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Myanmar
Myanma Naingngandaw
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Customs and Culture
Customs and Culture
About the People
Given the Buddhist teaching of non-violence toward all creatures, animals, even insects as well as humans, the Burmese people are often quite forgiving in their attitude toward others. They generally prefer non-violent change.
Cultural Attributes
Given the Buddhist teaching of non-violence toward all creatures, animals, even insects as well as humans, the Burmese people are often quite forgiving in their attitude toward others. They generally prefer non-violent change.
The Golden Land of Pagodas and Compassion
Greetings, Gestures & Visiting
Placing the hands in front at chest level, palms together, indicates respect. A slight bow of the head accompanies this gesture. Monks are at the top of the social ranking of people deemed worthy of respect. Next come parents (mother and then father), teachers and elders. These people should be deferred to and never contradicted directly, in order to avoid awkward situations from developing, however, unwittingly. The Burmese people are known for their gentle friendliness, which is due, to a considerable degree, to their Buddhist heritage.
Burmese is a very polite language that contains around half a dozen honorific titles. The most commonly-used honorifics are U (as in U Nu) which means “Uncle” and is the approximate English equivalent of “Mr”, and Daw (as in Daw Suu Kyi) which means “Aunt” and is the English equivalent of “Mrs”, “Ms”, or “Madam.”
Never touch a person on the head as this is considered the most precious part of the body. In the same way, the feet are considered the least sacred part of the body and it is considered offensive to point with the feet or even show the sole of the shoe or foot to another person.
Always treat monks with a high level of respect. Women should never touch a monk or his robe and when handing an object to a monk, should use an intermediary or place the object in a position where it is easily retrievable.
It is not proper in Burma to show public displays of affection.
When you see any statues or images of Buddha in Burma, do not touch the head of Buddha.
When introduced to Burmese people, always refer to them by their full name, regardless of whether it is two or three syllables long. Never shorten a Burmese name as this is considered inappropriate.
Most Burmese men wear a traditional sarong referred to as a “longyi” with a western-style shirt. Women wear a similar outfit comprising a sarong with a matching top called eingyi. Men wear a turban or a gaung-baung for formal occasions. Men and women wear simple leather thongs on their feet. Women may wear rubies, sapphires, jade, and pearls. This jewelry is regarded as a form of investment. Most Burmese business people, however, will wear a western-style suit or shirt and tie when dealing with foreigners.
Diet
The Burmese cuisine is not well known internationally. It includes influences from China, India and Thailand. Rice is the Burmese staple, with vegetables and chicken, pork fresh-water seafood and mutton often cooked in a curry or soup. Desserts include palm sugar sago, and semolina or rice pudding.
Ngapi a strong-flavored pickled fish is eaten at most meals.
The Burmese cuisine is not well known internationally. It includes influences from China, India and Thailand. Rice is the Burmese staple, with vegetables and chicken, pork fresh-water seafood and mutton often cooked in a curry or soup. Desserts include palm sugar sago, and semolina or rice pudding.
Family
In Myanmar, there are two words for family: ein daung zu (the household group) and mi thaa zu (the mother offspring group). The husband is the head of the household, but the wife assumes equal responsibility for the family's welfare. In the rural areas, people live in extended families with grandparents and uncles, and aunts. In urban areas, households are smaller, consisting only of parents and children.
Traditions and religious beliefs play important roles in family life. When children are born, their horoscope is charted to predict the future. Astrological computations are used to choose the child's name. The naming ceremony takes place seven days after a child's birth. When a boy turns nine, there is a shin-pyu ceremony, which is an initiation to manhood. The boy spends a few weeks in a Buddhist monastery. When a girl turns nine, there is an ear-piercing ceremony called nahtwin, which symbolizes the transition to womanhood.
