Myanmar: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

Essential data for planning your trip to Myanmar — from population and demographics to economic indicators, healthcare infrastructure, tourism trends, and digital connectivity.

Population & Geography

Population
53,708,395
#26 of 197 countries
Area
676,578 km²
#42 of 248 countries
Density
79.4 / km²
#132 of 245 countries

Myanmar has a population of 53,708,395 spread across 676,578 km², giving it an average density of 79.4 people per km².

Demographics

Median Age
31.1
Life Expectancy
70.3 yrs
Literacy Rate
93.5%
Government
military regime
Ethnic Groups
Religions
GDP by Sector

Population Trends

How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.

Age Structure Over Time
Population Growth Rate (%)
Urban vs Rural (%)
Birth & Death Rates (per 1,000)

Economy & Cost of Living

Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. Myanmar is classified as a lower middle income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 21% of US levels, meaning your money goes significantly further here — accommodation, food, and transport are very affordable by Western standards.

Income Level
Lower middle income
GDP per Capita
$1,233
Cost of Living
21% of US
Inflation
8.8%
Inequality
30.7
Moderate
GDP per Capita (USD)
GDP Growth (%)
Inflation Rate (%)
Employment
GDP/Capita (PPP)
$5,300
Unemployment
3.1%

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors. Tourism accounts for 14.3% of Myanmar's total exports, making it a significant contributor to the economy with solid visitor infrastructure.

Tourism Revenue
$2,501,000,000
Tourism % of Exports
14.3%
Air Passengers
3,541,244
International Tourist Arrivals
Tourism Receipts (USD)
Air Passengers Carried
Tourism as % of Exports

Health & Safety Infrastructure

Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available — Myanmar has 0.76 physicians per 1,000 people, below the global average. Good travel insurance with medical coverage is advisable.

Physicians
0.76/1k
Hospital Beds
1.07/1k
Health Spend
$56/person
Infant Mortality
34.1/1k
Immunization
71%
Safe Drinking Water
85.7%
Bottled water recommended
Basic Sanitation
74.2%
Health Expenditure per Capita (USD)
Hospital Beds per 1,000

Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure

Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In Myanmar, 59% of the population uses the internet — WiFi is available in cities and tourist areas, but coverage may be patchy in rural regions. There are 121 mobile subscriptions per 100 people, and local SIM cards are easy to find.

Internet Users
58.5%
Mobile Subs
121/100
Broadband
2.8/100
Electricity Access
76.8%
Internet Users (%)
Urbanization (%)

Source: World Bank Open Data