World · Myanmar Bureau
UN: Over Two-Thirds of Myanmar's Population Face Poverty Risk
A United Nations assessment has found that more than two-thirds of Myanmar's population are either living in poverty or at significant risk of falling into poverty. The finding underscores the severe economic challenges confronting the country amid ongoing political instability.
LSN Myanmar ·
According to the United Nations report, economic hardship has affected a substantial majority of Myanmar's citizens, with poverty and vulnerability to poverty impacting over 66 percent of the nation's population. The widespread economic distress reflects the cumulative impact of Myanmar's political turmoil, conflict, and macroeconomic deterioration in recent years.
The UN's assessment indicates that Myanmar's economic crisis has deepened the vulnerability of millions of households, pushing many into poverty while leaving others precariously positioned above the poverty line. The findings highlight the fragility of livelihoods across the country, where employment opportunities have contracted and incomes have declined significantly.
The poverty crisis extends across both urban and rural areas, affecting workers in agriculture, small business, and wage sectors. Inflation and currency instability have eroded purchasing power, making basic necessities increasingly difficult to afford for ordinary citizens.
These UN findings underscore the urgent need for economic stabilization and humanitarian assistance as Myanmar grapples with its complex political situation. International observers have warned that prolonged instability risks deepening the poverty crisis and creating long-term development setbacks for the nation.