Asia · South-eastern Asia
Myanmar Demographics
Myanmar’s population statistics combine a 2024 census with limited direct enumeration, a long decline in fertility, a large working-age share, and extensive internal and cross-border displacement. The reported total changes with the measure used: census count, modelled mid-year estimate, annual migration balance, or displacement stock.
Main data sources: Myanmar Department of Population, United Nations World Population Prospects 2024, World Bank World Development Indicators, and UNHCR.
Last updated: 21 July 2026
Core Demographic Indicators
Myanmar’s Population Total Depends on the Measure Used
The 2024 census reported 51.3 million people, but 32.2 million were directly enumerated. A further 19.1 million were estimated for areas where enumeration was incomplete or could not be conducted. UN figures belong to a separate model-based mid-year series.
| Population measure | Population | Reference date | Measure type | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 census total | 51,486,253 | 2014 | Census total including estimated non-enumerated population | Department of Population and UNFPA |
| 2014 estimated non-enumerated population | 1,206,353 | 2014 | Census coverage estimate | Department of Population and UNFPA |
| 2024 directly enumerated population | 32,191,407 | 30 September 2024 | Census enumeration | Department of Population |
| 2024 estimated population in non-enumerated areas | 19,125,349 | 30 September 2024 | Census coverage estimate | Department of Population |
| 2024 census total | 51,316,756 | 30 September 2024 | Census total including estimated areas | Department of Population |
| UN mid-year population | 54,500,091 | 1 July 2024 | Medium projection | UN World Population Prospects 2024 |
| UN mid-year population | 54,850,648 | 1 July 2025 | Medium projection | UN World Population Prospects 2024 |
Differences Between Population Measures
- Direct enumeration represented 62.7% of the reported 2024 census total; 37.3% was estimated.
- The official census total was 169,497 lower than in 2014, a change of −0.3%.
- The UN 2024 medium projection was 3,183,335 above the 2024 census total, equal to 6.2% of the census figure.
Population Growth Slowed Across Successive Decades
The UN estimate series rises from 17.7 million in 1950 to 54.1 million in 2023. Annual growth exceeded 2% around 1960–1970, fell below 1% by 2010, and was 0.69% in 2023. The median age rose to 29.5 years.
| Year | Population | Annual growth | Median age | Measure type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 17,737,117 | 1.85% | 20.7 years | UN modelled mid-year estimate |
| 1960 | 21,730,250 | 2.18% | 19.9 years | UN modelled mid-year estimate |
| 1970 | 27,193,016 | 2.26% | 18.5 years | UN modelled mid-year estimate |
| 1980 | 33,227,204 | 1.92% | 19.1 years | UN modelled mid-year estimate |
| 1990 | 39,817,251 | 1.50% | 20.6 years | UN modelled mid-year estimate |
| 2000 | 45,290,841 | 1.08% | 22.9 years | UN modelled mid-year estimate |
| 2010 | 49,024,382 | 0.78% | 25.8 years | UN modelled mid-year estimate |
| 2014 | 50,681,634 | 0.81% | 27.1 years | UN modelled mid-year estimate |
| 2020 | 53,016,522 | 0.72% | 28.7 years | UN modelled mid-year estimate |
| 2023 | 54,133,798 | 0.69% | 29.5 years | UN modelled mid-year estimate |
The Medium Projection Peaks Around 2049
Under the UN medium variant, population reaches about 58.6 million in 2049 and then declines. The projected downturn follows weaker natural increase, a later shift to natural decrease, and a negative migration balance.
Estimated and Projected Population
UN estimates through 2023 and the medium projection from 2024 to 2100.
Source: UN World Population Prospects 2024. Projections are scenario-based estimates, not guaranteed predictions.