Dating Customs
Burmese Buddhist weddings are strictly civil or non-religious ceremonies. There are two phases to a wedding - the nuptial and the reception. The nuptial usually takes place at home and the reception at home or in a hotel. The nuptial ceremony and reception are sometimes combined in a hotel. Following the wedding reception, is the wedding dinner which is only for close relatives and friends of the family who are invited specifically. Also, the offering of merit meals to monks is performed to gain merit for the couple at the beginning of their married life.
Recreation
The tradition of kickboxing (myanma let-hwei) dates back hundreds of years. Special competitions are held during paya pwe (local pagoda festivals). Championship matches are held in Aung Saun Stadium in Yangon. In kickboxing, the fighters may use any part of the body except the head to strike an opponent. Before the match, the contestants perform certain rituals to pay homage to the Buddha. The winner repeats these rituals at the end of the match. During the match, people play drums, cymbals, and bamboo clappers. As the match becomes more exciting, the tempo of the instruments gets faster.
Another traditional sport is chinlon, played with a woven rattan ball about 12 cm in diameter. Six people stand in a ring and keep the ball aloft by hitting it with their feet, legs, and knees. In another version of the game, the players stand on either side of a volleyball net and pass the ball back and forth using their legs and heads.
Many people enjoy a game called gonnyin. They throw large fruit pits to knock a target off a pole. At country festivals, people compete to climb a greased bamboo pole to collect a prize from the top.
Khe pai kauk (leg rowing) is practiced by the Inthas on Inle lake. The rower stands on one leg at the back of a flat punt and winds the other leg around the oar. This leaves the hands free and allows the rower to rest his arms. Although leg rowing originated as a working technique rather than a form of recreation, leg-rowing competitions may be held on special occasions. Soccer is a popular team sport in Myanmar. Golf and tennis are also played in the cities by the well-to-do. In larger cities such as Yangon, marathons are organized in the cooler season.
Spinning tops are a popular pastime among children. The pear-shaped wooden Myanmar top is known as the kalatt gyin. Boys throw it from the shoulder level, but the girls crouch down, hold the top and use a string to get it spinning.
Holidays
Independence Day
1/4Independence Day
Dates of Interest
- January 4th
How do people greet each other in Burma?
Show respect by placing your hands together palm-to-palm at chest level with a slight bow of the head. The Burmese are known for their gentle friendliness rooted in their Buddhist heritage.
Do
- Place palms together at chest level with a slight bow of the head
- Defer to monks, parents, teachers, and elders
- Refer to people by their full name, whether two or three syllables
- Use honorifics like U (Mr/Uncle) and Daw (Mrs/Ms/Madam/Aunt)
Don’t
- Never contradict monks, parents, teachers, or elders directly
- Never shorten a Burmese name
What is the food like and what do people eat in Burma?
Burmese cuisine draws on Chinese, Indian, and Thai influences, with rice as the staple served alongside vegetables and meats often cooked in curry or soup.
Good to know
- Rice is served with vegetables, chicken, pork, fresh-water seafood, and mutton
- Ngapi, a strong-flavored pickled fish, is eaten at most meals
- Desserts include palm sugar sago and semolina or rice pudding
What are the key etiquette rules in Burma?
Respect for monks and Buddhist images is central, and avoid public displays of affection.
Do
- Always treat monks with a high level of respect
- Use an intermediary when handing an object to a monk, or place it within easy reach
Don’t
- Women should never touch a monk or his robe
- Do not show public displays of affection
- Do not touch the head of a Buddha statue or image
How should I dress in Burma?
Traditional dress is the longyi (sarong), worn by men with a western-style shirt and by women with a matching top called eingyi. Business people typically wear western-style suits or shirt and tie with foreigners.
Good to know
- Men may wear a turban or gaung-baung for formal occasions
- Men and women wear simple leather thongs on their feet
- Women may wear rubies, sapphires, jade, and pearls as a form of investment
What gestures should I be careful about in Burma?
The head is considered the most precious part of the body and the feet the least sacred, so treat both accordingly.
Don’t
- Never touch a person on the head
- Do not point with your feet
- Do not show the sole of your shoe or foot to another person
What is family life like in Burma?
