Country Profile: Burma

Burma, also known as Myanmar, is located in Southeastern Asia, bordered by the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal. The country has a diverse population of approximately 57.5 million, comprising various ethnic and religious minority groups, with the Burman majority being the most prominent. The economy is characterized by a slow recovery process with a significant focus on agriculture, while governance remains under a military regime following a coup in 2021. Environmental challenges such as deforestation and pollution, along with ongoing internal conflicts, further complicate the nation's development trajectory.

Geography

Burma is situated in Southeastern Asia, sharing borders with Bangladesh, India, China, Laos, and Thailand. The country's terrain consists of central lowlands surrounded by rugged highlands, with a tropical monsoon climate. It covers an area of 676,578 square kilometers, with a coastline of 1,930 kilometers along the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal.

Total Area: 676,578 sq km (2023)
Land Boundaries: 6,522 km with Bangladesh, China, India, Laos, and Thailand
Highest Point: Gamlang Razi at 5,870 m
Forest Coverage: 42.4% of total land area (2023 est.)
Irrigated Land: 17,140 sq km (2020)

People and Society

Burma has a population of approximately 57.5 million, primarily consisting of the Burman (Bamar) ethnic group. The official language is Burmese, and Buddhism is the dominant religion. The country faces significant social challenges, including a high dependency ratio and issues related to education and healthcare access.

Population: 57,527,139 (2024 est.)
Urban Population: 32.1% of total population (2023)
Literacy Rate: 93.5% (2020 est.)
Life Expectancy: 70.3 years (2024 est.)
Median Age: 30.8 years (2024 est.)

Economy

Burma's economy is slowly recovering but faces challenges such as high inflation, a growing trade deficit, and declining employment opportunities. Agriculture remains the backbone of the economy, accounting for a significant portion of GDP.

GDP (PPP): $290.381 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP Growth Rate: -1% (2024 est.)
Agriculture Sector Contribution: 20.8% (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 3.1% (2024 est.)
Poverty Rate: 24.8% below the national poverty line (2017 est.)

Government

Burma is governed under a military regime following a coup in 2021. The country has a mixed legal system and is characterized by significant military influence in both governance and the economy. The administration announced plans for elections in December 2025.

Government Type: Military regime
Capital: Nay Pyi Taw (administrative), Rangoon (recognized by the US)
Suffrage: Universal at 18 years
Military Control: 25% of parliamentary seats reserved for military
Major Political Parties: Over 90 parties participated in the 2020 elections; the NLD was a key player prior to the coup.

Military and Security

The Burmese military, known as the Tatmadaw, plays a pivotal role in the governance and security of the nation, with ongoing engagements against anti-regime forces following the coup. Military expenditures constitute a significant portion of GDP.

Military Expenditures: 3.9% of GDP (2023 est.)
Active Personnel: Estimated 150,000 (2025)
Mandatory Service: Ages 18-35 (men) and 18-27 (women)
Military Equipment: Predominantly older Chinese and Russian designs
IDPs: Approximately 3,646,658 (2024 est.)

Energy

Burma's energy sector relies heavily on fossil fuels, while a growing portion is being generated from hydropower. However, access to electricity remains uneven, especially in rural areas.

Electricity Access: 73.7% of the total population (2022 est.)
Installed Capacity: 7.419 million kW (2023 est.)
Electricity Consumption: 23.625 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Natural Gas Production: 13.549 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Coal Production: 1.031 million metric tons (2023 est.)

Environment

Burma faces significant environmental challenges, including deforestation and industrial pollution. The country is a party to various international environmental agreements but struggles with issues such as inadequate sanitation and rapid resource depletion.

Total Forest Area: 42.4% (2023 est.)
CO2 Emissions: 27.005 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Urbanization Rate: 1.85% annual change (2020-25 est.)
Waste Recycling Rate: 12.3% of municipal solid waste (2022 est.)
Irrigated Agricultural Land: 17,140 sq km (2020)

Transportation

Burma's transportation infrastructure includes railways, air travel, and maritime routes, with significant reliance on road networks for domestic movement.

Total Railways: 5,031 km (2008)
Airports: 74 (2025)
Merchant Marine: 101 vessels (2023)
Major Ports: 7 (total, as of 2024)
Civil Aircraft Registration Code: XY

Communications

The communications landscape in Burma is heavily controlled by the government, with limited access to independent media and telecommunications.

Mobile Subscriptions: 65.5 million (2023 est.)
Internet Users: 59% of the population (2023 est.)
Fixed Line Subscriptions: 588,000 (2023 est.)
Broadcast Media: Dominated by state control with limited free press post-coup.
Broadband Subscriptions: 1.51 million (2023 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	57,527,139	(2024 est.)
Area	676,578 sq km	Total area
GDP (PPP)	$290.381 billion	(2023 est.)
Energy Consumption per Capita	8.384 million Btu	(2023 est.)
Unemployment Rate	3.1%	(2024 est.)
Birth Rate	15.7 births/1,000	(2024 est.)
Life Expectancy	70.3 years	(2024 est.)