Country Profile: Burma

Burma, also known as Myanmar, is a Southeast Asian nation characterized by its diverse ethnic landscape and turbulent political history. The country, which is bordered by Bangladesh, India, China, Laos, and Thailand, boasts a strategic location along important shipping lanes in the Indian Ocean. The population is predominantly ethnic Burman, along with numerous other ethnic minorities, contributing to a rich cultural tapestry. Burma's economy is slowly recovering, heavily reliant on agriculture but experiencing ongoing challenges such as high inflation and a trade deficit exacerbated by military rule since the coup in 2021.

Geography

Burma occupies 676,578 square kilometers in Southeast Asia, slightly smaller than Texas. It is bordered by several countries and has a lengthy coastline along the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal. The terrain features central lowlands surrounded by rugged highlands, with a tropical monsoon climate that results in distinct wet and dry seasons.

6,522 km: Total land boundaries with neighboring countries.
1,930 km: Coastline along the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal.
12 nm: Territorial sea claims.
42.4%: Forested area of the country as of 2023.
19.9%: Agricultural land as of 2023.
5,870 m: Highest point, Gamlang Razi.
0 m: Lowest point at the Andaman Sea/Bay of Bengal.

People and Society

The estimated population of Burma is 57,931,718 as of 2025, with a median age of 31.1 years. The country is home to a mix of ethnic groups, with the Burman making up about 68%. Buddhism is the predominant religion, followed by Christianity and Islam.

24.4%: Population aged 0-14 years.
68.5%: Population aged 15-64 years.
7.1%: Population aged 65 years and over.
0.69%: Projected population growth rate for 2025.
93.5%: Literacy rate as of 2020.
32.1%: Urban population as of 2023.
58%: Currently married women aged 15-49 (2019).

Economy

Burma's economy is classified as a slowly recovering market, with real GDP (PPP) estimated at $287.559 billion for 2024. The agricultural sector remains the most stable part of the economy, while high inflation and reduced currency power pose ongoing challenges.

20.8%: Contribution of agriculture to GDP in 2024.
41.4%: Services sector contribution to GDP in 2024.
3.1%: Unemployment rate estimated for 2024.
$5,300: Real GDP per capita for 2024.
3.9%: Military expenditures as a percentage of GDP for 2023.
$74.08 billion: GDP at official exchange rate for 2024.
1.6%: Remittances as part of GDP in 2023.

Government

Burma is currently under a military regime following a coup in February 2021, which returned the country to authoritarian rule. The government has undergone various political transformations since gaining independence in 1948, with intermittent democratic reforms.

Acting President: Sr. Gen. MIN AUNG HLAING since July 2025.
Suffrage: Universal, with voting age set at 18.
Legislative structure: Bicameral Assembly of the Union.
Constitution: The latest constitution was approved in a referendum in May 2008.
Independence: Gained from the UK on January 4, 1948.
National Holiday: Celebrated on January 4, Independence Day.
Citizenship: Granted by descent; dual citizenship not recognized.

Military and Security

The military, known as the Tatmadaw, plays a significant role in Burma's governance and has been involved in internal conflicts, particularly following the 2021 coup. The military expenditure is significant as it accounts for a substantial portion of the nation's GDP.

150,000: Estimated active military personnel as of 2025.
3.9%: Military expenditure as a percentage of GDP for 2023.
18-35 years: Mandatory service age for men; 18-27 for women.
36 months: Maximum service obligation for conscripts.
2024: New law requiring mandatory military service announced.
10: Number of regional commands engaged in combat operations against insurgent groups as of 2024.
EAGs: Ethnic Armed Groups have been fighting for self-rule since 1948.

Energy

Burma's energy sector relies heavily on fossil fuels, with an installed electricity generation capacity of 7.419 million kW as of 2023. The country faces challenges in electricity access, with rural electrification being notably lower than in urban areas.

73.7%: Total population with electricity access as of 2022.
61.8%: Share of fossil fuels in total installed electricity capacity for 2023.
13.549 billion cubic meters: Natural gas production in 2023.
1.031 million metric tons: Coal production in 2023.
200 million kWh: Electricity exports in 2023.
4.241 billion cubic meters: Natural gas consumption in 2023.
122,000 bbl/day: Refined petroleum consumption in 2023.

Communications

Burma's communication infrastructure is developing, with a significant increase in mobile subscriptions but limited fixed telephone lines. The government controls broadcast media, with a mix of state-run and private entities present.

62.3 million: Mobile cellular subscriptions in 2024.
559,000: Fixed telephone line subscriptions in 2024.
59%: Percentage of the population using the internet as of 2023.
1.51 million: Fixed broadband subscriptions in 2023.
3: Fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants in 2023.
Government control: Media landscape heavily regulated post-2021 coup.
Shortwave broadcasts: Provided by several international networks.

Transportation

Burma's transportation network includes a mix of roads, railways, and air travel, with the railway system predominantly using narrow gauge. The infrastructure is crucial for both domestic and regional connectivity.

74: Number of airports as of 2025.
5,031 km: Total railway length recorded in 2008.
101: Total vessels in the merchant marine as of 2023.
5: Small ports available in the country.
3: Ports equipped with oil terminals.
XY: Civil aircraft registration country code.
6: Heliports operational by 2025.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	57,931,718 (2025 est.)	Total estimated population
Area	676,578 sq km	Total land area
GDP (PPP)	$287.559 billion (2024)	Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Energy consumption per capita	8.384 million Btu/person	Total energy consumption per capita (2023)
Birth rate	15.44 births/1,000	Estimated birth rate for 2025
Unemployment rate	3.1% (2024 est.)	Percentage of the labor force looking for work
Electricity access	73.7%	Total population with access (2022)
Life expectancy at birth	70.3 years (2024 est.)	Average life expectancy for the population
Literacy rate	93.5% (2020 est.)	Total literacy rate among adults
Military expenditure	3.9% of GDP (2023)	Percentage of GDP allocated to military spending