The husband heads the household while the wife shares equal responsibility for the family's welfare, and traditions and religious beliefs play important roles in family life.
Good to know
- Rural families are often extended, including grandparents, uncles, and aunts; urban households are smaller
- A child's horoscope is charted and name chosen by astrology, with a naming ceremony seven days after birth
- At age nine, boys have a shin-pyu initiation (a few weeks in a monastery) and girls have an ear-piercing ceremony called nahtwin
What sports and pastimes are popular in Burma?
Traditional sports include kickboxing (myanma let-hwei) and chinlon, alongside popular modern games like soccer, golf, and tennis.
Good to know
- Kickboxing matches, held at pagoda festivals and Aung Saun Stadium in Yangon, allow strikes with any body part except the head
- Chinlon is played with a woven rattan ball kept aloft using feet, legs, and knees
- Other pastimes include gonnyin, greased-pole climbing, leg rowing (khe pai kauk) on Inle Lake, and spinning tops (kalatt gyin) for children
Last updated: 2026-07-12 · Sources: CountryReports
Photos of Myanmar
Photos of Myanmar
Young children attend school, Maymyo, Burma
Hot air balloon over ancient temples, Bagan
Ruins of Inwa near Mandalay
Famous railway bridge
Fisherman seeking food
Novice Buddhist monk in a monastery
House and botaman on Lake Inle
Buddhist monk at Golden Rock
Life on the train tracks near U Bein bridge
Buddhist temple in north Burma
Sunset on the Irrawaddy River, Mandalay, Burma.
An old bus passes the entrance to Mandalay Hill
Travel and Tourism
Travel and Tourism
- Travel Alert Status
- Level 4: Do Not Travel
- Currency
- 1205.9
- Time Difference
- UTC+6.5 (11.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
- Climate
- Located in the Southeast Asian monsoon belt, Rangoon has a tropical climate with three distinct seasons: monsoon, cool, and hot. During the monsoon season, mid-May through mid-October, Rangoon receives most of its 100-inch plus average annual rainfall. Temperatures are moderate (75°F-90°F), but relative humidity is high. During the monsoon, dampness and mildew can cause serious damage to clothing, furniture, books, records, electrical appliances, and leather goods. In mid-November, after a brief period of warm, humid weather, the cool season begins from then until March, weather is pleasant (60°F-90°F) with lower humidity and almost no rain. Days are sunny and clear; nights are cool. In March, temperatures and humidity rise until the monsoon begins in mid-May. During the March-May hot season, the weather is hot and humid, usually rising in the day to over 100°F. As at most tropical posts, insects and snakes are numerous year-round.
- Airports
- 79
- Recommended Vaccinations
- How important is it to do your research about vaccinations? It might just save your life! Make yourself aware of the different types of vaccinations and which ones you may need to travel to your destination. Schedule an appointment with your doctor at least four to six weeks before you travel to ensure you receive all important shots. Be sure that you and your family are up to date on your routine vaccinations. Which vaccinations you need will depend on a number of factors including your destination, whether you will be spending time in rural areas, the season of the year you are traveling, your age, health status, and previous immunizations.
Read the full travel guide — health, safety, vaccinations, disease risk, sanitation, and transit details.
View full travel guideRecipes
Recipes
History
History
Historical Eras
Pagan Dynasty
1044 – 1287
King Anawrahta unified Burma for the first time in 1044, establishing Pagan as a glittering capital along the Irrawaddy River adorned with thousands of pagodas and monasteries. Theravada Buddhism took root as the defining faith of Burmese civilization during this golden age. The dynasty collapsed in 1287 when Mongol forces under Kublai Khan sacked and destroyed the city.
Toungoo Dynasty
1486 – 1752
After a period of fragmented Shan rule centered at Ava, the Toungoo kings reunified Burma's multi-ethnic territories through aggressive military expansion, extending dominion over the Shans and neighboring kingdoms. With Portuguese assistance, the dynasty reasserted Burman supremacy across mainland Southeast Asia. Prolonged warfare and internal power struggles eventually drained the state's resources, leading to its collapse by the mid-eighteenth century.