Fertility Fell Before Growth Dropped Below 1%
The total fertility rate declined from 5.94 births per woman in 1950 to 2.12 in 2023. Natural increase remained positive in the estimate series, but its annual size narrowed. The medium variant places fertility below the broad 2.1 replacement benchmark after 2024.
| Year | Total fertility rate | Natural change | Measure type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 5.94 births per woman | +322,781 | Estimate |
| 1970 | 5.68 births per woman | +595,331 | Estimate |
| 1980 | 4.79 births per woman | +673,829 | Estimate |
| 1990 | 3.50 births per woman | +636,106 | Estimate |
| 2000 | 2.81 births per woman | +596,980 | Estimate |
| 2010 | 2.33 births per woman | +497,751 | Estimate |
| 2020 | 2.18 births per woman | +448,657 | Estimate |
| 2023 | 2.12 births per woman | +408,352 | Estimate |
| 2025 | 2.08 births per woman | +381,564 | Medium projection |
| 2030 | 2.00 births per woman | +304,709 | Medium projection |
| 2050 | 1.83 births per woman | +35,180 | Medium projection |
How Fertility and Natural Change Diverge
- Fertility fell below 3 births per woman by 2000, while population growth remained positive.
- Natural change declined from +673,829 in 1980 to +408,352 in 2023.
- The 2050 medium projection retains a small positive natural change of +35,180 before the series later turns negative.
The Fertility Series Moves Below 2.1
Total Fertility Rate
Live births per woman; estimates through 2023 and medium projections for later years.
Source: UN World Population Prospects 2024. The 2.1 line is a broad benchmark, not a fixed national threshold.
The Working-Age Share Expanded as Child Cohorts Narrowed
Between 1960 and 2025, the share aged 0–14 fell by 15.8 percentage points while the working-age share rose by 11.8 points. The 65+ share increased from 3.5% to 7.5%. In 2025, the broad groups represented about 13.2 million children, 37.5 million working-age people, and 4.1 million people aged 65 or older.
| Year | Ages 0–14 | Ages 15–64 | Ages 65+ | Total dependency ratio | Old-age dependency ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 39.9% | 56.6% | 3.5% | 76.7% | 6.2% |
| 1980 | 39.2% | 56.7% | 4.1% | 76.5% | 7.3% |
| 2000 | 31.8% | 63.2% | 5.0% | 58.2% | 7.9% |
| 2010 | 28.2% | 66.5% | 5.2% | 50.4% | 7.9% |
| 2020 | 25.1% | 68.3% | 6.5% | 46.3% | 9.5% |
| 2025 | 24.1% | 68.4% | 7.5% | 46.2% | 11.0% |
How the Dependency Balance Shifted
- The total dependency ratio fell from 76.7 per 100 working-age people in 1960 to 46.2 in 2025.
- The old-age dependency ratio rose from 6.2 to 11.0 over the same period.
- The working-age share was almost unchanged between 2020 and 2025, while the 65+ share continued to rise.
Broad Age Structure Has Shifted Toward Older Cohorts
Broad Age Structure
Share of total population in three age groups.
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators, using UN population data.
Female Majorities Begin in the 45–49 Age Group
The 2025 medium projection shows more males than females through ages 40–44. The balance reverses at ages 45–49 and the female share rises across older groups. At ages 85 and above, the model projects about 50.5 males per 100 females.
