UN Report: Over Two-Thirds of Myanmar's Population in or at Risk of Poverty
Armed conflict and economic instability have led to widespread deprivation, with nearly 18 million people classified as poor.
More than two-thirds of Myanmar's population is either living in poverty or at risk of falling into it, a United Nations report released Thursday revealed. According to the U.N. Development Program (UNDP), nearly 18 million people, or 32.6% of the population, are currently poor, while an additional 19.5 million are vulnerable to poverty. This brings the total number of people affected to over 37 million, representing 68% of the country's inhabitants.
Myanmar has been in a state of turmoil since the military seized power from the elected government in 2021. The subsequent crackdown on peaceful protests escalated into widespread armed conflict in many parts of the country, leading to deep deprivation. Kanni Wignaraja, U.N. assistant secretary-general and UNDP regional director for Asia and the Pacific, described the situation as a "no-win war" where the country's core functioning is being systematically eroded.
The UNDP report, based on a nationwide telephone survey of 7,463 households, utilized an adapted Multidimensional Poverty Index. This index measures deprivation beyond income, encompassing overlapping gaps in health, education, and living standards. Deficits in health and living standards account for over 80% of the measured poverty, highlighting challenges in accessing healthcare, adequate housing, clean water, sanitation, and other essential services, particularly in conflict-affected areas.
Poverty is notably severe in Rakhine and Kayah states, regions experiencing heightened insecurity and restricted access. Compounding factors include low educational attainment, precarious employment, and low incomes, intensified by conflict, displacement, disrupted markets, and fragmented services. Economic and natural hazard shocks, such as the anticipated intensification of El Niño, are expected to further exacerbate poverty.
The report also warned of a significant loss of human capital, with an estimated 1 million young people potentially leaving Myanmar since 2021 due to a lack of opportunities and growing uncertainty about future prospects for education, employment, and mobility. Myanmar's military leader, Min Aung Hlaing, acknowledged that instability and the absence of peace have slowed the country's economic growth, citing political instability, sanctions, limited financial assistance, and declining trade as contributing factors, according to state media reports.