Konbaung Dynasty
1752 – 1885
Founded by King Alaungpaya, the Konbaung dynasty pursued relentless conquest, sacking the Siamese capital of Ayutthaya in 1767 and repelling four Chinese invasions. The dynasty also fought three catastrophic wars with Britain beginning in 1824, losing territory after each defeat. The Third Anglo-Burmese War of 1885 ended with the capture of Mandalay and the complete annexation of Burma into British India.
British Colonial Era
1885 – 1948
Under British rule, Burma was reorganized into a large-scale export economy, becoming the world's leading rice exporter by 1939, while strong administrative institutions reshaped Burmese society. Nationalist sentiment grew fiercely, and General Aung San and his Thirty Comrades allied with Japan to expel the British in 1942 before switching sides in 1945 to aid the Allied liberation. Independence was granted in January 1948, though Aung San was assassinated before the new constitution took effect.
Parliamentary & Early Military Rule
1948 – 1962
The Union of Burma's early parliamentary years were marked by widespread ethnic insurgencies, constitutional disputes, and chronic political instability that undermined democratic governance. Prime Minister U Nu invited the military to temporarily restore order in 1958, a precedent that proved fateful. In 1962, General Ne Win staged a full coup, abolished the constitution, and imposed a xenophobic military-socialist state that systematically isolated Burma from the world economy.
Military Junta Era
1962 – present
Ne Win's socialist dictatorship devastated Burma's economy over more than two decades, culminating in the 1988 pro-democracy uprising in which military forces killed over a thousand demonstrators on August 8. The junta reconstituted itself as SLORC and later SPDC, refusing to honor the NLD's landslide 1990 election victory and repeatedly imprisoning Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. Military dominance over political life has persisted into the twenty-first century, punctuated by cycles of protest, violent suppression, and nominal reform.
Overview
In the 15th century, the Toungoo Dynasty succeeded again in unifying under Burman rule a large, multi-ethnic kingdom. This dynasty, which lasted from 1486 until 1752, left little cultural legacy, but expanded the kingdom through conquest of the Shans. Internal power struggles, and the cost of protracted warfare, led to the eventual decline of the Toungoo.
The final Burman royal dynasty, the Konbaung, was established in 1752 under the rule of King Alaungpaya. Like the Toungoo Kings, the Konbaung rulers focused on warfare and conquest. Wars were fought with the ethnic Mons and Arakanese, and with the Siamese. The Burmese sacked the Siamese capital of Ayuthaya in 1767. This period also saw four invasions by the Chinese and three devastating wars with the British.
The British began their conquest of Burma in 1824, expanding their holdings after each of the three wars. At the end of the third war in 1885 the British gained complete control of Burma, annexing it to India. Under British control, which lasted until 1948, Burma underwent enormous change. The British established strong administrative institutions and reorganized the economy from subsistence farming to a large-scale export economy. By 1939 Burma had become the world’s leading exporter of rice.
Burmese nationalists, led by General Aung San and 29 other "Comrades," joined the Japanese forces in driving out the British at the outbreak of World War II. However, the Burmese Army switched sides in mid-1945 and aided U.S. and British forces in their drive to Rangoon. After the war, the Burmese, with General Aung San at the helm, demanded complete political and economic independence from Britain. The British Government acceded to these demands. A constitution was completed in 1947 and independence granted in January 1948. General Aung San was assassinated with most of his cabinet before the constitution was put into effect.
During the weak constitutional period from 1948 to 1962 Burma suffered widespread conflict and internal struggle. Constitutional disputes and persistent division among political and social groups contributed to the democratic government’s weak hold on power. In 1958, the military was invited in temporarily by Prime Minister U Nu to restore political order. The military stepped down after 18 months; however, in 1962 General Ne Win led a coup abolishing the constitution and establishing a xenophobic military government with socialist economic priorities. These policies had devastating effects on the country’s economy and business climate.
