The distribution of wealth in Myanmar (Burma) is highly unequal, reflecting significant disparities between the rich and poor. While precise percentages can vary depending on the source and metrics used, here is an overview based on available data and trends:
Economic Inequality in Myanmar
1. Wealthiest Elite
- Top 10% Wealth Share:
- The wealthiest 10% of the population is estimated to control over 35–40% of the country’s wealth.
- A small group of elites, including business tycoons, military-linked individuals, and large landowners, dominate sectors like natural resources, construction, and finance.
2. General Population and Poverty
- Poverty Rate:
- According to the World Bank (before the 2021 coup), around 24–25% of the population lived below the national poverty line in 2017.
- Since the 2021 coup and the COVID-19 pandemic, poverty has surged.
- Recent estimates suggest that 40%–50% of the population could now be living below the poverty line due to economic contraction, political instability, and inflation.
3. Middle Class
- The middle class in Myanmar is relatively small, comprising about 10–20% of the population.
- This group saw some growth during the economic liberalization period (2011–2020) but has been shrinking since the 2021 coup due to job losses and declining incomes.
Key Factors Contributing to Wealth Inequality
- Military Domination:
- The military and its affiliates control significant portions of the economy, funneling wealth to a small elite while the majority remain excluded.
- Resource Exploitation:
- Myanmar’s rich natural resources (jade, gas, oil, timber) disproportionately benefit a small group of military-linked businesses, leaving resource-rich regions like Kachin and Rakhine impoverished.
- Economic Instability:
- The 2021 coup caused a severe economic downturn, reversing years of poverty reduction.
- Inflation and unemployment have further widened the gap between the rich and poor.
- Limited Social Support:
- Public spending on health, education, and social services remains low, hindering opportunities for the poor to improve their living standards.
Regional Disparities
- Urban centers like Yangon and Mandalay have higher concentrations of wealth, with a more developed middle class.
- Rural areas, where the majority of the population resides, are significantly poorer, with limited access to infrastructure, healthcare, and education.