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Majority of people in Myanmar are living in poverty or at risk, UN report says
The UNDP said a nationwide telephone survey found poverty is driven by conflict, weak services and economic shocks, with 7,463 households interviewed.
On Thursday, the United Nations released a report revealing that over 37 million people in Myanmar, or 68% of the population, are in poverty or at risk.
Turmoil has gripped Myanmar since the military seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021, triggering widespread opposition and armed conflict.
Surveying 7,463 households, the UNDP used an adapted Multidimensional Poverty Index to measure deprivation, finding that deficits in health and living standards account for more than 80% of poverty.
Economic pressures and uncertainty have caused at least 1 million young people to leave Myanmar since 2021, while deprivation remains especially severe in states like Rakhine and Kayah.
Min Aung Hlaing, the leader of the military-backed government, told a Cabinet meeting Monday that "instability and a lack of peace" slowed economic growth, citing limited access to international markets.