Blue Shirt Initiative
17
1.9 Citizenship
Citizenship has long been a deeply contested issue in Myanmar, even since its
independence. Tensions persist over who should be included or excluded from
citizenship, and addressing this challenge requires sound and inclusive policies if
Myanmar is to succeed in its nation-building process in the future. The Blue Shirt team
posed a series of questions designed to gauge public perceptions of how inclusive
citizenship is in the country. Survey findings indicate that a majority of respondents—
approximately seven out of ten—view citizenship in more exclusive terms. Many
believe that to be considered a Myanmar citizen, one must be born in the country,
speak the majority language (Myanmar), share the Myanmar customs and traditions,
and—though to a slightly lesser extent—be Buddhist.
Not important at all
Not very important
Somewhat important
To have been born in Myanmar
7%
17%
42%
To be able to speak Myanmar
7%
19%
42%
To be a Buddhist
To share Myanmar customs
and traditions
8%
29%
19%
0%
31%
2%
20%
4%
28%
43%
20%
40%
60%
DK/RA
4%
29%
27%
19%
Very Important
80%
3%
100%
Fig-17 : Citizenship (Overall) n=2808
Not important at all
Geography
Gender
Age
Education
Not very important
Somewhat important
Very Important
DK/RA
States
4%
Regions
8%
18%
Yangon City
9%
20%
Magway/Sagaing
10%
19%
Men
7%
18%
40%
30%
4%
Women
7%
16%
44%
28%
5%
Between 18 and 25
7%
19%
44%
24%
5%
Between 26 and 35
8%
17%
43%
27%
5%
36 and above
6%
15%
39%
36%
4%
No High School
6%
15%
38%
35%
5%
High School
completed and above
8%
0%
14%
47%
40%
5%
28%
4%
45%
20%
39%
40%
6%
29%
44%
18%
20%
32%
3%
4%
26%
60%
Fig-18 : To have been born in Myanmar
80%
100%