In March 1988 student disturbances broke out in Rangoon in response to the worsening economic situation which evolved into a call for regime change. Despite repeated violent crackdowns by the military and police, the demonstrations increased in size as the general public joined the students. During mass demonstrations on August 8, 1988, military forces killed more than 1,000 demonstrators. It was at a rally following this massacre that Aung San Suu Kyi, the daughter of General Aung San, made her first political speech and assumed the role of leader of the opposition.
On September 18, 1988, the military deposed Ne Win’s Burmese Socialist Program Party (BSPP), abolished the constitution, and established a new ruling junta called the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC). In an effort to "restore order," the SLORC sent the army into the streets to suppress the ongoing public demonstrations. An estimated additional 3,000 were killed, and more than 10,000 students fled into the hills and border areas.
The SLORC ruled by martial law until national parliamentary elections were held on May 27, 1990. The results were an overwhelming victory for Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) party, which won 392 of the 485 seats, even though she was under house arrest. However, the SLORC refused to call the Parliament into session and imprisoned many political activists.
The ruling junta changed its name to the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) in 1997, but did not change its policy of autocratic control and repression of the democratic opposition. In 2000, the SPDC announced it would begin talks
Timeline of Key Events
1057
King Anawrahta founds the first unified Burmese state at Pagan.
King Anawrahta founds the first unified Burmese state at Pagan and adopts Theravada Buddhism.
1287
The forces of Kublai Khan overran Burma.
The forces of Kublai Khan overran Burma. The royal city of Bagan (Pagan) was abandoned under threat from Kublai Khan in the 13th century. The brick temple of Ananda Pahto is in Bagan. More than 4,400 pagodas and 3,000 other religious structures of bricks and stones were built in Bagan, Myanmar’s former capital, during a 243-year period from the 11th to 13th centuries, the result of extraordinary Buddhist fervor.
1531
Toungoo dynasty, with Portuguese help, reunites Burma.
Toungoo dynasty, with Portuguese help, reunites Burma.
1824 – 1826
First Anglo-Burmese war.
First Anglo-Burmese war. The war ends with the Treaty of Yandabo, according to which Burma ceded the Arakan coastal strip, between Chittagong and Cape Negrais, to British India.
1850
Rangoon, Burma, was destroyed by fire.
Rangoon, Burma, was destroyed by fire.
1852
Second Anglo-Burmese War, where General Bandoola died.
Second Anglo-Burmese War, where General Bandoola died.
1885
Britain captures Mandalay after a brief battle.
Britain captures Mandalay after a brief battle; Burma becomes a province of British India.
Read the full history profile — narrative overview, defining eras, and the complete timeline in one place.
View expanded historyInteresting Facts
Interesting Facts
Very young children wear holy thread around their necks or wrists to protect them from bad spirits or spells.
Burmese believe that one should not have a haircut on Monday, Friday or one’s birthday.
Burmese boxing is a violent sport in which the victor is the one who draws first blood.
Common Pregnancy and Birth Taboos: The pregnant mother should not eat: bananas or the baby will be too big for normal delivery chili or the baby will have no hair glutinous rice as this will make the placenta stick to the womb. She should not attend weddings or funerals She should leave some things incomplete during preparation such as partially sewing baby clothes and leaving out hems on the diapers. After birth she should not wash her hair for about a month She should not eat bamboo shoots for mushrooms for some time She should not handle soap
Burmese new year falls on 16th April every year. In fact the new year celebrations in Burma is a 3-day festival. The 3-day new year festival in Burma is better known as Maha Thingyan. Its during this time of the year that people clean their house holds, prepare traditional food items and exchange gifts between their loved ones. During the new year celebrations the various pagodas and monasteries are beautifully decorated to draw thousands of worshippers. Preparations for the new year start well long before.
See every fact — trivia, oddities, and curious tidbits gathered from across the country.
