Country Profile: Burma

Burma, officially known as the Union of Myanmar, is located in Southeast Asia, bordered by the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal. The country has a diverse population of approximately 57.9 million people, largely comprising ethnic Burmans as well as numerous ethnic minorities. Its economy is predominantly based on agriculture, although it is facing challenges including high inflation, a growing trade deficit, and a slow recovery from past economic turmoil. Myanmar's governance has been predominantly military-led, particularly after the coup in 2021, leading to ongoing conflict and instability.

Geography

Burma spans an area of 676,578 sq km, slightly smaller than Texas, with a varied topography that includes central lowlands surrounded by rugged highlands. Its strategic location offers access to major Indian Ocean shipping lanes, and the Irrawaddy River, the country’s largest waterway, runs north-south.

Coastline: 1,930 km
Land boundaries: 6,522 km with countries including China, India, and Thailand
Natural resources: Includes petroleum, timber, and precious stones
Climate: Tropical monsoon with distinct wet and dry seasons
Elevation: Highest point at 5,870 m (Gamlang Razi)
Natural hazards: Prone to earthquakes, cyclones, flooding, and landslides

People and Society

The population of Burma is estimated to be 57,931,718 in 2025, with a median age of 31.1 years. The ethnic Burman (Bamar) group constitutes the majority at 68%, while various other ethnic groups reside in peripheral regions. The country is characterized by a rich cultural tapestry shaped by its diverse ethnicities and religions, primarily Buddhism.

Urbanization: 32.1% of the population lives in urban areas (2023)
Life expectancy: 70.3 years (2024 est.)
Literacy rate: 93.5% (2020 est.)
Religions: Predominantly 87.9% Buddhist
Population growth rate: 0.69% (2025 est.)
Dependency ratio: 45.7 (2025 est.)

Economy

Burma's economy is gradually recovering, marked by a reliance on agriculture while facing high inflation and a declining employment rate. The GDP (PPP) was $287.559 billion in 2024, reflecting significant challenges due to political instability.

GDP per capita: $5,300 (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate: 3.1% (2024 est.)
Poverty rate: 24.8% below the poverty line (2017 est.)
Inflation rate: 8.8% (2019 est.)
Exports: Approximately $20.4 billion (2021 est.)
Imports: Approximately $23.1 billion (2021 est.)
Agriculture's share of GDP: 20.8% (2024 est.)

Government

Burma operates under a military regime following the coup in 2021. The government is characterized by a mixed legal system of English common law and customary law, with ongoing political tensions and human rights concerns.

Country name: Union of Burma (Burma)
Capital: Rangoon (Yangon)
Government type: Military regime
Last elections: Conducted in November 2020
Upcoming elections: Scheduled for December 2025
Citizenship: Based on descent; dual citizenship not recognized
Suffrage: Universal at age 18

Military and Security

The Burmese military (Tatmadaw) plays a significant role in governance and internal security. With estimated active personnel around 150,000, the military faces ongoing conflicts against anti-regime forces following the 2021 coup.

Military expenditures: 3.9% of GDP (2023 est.)
Service age: 18-35 years for men and 18-27 years for women
Military equipment: Primarily of Chinese and Russian origin
Military presence: Deeply involved in domestic politics since 1962
Insurgency: Ongoing conflicts with various ethnic armed groups and pro-democracy forces

Energy

Burma's energy sector is developing, with 73.7% of the population having access to electricity. The country relies heavily on fossil fuels for its energy production.

Electricity consumption: 23.625 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Installed capacity: 7.419 million kW (2023 est.)
Natural gas production: 13.549 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Coal consumption: 907,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Hydroelectricity: 36.7% of installed capacity (2023 est.)

Environment

Burma faces significant environmental challenges including deforestation and industrial pollution, coupled with inadequate sanitation and rapid depletion of natural resources.

Deforestation and pollution: Major environmental issues
Urban population: 32.1% as of 2023
Carbon dioxide emissions: 27.005 million metric tonnes (2023 est.)
Water resources: Total renewable water resources estimated at 1.168 trillion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Participation in international agreements: Active in several environmental protocols

Transportation

Burma’s transportation infrastructure includes a mix of railways, roads, and aviation, though many regions remain underserved.

Total railways: 5,031 km (2008)
Airports: 74 (2025)
Merchant marine fleet: 101 vessels (2023)
Major ports: Includes Rangoon and Sittwe
Civil aircraft registration: XY

Communications

With significant improvements in mobile and internet connectivity, Burma has seen an increase in communication access, albeit heavily regulated by the state.

Internet users: 59% of the population (2023 est.)
Mobile cellular subscriptions: 62.3 million (2024 est.)
Fixed-line subscriptions: 559,000 (2024 est.)
Broadcast media: Government controls all domestic media output
Broadband subscriptions: 1.51 million (2023 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	57,931,718	2025 estimate
Area	676,578 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$287.559 billion	2024 estimate
Energy consumption	8.384 million Btu/person	2023 estimate
Birth rate	15.44 births/1,000	2025 estimate
Unemployment rate	3.1%	2024 estimate
Life expectancy at birth	70.3 years	2024 estimate