroducing conscription has not yet entered into force); 2-year service obligation; male (ages 18-45) and female (ages 18-35) professionals (including doctors, engineers, mechanics) serve up to 3 years; service terms may be stretched to 5 years in an officially declared emergency; Burma signed the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) on 15 August 1991; on 27 June 2012, the regime signed a Joint Action Plan on prevention of child recruitment; in February 2013, the military formed a new task force to address forced child conscription; approximately 600 children have been released from military service since the signing of the joint action plan (2015)

Disputes - international

over half of Burma's population consists of diverse ethnic groups who have substantial numbers of kin in neighboring countries; the Naf River on the border with Bangladesh serves as a smuggling and illegal transit route; Bangladesh struggles to accommodate 29,000 Rohingya, Burmese Muslim minority from Arakan State, living as refugees in Cox's Bazar; Burmese border authorities are constructing a 200 km (124 mi) wire fence designed to deter illegal cross-border transit and tensions from the military build-up along border with Bangladesh in 2010; Bangladesh referred its maritime boundary claims with Burma and India to the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea; Burmese forces attempting to dig in to the largely autonomous Shan State to rout local militias tied to the drug trade, prompts local residents to periodically flee into neighboring Yunnan Province in China; fencing along the India-Burma international border at Manipur's Moreh town is in progress to check illegal drug trafficking and movement of militants; over 100,000 mostly Karen refugees and asylum seekers fleeing civil strife, political upheaval, and economic stagnation in Burma were living in remote camps in Thailand near the border as of May 2017

Illicit drugs

world's second largest producer of illicit opium with an estimated poppy cultivation totaling 55,500 hectares in 2015 and an estimated potential production of 647 mt of raw opium; Shan state is the source of 91% of Burma's poppy cultivation; lack of government will to take on major narcotrafficking groups and lack of serious commitment against money laundering continues to hinder the overall antidrug effort; major source of methamphetamine and heroin for regional consumption

Refugees and internally displaced persons

644,000 (government offensives against armed ethnic minority groups near its borders with China and Thailand, natural disasters, forced land evictions) (2016) 925,939 (2016); note - Rohingya Muslims, living predominantly in Rakhine State, are Burma's main group of stateless people; the Burmese Government does not recognize the Rohingya as a "national race" and stripped them of their citizenship under the 1982 Citizenship Law, categorizing them as "non-nationals" or "foreign residents"; under the Rakhine State Action Plan drafted in October 2014, the Rohingya must demonstrate their family has lived in Burma for at least 60 years to qualify for a lesser naturalized citizenship and the classification of Bengali or be put in detention camps and face deportation; native-born but non-indigenous people, such as Indians, are also stateless; the Burmese Government does not grant citizenship to children born outside of the country to Burmese parents who left the country illegally or fled persecution, such as those born in Thailand estimate does not include stateless IDPs or stateless persons in IDP-like situations because they are included in estimates of IDPs (2016)

IDPs

644,000 (government offensives against armed ethnic minority groups near its borders with China and Thailand, natural disasters, forced land evictions) (2016)

note

estimate does not include stateless IDPs or stateless persons in IDP-like situations because they are included in estimates of IDPs (2016)

stateless persons

925,939 (2016); note - Rohingya Muslims, living predominantly in Rakhine State, are Burma's main group of stateless people; the Burmese Government does not recognize the Rohingya as a "national race" and stripped them of their citizenship under the 1982 Citizenship Law, categorizing them as "non-nationals" or "foreign residents"; under the Rakhine State Action Plan drafted in October 2014, the Rohingya must demonstrate their family has lived in Burma for at least 60 years to qualify for a lesser naturalized citizenship and the classification of Bengali or be put in detention camps and face deportation; native-born but non-indigenous people, such as Indians, are also stateless; the Burmese Government does not grant citizenship to children born outside of the country to Burmese parents who left the country illegally or fled persecution, such as those born in Thailand

Trafficking in persons

Burma is a source country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purpose of forced labor and for women and children subjected to sex trafficking; Burmese adult and child labor migrants travel to East Asia, the Middle East, South Asia, and the US, where men are forced to work in the fishing, manufacturing, forestry, and construction industries and women and girls are forced into prostitution, domestic servitude, or forced labor in the garment sector; some Burmese economic migrants and Rohingya asylum seekers have become forced laborers on Thai fishing boats; some military personnel and armed ethnic groups unlawfully conscript child soldiers or coerce adults and children into forced labor; domestically, adults and children from ethnic areas are vulnerable to forced labor on plantations and in mines, while children may also be subject to forced prostitution, domestic service, and begging Tier 2 Watch List – Burma does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, but it is making significant efforts to do so; the government has a written plan that, if implemented, would constitute making a significant effort toward meeting the minimum standard for eliminating human trafficking; in 2014, law enforcement continued to investigate and prosecute cross-border trafficking offenses but did little to address domestic trafficking; no civilians or government officials were prosecuted or convicted for the recruitment of child soldiers, a serious problem that is hampered by corruption and the influence of the military; victim referral and protection services remained inadequate, especially for men, and left victims vulnerable to being re-trafficked; the government coordinated anti-trafficking programs as part of its five-year national action plan (2015)

current situation

Burma is a source country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purpose of forced labor and for women and children subjected to sex trafficking; Burmese adult and child labor migrants travel to East Asia, the Middle East, South Asia, and the US, where men are forced to work in the fishing, manufacturing, forestry, and construction industries and women and girls are forced into prostitution, domestic servitude, or forced labor in the garment sector; some Burmese economic migrants and Rohingya asylum seekers have become forced laborers on Thai fishing boats; some military personnel and armed ethnic groups unlawfully conscript child soldiers or coerce adults and children into forced labor; domestically, adults and children from ethnic areas are vulnerable to forced labor on plantations and in mines, while children may also be subject to forced prostitution, domestic service, and begging

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List – Burma does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, but it is making significant efforts to do so; the government has a written plan that, if implemented, would constitute making a significant effort toward meeting the minimum standard for eliminating human trafficking; in 2014, law enforcement continued to investigate and prosecute cross-border trafficking offenses but did little to address domestic trafficking; no civilians or government officials were prosecuted or convicted for the recruitment of child soldiers, a serious problem that is hampered by corruption and the influence of the military; victim referral and protection services remained inadequate, especially for men, and left victims vulnerable to being re-trafficked; the government coordinated anti-trafficking programs as part of its five-year national action plan (2015)