View all interesting factsGeography and Environment
Geography and Environment
- Terrain
- central lowlands ringed by steep, rugged highlands
- Climate
- Located in the Southeast Asian monsoon belt, Rangoon has a tropical climate with three distinct seasons: monsoon, cool, and hot. During the monsoon season, mid-May through mid-October, Rangoon receives most of its 100-inch plus average annual rainfall. Temperatures are moderate (75ºF–90ºF), but relative humidity is high. During the monsoon, dampness and mildew can cause serious damage to clothing, furniture, books, records, electrical appliances, and leather goods. In mid-November, after a brief period of warm, humid weather, the cool season begins from then until March, weather is pleasant (60ºF–90ºF) with lower humidity and almost no rain. Days are sunny and clear; nights are cool. In March, temperatures and humidity rise until the monsoon begins in mid-May. During the March–May hot season, the weather is hot and humid, usually rising in the day to over 100ºF. As at most tropical posts, insects and snakes are numerous year round.
- Natural Hazards
- destructive earthquakes and cyclones; flooding and landslides common during rainy season (June to September); periodic droughts
- Current Environmental Issues
- deforestation; industrial pollution of air, soil, and water; inadequate sanitation and water treatment contribute to disease
Read the full geography and environment profile — terrain, climate, natural resources, hazards, land use, and international agreements.
View full geographyPeople & Demographics
People & Demographics
Religion
Languages Spoken
Burmese
- Burmese
Population
- Population
- 53,414,374
- Population in Major Urban Areas
- RANGOON (capital) 4.457 million; Mandalay 1.063 million; Nay Pyi Taw 1.06 million
- Nationality Noun
- Burmese (singular and plural)
- Ethnic Groups
- Burman 68%, Shan 9%, Karen 7%, Rakhine 4%, Chinese 3%, Indian 2%, Mon 2%, other 5%
- Language Note
- Burma is a nation of many races - some 135 ethnic groups, with their own languages and dialects, make up its population of nearly 45 million. It is impossible to mention more than a few of the races, for Burma is an anthropologist's paradise. The Burmese people call their own language Bamar or Myanmar and it is the main language spoken throughout the country. About 70 percent of the people of Burma speak one or other of the Burma Group of languages while the percentage of those speaking Burmese is estimated at ninety. Despite the diversity and geographic separation, the national groups share with each other a wide variety of social customs and cultures. The Burmese language vocabulary contains a large number of Pali and Sanskrit words. The earliest Burmese writing was the Myazedi Stone Inscription. which is a four-sided stone inscription constructed in 1113 A.D. during the Pagan Period. The inscription is written in Myanmar, Pyu, Mon, and Pali and was discovered in 1887.
Education
- Literacy Definition
- Age 15 and over can read and write
Health Information
- Major Infectious Diseases — degree of risk
- Very high
Read the full people and society profile — demographics, health, education, religion, languages, and notable people.
