Nearly a third of Myanmar’s population – a total of 15.8 million out of 50 million people – lives in poverty, according to a newly released report based on the 2015 Myanmar Poverty and Living Conditions Survey.
The report was compiled by Myanmar’s Ministry of Planning and Finance and the World Bank. It is the second part of a two-part national poverty assessment, which was launched in Naypyidaw on Tuesday.
According to the report, poverty in Myanmar dropped from 48.2 percent in 2004 to 32.1 percent in 2015. Among the 15.8 million people living in poverty, 13.8 million live in rural areas.
Furthermore, another 14 percent of the population is near-poor, living within 20 percent of the poverty line.
The new report defines poverty as being unable to afford a package of goods that represents basic minimum needs, including mobile phones and a minimum daily calorie intake.
Poor households were found to have fewer working-age adults, more dependents, and fewer income-generating resources such as land or farming equipment. They were also largely found to be concentrated in the farming sector and in casual labor jobs.
Poverty in Myanmar correlates to malnutrition, infant mortality, low education, and lower physical and cognitive development in children.
“Having a more detailed understanding of the characteristics and profiles of those most in need and the constraints they face enables us to prepare appropriate responses and help reduce poverty for everyone in Myanmar,” said Maung Maung Tin, director-general of the Planning Department at the Ministry of Planning and Finance, upon the report’s release.
The poverty assessment is part of a larger World Bank strategy to promote growth in rural areas and improve nutrition, health, education, infrastructure, and job creation through investment.
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