Public Perceptions of the Present and Future of Myanmar 14 1.6 Formation of New States As public acceptance of federalism in Myanmar has evolved over time, the debate over the formation of new states—or new federal units within future federal democratic states—has become increasingly relevant. The Blue Shirt team asked respondents about their stances. Nearly half of the respondents prefer to keep the boundaries of the states and regions as they are now. A similar view is shared by those from the states —where non-Bamar ethnic groups are the majority— when asked whether new states should be allowed to form. However, approximately one-third of the respondents indicate that new states should be allowed to form if desired. 22% Remain the same Allow to form DK/RA 46% 33% Fig-11 : Views on new states (Overall) n=2808 Remain the same States Geography 42% Age Education 21% 36% Regions 47% 31% 21% Yangon City 46% 32% 22% Magway/Sagaing Gender DK/RA Allow to form 51% 14% 35% Men 46% Women 45% 31% 24% Between 18 and 25 42% 37% 21% Between 26 and 35 45% 34% 21% 34% 19% 36 and above 50% 27% 23% No High School 50% 26% 24% 36% 20% High School completed and above 44% 0% 20% 40% 60% Fig-12 : Views on new states 80% 100%