View full people and societyGovernment & Politics
Government & Politics
Country Identity
- Country Name
- Burma
- Full Country Name
- Union of Burma
- Local - Long
- Pyidaungzu Myanma Naingngandaw (translated by the US Government as Union of Myanma and by the Burmese as Union of Myanmar)
- Local - Short
- Myanma Naingngandaw
- Former Name
- Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma
Government Structure
- Government Type
- military regime
- Legal System
- has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
- Executive Branch
- chief of state: Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) Sr. Gen. THAN SHWE (since 23 April 1992) head of government: Prime Minister, Gen SOE WIN (since 19 October 2004) cabinet: Cabinet is overseen by the SPDC; military junta, so named 15 November 1997, assumed power 18 September 1988 under the name State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) elections: none
- Legislative Branch
- unicameral People's Assembly or Pyithu Hluttaw (485 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 27 May 1990, but Assembly never allowed by junta to convene election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NLD 392 (opposition), SNLD 23 (opposition), NUP 10 (pro-government), other 60
- Judicial Branch
- remnants of the British-era legal system are in place, but there is no guarantee of a fair public trial; the judiciary is not independent of the executive
- Suffrage
- 18 years of age; universal
- Constitution
- 3 January 1974 (suspended since 18 September 1988); national convention started on 9 January 1993 to draft a new constitution; progress has since been stalled
- Independence
- 4 January 1948 (from UK)
- National Holiday
- Independence Day, 4 January (1948)
Capital City
- Capital Name
- Rangoon (aka Yangon, continues to be recognized as the primary Burmese capital by the US Government); Nay Pyi Taw is the administrative capital
- Capital - geographic coordinate
- 16 48 N, 96 10 E
- Capital Time Difference
- UTC+6.5 (11.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Rangoon/Yangon derives from the Burmese words yan and koun, which mean "danger" and "no more" respectively and provide the meaning of "end of strife"; Nay Pyi Taw translates as: "Abode of Royals" or "the capital city of a kingdom"
Military
Branches: Myanmar Armed Forces (Tatmadaw): Army (Tatmadaw Kyi), Navy (Tatmadaw Yay), Air Force (Tatmadaw Lay)
Embassy / Diplomatic Mission
U.S. Embassy Rangoon
110 University Avenue
Kamayut Township
Rangoon, Burma
The Consular Section is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, with non-emergency American Citizens Services from 2:00 to 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday except on U.S. and Burmese holidays.
Consular Section
Telephone: (95-1) 536-509 ext. 4240
Email: consularrangoon@state.gov
Website: www.burma.usembassy.gov
After-hours Emergency Numbers: (95-1) 536-509 ext. 4014 or 09-512-4330
Read the full government profile — flag symbolism, national anthem, and other national symbols.
View full government detailsEconomy
Economy
Myanmar (Burma) is a resource-rich country whose economy has been severely disrupted by political instability, armed conflict, and international sanctions following the February 2021 military coup that ousted the democratically elected National League for Democracy government. The coup reversed nearly a decade of economic liberalization and reform that had begun in 2011, when the previous military regime initiated a transition toward civilian rule, floated the kyat, opened the banking sector, and attracted significant foreign investment.
The World Bank estimates that Myanmar's economy contracted by approximately 18% in 2021, and growth has remained weak, with GDP in 2023 still well below pre-pandemic and pre-coup levels. Inflation has surged, the kyat has lost a substantial portion of its value against the US dollar, and the central bank has imposed strict foreign exchange controls, including forced conversion requirements and multiple exchange rates that have created significant distortions between official and parallel market rates. Foreign reserves have dwindled, and the junta has struggled to service external obligations.
The United States, United Kingdom, European Union, Canada, and Australia have imposed targeted sanctions on military-linked individuals, military-owned conglomerates such as Myanma Economic Holdings Limited and Myanmar Economic Corporation, and state enterprises including the Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise. Several major foreign investors, including TotalEnergies, Chevron, and Telenor, have withdrawn from the country, while others have scaled back operations. Ongoing armed conflict between the military junta and a coalition of ethnic armed organizations and People's Defence Forces has further disrupted trade routes, agriculture, and key economic corridors, particularly along the borders with China, Thailand, and India.
Myanmar remains data-poor, with official statistics widely viewed as unreliable. The informal economy, including substantial cross-border trade, illicit jade and rare earth mining, and a rapidly expanding narcotics and scam-center industry in border regions, accounts for a significant share of economic activity. Poverty has roughly doubled since 2019, with nearly half the population estimated to live below the national poverty line. Restoration of political stability, credible governance, and improved relations with the international community would be necessary preconditions for any meaningful economic recovery, renewed foreign investment, and revival of the tourism sector.