| Age group | Male | Female | Total | Male share | Female share | Sex ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–4 | 2,243,112 | 2,120,782 | 4,363,894 | 51.4% | 48.6% | 105.8 males per 100 females |
| 5–9 | 2,293,352 | 2,172,373 | 4,465,725 | 51.4% | 48.6% | 105.6 males per 100 females |
| 10–14 | 2,242,903 | 2,134,766 | 4,377,669 | 51.2% | 48.8% | 105.1 males per 100 females |
| 15–19 | 2,235,370 | 2,138,764 | 4,374,134 | 51.1% | 48.9% | 104.5 males per 100 females |
| 20–24 | 2,281,959 | 2,199,642 | 4,481,601 | 50.9% | 49.1% | 103.7 males per 100 females |
| 25–29 | 2,226,859 | 2,165,426 | 4,392,285 | 50.7% | 49.3% | 102.8 males per 100 females |
| 30–34 | 2,166,824 | 2,123,964 | 4,290,788 | 50.5% | 49.5% | 102.0 males per 100 females |
| 35–39 | 2,064,850 | 2,037,175 | 4,102,025 | 50.3% | 49.7% | 101.4 males per 100 females |
| 40–44 | 2,010,334 | 2,005,736 | 4,016,070 | 50.1% | 49.9% | 100.2 males per 100 females |
| 45–49 | 1,773,060 | 1,798,318 | 3,571,378 | 49.6% | 50.4% | 98.6 males per 100 females |
| 50–54 | 1,571,682 | 1,630,562 | 3,202,244 | 49.1% | 50.9% | 96.4 males per 100 females |
| 55–59 | 1,344,728 | 1,445,708 | 2,790,436 | 48.2% | 51.8% | 93.0 males per 100 females |
| 60–64 | 1,076,370 | 1,220,040 | 2,296,410 | 46.9% | 53.1% | 88.2 males per 100 females |
| 65–69 | 797,228 | 970,798 | 1,768,026 | 45.1% | 54.9% | 82.1 males per 100 females |
| 70–74 | 524,493 | 699,582 | 1,224,075 | 42.8% | 57.2% | 75.0 males per 100 females |
| 75–79 | 270,243 | 398,628 | 668,871 | 40.4% | 59.6% | 67.8 males per 100 females |
| 80–84 | 119,698 | 194,872 | 314,570 | 38.1% | 61.9% | 61.4 males per 100 females |
| 85+ | 50,481 | 99,965 | 150,446 | 33.6% | 66.4% | 50.5 males per 100 females |
Where the Age-Sex Balance Shifts
- The 20–24 group is the largest five-year band, at 4,481,601 people.
- The sex ratio is 100.2 at ages 40–44 and 98.6 at ages 45–49.
- Women account for 66.4% of the aggregated 85+ population.
The 2025 Population Pyramid Has a Broad Working-Age Middle
Population by Age Group and Sex
Five-year age groups from the UN medium projection for 2025.
Source: UN World Population Prospects 2024. The 85+ group combines ages 85–89, 90–94, 95–99, and 100+.
Annual Net Migration Does Not Measure Forced Displacement
UN net migration is an annual balance between immigration and emigration. Refugee and displacement figures are stocks measured at specific dates. They answer different questions and cannot be added to the annual migration balance.
| Measure | Value | Reference period | Measure type | Definition | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual net migration | −106,772 | 2000 | Modelled annual balance | Immigration minus emigration | UN World Population Prospects 2024 |
| Annual net migration | −116,481 | 2010 | Modelled annual balance | Immigration minus emigration | UN World Population Prospects 2024 |
| Annual net migration | −66,213 | 2020 | Modelled annual balance | Immigration minus emigration | UN World Population Prospects 2024 |
| Annual net migration | −34,989 | 2023 | Modelled annual balance | Immigration minus emigration | UN World Population Prospects 2024 |
| Annual net migration | −39,661 | 2025 | Medium projection | Immigration minus emigration | UN World Population Prospects 2024 |
| Internally displaced people | About 3,800,000 | End-May 2026 | Displacement stock | People displaced within Myanmar | UNHCR regional update |
| Refugees and asylum-seekers from Myanmar | About 1,600,000 | End-May 2026 | Cross-border stock | People from Myanmar recorded across host countries | UNHCR regional update |
| Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh | 1,200,171 | June 2026 | Registered or identified refugee stock | A component of the wider refugee population from Myanmar | Government of Bangladesh and UNHCR |
| Myanmar refugees and asylum-seekers in Malaysia | 193,824 | End-February 2026 | Registration stock | Registered with UNHCR; not a count of all arrivals | UNHCR Malaysia |
| Refugees from Myanmar in Thai temporary shelters | Over 80,000 | Accessed July 2026 | Camp-based refugee stock | Nine temporary shelters along the border | UNHCR Thailand |
How the Migration Measures Differ
- The UN medium projection records net migration of −39,661 in 2025, an annual flow balance.
