Quick facts
Myanmar (Burma) population overview
Myanmar is the 12th most populous of 52 countries and territories in Asia. The United Nations put the population at 55,022,407 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +0.6% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 889 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 880,359 births (16 per 1,000 people) and 511,708 deaths (9.3 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 38,516 people. The infant mortality rate is 31.6 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 21,730,250 in 1960 to 54,850,648 in 2025 — a change of +152.4%, or +1.4% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 30.4 years; life expectancy at birth is 67.5 years; women have on average 2.1 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 24.1% of residents are under 15 and 7.5% are 65 or older (2025); 30.6% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Naypyidaw. Myanmar covers 676,590 km², giving a population density of about 81.7 people per km². GDP was $81.67B in 2025 — about $1,489 per person (World Bank classification: lower middle income).
Myanmar (Burma) population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 55,281,292 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 55,022,407 |
| World rank | #27 of 238 |
| Rank in Asia | #12 of 52 |
| Share of world population | 0.7% |
| Annual growth rate | +0.6% |
| Births per year est. | 880,359 |
| Deaths per year est. | 511,708 |
| Net migration per year est. | -38,516 |
| Birth rate | 16 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 9.3 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 31.6 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 99 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 30.4 years |
| Life expectancy | 67.5 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 2.1 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 30.6% |
| Surface area 2023 | 676,590 km² |
| Population density | 81.7 per km² |
| Capital | Naypyidaw |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $81.67B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $1,489 |
| Income group World Bank | Lower middle income |
Myanmar (Burma) population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 55,281,292 | – | – |
| 2025 | 54,850,648 | +350,557 | +0.6% |
| 2024 | 54,500,091 | +366,293 | +0.7% |
| 2023 | 54,133,798 | +377,011 | +0.7% |
| 2022 | 53,756,787 | +369,685 | +0.7% |
| 2021 | 53,387,102 | +370,580 | +0.7% |
| 2020 | 53,016,522 | +1,927,466 | +0.7% |
| 2015 | 51,089,056 | +2,064,674 | +0.8% |
| 2010 | 49,024,382 | +1,586,017 | +0.7% |
| 2005 | 47,438,365 | +2,147,524 | +0.9% |
| 2000 | 45,290,841 | +2,685,503 | +1.2% |
| 1995 | 42,605,338 | +2,788,087 | +1.4% |
| 1990 | 39,817,251 | +3,194,424 | +1.7% |
| 1985 | 36,622,827 | +3,395,623 | +2% |
| 1980 | 33,227,204 | +3,050,639 | +1.9% |
| 1975 | 30,176,565 | +2,983,549 | +2.1% |
| 1970 | 27,193,016 | +2,913,585 | +2.3% |
| 1965 | 24,279,431 | +2,549,181 | +2.2% |
| 1960 | 21,730,250 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Myanmar
Population over time
- From 21,730,250 in 1960 to 55,281,292 today — up 154.4%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +0.7% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 67.1 years (2024), up 23 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 2.1 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 16.5 births vs 9.2 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 7.3 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 24.1% of the population is under 15 and 7.5% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 3.5% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 31.36 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 34.72 Mt in 2020 — down 9.7% since.
- Per person: 0.58 t in 2024, vs 0.18 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 410.9 kg of oil equivalent per person (2023), up 52.1% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 62.9% of final energy in 2021 (-28 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 42.4% of land area (2023).
- Net deforestation: cover fell from 60% to 42.4% since 1990 — roughly 119,127 km² of forest lost.
Urban population (% of total)
- 30.6% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 19% in 1960 (+11.6 points).
- Still majority-rural — less than half the population lives in cities.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low — freshwater withdrawals are 3.3% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 18,654 m³ in 2022, down 58.7% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $81.67B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 37% since 2015.
- That works out to $1,489 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 3% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 8.8% in 2019.
Internet & mobile
- 45.4% of people used the internet in 2020.
- Mobile subscriptions: 114.3 per 100 people (2024) — more subscriptions than people.
Myanmar in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Myanmar in 2026?
As of October 2026, Myanmar has an estimated population of 55,281,292. The United Nations estimated 55,022,407 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +0.6% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Myanmar growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +0.6% per year — roughly 889 more people every day. Each year there are about 880,359 births and 511,708 deaths, with net migration of -38,516.
What is the population density of Myanmar?
About 81.7 people per square kilometre: 55,281,292 people living on 676,590 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Myanmar?
The median age is 30.4 years, and life expectancy at birth is 67.5 years. 24.1% of the population is under 15 and 7.5% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Myanmar rank by population?
Myanmar is the 27th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 12th in Asia, with 0.7% of the global population.
How has the population of Myanmar changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 21,730,250; by 2025 it had grown to 54,850,648 (+152.4%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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KenyaSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+0.6%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.