Snapshot
- Currency Name and Code
- kyats (MMK)
- GDP — official exchange rate
- $7,464,000,000 (USD)
- GDP Real Growth Rate
- 2.9%
Banknotes
Budget & Public Finance
- Fiscal Year
- 1 April - 31 March
- Annual Budget
- $716,600,000 (USD)
- External Debt
- $6,967,000,000 (USD)
- Investment (% of GDP)
- 11.5%
- Economic Aid
- $127,000,000 (USD)
- Current Account Balance
- -$215,000,000 (USD)
- Reserves of Foreign Exchange
- $721,100,000 (USD)
Labor, Industry & Trade
- Labor Force by Occupation
- agriculture 70%; industry 7%; services 23%
- Household Income — highest 10%
- 32.4%
- Industries
- agricultural processing; knit and woven apparel; wood and wood products; copper, tin, tungsten, iron; construction materials; pharmaceuticals; fertilizer; cement
- Agriculture Products
- rice, pulses, beans, sesame, groundnuts, sugarcane; hardwood; fish and fish products
- Export Commodities
- Clothing, gas, wood products, pulses, beans, fish, rice
- Export Partners
- Thailand 31.6%, US 13.1%, India 7.4%, China 4.7%
- Import Commodities
- Fabric, petroleum products, plastics, machinery, transport equipment, construction materials, crude oil; food products
- Import Partners
- China 27%, Singapore 19.6%, Thailand 12.1%, Malaysia 8.9%, South Korea 5.4%, Taiwan 4.9%, Japan 4.3%
Energy
- Oil Production
- 18,500 bbl/day
- Oil Consumption
- 32,000 bbl/day
- Oil Reserves
- 1,000,000,000 bbl/day
- Natural Gas Production
- 9,980,000,000 cu m
- Natural Gas Consumption
- 1,569,000,000 cu m
- Natural Gas Imports
- 0 cu m
- Natural Gas Exports
- 8,424,000,000 cu m
- Natural Gas Reserves
- 283,200,000,000 cu m
Communications
- Telephone System
- General Assessment: meets minimum requirements for local and intercity service for business and government Domestic: system barely capable of providing basic service; mobile-cellular phone system is grossly underdeveloped International: country code - 95; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 optical telecommunications submarine cable that provides links to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2, Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and ShinSat
- Internet Country Code
- .mm
News & Weather
News & Weather
Current Weather
Latest News
‘They Are Invisible People’: Hundreds of Rohingya Vanish at Sea - The New York Times
The New York Times · 3d ago
Iran war, Myanmar crisis and South China Sea rifts under the spotlight in ASEAN ministerial talks - WSB-TV
WSB-TV · 18h ago
Is India Planning an Exchange of Territory With Myanmar? - The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific
The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific · 3d ago
Min Aung Hlaing: Why Myanmar president's India visit is being closely watched - BBC
BBC · 48d ago
Myanmar tells ASEAN 'sister' Aung San Suu Kyi will be looked after, envoy says - Reuters
Reuters · 8d ago
More than 500 people feared dead in double Myanmar shipwreck tragedy - UN News
UN News · 4d ago
How the Coup Turned Myanmar Into Asia’s Deadliest Conflict—and Why the World Is Looking Away - Council on Foreign Relations
Council on Foreign Relations · 10d ago
Deformed fish in river, pollution from rare earth mines in Myanmar fuel fears - South China Morning Post
South China Morning Post · 45d ago
News via Google News
Climate Overview
Located in the Southeast Asian monsoon belt, Rangoon has a tropical climate with three distinct seasons: monsoon, cool, and hot. During the monsoon season, mid-May through mid-October, Rangoon receives most of its 100-inch plus average annual rainfall. Temperatures are moderate (75°F-90°F), but relative humidity is high. During the monsoon, dampness and mildew can cause serious damage to clothing, furniture, books, records, electrical appliances, and leather goods.
In mid-November, after a brief period of warm, humid weather, the cool season begins from then until March, weather is pleasant (60°F-90°F) with lower humidity and almost no rain. Days are sunny and clear; nights are cool. In March, temperatures and humidity rise until the monsoon begins in mid-May. During the March-May hot season, the weather is hot and humid, usually rising in the day to over 100°F. As at most tropical posts, insects and snakes are numerous year-round.
Videos
Videos
1 curated YouTube videos.
Source: YouTube
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
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Last reviewed 2026