Final Report
Chapter 2 Background of the Project
Kayah 0.75%, Others 4.5%) (Source: Minorities in Burma, Minority Rights Group International,
and others). However, it is said that the population of each tribe is under estimated, and as recent
conflict reports and the like indicate, there are tribes, such as the Rohingya, who are not fully
recognized as Myanmar people (UNHCR terms them stateless people). Nearly 90% of Myanmar
people are Buddhists, and it is said there are Christians 4%, Muslims 4%, Hindus 1%, and others
1%.
2.1.3
Population Distribution
The population size of Myanmar is about 59,780 thousand (CSO release*, the growth rate of
population is about 1.3%), the area is 680 thousand km2. The capital city is Nayptitaw with an area
population of about 900 thousand (confirmation required), to which the capital is relocated from
Yangon City in 2005 and which is an inland area north (360 km) of Yangon City. The largest city is
Yangon with the population of 5,400 thousand, and the second city is Mandalay. However, the
actual population distribution needs to wait the result of national census scheduled in 2014. For
example, the population of Nayptitaw is not accurately known. Its reason is that registered address
of public servants is kept at the place before the capital relocation.
Table 2.1-1 Estimated regional population (as of Oct. 2010: announced Jan. 2013)
Region and State
Pop. (1,000)
Region and State
Pop. (1,000)
1
Kachin State
1,579 8
Magway Region
5,623
2
Kayah State
Kayin State
Chin State
Sagaing Region
Tanintharyi Region
Bago Region
359
1,816
554
6,541
1,714
6,008
Mandalay Region
Mon State
Rakhine State
Yangon Region
Shan State
Ayeyarwady Region
8,422
3,137
3,306
7,023
5,660
8,041
National
59,780
3
4
5
6
7
9
10
11
12
13
14
Source: CSO (Central Statistical Organization)
2.1.4
Economic Situation
Table 2.1-2 lists key economic indicators. The GDP as of 2012 is 44.6 billion USD. According
to IMF estimates, it was predicted the real GDP growth rate would be 5.46% in 2011, and 6.2% in
2012. It is considered its economy is on the expansion trend compared to 2009 when it was affected
by the global recession. (The economic growth rate announced by CSO is highly predicted as a
whole; therefore, this report applies values until 2017 estimated by IMF. See Table 2.1-3.)
2-2