ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ

Despite the urban population of Myanmar reaching just above 31 percent in 2020, the share of people living in urban areas has only increased by just over two percent from 2011 onwards. The gradual increase of people living in urban areas calls Myanmar’s demographics into question.

A rural population

The large rural population of Myanmar is a reflection of its traditionally most valued industry – agriculture. The majority of the population have resided in rural areas in order to stimulate agricultural output. However, the GDP contribution of the agricultural sector has decreased dramatically. This poses the question of whether or not Myanmar will continue to uphold a mostly rural population, if the agriculture industry continues to suffer greatly.

A changing country?

Despite the population of Myanmar catering to its main source of income, there are suggestions that Myanmar’s economic structure will transform in the near future. This is likely due to the possibility of the country beginning to invest more into the technological industries. With the possible revaluation of Myanmar’s industries may come a change in demographics. This specific change may include an increase in urbanization and a decrease in the rural population which has, in fact, already begun to take place.