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Public Perceptions of the Present and Future of Myanmar Citizenship in Myanmar is widely perceived as exclusive, with many respondents indicating that the "sons of the soil" mindset favors accepting only those who meet specific ethnic, linguistic, and religious criteria. However, it is noteworthy that national pride appears to be diminishing, as only a few respondents expressed pride in their country. National Mood: Generally, respondents expressed a sense of depression and pessimism about the current situation, stating that the country is heading in the wrong direction due to the consequences of the 2021 coup and ongoing widespread violence. Many feel that the current environment is unfavorable for their daily social and economic activities. Additionally, a quarter of respondents reported having no income over the past six months and said they were forced to sell or pawn their possessions to survive. Given these circumstances, the majority of respondents do not believe that this is the right time to hold elections. Armed Conflicts: Regarding the ongoing armed conflicts, respondents expressed mixed views—while half are hopeful, believing the conflict could end within five years, the other half are more pessimistic, suggesting it could continue much longer. When it comes to perceptions, more respondents believe that military means can end the conflict than those who see political dialogue or international mediation as effective solutions. However, when asked about preferred actions, more respondents expressed support for pursuing a political solution as soon as possible to end the armed conflict. Trust in Public Institutions: As found in various surveys conducted last year, respondents consistently expressed distrust toward the SAC, its leadership, and its institutions, with about eight in ten indicating “no confidence.” In contrast, the prodemocracy alliance forces, including EROs/EAOs, earned a significant level of public trust, with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi remaining the most trusted figure—even though she is not directly involved in the Spring Revolution. Social Media and Source of Political Information: Generally, a majority of respondents recognize the crucial role that online platforms play in accessing political news and information. However, they are also highly skeptical about the quality and reliability of the content. About eight percent of respondents indicated that Facebook, YouTube, websites, TikTok, and Telegram are their primary sources of information.

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Four Years of Resistance: PublicPerceptions of thePresent and Future of Myanmar

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Language

Burmese
English

Topic

Military Coup

Author(s)

Blue Shirt Initiative (BSI)

Date Published: Jul 4, 2025

Abstract: Over the past four years, the social, political, and economic lives of the people in Myanmar have undergone significant changes. These developments are interpreted differently by various political actors—some view them as temporary disruptions that could soon give way to a more promising future, while others fear that the country is on the brink of becoming a failed state. But how do ordinary people perceive these conflicts? What are their expectations? Given the tremendous amount of noise in the information ecosystem these days, it is almost impossible to detect the true voices of the people. The Blue Shirt team decided to speak directly with the public to bring out their voices and break through the echo chamber of social media. From March 21 to 25, 2025, the Blue Shirt team interviewed 3,128 people from 237 townships across the country. During the survey, respondents were asked about their perceptions and expectations regarding the current situation in Myanmar—specifically, how they feel about the Spring Revolution at present, whether they are optimistic or pessimistic, hopeful or depressed, and about their daily struggles. As discussions around the formation of new states or federal units—and even secession—become more frequent among key stakeholders, we asked the public how they feel about these issues. In addition, we asked their views on what they believe would be realistic and pragmatic solutions to end the ongoing conflicts. Since the Myanmar military staged a coup in 2021, it has been impossible to use probability sampling methods—particularly for civic groups. Instead, purposive sampling was employed, and the fieldwork was completed on March 25, 2025, three days before a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar. Two important caveats are worth noting: First, because probability sampling was not used, the findings may not fully represent the entire population of Myanmar.To ensure the security and safety of both enumerators and respondents, only individuals associated with the Blue Shirt were included. As a result, approximately 80 percent of respondents reported being interested in politics. However, they do offer valuable insights into prevailing societal trends. Second, as the fieldwork concluded before the earthquake, we cannot determine whether public perceptions have remained the same or were affected by the disaster.

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BSI_National_Survey_Jun_2025_EN.pdf
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BSI_National_Survey_Jun_2025_MM.pdf
Burmese
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Myanmar Internet Project

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Four Years of Resistance: PublicPerceptions of thePresent and Future of Myanmar

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