UNDP Report Reveals Deepening Multidimensional Poverty in Myanmar
A UNDP report shows over two-thirds of Myanmar's population faces multidimensional poverty or is at risk, driven by conflict, climate shocks, and economic instability, triggering a massive youth exodus.
Over 37 million people, representing 68% of Myanmar's population, are experiencing multidimensional poverty or are at risk of falling into it. The UNDP report, issued on Thursday, details severe deprivation concentrated in conflict-affected areas like Rakhine State.
More than two in three people in Myanmar endure overlapping crises. These deficits include challenges in accessing healthcare, adequate housing, clean water, sanitation, and other essential services. Rakhine state in western Myanmar is among the most severe hotspots, with nearly a third of its population in severe poverty.
Drivers of deprivation
Conflict, climate-related risks, macroeconomic instability, and the aftermath of the March 2025 earthquake are deepening poverty across Myanmar. Roughly one in five households faces climate-related risks such as floods, cyclones, droughts, and landslides.
By the end of August, roughly 600,000 people had been affected by flooding in Myanmar. Communities are also experiencing strain from external economic shocks, including rising fuel prices linked to the Gulf crisis, inflation, and increasing food costs. These climate shocks are expected to intensify with the coming El Niño weather pattern.
Impact on specific populations
Stateless Rohingya, urban poor in Yangon, casual labour households, and displaced communities face the highest poverty levels. More than two-thirds of Rakhine state's population are multidimensionally poor. Deprivation among stateless and displaced populations in Rakhine, including ethnic Rohingya communities, may be understated due to limitations in phone-based data collection.
The Yangon region has lower poverty rates than many conflict-affected states but hosts one of the largest concentrations of multidimensionally poor people. Nearly half of households dependent on casual labour are multidimensionally poor.
Human capital loss and demographic strain
The exodus of over one million young people since 2021 represents a massive loss of human capital. UNDP describes this youth exodus as one of the largest losses of human capital in the country's recent history. The military seized power in Myanmar in February 2021, triggering a civil war that continues.
This youth outflow occurs against the backdrop of an ageing population. Kanni Wignaraja stated that the scale of poverty is undermining Myanmar's human development, adding that the war is causing losses for the entire population.
UNDP assessment and regional context
UNDP's Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific warns that Myanmar's deepening poverty undermines human development, even as it fades from global headlines. The report titled 'Layers of Deprivation: Multidimensional Poverty in Myanmar' assesses income, health services, housing, clean water, sanitation, and other basic services.
Deficits in health and living standards account for more than 80% of multidimensional poverty in Myanmar. Kanni Wignaraja said: "Myanmar may no longer dominate international headlines, but the hardships facing millions of people continue to deepen." In 2017, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein likened the military's repression of ethnic Rohingya to 'textbook' ethnic cleansing.
UNDP warns that the scale of poverty is undermining Myanmar's human development.