- UNHCR reported about 3.8 million internally displaced people at the end of May 2026; they remained inside Myanmar.
- Country refugee figures describe parts of the wider cross-border population under different registration and shelter systems.
Natural Change Turns Negative in the 2050s
The medium projection reaches its highest mid-year population in 2049. Natural change remains positive then, but the projected migration balance is negative and total growth is just below zero. By 2060, deaths exceed births in the model.
| Year | Projected population | Annual growth | Median age | Fertility rate | Natural change | Net migration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 54,500,091 | 0.659% | 29.8 years | 2.10 | +397,201 | −37,979 |
| 2030 | 56,351,031 | 0.459% | 31.6 years | 2.00 | +304,709 | −45,948 |
| 2040 | 58,169,858 | 0.190% | 34.3 years | 1.90 | +159,619 | −49,015 |
| 2049 | 58,633,122 | −0.009% | 36.2 years | 1.83 | +45,923 | −51,298 |
| 2060 | 57,935,312 | −0.205% | 38.4 years | 1.79 | −68,664 | −50,331 |
| 2080 | 54,433,608 | −0.397% | 41.4 years | 1.75 | −175,778 | −40,561 |
| 2100 | 49,658,882 | −0.506% | 43.8 years | 1.73 | −215,352 | −35,828 |
Projection status: Population projections are scenario-based estimates, not guaranteed predictions.
Data Sources and Methodology
Census totals are kept separate from UN mid-year estimates and projections. UN values published in thousands were converted to persons and rounded to the nearest whole person. Displayed rates and shares are rounded, while table sorting uses the underlying value. The census-to-census change was calculated from official totals. The 85+ age group adds the source groups 85–89, 90–94, 95–99, and 100+.
Natural change is births minus deaths. Net migration is the annual balance of immigration and emigration. Refugee, asylum-seeker, and internal displacement figures are point-in-time stocks and are not directly comparable with annual net migration.
| Source | Release or data year | Used for | Measure type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Myanmar Department of Population, 2024 Population and Housing Census | 2024 census; released 2025 | Census total, enumerated population, estimated non-enumerated population, and coverage | Census count with estimated coverage component |
| Myanmar Department of Population and UNFPA, 2014 Population and Housing Census | 2014 | 2014 census total and non-enumerated component | Census count with estimated coverage component |
| UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024 | Estimates 1950–2023; projections 2024–2100 | Population history, fertility, natural change, migration balance, projections, and detailed age-sex data | Modelled estimates and medium projections |
| World Bank World Development Indicators | Series through 2025; update July 2026 | Broad age groups and dependency ratios | Harmonized indicator series based on UN data |
| UNHCR regional and country operations | February–July 2026 reference dates | Internal displacement and refugee or asylum-seeker stocks | Humanitarian stocks with source-specific coverage |
| Government of Bangladesh and UNHCR | June 2026 | Rohingya refugee population in Bangladesh | Joint registration and identification stock |
Methodological Safety Note: The 51.3 million census total and the 54.5 million UN 2024 projection are not counts produced by the same method. The census includes a 19.1 million estimate for places that were not directly enumerated, while the UN figure is a model-based mid-year projection. World Population Prospects values from 2024 onward are projected rather than observed. Conflict, repeated displacement, cross-border movement, incomplete registration, and different reference dates widen the uncertainty around comparisons.
Questions About Myanmar’s Population Data
Why do the 2024 population figures differ?
The census reported 51,316,756 people for 30 September 2024, including 19,125,349 estimated for non-enumerated areas. The UN medium projection for 1 July 2024 was 54,500,091. The reference dates, coverage, and methods differ.
Is the 2025 population an observed count?
No. The 54,850,648 figure is the UN medium projection for 1 July 2025, not a census count or population register.
Does net migration include internally displaced people?
Not as a cross-border flow. Internally displaced people remain within Myanmar and are reported as a humanitarian stock at a specified date.
Is the population pyramid based on the 2024 census?
No. It uses five-year male and female age groups from the UN medium projection for 2025.